I’ve rounded up some bookish Instagram experts, compiled data, and pulled links together to show everyone a complete picture of Instagram for writers and book lovers. If you’re unsure about whether Instagram is for you try it out and you’ll quickly see why book lovers flock there. Book covers are made to be captured and shared on the platform. Writers can share their WIP adventures or road to publication. Publishers host giveaways.
Plus, many book bloggers now use Instagram to promote their book coverage on their blogs. So not only should writers be on there to build a personal platform, writers should also be on there building a community to help promote their book when the time comes. Below are some tips from book bloggers and “bookstagrammers” that will help explain these concepts.
And, you can follow me on Instagram to get a taste of a visual bookish life: @carlywatters. I try to show what I’m reading for fun with my #cwreads hashtag, promote my clients’ books, and share my personal and professional travels.
How To Grow Your Platform: INTERACT!
Sassy & Dangerous Bookstagrammer Talina says: “If you are looking to build your platform and have your voice heard in the book world then I can’t stress this enough: you need to interact and connect. Don’t be shy in reaching out to fellow authors, readers, bookstagrammers/bloggers. With the new algorithm that Instagram has adopted, it’s harder for smaller accounts to get noticed, unfortunately. So, take matters into your own hands – reach out to others, promote yourself in creative ways, and let your voice be heard in this book world.” (Editor’s note: here’s a blog post with some algorithm-beating tips!)
How To Create a Brand: TRY TO TAKE VISUALLY PLEASING SHOTS!
Swept Away By Books Bookstagrammer Alyssa says: “Some people complain about not having enough, or ‘good’ props for photos, but that’s where spontaneity and creativity come into play. Take a photo in the location that you’re reading, nestle your book in with your blanket and cup of tea on the couch, show a bit of your every day life in your photo to create a sense of reality; but always ensure it’s pleasing to the eye. Not only will that actually make a user stop and take a closer look, but it will make the chance that they engage on your photo with a like and comment more likely.”
I also recommend using natural light as much as possible! Artificial light can look too warm no matter what filter you use.
What Filter Should I Use? THE SAME ONE ON EVERY PHOTO.
The easiest way to build a visual brand on Instagram is to use the same filter on every image you post. Even if it’s not the best filter for that image you’ll quickly create brand recognition and continuity with the same “look” across the board.
What Is Your Brand? YOURSELF!
Talina sums this up so well: “We all have people or things we look up to. We find inspiration in that person or their work(s), or maybe it’s something else that you find your inspiration in. But at the end of the day the most important thing to remember is to be yourself. If you are passionate with what you do, people will notice it and they will remember that. Bookstagram is probably one of the best places that you can go on and share your love for literature. It’s where you can connect with others that love the same things you do: books. So my advice to you would be to be yourself, be authentic, be passionate and I promise everyone will notice and remember you for that.”
How Do You Build A Community? AUTHENTICITY
Book Baristas creator Natasha (with 114k followers!) told me in an earlier blog post: “Be authentic – your personality and style will make your platforms sing. I can’t stress enough how important it is to be original with your words and ideas. Know your audience – every platform will attract different types of readers. Be honest with your content – if you are passionate about your work, it will show and people are more likely to appreciate your honesty! Lastly, remember that if reading and sharing your love of reading with others is something that you adore doing, then you are in the right place! Books are what bind us together in this community – don’t forget that we are all just readers finding our place in this online bookish world.”
How Often Should You Post? MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK!
I love this advice from Alyssa and I’m trying to incorporate it more into my feed: “You’ll never build an audience by posting one or two times a week. I’m not saying you have to post daily, but make it an effort to post frequently. Over posting can become annoying (2 posts a day max). This goes back to interacting with fellow Instagram users- if they have nothing new to interact with you over, how will they keep coming back?“
Also, according to Simply Measured, Friday afternoons garner the most comments (meaning the most engagement) specifically from 3-4pm. Other great time are weekday commuting hours (8-10am and 4-6pm), weekday evenings as people scroll before bed (9-11pm), and weekend mornings before people start their days (9-11am).
How Writers Should Engage with Book Bloggers who Bookstagram: PATIENCE!
Natasha also said: “Remember that these bloggers/reviewers are going to be busy reading/reviewing a ton of other books and to be patient with the time that it can take for a review/Instagram feature to go up. Personally, I feel a sense of urgency when a writer will ask me when exactly I plan to put up a review. Blogging can feel insanely overwhelming so I’d just be more aware of that. Also, be prepared for whatever review/rating you get – sometimes a story doesn’t resonate with a reader and that’s okay.”
What Are Instagram Stories? A MORE USER FRIENDLY VERSION OF SNAPCHAT
Instagram stories are like Snapchat (linked photos or video clips that last for 24 hours on the platform) but I find it easier to use than Snapchat. For example, you can use the photos you’ve taken with your camera app (with Snapchat you have to use the camera in the app) from the past 24 hours and open those photos to use in your Instagram Story. For more tips, read this article in The Social Media Examiner and see this Neiman Lab post about visual storytelling.
