What's next after setting up your account?
So, you've just created an Instagram account to showcase your writing journey. Congratulations! You've taken an exciting step towards building your online presence and connecting with readers. But now you might be wondering, what's next? How do you turn your new account into a thriving hub for your writing career? Here's a quick guide to help you get started.
1. Optimise your profile
Your profile is the first impression visitors will have of you, so make it count.
Choose a clear, professional-looking photo of yourself. If you're uncomfortable using your personal photo, consider a high-quality image of your book cover or a logo representing your author brand.
Write a concise, engaging bio. Include what you write (e.g., "Author of historical fantasy novels"), any notable achievements, and a personal touch (e.g., "Lover of coffee and cats"). Don't forget to add a link to your website or a landing page where followers can learn more about you and your work.
2. Plan your content
Consistency is key on Instagram. Plan a variety of posts that will keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your writing process. Photos of your workspace, writing tools, and snippets of your work in progress can make followers feel part of your journey.
Post intriguing excerpts or memorable quotes from authors you admire. Use visually appealing graphics to make these stand out in the feed.
Introduce your characters with brief profiles and fun facts. Share commissioned artwork or fan art to bring your characters to life visually. (And yes, even if your goal is to be published traditionally, creating a marketing buzz around your characters now is a positive thing. You want to share enough to intrigue your audience, but avoid spoilers.)
Share interesting tidbits from your research, whether it’s a historical fact, a location you visited, or a fascinating piece of information relevant to your book. For example, while writing When Sleeping Women Wake, I shared images of Colonial Hong Kong in my Stories.)
Offer writing advice, tips, and motivational quotes. This provides value to fellow writers and establishes you as a knowledgeable and helpful figure in the writing community.
Share reviews and recommendations of books you love. Engage with other authors and readers by tagging them and starting conversations about shared interests.
Make your posts relatable by sharing personal stories or anecdotes related to your writing journey. This helps build a personal connection with your audience.
3. Engage with your audience
Building an audience isn’t just about posting content; it's about creating a community.
Take the time to reply to comments on your posts. Acknowledge compliments, answer questions, and thank your followers for their support.
Use relevant hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts. Research popular hashtags in the writing community, like #amwriting, #writersofinstagram, and #bookstagram.
Follow and engage with other writers, readers, and influencers in your genre. Like, comment, and share their posts to build relationships and gain exposure.
4. Utilise Stories and Reels
Instagram Stories and Reels are excellent tools for increasing engagement and reach.
Use Stories to share daily updates, quick thoughts, or behind-the-scenes moments.
Polls, Q&A sessions, and countdowns can make your Stories interactive and fun. (Remember to reply to anyone who asks a question!)
Create short, engaging videos related to your writing journey. You could share writing tips or a day in your life as an author.
5. Track your progress
Monitor your account’s performance to understand what works and what doesn’t.
Use Instagram’s built-in analytics to track the performance of your posts, Stories, and Reels. Pay attention to engagement rates, reach, and follower growth.
Based on your insights, adjust your content strategy. Focus on the types of posts that get the most engagement and experiment with new ideas to keep your content fresh.
Launching an Instagram account as an emerging author is an exciting opportunity to connect with readers and showcase your writing journey. By optimising your profile, planning diverse and engaging content, interacting with your audience, utilising Stories and Reels, and tracking your progress, you can build a vibrant and supportive community around your work.
I strongly believe in three principles: patience, timing, and manifestation.
Be patient as you begin this exciting new journey.
Trust that everything will happen at the right moment.
Want to succeed? Manifest it.
Happy posting!
E, x
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