How Authors can use Instagram to Sell More Books
In 2018 Instagram announced that user numbers had exceeded 1 billion, over 500 million of whom log into the network daily. In a relatively short time Instagram has become the world’s fastest growing social media network and while visibility has become more elusive on Facebook and Twitter, rates of engagement on Instagram have soared. Studies show that Instagram users are 58 times more likely to comment on, like, or share a post than Facebook users and 120 times more likely than Twitter users*. For authors wanting to reach new readers and strengthen connections with existing fans Instagram is a powerful marketing tool and now is the time to start taking your author account seriously.
So, how can authors use Instagram to reach more readers and sell more books?
Like all social media, Instagram is part of a book sales funnel, starting with awareness and leading to the sale. Instagram is a way for readers to find you and for a relationship of trust to be built. The more engaging your Instagram the more readers you will be able to reach. Struggling to make your written work visually engaging? Here are 5 actionable tips for boosting your following and sales.
1. Optimize your Profile
You only have one photo and 150 characters for your Instagram profile so make them count. A successful Instagram profile should appeal to your readers and give them a taste of your author brand. Make sure you have a relevant easy-to-find username and a clear photo (a headshot or author logo works perfectly here). This photo should be the same across your social media accounts to give your readers a sense of consistency. Sum up your work in the first line of your bio. Make it concise and relevant to your readers using keywords they are likely to be searching for. Finally, add a call-to-action link directing readers where you want them to go.
2. Post High Quality Images
You don’t need to be a professional photographer to put together an amazing Instagram feed. The most important components of any photograph are composition and lighting. Take some time to get these right before you press the capture button. Get familiar with your phone camera. Try out different Instagram filters and free photography apps and don’t be afraid to get creative with unusual angles or effects. Still daunted by photography? Consider using quotes, illustrations and text art to bring your words to life.
3. Make it Social
Don’t be that person yelling at everyone about your book. Instagram is about giving your readers value, not just selling to them. Take some time to interact with your readers, answer their questions, respond to comments and like and comment on photos. Show support and interest in your readers and fellow authors and aim to connect with them in an authentic, meaningful way.
4. Use Relevant Hashtags
An enormous number of images are posted to Instagram every day. Hashtags give users a way to sort through this overload and find what they are looking for. Using hashtags enables you to classify your content by subject matter and increase the likelihood that readers will find your posts. You can use up to 30 hashtags per Instagram post, and while experts are divided on exactly how many you should use, studies show that posts with 11 or more tags get the highest rates of engagement.
Get your free Hashtag Guide for Authors here.
5. Don’t Forget about Stories
Stories are 24-hour images or videos displayed on the top of a user’s Instagram feed. They can be a fantastic part of your profile, providing little snippets for your readers into your daily life. You can add a sticker hashtag to your stories to increase their visibility and swipe up links to parts of your website or book buying sites. Stories can also be highlighted to become a permanent part of your profile and some Instagrammers have started using these highlights to strategically show off business services. Authors can use story highlights to showcase books, behind the scenes clips, to build anticipation with a work in progress or promote limited-time price offers.
If you want to know more check out our 7-day Social Media Boot Camp for Authors a day-by-day action plan to whip your social media into shape in a week.
* Statistics Source: SproutSocial
