It’s time to MarkEt your book
If you’re just starting to set up your social media for your author platform, you may be wondering, “What the heck do I post on Instagram as an author?”
Just like writing a book, there is no go-to formula for Instagram but there are some methods that are known to work. One of the most important ingredients is your own personal touch.
Start by gathering inspiration from various sources that resonate with you. Ask yourself:
Who do you love to follow on Instagram ─ not just other authors, but people in all different industries?
Why do you love to follow them?
What is your favorite content to engage with?
Also, think about how you can provide value to the people you want to reach. Your Instagram isn’t just a place for you to publish and run, it’s an opportunity to connect with other people, so always have them in mind first and foremost when creating and sharing content. How can you make it worth their while to follow you?
To get your ideas flowing, below is a list of some tried and true Instagram ideas for authors.
If you haven’t established your visual brand as an author yet, check out my step-by-step guide and free workbook that will help you determine a cohesive aesthetic for your author platform, including Instagram.
Instagram Ideas for Authors
Take them on the journey
If you’re assuming you have nothing interesting to share and that the writing process is a solitary effort that no one cares about until they can see the finished product, think again.
There are many people (both readers and fellow writers) that find it fascinating to get insight into an author’s process. It’s a great way for you to connect with people before your project hits the market and stay connected with them as you work on your next one.
Get creative with how you present your daily life as a writer. Share your ups and downs, the lessons you learn, and what’s inspiring/motivating you along the way.
Some journey-related Instagram ideas for authors:
Behind-the-scenes of your writing process
WIP (work-in-progress) mood boards and playlists
WIP dialogue excerpts
What inspired you to write your WIP
Character sneak peeks
Setting inspiration
Updates on your word count and progress
Your writing rituals
Writing space tour (desk tour and other places you like to write)
Book cover reveals
Bookstagram Ideas
Some authors take the bookstagram/book blogging approach and post book reviews and recommendations. This is a great way to engage with your audience (readers!) from the beginning who are hungry for exactly what you’re going to supply.
You don’t have to strictly post bookstagram content. You can mix it with posts following your journey as an author to add some variety and broaden the narrative.
Some book blogging Instagram ideas for authors:
Share book recommendations within your genre(s)
Bookshelf tours
Book-related shopping hauls
Take them along on a book shopping trip
Favorite reading spots
Your favorite bookish items
Book selfies
Flat lays
Tips for readers
Books on Growing Your Instagram
Personal
People love to follow people, not just pretty but ultimately soulless content. While accounts that are completely focused on someone’s personal life aren’t usually popular unless they’re a celebrity, some anecdotes give accounts a personal touch.
Sprinkle in things about who you are outside of writing and reading so people won’t only invest in your content but also in who you are as a person. This will help you establish real, genuine connections.
It is social media after all, not just media. 🙂
Personal Instagram ideas for authors:
Your kids or pets
Your city
Travel photos
Personal stories of success and failure
Hobbies and interests outside of writing
Favorite music, movies, and TV series
Spirituality
Culture
The good thing is, there are no rules to this thing. You can (and should) find your own way. Instagram can be another extension of your creativity and world as an author if you embrace it as such.
So, don’t be afraid to experiment. You don’t need to have it all figured out in order to start. Just dive in, have fun, and don’t take it too seriously!
