The 4 Top Social Media Mistakes Authors make are:
- They don’t post anything.
- They post irrelevant things.
- They don’t engage in conversations.
- They have unrealistic growth expectations.
They don’t post anything
One of the top social media mistakes an author can make is to create a account and then abandon it. Creating accounts is fun and exciting. It’s a promise of acquiring new fans. Most authors just oversee the fact that these accounts also need to be maintained regularly to attract and retain fans. Once they realize this small fact, they find out it’s too much work and they don’t want to do it. Their explanation to themselves … if all I do is social media, then when am I going to get time to write? How do fans interpret this … I followed you and now you abandoned me. You don’t care about me.
Thankfully, this is not you. But, if it is … start updating your accounts regularly. Here’s something for you to post on Twitter right now!
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little bit extra. Be awesome!” Click to Tweet.
Think of it this way. You are hosting a dinner party. Guests show up. Now, you don’t say anything to anybody all night. What do you think will happen? Things will get awkward FAST! Social media is very similar. If you are hosting a party, make sure your guests want to hang out at the party. Make it interesting for them. Have conversations. Invite them to play a game. You get my point.
So, what is the second top social media mistake authors make?
They post irrelevant things
If you want to get results with your social media efforts, the only thing you should be focusing on is “Engagement”. Are people responding to what you are saying to them? The response doesn’t always have to be a comment. It can be in the form of a Like or Favorite, Share or ReTweet or a simple comment.
Here’s a rule for posting things on Social media. If it is not inspiring, entertaining or educating, don’t post it on social media. If you understand that, Click here to Tweet it.
When you take care of putting engaging content on your social media pages, you will automatically see an increase in the number of Likes, number of Followers, number of Shares or Retweets, etc.
Going back to our dinner party analogy! Imagine you have a guest who loves gardening. Her front yard wins the best yard in the neighborhood award every year. Now, you say hello to her and start talking about aerodynamics and nuclear physics. Because, you are an aerospace engineer. Do you think she cares? She has no interest in talking about science. Her world revolves around gardening. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Ooh, that’s a tweetable! Tweet that too.
So, the point is … don’t post irrelevant stuff on your social media. It will just drive people away from you and your books.
Third item on the bad list of top social media mistakes is …
They don’t engage in conversations
So first, you didn’t talk to you guest and realized your mistake. You started talking to them.. But then you realized you were talking irrelevant stuff. So, you changed that too. You are now talking things that interest your guests. But, but, but! You have to let them talk as well. That is the third mistake authors make on social media. They talk too much without engaging their fans in their conversations.
I heard a statement long time ago … God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. Talk less, listen more. When you give your fans an opportunity to interact with you and each other, you are building a real tribe. Create an environment conducive to growth. Build your social media page in a way that it encourages conversations. Don’t post minor press releases. Post questions, ask opinions, share insider secrets of your upcoming book. Here are some ideas on what you can ask your fans:
- I am having a hard time deciding what cover to pick for my new book. Here are the three choices … which one would you pick?
- What kind of books do you like to read during the holidays?
- What is the best place to eat Tacos in New York City?
- In Washington DC, doing research for my new book “The Politician”.
- If you were to name a villain, what would you name him?
Engage in conversations! It’s the ultimate secret of social media. Without conversations, your social media efforts will not bear any kind of significant fruits for you.
And now, the very last of the 4 top social media mistakes …
They have unrealistic growth expectations
I hear many people go, I have been on social media for 3 months and I haven’t seen any many people following me or liking. Are you making any of the above listed mistakes?
Growing a social media following is a lot like gardening. Harvest doesn’t happen as soon as you sow your seeds. There is a waiting period. During that waiting period, you will need to water it regularly, make sure the plant gets enough sunlight and you also need to remove the weeds surrounding the plant. Only then, will the plant grow the way it was meant to. Similarly, social media following does not grow overnight. Every update you make will not get you new fans and followers. But, you have to be persistent. You need to believe that if you post enough number of interesting things then your followers will notice your efforts. They will share your content which will then bring more followers for you.
You also need to let people outside of social media know that you are on social media. List social media icons on your website. List icons on your slide share presentations. Let people know about your social media pages on your YouTube videos. Let your Facebook followers know about your Twitter page and vice versa. Leverage your existing networks and connections to grow your tribe.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your social media numbers. But, if you work hard and be consistent with your updates, they will grow. And, you will see the results of your efforts.
So, don’t make the mistakes countless others have made. Be awesome and kick butt on social media.
– Mayur
