Social Media Insights for Authors

As the year winds down, I’m taking the time to reflect on the social media lessons for authors I’ve gathered while working with clients throughout 2024. One recent project, in particular, stands out—a performance review of a client’s social media presence in the publishing industry. The findings? Packed with actionable insights that authors can apply to their own platforms to grow their reach, build engagement, and connect with their audiences.

Whether you’re a self-published author trying to market your books or a small business owner managing your own channels, these lessons could make a world of difference as you prepare for 2025. Let’s break down the key takeaways and how you can use them to level up your strategy.

1. Consistency is Non-Negotiable

One of the most critical social media lessons for authors is that consistency builds trust. During the past quarter, the client’s publishing-focused account saw significant growth in engagement and reach, largely due to a steady posting schedule.

Consistency doesn’t mean you need to post every day, but showing up regularly—whether it’s three times a week or bi-weekly—gives your audience a reason to keep returning. More importantly, it establishes you as a dependable presence in their digital lives, making it easier for them to engage with your content.

For authors, consider creating a monthly content calendar (check out my services page for how I can help with this!) that mixes promotions for your books with value-driven content, such as writing tips or personal insights.

2. Value-Driven Content Always Wins

In the client review, posts that offered educational or actionable insights consistently outperformed standard promotional content. For example, writing tips, publishing advice, and myth-busting series generated some of the highest engagement.

Why does this matter? Readers and followers want more than just information about your next book—they’re looking for content that helps them, teaches them something new, or simply resonates with their interests.

Try This:

• Share your writing process.
• Create bite-sized tips for aspiring authors.
• Demystify aspects of publishing, like ISBNs or marketing strategies.

A great example is the “Publishing Myths” series I created for the client. Posts in this series not only drove engagement but also built authority within the niche. If you want help brainstorming similar ideas, my contact page is always open.

3. Interactive Content is Key to Community Building

Interactive posts, like polls, writing challenges, or even open-ended questions, foster connection. The client’s posts that invited the audience to comment or participate in discussions saw higher interaction rates compared to static updates.

For authors, this could mean asking your followers:

• “What’s your favorite opening line in a book?”
• “Who inspires your writing the most?”
• “What’s the weirdest place you’ve ever read a book?”

Engagement isn’t just about algorithms; it’s about building a community that feels seen and heard. These interactions also give valuable insight into what your audience loves and expects from you.

4. Carousels Build Engagement and Retention

Another standout finding from the client’s performance review was the impact of carousel posts. These multi-image posts, particularly those packed with actionable insights, had higher retention rates and engagement compared to single images or videos.

Carousels are ideal for delivering valuable information in digestible chunks. For instance:

• Break down “5 Steps to Publish Your Book” across slides.
• Create a “Writing Checklist” that followers can save for later.
• Share “Quotes That Inspire My Writing” to connect emotionally with your audience.

By encouraging saves and shares, carousels ensure your content stays relevant long after its initial post date.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Test New Ideas

The client’s Q4 performance review also showed the importance of experimenting with different types of content. While educational posts consistently performed well, we also tested meme-style reels, genre-specific Spotify playlists, and author confession threads. Each type of content brought unique insights into audience preferences.

For authors, diversifying your content can help you discover what resonates most. Not every experiment will be a success, but that’s part of the learning process. Remember, flexibility and adaptability are essential to any content strategy.

How to Apply These Lessons to Your Platform

Here’s a step-by-step plan to integrate these lessons into your 2025 social media strategy:

1. Plan Ahead: Use a monthly content calendar to ensure consistent posting. Leave room for last-minute ideas or seasonal trends.
2. Provide Value: Focus on educational or inspirational posts that align with your audience’s needs.
3. Engage Your Community: Create polls, challenges, or comment threads that encourage interaction.
4. Leverage Carousels: Use multi-image posts to share valuable tips or resources.
5. Stay Flexible: Be open to testing new formats or themes to keep your content fresh and engaging.

 Why These Lessons Matter for Authors

The most successful social media strategies aren’t just about promotion—they’re about providing value, connecting authentically, and creating a community. For authors, this means blending posts about your books with content that supports, educates, and inspires your audience.

If you’re looking to refine your social media presence or need help developing a cohesive content strategy, I’d love to chat! Explore my services page or reach out via my contact page. Together, we can create a plan that aligns with your goals and resonates with your readers.