Hi friends! I have a secret project coming out soon that I believe is very Instagram-friendly, so I thought I’d do a post about how to promote a book on Instagram. This is kind of a followup to another post: 200 Best Instagram Hashtags for Authors.
But even though I feel like I know a lot about other social media for writers, and I love connecting with people on Instagram (I’m here!), I could still learn a lot more about Instagram for authors.
That’s why—even though I never do guest posts—I invited Alana Albertson to share her thoughts about how to promote a book on Instagram. I think these are great tips about Instagram for authors, and if you want to know a little more about how to be a bookstagrammer, this’ll help, too. Take it away, Alana!
Hi, everyone! I’m Alana Albertson, best-selling romance author of twenty-nine books and paid bookstagram influencer.
I’m so thrilled to be writing this post today. I love talking about Instagram! It’s my go-to social media platform.
Today I’m going to give you five ways to promote your book on Instagram.
1. Instagram Puzzle Feed
Create a special puzzle feed just for your book. This may look hard, but it’s really easy to do. You can buy Canva or Photoshop templates on Etsy or Creative Market, and just fill in pictures on your feed. Here is an example for my book The Beauty & The Beast.[spacer height=”20px”]
2. Instagram Stories for Authors
Stories are key on Instagram! Stories still have organic reach. Make sure to use a hashtag. If you have over 10,000 followers, you can link the book in your story. Even if you don’t, you can point them to the link in your bio. Which brings me to point number three.
Bryn’s note: you can learn more about Instagram Stories here!
3. Instagram Bio for Authors
Use the link in your bio! You only get one link on Instagram, and it’s in your bio. But this is a great way to promote your book. Have it link to your new release (or preorder), or better yet, use a link to a social media page for multiple links. I create a customized one myself, or you can use a service like Shorby or linktree. Another tip! If you are a wide author, I use this link to point to Apple to get more wide sales.[spacer height=”20px”]
4. Pretty Flatlays
Now, I know we are all writers, but obviously, on Instagram, pictures are key! Make pretty flatlays of your books or insert your pictures into premade flatlays. I use ones by The Image Apothecary.
5. Instagram Ads!
Most people are afraid to use Instagram ads, but if they are done right, they really work. I create mine in Facebook Ads Manager (not on Instagram) and create ads that look like organic stories. This is also great way to get that link into your story if you don’t have 10,000 followers.
I hope all of these help! If you would like more tips on how to sell more books on Instagram, sign up to my newsletter only for authors, right here.
Thanks, Alana!
If you have tips for how to promote a book on Instagram, please let us know in the comments. And if you want to link to your Instagram author account, feel free to drop a link and tell us about what you write! Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!
I’ve been struggling to find my followers on Instagram. Hopefully this will help.
I hope it does, Carolyn! I feel like I’m kind of intermediate when it comes to Instagram…I want to try some of the things here!
I write mysteries set in Northern Ontario (Canada), full of the woods, secrets and wild animals, with an Indigenous Detective.
My Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/carolynmcbrideauthor/ Come check it out!
I will!
I hope to get my feet wet on Instagram sometime next week and am in the process of rebranding some of my social media channels, so this is very timely. Thanks for the guidance Alana and Bryn!
I’ll look for you over there, Chris! Kick me if I don’t follow back—sometimes I’m a little dreamy. 😀 I’m luckyauthor on Insta.
fascinating information.
Thanks,
Denise
Thanks for reading, Denise!
Hi Bryn, Thanks! This is great. And, Thanks to Alana also. I haven’t used Instagram–yet–and there are some fantastic ideas here. Gives me some motivation for sure.
Hi, Cheryl! If you ever get on there, let me know so I can follow you! 🙂
Hi there. ?. This was a very interesting read. Does this apply to instagram poetry? I don’t consider myself a writer or a poet but I just like to put words together. I’m trying to convert my first ‘poetry’ ebook into an animated flip book type but when I use epub it destroys the one line per oage design.
Is there any ebook format I can use that would be helpful. I’m so eager to share it on my Instagram I just might upload it as a pdf.
Here’s a link to my Instagram account so you have a rough idea of my writing thing thing.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDV7x1Dg3sj/?igshid=1pfdoblyq03vg
I haven’t done much engagement though.
Any advice will help ?
Hi there! Sorry to say, although I started out as a poet, I really don’t know about formatting it in eBooks or promoting on Instagram. I’m sorry I can’t help! I like the sound of creating an animated flip book like that!
Good day.
I am an author that has one book published and another almost complete.
The one children’s book is already advertised on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other book outlets through my publisher and I was looking to get more exposure to both of them with little expense as it can become pretty pricy especially with press releases too.
I had a press release on my first book but they targeted the wrong type of readers I think and was a total waste of time.
I did gain good royalty payments last year from my Publishers website but I feel if I exposed my books myself, somehow with little expense I would like to do that.
I have got 3 websites related to articles on domestic animals which I have had for a good few years now and was contemplating on starting another purely on my books.
I don’t know if i’m on the right site for doing this if not I would like your help if possible pointing me to the right place for doing this?
Also although on Amazon as an e-book, paper back and hard back I feel the exposure isn’t there and would like to know how I expose it on there for more sales?
Thank you,
Susan Murray (UK)