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Whether you’re an Indie author, or you’ve chose to go the traditional route of being agented, there is one major common fact: there is no money for marketing. The state of the industry doesn’t allow for it. So you’re this new author, with this amazing new book that you’ve worked on making as perfect as it can possibly be. Well, now what? How do people buy it? How do they find out about it? And the most important question: how can you make more money selling it?

And the easiest answer, dear readers, is this: social media.

Here are my top five tips for getting started on social media promotion for your book.

Get Profiled!
You’ll want profiles on all of the prominent social media websites: Twitter, Facebook, Delicious, Digg, etc … Upload photos of yourself, your book, any events you’ve done, things like that.

Use the Resources
Now that you’re all set up and good to go, USE THEM! The only way for people to remember who you are, is if you make yourself visible. Think of the old advertising rule: consumers need to see an advertisement seven times before the business name resonates with them. If someone needs to see you seven times before they recognize you, how many times does it take to get them to buy from you?

Build Relationships
While money, as with this and any other business, is the bottom line, you can’t view social media as social media = $. It just doesn’t work that way. You’re building relationships here. You’re making that connection with other writers, small presses, potential readers … caring about who you’re talking to and spending the time to get to know who they are will make all the difference when it comes to promoting your work.

This Shouldn’t Even Have To Be A Point
You have a website, right? And a blog, of course. And you’re updating with useful, relevant content several times a week, correct? And you’re making sure that you’re writing in your voice, and maybe even including little tidbits of your personal life to reach out and make that personal connection with your readers. I shouldn’t even have to put that here, right?
Yeah, I didn’t think so. You’re on top of stuff. Right?

Don’t Whore Yourself Out
With social media, you’re walking a fine line between good promo and being a pain-in-the-ass. I hate to be crude (okay, I really don’t) but the best way to make the most out of your social media is to understand that no one wants to be spammed. And no one wants to be forced into your product. If every update you make is about “Buy my new book!” “OMG did you buy my book yet!” “Hey, didya know I have a book and you should totally buy it?!” … yeah, you’ve just crossed into PITA territory. Keep it light, keep it simple, KEEP IT RELEVANT.

Lastly, think of social media like a party. Behave as if everyone you meet online is someone you’re meeting at a party. Writing is what you do, not what you are, and surely, you have other things to talk about. We good? Good. Now, go get started by joining the party at the LitSisters Facebook Group!

(see what I did there? eh? eh?)