SPA Girls Podcast – EP175 – How To Make Facebook Work For You
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We often get asked what authors should post on Facebook, and whether it’s worthwhile even being on the platform at all.
The answer from the SPA is a firm yes, we believe Facebook is a really useful tool for authors, especially in romance. There are many positives to having a presence on the social platform, not least of which is the ability to find and connect with readers and other authors.
So this week we break down the platform and talk about the different areas that are useful to know about as an author, plus give you ideas to use for ongoing content, some etiquette to bear in mind for using Facebook, and ways you can use Facebook to amp up your book sales.
Show Notes:
Shar’s tips:
Tip 1: It’s still worth having a facebook author page. Yes, organic reach has dropped but Facebook is STILL the biggest social media platform by far. Having an author page keeps your penname secret (if required), and means you can run ads.
Tip 2: Note sure what to post? Create a weekly schedule to ensure you mix up the content/chat/connection with readers posts versus SALES posts (should be 3/4:1 and then preschedule using the inbuilt facebook scheduling system to streamline the process – eg #MondayMovieFavs #TuesdayExcerpt #WednesdayWanderings #ThrowbackThursday #FridayFunny #SaturdaySnack #SundayShare
Tip 3: Experiment with Facebook ads and prepare to learn. Two things first: Understand how to calculate your readthrough on your series / Understand your audience (other authors they like via also boughts, movies that tie in, themes in common etc) Start with $5/day and try six ads in one ad set. Leave running for 3 or 4 days and then see which image is most successful. Then using that image create another six ads but this time change out the text. This is iteration and a way of testing. Facebook requires a LOT of testing.
Tip 4: Facebook Groups are a good way to communicate with your superfans – less so for new fans. To be effective they require clear rules, good moderation, and regular input. I personally believe they come about as a result of book sales success, rather than driving that success.
Trudi’s tips:
- Join other author’s groups/pages and see what they’re posting about and how they’re engaging with readers.
- Ask questions, use polls, reply when people post on your comments. Builds up your organic reach if you have more comments and engagement.
- Content curation is a valid way to post. It doesn’t all have to be original content from you.
- Know your readers, and know the kind of content they’d be likely to respond to.
- Consider working in with other authors if you can’t manage on your own. Make sure you’re in the same genre though, or it’s all for nothing.
Wendy’s tips:
- Doing short video clips of yourself is a great way to get your fans to interact. They love the personal touch, and seeing you talking directly to them is something they will respond to. I use Quick Time on my Mac to record, but there are other options depending on what computer/laptop you have.
- FB polls are a great way to interact at the same time as gaining valuable information. For example. What story trope do you like A. Friends to lovers B. Cinderella story C. Second chance at love. D. Secret romance.
- Engage/like other author pages. See what’s working for others, and mimic them. Save their posts to use at a later date.
- Keep your posts short, most people are looking at FB on their mobile devices and are doing so for short periods of time.
Cheryl’s tips:
- Taking time one day a week to schedule posts will make life a lot easier than thinking about it each day and using a themed hashtag as Shar suggests means you know the type of thing you want for each one. (Sunday works for me) I have a folder with graphics specifically for my posts separated into funnies, inspirational, animals etc.
- Share on other pages that you own to save time by using the same post. (personal v author page – only if it’s relevant). Use the share option on the bottom right hand of your post.
- Share in groups but be mindful of group rules and make sure you are on topic. If not, you could find yourself banned from that group.
- To gain likes, invite people who have already liked one of your posts to take the next step and like your Page. (The two things are different) To do so, just click on the list of names below the post. In the window, scroll down and click the Invite button.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Free video – how to set up a Facebook ad from Dave Chesson:
https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-advertise-book-facebook-facebook-ads-for-books/
Mark Dawson’s free guides: https://selfpublishingformula.com/spf-resources/
Recommended read: Michael Cooper’s Help My Facebook Ads Suck!
https://www.amazon.com/Help-My-Facebook-Ads-Suck-ebook/dp/B078NBW3M3
