For last month’s bloghop, I posted about connecting with readers through your blog. If you missed it, you can read about it here. I want to share some tips about connecting with readers through social media, but first, I’d thought I’d share some tips on how to determine the best social media sites for you to use.
There are so many social media platforms out there, it’s hard to know which ones are best. There are some things you want to consider before choosing which ones you want to use.
1. First, find the sites your readers are always on. For me, I primarily use Instagram and Twitter. I’ve found a lot of YA readers on both. Snapchat is another site YA readers hang out on, but your audience is limited to those you are already friends with, so I don’t use it much. Other options include Pinterest, Facebook, Google+, Tumblr, Wattpad, and Goodreads.
2. Choose only two or three sites to manage. If you try to use all the sites, you’re going to be eating up a lot of your time. You can be much more effective if you choose just a couple of sites to focus on. Twitter and Instagram are my main focus. I also have accounts with Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+, but I use them far less.
3. Set realistic goals for using your chosen sites. Now that you’ve determined the sites you’re going to use, it’s time to set goals. You want to have goals for posting, interacting with and gaining followers, and promoting your books. I’ll share more about these in my next couple of posts.
While it can seem challenging and confusing at first, using social media can really help you build relationships with your readers. I have found it to be rewarding and enjoyable, and I have made a lot of great friends.
How about you? Do you use social media to connect with readers? Which sites to do you use? What do you like best about social media? Let me know in the comments!
This post is part of the #authortoolboxbloghop. It’s hosted by Raimey Gallant. For more details and to join in the fun, go here.
Finding Faith, Holding Onto Hope, and Living With Love 
I just saw a tweet from Maggie Stiefvater about Instagram and how she is jumping from twitter to it. I agree. Twitter has changed and I hope to make a more successful leap with Instagram too. I use Facebook and Twitter the most but I do love Instagram 🙂
Instagram is my favorite. Glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
Great post. I’ve recently joined Instagram and have found it rather enjoyable. We’ll see how I do in engaging with readers 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post! Instagram is my favorite site. 🙂
I use Twitter and Instagram, and Pinterest when I remember. I also have Google+, Tumblr, Wattpad and Goodreads. I want to use Tumblr more, because I know from experience there are a lot of users in my target market 🙂 I can’t be bothered with Facebook though, since I’m not a big user myself!
Yeah, I used to use Facebook more, but have kind of backed away from it since I get less interaction with readers there than I do on other sites. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Good post. I’ve bounced all around social media trying to find and keep readers. You’re correct, being everywhere is not the answer. My readers tend to be older, 35+ with a concentration 50+. The analytics available on Twitter, FB, and other platforms confirm most reactions to my posts are from this mature demographic. While there appears to be a youth movement away from FB and Twitter to other social media platforms, Facebook still is the best approach for me. Facebook ads can also run on Instagram, since it’s owned by FB, but I elect not use this option. I enjoy and learn from the other comments posted here.
Glad you enjoyed the post.
Great post! Going where your readers are is definitely great advice when it comes to growing a social media presence. And understanding how each platform can be used is crucial. To me, experimenting with social media and finding out what works by using the platforms and experimenting with style is crucial to being really successful. Thanks so much for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed the post!
I post to Twitter, Litsy, and my Facebook page regularly, and Pinterest, but not as much as I used to. I think I’m going to drop Tumblr, because I can’t seem to gain any headway there. Bookstagram is my next challenge. Great post, Charity!
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I use Buffer to post to the main social media networks, but the ones I actually visit are Facebook (I could live on Facebook—it’s where I have the best writer relationships which is great for my editing business), Twitter (mostly to respond to mentions), and Instagram (all the pretty pictures!). Pinterest is interesting, but a time suck so I try and stay far far away …
I agree Pinterest is a time suck. i could spend hours looking at pictures and boards. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post!
Ooh, so true, Charity! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about social media platforms. I’ve been having this same debate with myself – so hard to choose which platforms to invest time into!
So true! Glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
You’re advice about choosing on two or three sites is perfect. I made the mistake early on of looking at too many. I quickly learned focussing on key sites was better than too many. Thanks for the reminder – it’s so easy to get distracted 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the post!
I actually don’t go online much. I drop by on blog days and that’s about it. One exception is when I’m researching. I always start on the net.
Explains why I missed the toolbox hop. A week late and very confused. Looks like you have the media thing covered though.
Sorry I’m late. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette