Today social media enthusiast, Courtney Gordon, has taken over Down Under Wonderings to talk about how writers can use Twitter to connect with readers.
As a reader, I can attest to the fact that
that a book by itself is not enough. What I mean, of course, is that after
falling in love with a particular piece of literature, what I crave more than
anything is more. Now, more does not necessarily entail a sequel to whatever
work I had just read enjoyed, though in many cases that would be a wonderful
scenario; rather, more consists of communication with the author. As a child, I
wished for nothing more than to be able to write letters to my favorite
authors. In one case, I distinctly remember looking up a particular writer’s
email address, which I attempted to use to contact her. I did not receive a
response.
Today, with social media networks linking
people together in a way that makes it both easy and almost a necessity to
connect with others, the time has come for authors to take their work to the
next level and actually begin opening up to their readers. This does not mean
using sites like Twitter to pressure people into buying and reading your book.
It also does not mean responding to every single tweet. Rather, it means
opening up forums for various conversations, conversations that your readers
can join in and that you can respond to candidly. It means not just using Twitter
to share your own news, but to also follow your readers, read up on some of
them, and comment on their things. In essence, connecting with readers through
a platform such as Twitter is a way to show that you care, while also offering
them the “behind the scenes” info they crave.
Here are some ways to best make use of
Twitter to connect with your fans:
Tweet
multiple times each day
The more you share, the more you care, or
so readers will think. It is in your best interest to tweet as often as you can.
These tweets can include scripted or preplanned topics, such as questions
pertaining to an issue or character in one of your books or a information about
an upcoming event, but they should also be made up of genuine and spontaneous
comments, such as a comment about a new recipe you just tried or a recent
vacation you just got back from and the things you enjoyed most about it. Also
take the chance to discuss literary subjects, offering recommendations of good
books you just read or upcoming book festivals you intend to attend. Let
readers see that you, too, are human, while offering them the sort of content
that appeals to them, content that shows both the man behind the curtain.
Be
considerate
If you ever present a question to which
people take different sides or express an idea that some may disagree with, you
have to be prepared for angry and hurtful replies. While much of these opinions
may be the product of actual concern on the part of their writer, one has to
also be aware of the recent surge in the number of trolls who stalk the web,
virtual trouble makers looking to cause dissension for nothing more than some a
couple of laughs. Yet whether you come in contact with a troll or a reader with
a different opinion, you must always remain calm and considerate. Be
open-minded and explain that your opinions are yours alone. In this way, you
will show your readers that you are caring, accepting, and unprejudiced.
Be
outgoing
Don’t wait for readers to comment on your
tweets. Comment on theirs as well, particularly if they write about something
that you find interesting. Share your followers’ tweets as well, if you think
them worth sharing. In this way you will make friends and forge a much deeper
connection with your readers. While you are trying to connect with them, it’s
okay to get personal. Personal enough that you’re comfortable with the
information you are sharing. For example, you might want to share a picture
from your child’s birthday party or of your dog. You might not want to Tweet
about someone in your family going to a private
rehab facility. Use your judgment but know that it doesn’t always have to
be about books!
Be
yourself
Readers don’t want to follow your Twitter
account just to see you use it as a marketing campaign for your work. That
doesn’t mean you can’t post anything about your work. Particularly if it has to
do with something behind the scenes, such as a character history that is not
revealed in your book or a something of the sort, your readers will be
interested in seeing that sort of information. But ultimately, they want to see
you. They want to know what your like, to meet you, to introduce themselves and
strike up a conversation with the man responsible for the book they loved so
much. By being yourself, by answering truthfully and actively making
friendships, you will be able to connect with your readers in a way that was
not possible a decade ago. It would be unfortunate to let such an advantage
slip by unused.
blogger who loves all things social
media, internet and SEO! Read more
from her on her blog,
Fifteen-year-old
Treasa Prescott thinks she’s an alien. She doesn’t fit in with the preppy South
African private school crowd and feels claustrophobic in her own skin. Treasa
is worried she might spend life as a social pariah when she meets Gabriel du
Preez. Gabriel plays the piano better than Beethoven, has a black belt in
karate, and would look good wearing a garbage bag. Treasa thinks he’s perfect.
It might even be love, as long as Gabriel doesn’t find out she’s a freak.
Suzanne
is an author and peanut-butter addict from South Africa. She currently lives in
Finland and finds the cold, dark forests nothing if not inspiring. Although she
has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and
creating quirky characters. When not writing you can find her teaching dance
and music to middle-schoolers or playing in the snow with her shiba inu. She is rep'd by Jordy Albert of the Booker Albert Agency.
