7 - Social Media

 My Plan for My Socials

    I have always wanted to be prominent on social media to market myself, but I have always had reasons that stopped me from pursuing my ideas. Whether it be my lack of equipment, motivation or headshots, I never knew how to just start producing content to market myself. Below is a plan that I have made. I hope to inspire others who deal with similar internal conflicts related to this field. 

Defining My Brand

    Before diving into platforms and content, define who am I as an author and influencer. Branding should reflect writing style, personality, and the values I want to promote. Branding is a make or break must for marketing myself. Ideas: 

• What themes do I explore in my writing (e.g., resilience, personal growth)?

• What are some similar celebs, authors, or influencer's & their brands?

• What tone best represents me (e.g., poetic, motivational, insightful)?

• Make connections with works and new content w/known items/ideas so that brand is identifiable. (ex. Tate McCrae & Sports Cars/Revolving Doors; i.e. Clean Girl Aesthetic & Luxury)

• How can I incorporate my existing image to the new image I would like to have?

• How do I want readers and followers to feel when they interact with my content?

    A well-defined brand will ensure consistency across platforms and makes someone instantly recognizable.

    Not all social media platforms serve the same purpose. Focus on two to three that best align with goals as an author and influencer: 

P.S. Find similar celebs, authors and influencers to brand and what socials they use. 

• Instagram: Great for visual storytelling, aesthetic posts, and Reels. Ideal for book marketing, quote graphics, lifestyle content, and engaging your audience through behind-the-scenes peeks into your life as an author.

• TikTok (BookTok): A powerful platform for viral book promotions, quick writing tips, and connecting with younger audiences who are passionate about reading.

• X/Twitter: Effective for sharing writing updates, links to articles or blog posts, engaging in trending conversations, and connecting with the literary community.

• Facebook: Still valuable for building a loyal reader group, hosting events like virtual readings, and engaging older audiences.

• Apple & Spotify Podcasts: Shares voice with audience and makes people relatable. Can make audiobooks for present and future books and writings. 

• LinkedIn: A professional platform where you can showcase your achievements, writing credentials, and participate in discussions about publishing and creative industries.

• YouTube: A creative outlet and can bring new ideas for content. Also is a reliable outlet for monetization and consistent audience. Can create video essays and can incorporate content from other platforms. Longer content creation platform. 

Strategy I Want to Incorporate

    Content should reflect your identity while offering value to your audience. A mix of promotional, educational, personal, and interactive posts will keep your feed dynamic and engaging. Here's a content strategy tailored to me:

Weekly Content Pillars:

• Motivation Monday: Share an inspiring quote from your work or a favorite book, along with a short reflection.

• Writing Wednesday: Offer writing tips, behind-the-scenes looks into your process, or insights into how your book came to be.

• Feature Friday: Highlight a poem from your book, a fan review, a book aesthetic, or even feature another author you admire.

• Story Sunday: Share a personal anecdote, journal excerpt, or spiritual insight that connects you to your audience on a human level.

Additional Content Ideas:

• Time-lapse videos of your writing sessions.

• Reactions to trending literary news or current events. 

• Book readings or “a day in the life of an author” vlogs.

• Foster Care/Life story times & advice & can relate it to college.

• Challenges and collaborations with other writers or influencers.

• Create boards and aesthetics related to my brand.

• Grow branding to being more than just about my past. 

• Hosting Q&As through Instagram stories or TikTok lives.

• Find other niches and what makes me, me. 

Consistency & Scheduling

    Consistency is more important than frequency. Aim to post 3–5 times per week on each platform, varying the format (video, image, text, story). Use scheduling tools like Later, Buffer, or Hootsuite to plan ahead and free up time for engagement and creativity. Incorporate A.I. as it can help make work more efficient.

    Engage with your audience daily through comments, DMs, and story interactions. This builds community and helps you stay top-of-mind.

Brand Aesthetic, Voice & Inspo

    Create a visual aesthetic that reflects your literary style—use a consistent color palette, fonts, and image filters. If your book is earthy and poetic, social media can reflect that through sage greens, blush tones, and minimalistic graphics.

    Voice should match your writing style but adapt slightly depending on the platform. On Instagram and TikTok, can be more casual and expressive; on LinkedIn and X, remain professional and succinct while still being personable.

Engagement & Growth Tactics

    Growing your audience takes intention. Here are ways to organically build your platform:

• Hashtags: Use niche-specific hashtags like #PoetryCommunity, #BookTok, #WritersOfInstagram, and #AmWriting.

• Collaborations: Partner with fellow authors, book bloggers, or influencers for giveaways, interviews, or co-hosted lives.

• User-generated content: Encourage readers to share photos with your book and tag you. Repost their content with gratitude.

• Comment and interact: Engage with other creators in your niche to expand your visibility.

• Use Calls-to-Action: End posts with questions, prompts, or directives (e.g., “Tag a friend who needs this today”).

Analytics & Adaptation

    Track performance regularly using platform analytics to see what content resonates most. Metrics to watch:

• Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares)

• Follower growth

• Website or link-in-bio clicks

• Post reach and impressions

Review data monthly to refine your content strategy. If motivational videos perform better than writing tips, lean into that more often.

Professional Development & Monetization

As you grow, explore opportunities for monetization and professional influence:

• Join influencer platforms or brand ambassador programs in literary or lifestyle niches.

• Pitch your profile to literary journals, publishers, or media for features.

• Offer services like coaching, freelance writing, or speaking engagements.

• Promote your book via affiliate programs, online workshops, or exclusive Patreon content.

    Since I have a year left of college, I want to utilize my time wisely so that I graduate with a head start. My ideas and dreams are not out of reach. I also have a plan to trad publish my first book and future books. I also want to publish through various platforms. Through more internships and opportunities, I could grow even more! I love using this class to my advantage, and this is just an idea of all the plans I have!