The one social media site not many authors consider having a presence on is Instagram. One reason for this is because we deal with words, not images. Another is that people think only YA authors will benefit from it, but a huge portion of people on Instagram like to read and many writers are there. Even Stephen King was once active on Instagram.
*Instagram is a smartphone app. There is a computer version (click the colorful Instagram icon in my left sidebar, beneath the Twitter icon) but you can't upload to it, only view.
If you already are on Instagram or are considering it, here are some ideas you can try.
If you already are on Instagram or are considering it, here are some ideas you can try.
Twenty Instagram Ideas for Authors:
1. Book covers (obviously)
2. Cover teasers (Reveal distorted images or small pieces at
a time.)
 |
| A teaser I did for Seismic Crimes' cover. |
3. Book quotes as images.
4. Writing quotes as images.
5. Pictures of what you’re writing or editing.
 |
| A picture from my Instagram page for my edits. |
6. Pictures of books you’re reading.
7. Share “The End’ pictures whenever you finish a book or
short story.
8. Proof/galley pictures
9. Pictures of your desk/office/bookshelf
10. Selfies of you with your books.
11. Your book in different places. (Book Tour)
12. Fan art
13. Pictures of your blog (screenshots).
14. Book signing pictures.
15. Pictures from conferences, festivals, book fairs, and
other events.
16. Book release party pictures.
17. Sale announcement pictures.
18. Screenshots of good reviews.
19. Pictures of your kids reading.
20. Selfies/pictures of yourself (obviously).
Of course you can share anything else that's not writing related, such as pictures from your travels, nature, art, animals (your pets), food, whatever you like! I do a lot of everything on my Instagram page.
TIP: Add hashtags to your captions.
Here's a list of book/writing hashtags I use:
Book Hashtags:
#Booknerdigans
#Bookstagram
#BooksofInstagream
#BookNerd
#BookLove #BookLover
#Bibliophile
#Bookaholic
#BookAddict
#Bookporn
#Books #Books
#ebook #ebooks
#Kindle #Amazon
#BookCommunity
#BookWorm
#Bookish
#ilovebooks
#BookstagramFeature
#bookwithme
#lovebooks
Author Hashtags:
#AuthorsofInstagram
#WritersofInstragram
#WritersCommunity
#AmWriting
#WritingLife
#WritersLife
#AmEditing
#AmRevising
#Author
#Authors
#Writer
#Writers
#Editing
#Publishing
QUESTIONS: Are you on Instagram? Would you consider joining
Instagram now?
I am on Instagram, and I have done many of the things you've suggested here. (I've only recently started to use any hashtags, though.) But mostly my Instagram feed ends up being pictures of my pets. Maybe if I had more books...
ReplyDeleteOh, and thanks again, Chrys!!
Promote what you have. You don't need a ton of books to post on for Instagram.
DeleteYou're welcome, MJ! :D
I think it would be one social site too many for me. I do have a ton of images of Mini-Alex hanging out with my book though.
ReplyDeleteAnd Instagram would be a great place to share those Mini-Alex pics. And the great thing about Instagram is it doesn't feel like social media. You share pictures when you can and/or want to.
DeleteThese sounds like good tips, Chrys. I'm not on Instagram, but I do like the idea of it more than any other social networking site, at this point in time anyway. We'll see.... :)
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite social media site because it's fun and I love photography. :)
DeleteCongrats to the winner! I'm not on Instagram; I actually set up an account or whatever I needed to do to post pictures, but haven't done much with it since then :)
ReplyDeletebetty
It's pretty easy to share pictures whenever you want to when you get to it. :)
DeleteI haven't joined but I've thought about it. Thanks for sharing. You're making me think about it again.
ReplyDeleteInstagram is so much fun! My favorite social media site. :)
DeleteGreat tips Chrys. will keep all this post in mind.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Great! :)
DeleteNever got on instagram as I'm already everywhere else. Could use the cat in creative ways though haha
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see your cat pictures and those neat illustrations for your books on Instagram. I think that would be a good marketing strategy for you. :)
DeleteI'm not on instagram and not sure I want to be. Don't I need a "modern" phone for it? Or can I do it from my computer?
ReplyDeleteYou do need a modern phone for it. Stinks I know. There is a website you can go to on the computer, but it's only for viewing, You can't upload pictures. I don't like that either.
DeleteI set up an Instagram account but haven't really used it. Thanks for the suggestions.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteThank you for this post, Chrys. I joined Instagram a few months ago but didn't really know, until this post, what I was suppose to post on there. I see what other people post and worried that I didn't have anything interesting to share. Thank you, again.
ReplyDeleteYou can share just about any picture you want to. :) And you're very welcome!
DeleteI think this is a fantastic idea and luckily, I have an in-house expert. My daughter has been on Instagram for months now. I am also depending on her to help me with my book trailer.
