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So glad you cleared up the romour mill, Barb! I’ve heard and seen inaccurate posts about the supposed Facebook changes. Proof, one should go to the source. Ah well…make a note, you and I need to work on FB as well as Pinterest when we chat again.
Great post, sister! I’m sharing!
Taylor~
Hi Taylor,
Absolutely, the internet abounds with incorrect information. It’s our job as authors to make sure we are following the rules – or knowingly not – otherwise all our hard work can be gone in a heartbeat. And yes, add FB to Pinterest!
There is a real concern for erotica authors who create a profile using their pen name–which is not their real name. Technically this goes against FB rules too. And an author page does not let you interact as a “person.” You can’t friend people, join groups or post on profile pages (you can post on other “Pages.”)
Erotica authors or drag queens, for example don’t wish to use their real name for many reasons–loss of jobs, criticism by family/friends, hate retaliation, etc. Do you have any advice for authors?
ReplyThanks for clearing up the rumors, Barb. I can’t imagine life without Facebook. A great place to connect with other writers, and chat with readers–both on my private FB and author page!
ReplyAbsolutely – follow the rules. The purpose of your FB page is to share information about your books and your brand. Click on Pages on your sidebar and and then look for the ‘Login’ button. Log in as your page and see what you can do. I think that we get stuck in what CAN’T do and don’t focus on what we CAN do.
Work with in the rules of FB to figure out what you can do and use other platforms to do other things. FB does not want to be a place of promotion. Their algorithms work against that anyway.
Here’s a phrase I like – change your paradigm 🙂
ReplyLove this! I used to think that I would make a Facebook author page once I was published. I don’t know what I was thinking. I started one just over a month ago, and now I have over 2,100 likes. I don’t have near that many friends on my personal page, and I can’t imagine how many more likes I’ll have in just a couple months from now.
It amazes me how many people will like a page of someone they’ve never heard of. I’ve interacted with so many people that have liked my page, and everyone is so supported. I have so many more potential readers than I ever thought I would. I’m so glad I made that page!
Hi Courtney!
Thanks for the comment. I agree – there is so much more power in a page than there is with a profile. I think it’s just a matter of looking at the situation from another angle…
Courtney, that’s a lot of Facebook likes in a month! Do you care to share the secret to your success? I’ve had a Facebook author page for over two years, and I only have 256 likes. With my first book coming out next month, I’d sure like to increase my exposure. You sound like you could give a master’s class in getting Facebook likes!
ReplyI’m no expert in getting Facebook likes. I could hardly teach a master’s class. 😉
It’s no secret, really. Promotion, promotion, promotion is key. Eventually, a friend of a friend of a friend — so forth and so on — started liking my page. I also decided to go the route of putting up an ad. Pricey, but so worth it! Sure helped my page to grow by leaps and bounds.
Also, as Rachel was so kind to point out, it definitely helps to interact with the people that like your page. I always respond to messages, posts on the timeline, and comments made on my statuses. People like to see that. It helps everyone to get to know the person behind the screen better!
ReplyI think that interaction is key — building relationships, connecting, not just selling and asking for things. Great job, Courtney!
ReplyThank you! I’m honestly surprised at how well my page has done. This is the third time I’ve tried setting up a page, and this is the first one to be a success. Granted, I wasn’t actually trying to grow a business or anything on the other two. But hey, third time’s a charm, right? I’m so glad my author page has been a success!
Reply[…] to Joanna Penn about book trailers and using video for book marketing, Barb Drozdowich explains why Facebook Pages are still useful, and Jami Gold questions if we should change our blogging style once we’re […]
Reply[…] Consider a Facebook author page. A business page is a more professional way to present yourself to the masses. Try to keep personal information off this page, but still be genuine. Here’s why you might want to do this. […]
ReplyI still don’t see how a FB author page helps me though. Out of 800 “likes” only about 12 people see each post. I get more interaction on my personal page. I also don’t advertise my books on my personal page, just chat with people/share blog posts, etc.
ReplyHi Erin,
Just think of your FB author page as a free billboard advertising your books that can be seen by billions. The emphasis is on the free part. There is no reason no to have one – there are no negatives – doesn’t cost money and you don’t even have to spend time on it. Just trick it out and it can provide a link for people to buy your books and also find you on your other social media. As I’ve mentioned in the article, however, be careful to follow FB’s rules or you could find yourself on the outside of the candy store looking in. 🙁
I was not aware that we’re not allowed to promote our books on our personal FB page! 0.0 I’ve done it a few times already…guess I won’t from now on, lol. Thank you, Barb for the great info! ♥
But I wonder if we’re allowed to share a post from our author page on our personal page? Does that count? I’m thinking it might since it’s still promoting…but it’s not sourced from the personal page.
Help! ^_^
PS: Great job, Courtney…I have been trying to figure out how to get more like without paying for them! I’m going to try the advertising…thanks for sharing! ♥
Reply[…] you don’t already have an author Facebook page, do so pronto. This article explains very clearly why you don’t want to use your personal page as your author page. Long […]
ReplyLove the idea of a Facebook page. I have heard otherwise from lots of sources but I was always on the other end thinking the page if the right way to go. I am still writing my books series and Have less than half to go for my first book to be completed.. I will be self publish though So I am in no hurry. I want Quality work so I rush nothing. But I do have a question? Maybe you answered it and I missed. When is a good time to start a Facebook Page? I have heard wait till your about to release or anytime before or after is fine. I figured before to start talking about it to people and to start gaining a following. Then when it comes out I would have a good setup for readers to enjoy and get the word out. What is your thoughts and please don’t hold back. The more information the better I always say.
ReplyHi J.R.! Great question. I’m a huge believer in pre-marketing and write about it in this post. Marketing is really all about your branding and building relationships, and the product is about selling.
As for FB, you can and should use your personal account to develop those relationships, but to stay within FB’s guidelines, you will be breaking the terms of services if you SELL a product or service on anything but a page (sharing blog posts is fine though — since there’s no money to be had). For now, for your author page, just link to your website or blog, and connect with folks that way.
hope that helps!
Reply[…] This Is The Reason Facebook Pages Are Still Useful For Authors […]
Reply[…] in the world, so being there is definitely important. Remember, however, that you must use your author page (not personal ‘friends’ account), for marketing and selling your […]
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