Be a Book Marketing Hero. Stop Social Media Spam.

Book Marketing Social Media Spam

As a follow-up to my recent post and infographic, Twitter tips for authors, I'd like to share a resource from another author. Anne R. Allen shared this post with me on Twitter, which she wrote last fall.

Social Media Secrets for Authors, Part IV: How Not to Spam

I hate spam. You hate spam. We all hate spam. It might be the only thing everyone on the internet agrees about.

Yet authors can't seem to help themselves, especially when it comes to using social media to market their books.

Here's the thing. Social networks are meant to be social. Yes, that means you have to talk to people.

What they are not meant to be are sales platforms. Can you make more sales by being active in social media? Abso-friggin-lutely. But there's a difference between using these platforms to build your fanbase and network (getting to know the kinds of people with a genuine interest in your books) and singing the praises of your book all the time.

If you're using social media effectively, your fans will do plenty of that for you.

Social Media Spam, Beyond Tweet Bombing

In her post, Anne goes far beyond my tips on things like better tweet etiquette. She teaches authors how not to spam:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Amazon
  • Blogs
  • Forums
  • Goodreads
  • Google+

Simple, Smart Social Media Tips for Authors

Here are a few of my favorite tips from Anne's article:

"Never market through a FB direct message."

"A link to your own book in a review is spam."

"Don't link to your buy page from a blog comment."

A few thoughts to build upon on those:

  • Directly marketing through private messages is spam on any social network, not just Facebook. Please don't do it.
  • A review is never an appropriate place for you to promote yourself. Not on Amazon. Not on Goodreads. Not on someone's blog. Not anywhere.
  • Pasting a link to your sales page all over the Web -- on forums, in blog comments, in group discussions, etc. -- is the ultimate sign of book marketing ignorance. Is that really the image you want to portray? Doubtful.

What are you waiting for? Head on over to Anne's post and pick up more social media secrets that will help you connect with your readers rather than become an unwitting social media spammer. We know you never really meant to.

Profile image for Jennifer Mattern

Jennifer Mattern is a professional blogger, freelance business writer, consultant, and indie author. She runs numerous websites & blogs including All Freelance Writing, Freelance Writing Pros, NakedPR, and Kiss My Biz.

Jenn has 25 years' experience as a professional writer and editor and over 20 years' experience in marketing and PR (working heavily in digital PR, online marketing, social media, SEO, new media, and thought leadership publication). She also has 19 years' professional blogging and web publishing experience (including web development) and around 18 years of experience as an indie author / publisher.

Jenn also writes fiction under multiple pen names and is an Active member of the Horror Writers Association.

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3 thoughts on “Be a Book Marketing Hero. Stop Social Media Spam.”

  1. Thanks so much for the shout-out for my post, Jennifer. This is a perfect example of how social media DOES work for authors.

    I liked one of Jennifer’s tweets about Twitter etiquette, so I retweeted and responded. We chatted a little and I said I had a post on the subject. I sent the link, and also checked out this great blog. Now we’re both promoting each other’s work.

    No spam involved. Just friendly networking. See, it does work!

    Reply

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