Technological innovations are leading to new social networks for book marketing. Are any of them a good fit for you and your book?<\/pre>\n
The book marketing landscape has changed dramatically since my first book was published in 1995(!). Social media didn\u2019t exist then, so publishers used publicity, advertising, direct mail, word of mouth, and bookstores to tell readers about books.<\/p>\n
Today, social networks can be an important part of an author\u2019s book marketing plan<\/a>. Unlike the more traditional (and still valid) marketing options, social platforms provide an easy way to engage directly with readers.<\/p>\n
And there are more and more of them.<\/p>\n
Innovation generates more options<\/h2>\n
Not surprisingly, as technology evolves, innovators create new social networks authors can use for book marketing. Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, and Twitter\/X (despite a decline in users) remain the most popular.<\/p>\n
But they have more competition than ever.<\/p>\n
Some of the newest platforms are quite niche. Others, though, reach a more general audience and function as alternatives to platforms you\u2019re already familiar with, especially Twitter\/X.<\/p>\n
Check out these new social networks for book marketing<\/h2>\n
Here are the four I\u2019m hearing about the most that appear to offer potential for connecting and engaging with readers.<\/p>\n
#1. Threads<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Because you use your Instagram profile to log in to Threads<\/strong><\/a>, the text-centric network launched this July by Meta<\/strong> (Facebook and Instagram) as a Twitter\/X alternative gained users quickly.<\/p>\n
Simply download the app and use your Instagram login to begin creating your own \u201cthreads\u201d \u2013 posts. You\u2019ll see posts from people you follow on Instagram, too.<\/p>\n
Like, comment, and share just as you do on other social networks.<\/p>\n
While you can add images and videos to a thread, that\u2019s really Instagram\u2019s thing. Use Threads in a way that\u2019s more like how you use Twitter\/X. For most, that\u2019s posting \u201chere\u2019s where I\u2019m at right now\u201d commentary.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s Business Insider\u2019s guide<\/a> to getting started with Threads.<\/p>\n
Who uses Threads?<\/strong> Most are already Instagram users, but this app skews male<\/a> right now \u2013 68% male to 32% female. It\u2019s a young group<\/a>, too. Just over one-third are ages 18-24.<\/p>\n
#2. Mastodon<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>People in my network are buzzing about Mastodon<\/a>, an ad-free Twitter alternative.<\/p>\n
Two features distinguish Mastodon from more established social networks:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
Content from people you follow appears in your network chronologically, as it happens. There are no algorithms deciding what you\u2019ll see and when you\u2019ll see it.<\/li>\n
You personalize your network by joining \u201cservers.\u201d These are fiefdoms within the larger platform created and managed by independent people who create their server\u2019s rules.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Server options<\/a> range from gaming to art to books to religion.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s Wired<\/em>\u2019s guide<\/a> to getting started on Mastodon.<\/p>\n
Who uses Mastodon?<\/strong> This one is male-dominated<\/a>, too. In addition, just under one-third of its users are ages 25 to 34 \u2013 a little older than Threads users.<\/p>\n
#3. Hive Social<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Like Mastodon, Twitter alternative Hive Social<\/a> uses a chronological feed<\/strong>. That means your posts aren’t hidden from followers, but it also means that if connections aren\u2019t using the app when you post, they\u2019ll need to seek you out to read your commentary.<\/p>\n
Hive Social content includes text, images, Q&As, polls, and music. Infuse your profile with more personality without words by adding colors and songs.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s mobile only \u2013 there\u2019s no desktop app.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s Mashable\u2019s guide<\/a> to getting started on Hive Social.<\/p>\n
Who uses Hive Social?<\/strong> I can\u2019t find much information about this network\u2019s demographics other than that users are mostly Gen Z<\/a> \u2013 ages 11 to 26.<\/p>\n
#4. Lemon8<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a>TikTok\u2019s parent company introduced the U.S. and UK to Lemon8<\/a><\/strong> in early 2023, so it\u2019s quite new.<\/p>\n
Like Pinterest, this is a lifestyle-focused, image- and video-sharing social network<\/strong>. Some describe it as a combination of TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram.<\/p>\n
Content created with the app’s templates and editing tools is saved and shared on Pinterest-style boards in categories that include:<\/p>\n
\n
Fashion<\/li>\n
Beauty and makeup<\/li>\n
Food<\/li>\n
Wellness<\/li>\n
Home<\/li>\n
Travel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
