Creating Buzz Using Social Media Headers
Most websites have a header, and your Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other accounts also have headers. Instagram posts can also pose as headers. What does all this mean? You have free billboards all over the web. Use them.
If you know you will use headers, make several up at once or as they come to you. Plenty of graphic programs available, many free, can help you create your vision. Or, you can always use the services of a graphic artist. You can do a quick Google search and find those happy to work by the hour.
I don’t know if there is a science on how often you should rotate your headers, but I’d say to rotate them certainly when you have news. So what is news? Here are some thoughts, put in an arbitrary rotation, but certainly one you might want to consider.
Sales News. When you make that all-important sale, let everyone know about it. This is a great way to start the buzz.
Advance Blurbs. As the manuscript is getting ready, you’ll probably get blurbs for the book. Go ahead and share them.
Cover Reveal. When the final artwork is done, share it! You’ll start building the buzz here.
Teaser Quotes from the Book. A great line? “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” Great teases. Pulls the potential readers in.
Advance Reviews. When the ARCs start going out, you’ll start getting reviews. When you have a good one, share it.
Release Date. Share that news and a cover picture when you know the release date.
Release Advance Order. When you know the release date, encourage potential buyers to advance order. Advance orders will make your initial sales look great and may help propel you up the charts.
New Release. When the book is released, you certainly need to let everyone know.
Reviews. As your book is released, new reviews will come. Put together graphic after graphic of these great reviews and share them in cycles.
Highlight the Series the Book is In. If this book is part of a series, now is a time to promote the backlist. Show the covers of all the books together.
Book Release in a Different Format. Maybe you release it in hardcover. When it goes to softcover, let everyone know. When it goes to audio, let everyone know. If it is released in all formats, make a graphic for each. Then, make a graphic showing all formats together. Rotate these.
Where You Will Be Touring or Signing Books. Of course, you will be promoting your book. As you go on tour, whether physically or virtually
Sale of an Ancillary Right. Let everyone know whenever you sell a new right for your book, such as paperback, audio, film, TV, or stage.
Sale in a Foreign Country. Make a new header every time a new country or territory buys rights.
Backlist Books. And don’t forget your backlist. Keep these in rotation with your most current work. It’s the purchase of your backlist that builds readers. Keep them in the public’s eye using the same categories as above.
As a tip, when creating your different headers, keep them consistent with your brand. Put your graphic on a thematic background, whether by type of book or the color palette of your website or social media (all of those should be consistent with your brand).
You can mix and match the campaigns to create exciting and informative content if you have several books.
Use all these techniques, and then see where the buzz takes you!
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