Facebook is not only one of the most highly visited online sites, it is also the most popular social media site on the web today; as a writer, you have to take advantage of this. You want to make your profile shine, and you want to let people know who you are. Some simple Facebook tips for writers include giving visitors a short bio, teaching them and showing them the content you produce, and creating a page that would appeal to those who are most likely going to be reading the content and books that you create.
Depending on the type of books you write, there are different layouts for your page, and unique ways to set up your bio, in order to appeal to your niche audience. These Facebook tips for writers will help you create a profile that is noticeable, and one that people are going to find.
Complete your profile –
If you have a personal Facebook page, it is more than likely you leave out some personal information (such as phone number, address, etc); but, for your writer page, you must fill in ever section on your profile page. You don’t have to put down a physical address and personal phone number, but include things like: City, DOB, work phone number, type of content you create, current books, etc. The more visitors know about you as a writer, especially those who are brand new to your Facebook page, the more they will gather about you as a writer, without ever having seen any of your work.
Make it public –
Again, with personal pages, you can create privacy settings where only friends can see your page; but, with a business account for your writer bio, make it public. You want people to find you. From publishers to possible readers, to individuals who are looking to join a book club. The more followers you have, the easier you will become to find on SEO searches and through other online searches. So, go public, and allow people to find you, otherwise you will lose out on a large potential pool of readers, and might shut out an entire group of people without even knowing it.
Keep them updated –
Your followers and fans want to know what you are doing. So, create and post updates regularly. If you are working on a book, and have to push back the first draft date, let fans know. If you are going to do a book signing, or writing an online article or blog, inform those who visit your page. By keeping them updated with news on your work, what you have recently done, and what is to come, they are more likely to keep following you, and fans are going to be more likely to see your content when it comes out. If your fans do not know what you are doing, when a book is being released, or when you are adding new content online, how are they going to see it? – So, even though it seems basic enough, keeping them informed, and letting fans know what is taking place, on a regular basis, is very important to your profile page on your public Facebook account.
Have a photo –
Doing this puts a face to the name. This is one of the most basic Facebook tips for writers, yet it is one that so many writers, and other public figures, ignore. You want to connect with those you are trying to sell to. If you have a picture, people can see you, and can connect the type of writing you do, your current books, and other publications, to the face they see. When you do post a photo, make sure it is one that truly showcases you professionally, and avoid those where you were playing beer pong at a college party. Your public writer page speaks volumes of you, and your photo is one of the first things visitors are going to want to see when they visit your profile page.
Be selective –
This goes not only for the fans you accept to your page, but also to content, photos, and anything else that goes up on your page. If you suggest another writer’s page, make sure their work compliments yours; if you add new fans, make sure they are not going to tarnish your site or reputation. Your site, and the content on it, are all public, and are all going to portray you to the public. Every and anything that goes on the page, has to be quality content, and has to portray you as a positive influence, and showcase the work you do on and offline.
Think before you act –
If you have a profile as a writer, as well as a personal one, make sure you think before posting a photo. You have to know that everything you put online, from the picture at a party, to information about a relationship, is public, especially if you have a public page. So, make sure you only put things online that showcase you in your best light; people are not going to buy books from a writer that is a bad influence, or does things that are not morally correct. You have to know anything you put online will be there forever, even if you personally delete it. So, before you post it, think, and make sure you are only portraying yourself in the best possible light.
No matter what kind of writing you do, what kind of content you create, or who your niche audience is, with the right Facebook profile page, your surely going to shine and get the followers you want to get. It is important that you keep fans updated, let them know what is going on, and give them information and updates regularly. The more they know, the more likely it is they are going to continue to follow you, and will make future purchases for the books and other content that you create on and offline for fans.