Hello! Annie here. Before we jump into what Emilie has to share with us, let me introduce her to you from my perspective a bit. I was first introduced to Emilie through her blog. I love her perspective and the variation she provides, mostly book related, but many times provide inspiration and encouragement as well. Her writing makes me smile and her instagram feed makes me drool. You can say I was a little fan girl of hers. Then when I met her in person, she is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. Her smile brightens the room, and her talent speaks for itself. She has high klout in the world of bookish marketing and her merchandise shop is a bookish fan favorite. Nowadays, I'm happy to introduce her as a wonderful friend.
 |
| Image Credit: Emily Hendryx @createexploreread |
I started my Instagram page, CreateExploreRead, in 2016. I
had also started a Society6 shop (an online platform that allows designers to
upload their art and sell items printed with it). It was an exciting time and I
started crafting images of books and my art on items such as mugs, totes, and
pillowcases.
The more I dipped my toes into the world of Instagram and
books (aka: #bookstagram), the more I started to shift what I wanted my page to
represent. As we see in all forms of art, writing included, you grow as your
knowledge grows.
I started creating more ‘artsy’ photos, included more books,
and started only using my Nikon camera to take pictures (instead of my iPhone)
all in an effort to create quality content. The main goal? Grow a platform of
followers that not only wanted to purchase from my Society6 and Etsy shops, but
also an audience that would one day support me by buying a published book.
While I’m still working on the book aspect (as I’m out on
submission right now) I have found a way to build a solid platform without having a book (as of yet)! We
know that, in today’s publishing world, platform is paramount, so I’d like to
give you eight tips: 4 dos and 4 don’ts, when it comes to marketing your book
on Instagram.
4 Things NOT to do on Instagram
Don’t…
- Only post about your book – It can be tempting to want to market your work all the time, but I’d suggest finding a balance. Talk about your books, but maybe only post photos of them every 3-5 images. You can still talk about your writing process in your captions, but use that time to post about books you love and help support other writers.
- Ghost your followers – What I mean by this is don’t start an Instagram page hoping to gain followers and then never post! It’s a missed opportunity for (free) marketing. I know it can take a lot of time to create images, think of captions, and engage, but I truly believe Instagram is one of the best marketing platforms for books.
- Be selfish – Sounds a little harsh, but I have seen many accounts where the author is only posting because of what they can get out of Instagram. That’s not how it works. Instagram works best when you interact with other readers. It takes time, but it’s worthwhile.
- Leave creativity out of it – I realize not everyone is a professional photographer, but there are some tricks to taking good photos. One thing I can recommend is using a filter (you can use one in Instagram or another app) but find one that you like and apply it to all of your photos. You may need to adjust brightness levels or contrast, but this will give your photos an extra touch of professionalism and continuity that gives your account a more curated feel.
 |
| Image Credit: Emily Hendryx @createexploreread |
4 Things TO do on
Instagram
Do…
- Post about your book – While this may seem in direct contrast to my previous point, I think some readers-turned-authors forget that their Instagram is a platform for promoting their own work too. We get so excited about the books we’re reading it can be hard to post about our own work, but that’s important as well. As I said above: it’s about balance.
- Give helpful content in your captions – Captions are becoming more and more important to those on Instagram. When you write something, consider its value. A lot of the time people will save an image (using the flag under the bottom right of the image) because of the content you’ve put in the caption. This helps you in the algorithm and raises the value of your page. If you’re published, you already have tips that aspiring writers want to know. Consider sharing them in your captions!
- Post about books! – It may seem silly, and I’m not saying your whole account must be books, but readers love seeing images of books. Trust me, it’s a thing! It’s also a good way to support fellow authors.
- Be genuine – I say this every time I talk, but it is crucial that you be genuine in your captions, interactions, and direct messages with readers. Their interactions with you will translate to how they support you and your books.
Treat your followers as friends while writing amazing books
and they’ll spread your stories far and wide. I can’t think of better marketing
than that!
_________________
Emilie is a freelance writer, photographer, and graphic
designer living in Northern California. She’s a member of ACFW and writes Young
Adult fiction. She’s got a soft spot in her heart for animals and a love for
the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. In her spare time, you can find her
designing fun, bookish items for her Etsy and Society6 shops all while drinking
too much coffee.
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/eahendryx
Instagram: www.instagram.com/createexploreread
