by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Although writing is the most important thing, there’s always promo and platform building lurking in the background. And, for most of us, it’s hard to find the time to fit it in when we’re already juggling life and writing.
Obviously, if you have to choose between writing and promo, choose writing. At least, that’s always been my choice. It definitely does help to have more than one book for sale.
But if you’re able to do a bit more, here are some tips for fitting platform building into a hectic life:
Carefully pick social media platforms: Being on all the social media platforms is a rookie mistake, but one many of us have made. It’s never good to spread yourself too thin. It’s just too difficult to make an impact on all the platforms. Better to pick a couple that you really feel you could become at home on and focus your limited time on those.
Brainstorm social media content: Instead of leaving ideas up to the minute you’re posting and then trying to force them, try brainstorming a bunch of post ideas at one time and keeping a list of them in a document. You can use posts like this one from Sandra Beckwith to help you plan.
Schedule social media: Schedule ahead so that you can stay on top of your social media during busier times. Use a free program like HootSuite to use a single dashboard for all your social media sites.
Batch tasks: I’ve learned that batching tasks is really helpful in terms of focus and productivity. When you have time to work on promo, try doing one particular task. Write five blog posts or create a couple of weeks worth of social media updates. Doing this helps to get into the zone and makes it go faster.
Assign certain tasks on certain days: Sometimes it’s easier to keep up with platform building and social media updating if you put it on the calendar and try to make it particular days of the week. Maybe Wednesdays can be the day for creating social media content or Fridays can be the day you update your blog.
Put your website in your email signature: This is such a basic, small thing that it can be easily overlooked. But including your website in your email signature is a great, passive, way to let people know you’re a writer and to offer an opportunity to learn more.
Keep Back Matter Updated: This is another passive way to get traffic to your book page. Make sure your back matter in your books includes a list of your books and your website and contact information.
This is how I keep on top of the chore of platforms and promo, but I’d love to hear how you fit it into your schedule. Any tips?
Tips for Fitting Platform Building Into a Busy Schedule: Click To Tweet
I’d say consistency matters, or at least a schedule of some sort. You know when you are updating and so do those who follow you.
That’s such an important point. It’s good to have a plan for posting and it helps establish an audience.
Hi Elizabeth – setting oneself up and being organised must be essential … and makes life so much easier … also it’s professional – and as an author that’s something you want to portray – as you do. So many changes happening in social media – so another reason for being up-to-date and setting that example to oneself at least, and thus to others as one’s authorship moves along. Stay safe and all the best – Hilary
Staying organized helps so much! I have notes on my planner to help me keep straight. And good point about staying on top of all the social media changes…that’s very important.
This is really good advice, Elizabeth! I especially agree with you about choosing social media platforms. There are so many out there, and not all are the best match to reach your readers. I’d also add that you need one landing site that’s your main social media ‘place.’ Then you can focus your energy.
Some of the platforms are definitely better-matches than others! And excellent point about establishing your online home to focus on.
I was on about 25 sites when I first began and no, you can’t be effective on even half of them that way.
I can’t even imagine trying! If anyone could do it, though, you’d be the one, Diane!
I always choose writing over marketing and that probably shows in my social media, but I’m okay with that!
I finally put my website in my email signature a few months back and now I need to learn to schedule social media!
Scheduling it is easy! Coming up with the posts…well, that’s the harder part (for me, anyway!)
I couldn’t accomplish anything without a schedule. Sometimes I get in a rut and have to change it up in some way, but as long as I have the basics, I know where I am and what I need to do.
I live by my lists and schedule, too! Thanks for stopping by, Carol.