Instagram is a highly visual social media platform. If you have a good eye for aesthetics, Instagram is perfect for you. To help demystify Instagram, I have compiled my top 14 Instagram tips for authors who want to get more book sales.
Before starting any Instagram campaign, it is important to know EXACTLY who your target reader is and have an outline of your marketing objective. For example, is your goal to get more testimonials, reviews, followers, beta readers, or just book sales? Your Instagram strategy needs to be attached to a goal if you want it to be successful.
I have also written an in-depth blog article that shares the three steps authors can take to finding their target reader.
I have personally found great success in promoting books on Instagram organically. Plus you’ll find tons of book bloggers and book lovers on social media sharing their latest reads. Some of these book lovers accounts have hundreds of thousands of followers too.
For authors, before making an Instagram account, do some research and make sure your target audience is on Instagram. If you have a limited time to spend on promoting your book on social media, then you’ll want to focus your energy on one or two social media platforms to achieve the most success. You don’t want to spread your efforts thin trying #todoallthethings.
Here are my top 14 Instagram tips for authors who want to get more book sales
1. Include An Optimal Number Of Hashtags
Hashtags can help a lot when you’re trying to grow your account organically. But never overuse hashtags. Research shows that the optimal number of hashtags to use is 30-40. It’s not too much or too little, and it’ll allow your audience to engage with the hashtags.
2. Utilize Instagram Stories
Instagram stories allow your photos and videos to be seen first at the top of a follower’s home page/feed every time you upload a story. Use this feature to your advantage and allow your audience to get caught up with your author life.
3. Unique Hashtags
Establish a unique hashtag for your book on Instagram. People use more hashtags on Instagram than any other social media platform. Encourage your audience to use this branded hashtag in a way that showcases your book. Over time, you’ll create a hashtag page that showcases the best of your brand and book!
4. Positioning Hashtags
Put your hashtags in the comment section that way you won’t annoy your audience!
5. Post Long Form Content
Just because there’s a word limit on your Instagram description, doesn’t mean you need to stop there. Continue the story in the comments and give your audience an in-depth description of your post.
6. Link In Bio
The most significant area of real estate on your Instagram page is the link in the bio. The link in te bio is an effortless way for your audience to keep up to date with what you have been working on.
Don’t just attach a link to your website or other social media pages, instead link to your latest blog post or interview . This link also comes in handy because Instagram doesn’t allow users to add links directly in a post’s caption.
7. Instagram Stickers
Instagram has launched new features to add to their story section. For example, ‘the ask me anything sticker’ feature. Use this feature to connect with your audience and answer their questions. This feature will give your audience an opportunity to engage with your brand and start asking you questions.
8. Instagram Story Takeovers
Collaborate with another influencer to see if you can do a one-day Instagram story takeover. By using this tactic, you can have a new audience get to know you personally.
9. Switch Over To A Business Platform On Instagram
An Instagram business profile allows you to add contact information into the bio section. This makes it much easier for your audience to interact and connect with you. It will also give you a ton of insight into how your page is performing.
10. Pre-Type Your Instagram Caption
Type up your long form captions in your notes section of your mobile, and then paste it into Instagram. This allows you to add paragraphs to your copy, which Instagram doesn’t enable when you write directly within the app.
11. Stick To One Aesthetic On Your Instagram
Keep your Instagram profile uniform by keeping your photos within one color scheme. Not only does keeping your posts within one palette make it easier for fans to recognize your photos it also creates a more cohesive profile.
12. Photo Filters
It might be fun to change it up and try different filters on all your photos, but stick with one filter only! It will make your profile more appealing to the eye and your audience!
13. Utilize The Multi-Image Tool On Instagram To Stand Out
Use the multi-image tool to expand on the message you want to share. This will create a more in-depth story to share with your audience.
14. Ask for shoutouts or features
Reach out to popular Instagrammers, or “Instagram celebrities,” and ask them to mention your Instagram account or feature your book on their stories or profile.
Or better yet, if you’re notified that one of these Instagram influencers mentioned your book without you pitching it to them, reach out and say “thanks!” This will help your book develop a relationship with people who have online influence. The backing of a major Instagram influencer could potentially help drive hundreds of new followers for your brand.
Conclusion For Instagram Tips For Authors Who Want To Get More Book Sales
Following these 14 Instagram tips for authors will help you get more engagement and followers on Instagram. Just don’t skip any of the tips listed!
Looking for more social media advice? Join my Authors only Facebook group where I will answer any of your marketing or publishing questions. Plus I am giving away my free 20-page social media guidebook that has over 100 tips for authors in it!