While you can post images without a caption, experts don’t recommend doing so.\u00a0Because captions have two parts, a headline and body text, they\u2019re more robust than those on similar platforms.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Here\u2019s The Leap’s guide<\/a> to getting started on Lemon8.<\/p>\n
Who uses Lemon8? It\u2019s popular with Gen Z \u2013 ages 11 to 26<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Should you start using any of these networks?<\/h2>\n
Before embracing any of these new options, answer these questions:<\/p>\n
\n
Does the network reach your ideal readers?<\/li>\n
Do you have time to learn how to use a new social network effectively?<\/li>\n
Can you see yourself enjoying using any of them? If not, you\u2019re less likely to become a regular user.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n
Will the social network be around in a few years?<\/h2>\n
In addition, consider whether any of these options has longevity.<\/p>\n
Remember when people were asking if you\u2019d like an invitation to join the audio-format network Clubhouse<\/a>?<\/p>\n
It was popular with the cool kids when first launched, but fizzled out. Clubhouse is still active, but it\u2019s hardly mainstream.<\/p>\n
The same thing could happen to any of these or the other new social networks.<\/p>\n
[novashare_tweet tweet=”Before using a new social network, understand if it will reach your audience, if you have time to use it, and if you’ll enjoy it. ” hide_hashtags=”true”]<\/p>\n
Be realistic about what you can take on<\/h2>\n
I don\u2019t have a lot of time for social media, so I\u2019m very selective about which platforms I join.<\/p>\n
What works for me won\u2019t necessarily line up with your goals or personality. In the interest of helping, though, here’s my very personal take on these:<\/p>\n
\n
Threads:<\/strong> I joined Threads because doing so was easy. I also wanted to see how it compares to other networks. I like how some Threads posts show up in my Instagram feed. That approach pulls me to the app, where I usually start scrolling.<\/li>\n
Mastodon: <\/strong>It requires too much thought for me. There are too many steps to join; each server has its own rules. I just can\u2019t.<\/li>\n
Hive Social: <\/strong>The no-algorithm feed is appealing, but the demographic isn\u2019t a good fit for me personally or professionally.<\/li>\n
Lemon8:<\/strong> I use Pinterest a lot already, so I\u2019ll give this one\u00a0a try to see how they compare.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In general, I try to stay open-minded, but realistic, about new tools and resources like these.<\/p>\n
Can you promote your book without social media?<\/h2>\n
I know that many authors don’t like using social media.<\/p>\n
I get it. It seems like there’s always something more to learn, doesn’t it?<\/p>\n
And while I noted at the beginning of this article that social media can be important to your book marketing, you do have other options.<\/p>\n
That’s why I collaborated with Jon Bard at Writing Blueprints to create a course for you, “Book Marketing Without Social Media: How to build a fan base and sell books without wasting countless hours on social media<\/a>.<\/strong>”<\/p>\n
In less than two hours, I teach you:<\/p>\n
\n
Nine ways<\/strong> you can create awareness without using social media, including instructions and examples<\/li>\n
How to determine which of those tactics<\/strong> will help you reach your ideal readers<\/li>\n
Ways to select tactics that leverage your strengths<\/strong>, not your weaknesses<\/li>\n
Strategies for author extroverts and introverts<\/strong><\/li>\n
The secret weapon<\/strong> book publicists use for their clients<\/li>\n
Which “no social media” tactics will take you the farthest the fastest<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And the best part? Because you and I are connected, you get a $10 discount on the already low price. Learn more about Book Marketing Without Social Media here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s your take on these four new social networks for book marketing? Do any of them appeal to you? Please tell us in a comment. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/p>\n
The book marketing landscape has changed dramatically since my first book was published in 1995(!). Social media didn\u2019t exist then, so publishers used publicity, advertising, direct mail, word of mouth, and bookstores to tell readers about books.<\/p>\n
Today, social networks can be an important part of an author\u2019s book marketing plan<\/a>. Unlike the more traditional (and still valid) marketing options, social platforms provide an easy way to engage directly with readers.<\/p>\n
And there are more and more of them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":19314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[78,11,12],"tags":[43,35,1619,1620,1621,1622,41,1623],"class_list":["post-16939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opportunities-to-learn","category-tactics","category-tools","tag-book-marketing","tag-book-promotion","tag-hive-social","tag-lemon8","tag-mastodon","tag-new-social-networks","tag-social-media","tag-threads"],"yoast_head":"\n