In a sea full of social media platforms, how do you choose the right one for you? Once you choose a platform, how do you establish a community? Join us in an overview of the major social media platforms as we reveal our best social media navigation tips. And as a bonus, we’ll address how to maintain a healthy “writing/life” balance while you are juggling social media marketing.SHOW NOTES:The Power of Social Media for Authors and Writers

• How has social media has transformed the role of the writer/author?
• Benefits of using platforms to build your audience and establish your brand

How do you choose which Social Media Platform is right for you and your brand?

• Overview of each (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Threads, TikTok)
• Demographics

Building a Social Media Community – It’s not all about followers, it’s about engagement

• How do you build a community?
• Interacting with followers
• Supporting other writers and authors in the community

Content ideas – How to use social media to market you and your book/work?

• Content buckets
• Varying your posts

Tools (APPS) to Make your Social Media Shine

• Canva: Design, Photo & Video
• InStories: Reels and Story Maker
• Scrl: Photo Collage Maker
• RePost: For Posts, Stories

How does one maintain a healthy “writing/life” balance on social media?

• Set boundaries (time limits)
• Consistently of posts
• Take “mental” breaks
• Remain professional in a world of trolls and negative comments

SOURCES & LINKS:Launch Pad: Countdown to Marketing Your Book, ED. Mary Helen Sheriff and Grace SammonMary Helen Sheriff, author marketing coach, https://maryhelensheriff.com/marketing/Follow @maryhelensheriff on InstagramWe Grow Media, Dan Blank https://wegrowmedia.com/follow @danblank on InstagramJenn Hanson dePaula @JennBookMarketing on Tik Tok or @mixtusmedia on InstagramShelby Leigh @shelbybookmarketing on Tik Tok or @writers.poets on InstagramJane Friedman https://janefriedman.com/Social Media Today https://www.socialmediatoday.com/Reedsy https://reedsy.com/Hootsuite https://www.hootsuite.com/Canva https://www.canva.comDO NOW:Study the social media platforms you feel are a right fit for you. Choose one or two to start out. Find accounts that you’d like to model your account after. Follow these accounts. Interact with people. Start engaging. Once you feel you are comfortable with one platform, repeat the same process with another.Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.comHope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred https://www.donnanormancarbone.com