Diane Griffin
How I Use Social Media to Promote My Books
I have a very high powered career as CEO of a Security Company and as an author. I have written three books to help parents protect their teens that text, use Facebook , and social media, Safe Text: Protecting Your Teens from the Dangers of Texting, Protecting Your Teens on Facebook, and Social Media Secrets Every Parent of College Bound Teens Must know. I not only open their eyes to what dangers lurk on the Internet and texting, but also tell the parents what to do about the problems and also how to protect themselves. Not everything is negative about the Internet and there are ways for parents to help their teens use social media for their advantage, just as authors can use social media to their advantage.
In the process of getting the word out about my book with the help of Assisting Authors Online, I have done the following:
I have a new website and blog, http://www.protectyourteens.com, for the express purpose of advising parents on dealing with enormous challenges that teens face in their interaction with Social Media. I also guide them to find ways that Social Media can help their teens in networking and getting into colleges of their choice. Every author should have a blog to connect with potential readers. It can also publicize events to promote their books such as contests, book signings. virtual tour schedules, and non-virtual book schedules, provide resources,etc. Every time I publish a new post it goes to Facebook. Twitter, and many other social media sites, blog directories and feeds.
I have a new Facebook Timeline Authors Page. http://www. facebook.com/protectyourteens. Every author should have the reach and target accuracy that Facebook affords. Facebook has a main page with a timeline cover. My cover publicizes my books. Underneath the cover is the app strip. I have used this to my full advantage by asking people to like my page through the photos tab. I have also added three tabs that link to more pages (Facebook calls extra pages apps).
Welcome page : People who have liked my page can sign up for extra information and tips. They can enter my contest on this page because it includes the contest form.
Website and Blog: My entire website is accessible on this page so fans do not have to leave Facebook to read my blog or access anything on the website.
Books Page: My actual Amazon Author Central Page was brought into Facebook. Here, the fans can find out more information about me and there are direct links to my Amazon book pages to read reviews, look inside the book, and purchase the books. The key here is that they never have to leave Facebook. Marketing research shows that people would rather stay in one place especially to purchase products.
I am planning to add a video page and possibly a Pinterest Page which will have links to important resources.
Linkedin: I am planning on having a Linkedin group fo bring together Parents and teens that can share stories, teach each other techniques, and ask for advice, etc. Having your own group on Linkedin can build an author’s reputation as an expert in their field.
Project: I have a comprehensive project that teachers and people who home school can use with the teens as my books are directed towards parents. This project goes with the Safe Text book and is based on best practices in education, learning targets, and national standards for education as well as my book. This project is free and can be found on my website. The project was developed by Janis Friesler (CEO of Assisting Authors Online), an award winning educator who specializes in project based learning.
So there you have it. This is the way I have used social media to get the word out about my books and my brand. Please comment below on how you use social media. Don’t forget to enter the contest. I have really enjoyed writing this guest blog.