ReplyDeleteHaving an in-house expert is great, indeed!
DeleteI haven't joined Instagram, having thought of it as mostly a young person's thing or a place for posting pictures of food. I suppose it's not much different from the Photobucket account I haven't been able to update in years.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many authors and writers on Instagram. And it's not just for food pictures. :)
DeleteI am not on Instagram. I'm still trying to figure out Goodreads. I'm a fossil. Funny, but true.
ReplyDeleteGoodreads is fun. :)
DeleteI recently joined Instagram, but not for my books or writing. It was because I was putting together a jigsaw puzzle and thought "I bet people post images of their puzzles on instagram." And they do. I'm not sticking to just puzzles though. I've been doing pictures of nature and books as well. It's really fun.
ReplyDeleteI love Instagram because people post pictures for all hobbies. Everyone can find their niche there.
DeleteYes. I'm on Instagram. I was shocked when in one day I had so many followers and I hadn't followed anyone. Thanks for some good ideas about what to post.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I had to follow people and really post to get followers. You're doing it right!
DeleteI'm not yet on Instagram. But sounds like great place to be!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great place to be. :)
DeleteI feel so archaic because I didn't even know this existed as its own site. I know Twitter, Facebook, etc... But I thought Instagram was just something some would do on Facebook or when writing an e-mail. I guess my blond hair is showing more
ReplyDeleteIt's more an an app for smartphones, but there is a website for computers. Except you can't upload photos to it on the computer version.
DeleteThe funny thing is, my online shop is perfect for Instagram, but I rarely post anything. Bad habit.
ReplyDeleteUsing Instagram for your shop would be a great strategy.
DeleteI'm on Instagram and love all the ideas. I should do the finished the book one. I don't ever do that...
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the pics you share of your family. :)
DeleteI'm not on Instagram because I don't have a cell. I thought you needed one in order to use it, but maybe I'm wrong...
ReplyDeleteYou do. There is a computer version but you can't upload to it.
DeleteGood tips, Chrys. I'll share this around. I'm not on Instagram cos I thought I'd just focus on Pinterest and Twitter. Might sign up for a Linkedin account, too, cos that's been popping up on my radar quite a bit lately. I'm taking that as a sign.
ReplyDeleteI'm not on Pinterest because I know I'd spend hours on it. haha I've been thinking about Linkedin as well.
DeleteI hear if you write YA, it's the best way to reach out to your readers. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
It is a great way to connect with YA readers. But all readers as well. :)
DeleteThank you Chrys! These ideas are fantastic. I hadn't realized how many hashtags were out there. My Stepson told me to put pics of my book up which I did, a while back. I should revisit. I've been a bit lazy on instagram. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Lisa! I slowly compiled this list of hashtags from posting my own pics and seeing the hashtags others posted with their pics.
DeleteI bet those would work well for Pinterest, too. (I admit, I'm a junkie. It's my nightly wind-down.)
ReplyDeleteI haven't joined Pinterest because I know I'd be stuck on it for HOURS! lol
DeleteCongrats MJ. I am not on Instagram, but think of it. I am so busy with the media I have going now...especially this time of year...that I have a hard time getting to what I have going now. LOL Maybe in the future, seeing I love photography it would make sense.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
The good thing about Instagram is that you can pop in to see what pics your friends have shared and then quickly share one of your own. It doesn't suck up my time like with my other social media profiles.
DeleteHow interesting. I know nothing about Instagram, but think I might try it. Thanks for the advice.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Beverly! :)
DeleteThis was quite helpful. I won't be joining any time soon, but I could see doing so once I'm working on putting novels out. At the same time, I'm a month behind on blog visits, so one thing at a time.
ReplyDeleteOne thing at a time is best. :)
DeleteI'm on instagram. Mostly to share pictures with friends and family. Perhaps I can make a second account for my writing. I have shared blog screen shots before, but not very often. I like the idea of shots of what you are working on.
ReplyDeleteYou could always give it a try. :)
DeleteI can scarcely get myself to post on Facebook and Twitter. I'm sure I'd be even worse on Instagram.
ReplyDeleteInstagram doesn't have much obligation behind it as Twitter and Facebook do. Those you really have to keep up with.
DeleteSuch excellent tips! I have an Instagram account- but it is the one that gets the least attention out of my social media. I plan to try these tips though and I wish I could do Instagram from my computer and not just a phone. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I wish we could use Instagram on the computer, too.
DeleteGreat tips for writers that use instagram. After a while I could see that you were trending toward anything book related. Which totally fits. Because everything you read, write, and experience goes into your book. And I love the idea of using cover teasers. :) Great post!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, posting any that's book or writing related is great. I even post pictures of my cats on my desk. ;)
Delete