Image courtesy of Digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I had a chance to chat with Orca Books’ marketing & production coordinator, Jen Cameron, and asked her for her top tips when it comes to social media/platforms.
Promotional tips from Jen Cameron
1. If you have time, develop and maintain a website.
2. Make sure your website design and content fits your books and keep the
content fresh.
3.Start a blog. Make it fun, but professional.
Jen’s Tips #1 & 2: If you have time, develop and maintain a website. Make sure your website design and content fits your books and keep the content fresh.
Natasha’s Follow Up: Make sure your design fits your books (so no dark goth stuff for that inspirational novel of yours). This is easy enough if you’re writing picture books or writing YA, but what if you’re doing both? Find a happy medium. Teens could be turned off by the overly cute/juvenile images but you don’t want to have overly-mature content/graphics if little guys (or their parents/guardians) are visiting, too.
Make sure it’s a dynamic site. That is, make sure your site stays fresh and current, and there’s new content every once in a while. There are some website designs that switch over depending on the season (so in fall, it’s autumn colours, in winter, it’s a snow theme). While you don’t have to change out the design on a constant basis, there should be new elements added to your site. One way to keep your site fresh is with a blog.
Jen’s Tip #3: Start a blog. Make it fun, but professional.
Natasha’s Follow Up:
When it comes to blogging, know the line between professional and personal, then don’t cross it. It’s a difficult thing to figure out–you want to let your personality shine through, to let readers into your world, but remember, once a post is out there, it’s out there. You can’t take it back. (Natasha’s note: if I’m not sure if I should post it or not, I wait 48 hours, then make the decision).
And finally, whether it’s a website or blogging, or both, if you’re going to do it, do it well.
