But I Don't Want to be an Influencer . . . Social Media for Authors

So, you want to be an author, not a social media influencer. Still, you probably wouldn't mind fame and fortune, right? If those two outcomes aren't enticing, then how about sharing your story's message with as many readers as possible? Whatever your motivation, there's no accomplishing your goal if readers don't know your book exists. Whether you want to change lives, make a living, receive accolades, or some combination of the three, your book needs to get in front of readers. This dilemma prompts the question: Where are they?

Well, in 2025, they're likely on social media. Unfortunately, establishing a presence to market your book can be daunting, even if you’re a savvy social media user in your personal life. And for those venturing into the wilderness of social media for the first time, learning how to navigate new terrain while selling books can feel like an impossible task. There are too many variables and questions:

Which platform should I choose?
When should I post?
What should I post?
Why does the algorithm hate me?

In this series, we'll explore how you can use social media as a tool to further your writing career without letting it monopolize your free time. Today we're tackling the first obstacle to building a successful social media presence as an author: The little voice in your head that tries to talk you out of it.

Social media is here. It’s not going away; not a passing fad. Be where your customers are: on social media.
—Lori Ruff

Think Big Picture

If you dread dipping your toe into the murky waters of social media, you aren’t alone. Keep in mind, you don't need to become a social media enthusiast to sell books. You simply have to keep your eye on the prize. Chances are high that there are other aspects of author-ing you don't adore—maybe line editing, or chasing down rogue commas—even if you never come to love social media, you can become competent at it, tackling it with the same can-do attitude you bring to other parts of your writing journey.

You're here to sell books, regardless of whether you're self-publishing or pursuing traditional publication. The first step toward purchase is awareness; potential readers must discover you and your work to consider buying. Common sense, right? What you may not see is that awareness applies to agents and publishers, too. When you query an agent or solicit a publisher, you can be absolutely certain that these professionals will check out your social media profile to learn more about you. Once past that hurdle, they want to see that you've put in effort into social media before they expend their own.

Publishing is a business, and their livelihood depends on allocating their time well. You want to show that you're invested and excited about your work and do so publicly. Besides selling books more directly, the network you'll build demonstrates your marketing savvy to other pros and that you're an asset to their endeavors. And don't believe you need an enormous following to capture agent or reader attention. A small following is preferable to no following and shows that you're willing to do your part to market your book.

Just be nice, take a genuine interest in the people you meet, and keep in touch with people you like. This applies to life in general and also to using social media for business.
— Cara Pring

Dealing with Anxiety

If you're hesitant, addressing some common social media concerns our authors have expressed may help. Anti-social media attitudes come from fear of the unknown, childhood trauma, or anything else. Don't let anyone tell you that these cautionary emotions aren't real. They must be recognized and respected. Social media veterans should consider this advice, as well. It may identify sore spots and bolster progress. As you develop your practice and learn more about yourself, you may need to revisit these themes. It's also possible that jumping in may cause some obstacles to disappear, or at least shrink enough to get around.

Your psyche requires regular maintenance to keep your path clear. Many famous authors were (and still may be) the shy kids at the black of the class; they needed—and still need—support to get to where they are and stay there. You might, too. Ask for it without shame. Please take this to heart: no matter how much our society values extroverted bullshit; the right people value steadfast contributions and are looking to read your work.

Build Your Alter Ego

For those struggling with shyness, seeing authorship as a role to play often works wonders. Take a stab at acting out an online self that's separate from your real self. As a wonderfully creative being, it shouldn't be too hard to recreate yourself as an authorly alter ego. Then, send your alter ego out to do your work. They'll take your place, facing whatever slings and arrows being online offers. At the extreme, they're the ones being hated or ignored, not you. Meanwhile, you accrue the benefits, the money and fame. Performing your role, of course, takes support and practice. Here, we're not saying to be fake. Think of the way you have a more professional “work” self relative to the more authentic, casual persona you reserve for friends and family.

Find Your Comfort Level

It helps to remember that you are the architect of your social media world and choose what and how much of yourself to share. Some authors have no problem showing their faces on their platforms though they never mention anything personal. Others may never show up physically, but feel comfortable revealing more personal things, such as why they write or their novel's backstory and so on. The key is to find your own, sustainable way to show up, so you can reap social media's rewards. Again, if you're not comfortable, start small. It's easier to relax your boundaries rather than add them after the fact. Over time, it will almost certainly become more tolerable.

Feeling better? If not, it’s okay, part of becoming a great author is pushing your envelope. Your Bardsy crew is here by your side as you embark on this journey. In fact, this series is part of a larger effort to support one another emotionally and pragmatically throughout authoring's ups and downs. Along with our social media support group that's currently under construction, we'll soon be releasing the Bardsy Author's Social Media Primer— a guide for the author who wants to use social media as a tool to further their writing career but feels overwhelmed by the idea of social media marketing. So stay tuned, there are exciting resources in the works!

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