Would Instagram Help?
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
United States
August 21, 2016 10:57am CST
Okay, team, here’s today’s challenge: How to use Instagram to increase an author’s following. It seems to me that Instagram is made up of photographs. Please correct me if I am wrong. If that is true, would posting pictures that are not relevant to the topic of the books an author writes help?
My most recent book is going to a traditional publisher, rather than CreateSpace. My sister convinced me that the topic is so relevant (and not yet covered in other books), that a traditional publisher would be the better way to go. To that end, I have been doing research so that I go about this the best way.
One thing I have discovered I already knew, but did not fully understand in detail. An author needs a platform; that is a bunch of people who would be interested in the book because they already know the author, and respect him/her.
My new book is called More Free Cash for College. It is a guide for parents, grandparents and students to follow that has resulted in huge college scholarships for high school graduates. I see no way to publish pictures to Instagram that have to do with this topic, but I do have hundreds of gorgeous photos of flowers, landscapes, etc. If I post them to Instagram, I am sure most of the people who would like them would fall into my target market.
What do you think? Would doing so help?
18 people like this
16 responses
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
21 Aug 16
I have read from marketers online that it is useful to use Instagram to increase authors following. First, because if you follow enough book-bloggers, you increase the chance that one or more of them will review your book. Then because you can do self promotion. You can use Instagram to promote your name and your more recent or new book book. This is what I have read, but to be honest I have nothing done for the moment.
7 people like this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
22 Aug 16
@ElizabethWallace I should spend a little time searching better how to use Instagram. I have not yet published a book, but it could be useful the day I should decide.
4 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
22 Aug 16
@LadyDuck It's also a good idea to keep up with technology in general. It stimulates the brain and keeps us from becoming dinosaurs.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Aug 16
This is helpful advice. I'm a virgin on Instagram. So any info is appreciated.
5 people like this
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
21 Aug 16
I think FaceBook would be a better platform for that style of marketing because it's more conducive to informative content. The writers I know that use Instagram are mostly poets, who post brief lines of their work or reflections with graphic backgrounds.
One idea, if you're quite set on using Instagram is to use your photo/landscape photos as a cheerful background for helpful tips for future college students and their families. You don't need to give away too much free information, but just some brief ideas to engage followers and make them want to learn more. Ideally, this could lead to book sales. You'll want to link to any other blogs and social media related to your work. Also, it helps to follow Instagrammers that relate to your writing.
Good luck!
5 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Aug 16
These are great suggestions. Thanks.
2 people like this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
21 Aug 16
I like instagram for poetry--but I think it works less well for your type of book--have you tried GoodReads?
2 people like this
@divalounger (6182)
• United States
22 Aug 16
@ElizabethWallace That sounds like a great idea!
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Aug 16
Not yet, but I will. Thanks. Sabrina gave me an idea of how to use Instagram. I can put up some of my photos with motivational quotes that deal with education. Teachers would like them, and there are lots of those around.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
23 Aug 16
@divalounger My sister gave me some more ideas. I love it when we all share what is in our heads. Makes it okay that we don't each know everything ourselves.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154103)
• Canada
24 Aug 16
I can't help you with tips on Instagram as I do not use it at all.
One idea came up to me: Have you ever listened to a show online with Dave Ramsey?
He helps people about paying debt and talk often on getting scholarships for university students.
Maybe he would be interested in reviewing your book. Just an idea.
3 people like this
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
21 Aug 16
@ElizabethWallace Your assessment is probably accurate. I listened to a talk recently about the "millennials" and what they expect of the place where they work... I wonder if I can find it and see if it will help you with how this generation thinks, works and plays.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Aug 16
I think Snapchat is a way to communicate like email or Twitter, but it disappears after you have viewed it. It's a way for kids to avoid their parents seeing what they do, or pervs to entice youngsters (unintended consequences, I'm sure).
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Aug 16
@pgntwo That would be great, thanks.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
28 Aug 16
That was recommended to me too.Sounds like a good idea to drum up interest.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Aug 16
@RubyHawk An author's page, I get. But I certainly do not understand how an author would set up a fan page. How about your grandson writes a short description for you to post here? Would be most helpful.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
28 Aug 16
@ElizabethWallace I think it's a good idea, it couldn't hurt.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Aug 16
Thanks. I need raw numbers at first. Converting the numbers into sales will come after the book is in print. I have so many people who say they want to buy it, it's annoying that it isn't already available. Once it is, I'll go speak to large groups of people at churches, schools, teacher meetings, etc.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
22 Aug 16
Sorry not familiar with Instagram.
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
24 Aug 16
I've no idea either, (I read Marlina's response earlier). While I did sign up for Instagram a few months ago, I've not looked into it nor have I done anything with it at all. Do you have to use your own images, or can you use some in the public domain? I'd think you'd want to use pictures like the graduation cap, or some schoolbooks, or specific buildings of a college, but for the latter you'd probably need permission from the college first.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
29 Aug 16
@ElizabethWallace I meant that if you took a photo from a nearby college you'd probably need permission to use it there. If you can find what you'd want in the public domain all the better.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
29 Aug 16
@MarshaMusselman Oh, no, I don't believe that is the case, unless you printed it on a shirt to sell, or something like that.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
28 Aug 16
Pictures in the public domain do not require permission for any use.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Aug 16
I know nothing about Instagram, but the subject of your book sounds like one that should be read by parents all over the country and students as well. It will be interesting to see the responses here.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
21 Aug 16
Thanks. The next step is getting it published.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22247)
• United States
25 Aug 16
I think using the photos as a backdrop is a good idea. You don't always have to have something relevant. A guy I follow on wordpress has written two books. He markets his books with witty short stories that don't nothing to do with his book. I have read his first book and it's really good.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
28 Aug 16
Thanks for the confirmation of what I was told. It helps.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
28 Aug 16
Authors have to have over 20,000 people in their sphere of influence, that is, people who know you and respect you for any reason at all.
@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
22 Aug 16
I'm not sure. I have never used Instagram and I wonder if the kids who are looking for money for college are the same people who would be looking at pictures of flowers ... but I know absolutely nothing about Instagram. I do know that it helps to get your name out there on a variety of platforms and then be patient. It has taken me years to get to this point, and my earnings are continuing to grow. But things were pretty dismal for the first year or two. I had to write about retirement because of my own interest in the topic, at first. I wasn't sure anyone else was following me at all!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
28 Aug 16
@ElizabethWallace - That is a great idea! Maybe I should do the same thing with my books ... especially "Your Guide to a Fabulous Las Vegas Wedding" and "What Would Jesus Tweet?" When my life gets more settled (LOL), perhaps I will do the same thing. See ... I'm learning new things from you!
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
28 Aug 16
A business consultant at the Apple store suggested putting excerpts of my book on Instagram.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
28 Aug 16
I will try them after the book is published, beforehand, it is useless. But to be published, you have to have 20,000+ followers of some kind.
1 person likes this
