I am working in a Digital Marketing Agency and as a part of my job I have to be aggressively active on Social Media, again I rarely found any writers or authors on social media By writers, I mean “innovators” creators of fictions, fantasy, Drama and horror, non-fiction eBooks and guides, or bloggers, or anything in-between. There are tons of benefits of social media but to name a few here I go with the Authors thingy.

Authors usually understand that they need social media platforms, but they don’t understand that they really need social media to work for them,  they are creators, remember? Before I jump in, I want to clarify–I’m not a fan of “big promise, small delivery” kinds of content. I feel confident to write this article is that I’ve actually seen the effects of good social media use and bad social media use. Social Media is not only a networking site or networking event. There’s something about Twitter that always bores me. It’s a great platform, don’t get me wrong, but it seems like that so many people treat it like it’s a gigantic networking place

You know the type of salesman who sells you air even if you don’t need any cause it’s already there, trying to get your attention. Get it? Sometimes people treat Twitter like that as well. let me be clear:

Use Twitter as a valuable, important conversation

You should have a Twitter account pretty much for any industry or business, it’s a perfect for social media. Don’t belive me? Ask me about the client who just sold his jewellery on the demonetization by just using Twitter Engagements

How do you add value to Twitter:

Connect like-minded people

once a week focus on trying to connect with people in your network to others in your network.

Create lists and organize your account

Obviously, in order to connect people to one another, you’ll need to really get to know your followers. This takes intense focus on keeping up with your Twitter account. You can use lists through Twitter.com, or (my preference) TweetDeck, where you can manage at-a-glance your different lists and connections. Spend a few hours (or more) organizing your “Tweeps” into areas of interest, industry, or field of expertise. Once you do this, it’s amazingly easy to see which of your connections are the most helpful, and which ones are basically Spambots.

Facebook isn’t just for Friends anymore

There was a time when Facebook was a sacred place; for friendships only. Thankfully, it still has a “friendly” atmosphere, but it’s also grown up a bit. If you don’t have an author page (if you’re a book writer) or a business page (if you’re a business), you should definitely go set one up. Facebook pages are awesome for keeping your loyal fans up-to-date on your goings-on, and other smashed-together words that almost make sense.

Only use Facebook Pages if you’re going to use them

This sounds pretty obvious (and it’s a truism for all of social media, I might add), but it’s pretty sad when I come across a well-designed Facebook page, enticing me to click the “Like” button to get something free and awesome, and then I don’t find anything helpful or relevant or “value-adding” after. Fill it out with helpful, value-adding content that they’ll enjoy. Your “fans” want you (or your brand) to speak to them on their terms, not on yours. Use the page to promote your work; sure.

To put it bluntly, it’s not Twitter. Ask random questions, run interesting polls, interact with your fans in a way not related to your own brand every once in a while, also use the feedback to become more human; more personal to your audience.

What can You ask them?

1. If they’ll pre read your e-book or product materials
2. If they want to do some kind of joint-venture with you
3. If they need help with anything

Ask them nicely, and continue to thank them for their hard work.

Your ‘In List’ will grow with you–keep it cultivated, and keep them happy. You won’t always pick the perfect “In-Lister” the first time around: some people just don’t care about you, or honestly, don’t have the time. Don’t give up altogether; replace them with someone new (doesn’t “unfollow” or “unfriend” them necessarily, just don’t focus your efforts on getting them to respond to you).

Finally, don’t forget about the other people in your network. Like the pastor of a growing church, you have a large flock to keep happy–don’t neglect or ignore them. Just use the talents and connections and abilities of your core In List group to get the job done!

SO–HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY PROMOTE YOUR WORK?

The secret is to make your audience feel like experts also focus on putting value wherever you can

Conclusion:

Achieving social media zen is an elusive task–it starts with defining your own success, tasks, and goals, and ends with having a great social media platform that’s alive and thriving. You don’t have to Tweet more than everyone else (or less). You don’t have to follow everybody who follows you. You don’t have to pay for ads to your Facebook page. But you do have to give back; usually, before you even start. You have to focus on adding value to your burgeoning relationships and connections and providing help to those who need it.

Don’t get the impression that it’s bad to promote your own stuff on social media; that’s incorrect–social media’s participants expect self-promotion (that’s kinda why they’re there, too!). Just don’t do it until after you’ve given thanks to those who’ve helped you along the way, and after you’ve made it a point to create a welcoming, real, and helpful persona online.