What Hashtags Should You Use? THESE ONES:
- #MondayMotivation
- #WriterWednesday
- #ThrowbackThursday
- #FridayReads
- #Bookstagram
- #Bookgram
- #Booklover
- #Bookworm
- #Booknerd
- #VSCObooks
- #Instareads
- And don’t forget the hashtags of writers you’re reading, publishers, book titles and locations you’re reading in.
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So, go ahead and get started! Be playful and share that bookish life of yours.
In the comments include your Instagram handle so my blog followers can find and follow each other–start building your platform today.
Reblogged this on Leona's Blog of Shadows.
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Reblogged this on awritersfountain and commented:
Great advice – especially for those new to Instagram.
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I love using Instagram as a photographer and I often share photos of the places that I’ve been – I think other writers follow me more as the photos become story prompts!
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Yes, photographers have a head start with it!
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Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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Thanks, Carly, for sharing this post! I especially appreciate the hashtag list. If anyone wants to connect, I am @bettinadeda on Instagram and Twitter.
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Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
I’ve only scratched the surface with Instagram but this is a helpful post to help engage there…
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Thank you! Great post, I’ve just started my platforming, this has been a big help. I’m on instagram as @sarahfiddelaers
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Thanks so much for this post. I’m fairly new to instagram and am just finding my way with it, so this is great information for me. I’m on instagram as @reekimberley
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Great advice :) I love instagram and the visual aspect of it and a how a simple picture can show so much. This is were to find me: @samanthahouse
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Great tips! ck out my instagram @lmh172
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Thanks Carly for another great post. I’m in the process of overhauling my IG content, and this is very helpful. I look forward to meeting the other bookstagrammers in the comments! I’m @rebeccarvincent
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Loved this! I closed my Instagram account a couple months ago but this post inspired me to start it back up again. I also want to look into a website called HootSuite. There you can manage all your social media accounts in one place. I gram as @JessieDicicco
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I’m glad you’re diving back in!
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Thanks, Carly! I use instagram a lot to put up photos of my art. I only do a bit of bookstagram, but I will be working on that a little more now @msdianaklein
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I cannot thank you enough for this post! I’d always wondered how writers and booklovers could connect on Instagram, now I get it. I post far too infrequently on Instagram. That will change now though! I’d love to connect with more folks. I am carolyn.mcbride Come look me up!
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This is a great post! There’s so much creativity in this community, it’s fun to see new accounts.
Thanks for sharing!! And I’m @book_junkee on IG and Twitter.
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I love instagram! It’s so fun to connect with other authors and view all of the gorgeous feeds. I’m addicted! This is a great post! #writersofinstagram is another helpful hashtag. :)
http://www.instagram.com/literaryspeaking
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Thanks for the hashtag mention! It’s good to hear them all.
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
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Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Thanks for the helpful tips! :))
I will put them to good use. IG’s a lot easier than Facebook to reach out to people around the world, but it’s challenging for new accounts. (I’ll try to use the same filter, but with my #caughtreading theme, I’m hoping variety won’t matter.)
Please consider including IG etiquette in a future blog re. social media. (For those possibly inept individuals, me included. ;)
Much thanks, @vccalloway
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Loved this! I’m an indie writer at @racheldelxo and I just started a book blog at @alovelettertobooks
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Well, I took your advice and signed up for Instagram, and made my profile… and now I can’t find out how to add any content. Have I misunderstood something? Is it only for people using phones? I can’t find anything in their help center, since it took me to Facebook.
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iPhone, iPad, Samsung–I know you can use it there. It is an application not a website per se.
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Thank you for these tips. I’m fairly new to blogging, and a complete newbie to Instagram so I appreciate all the advice I can get. You can find me @ManyFacesofCheriG.
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Reblogged this on The Owl Lady.
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Great post! Instagram is an amazing way for book lovers to connect (and many folks have fun giveaways as well!). I’m @picturebookplaydate if anyone is looking for accounts focused on picture books!
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Thanks for this! I’m on insta @choohi87
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This may be a silly question, but should we have a separate Instagram account for our “writer side” that is different from our “personal side”? Same for Twitter, etc?
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No, just one! It’s too hard to manage more than that. Even twitter, one is more manageable to be consistent.
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If I write under a pen name (I’m a teacher so it’s nice to keep those worlds separate) should I have one for the pen name?
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Yes, but only if you can maintain it with enthusiasm
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Thanks Carly for such an informative post! I especially appreciated the list of hashtags and the advice on self-promotion. I’m @rhstripling if anyone cares to connect (I write YA fantasy)!
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I enjoy Instagram. I’m author_klhallam See you over there! :)
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I’m trying to find my sea legs on Instagram as an author and a reader. I’m lorisizemore_author.
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Reblogged this on le Femme Soul.
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