We’re now five days into the New Year, and if you’ve decided that 2016 will be the year that you take your book promotion to the next level, we have a few tips that can help.

In blogs past, we’ve focused on promoting your book via Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. But there are some common best practices that apply across all of these. So today, we’re going to offer you five tips on how to promote your book on social media, no matter what the platform!

Have Fun –The moment you think of social media as a chore is the moment you should reconsider your approach. Social media is a fun way to interact with other authors and potential readers alike. Don’t force yourself to engage in social media, or your efforts will feel contrived and likely go unnoticed. Rather, find a social network that you like and enjoy posting to, and work to develop your content to serve your audience!

Be Authentic – When it comes to networking on social media, it’s up to you to choose the platforms that you feel best fit your message. It’s in these cases where you should listen to your gut and don’t let the fear of failure ruin your efforts. Take social media in small doses. Doing too much too soon can quickly lead to burnout and frustration. Focus on one platform at a time; master that platform and then move on to the next!

Blog About it – Don’t forget that blogs are also considered part of the social media puzzle. As an author, writing is obviously something that you enjoy. That’s what makes blogging the perfect platform for authors who want to continue to write long after their book(s) have been published. Think of your blog as a collection of short stories. You can write and share short essays, promotional announcements or even provide your take on new books and other industry news! From there, you can cross-promote these blog posts on your other social media profiles. Just pay attention to how your audience receives certain posts. If one post is more popular than another, try your best to recreate what you did with that post again and again (without being repetitive, of course).

Be an Expert – As an author, you know a thing or two about the genre in which you’ve written your book. After reading countless books, and referring to our informative blog posts for inspiration and help, you’ve become a sponge of sorts, soaking up as much information as possible. This knowledge can be translated to your social media posting schedule. It’s only natural to feel shy when crafting a post.

After all, you don’t want to seem like a know-it-all. Just craft posts that are informative and offer your audience the benefit of your insight, or an angle that may not have occurred to them previously. Putting yourself out there can be intimidating, but if you share insight on the topics that you know and invite others to join in on the conversation, over time, you’ll become more and more comfortable in the world of social media.

Ask for Help – Getting started on social media can feel intimidating. Don’t be overwhelmed! If you’re not sure where to turn, don’t forget about the Social Media Services package available from Dorrance Book Promotion Products. We’ll help you get started and coach you on how to use leading social media platforms.

So, as we embark on a new year, keep these four social media tips in mind when working to promote not only your book but you as an author in 2016 and beyond!