Authors Posting in Groups Without Interaction

Stepping to the stage is: Sistar Tea

Some may not want to believe this, but how one acts on social media websites affects their book sales. If an author is downright rude (and I’m speaking in terms of posting book covers and reviews everywhere they can fit them) and neglects to interact with readers, readers will be turned off.  I have spoken with a number of readers and while I know this isn’t ALL readers, this consists of my circle of friends and like-minded readers who will tune out that author and all of their books. So why risk turning off potential readers? That is the big question.

I wouldn’t be allowed to walk into someone’s house, kick off my shoes, hit the refrigerator, sit down and commence to trying to sell them something without speaking, so why do authors think this is the right approach? Blasting of links and book covers is annoying and rude. Try saying hello; maybe ask a question or two. Get to know your readers.  While no one is saying be the best of friends with your readers, it does not hurt to engage the readers in groups. Find out what their reading preferences are. What are their reading turn offs and turn ons? You would be surprised to see how many authors are turning readers off and most seemingly don’t care.

In my reading circle those who make lasting impressions are those who are active in groups and their personal pages. Those are the ones whose names are mentioned when recommending books. Why? Because those are the ones we are reading. Those are the authors we seek out when we’re looking for personal reads and/or book club reads. New authors today need to take a step back and follow the trend setters of the past, before the internet when you had to sell yourself in person.  Old school ways are NEVER outdated.  Let’s get back to the basics and stop flooding the feeds with promo material.

While some may think this behavior of posting links and covers is effective networking and marketing, let me tell you, it’s not. I have seen authors just downright ignore the moderators of groups when asked to post no more than one promo item a day. Why be so disrespectful and not abide by the rules of the group? I have left groups because they look like a rolling advertisement. I have taken the time to scroll through groups only to see links to buy books on Amazon/Barnes and Noble or just book covers with “check me out” or “coming soon.” No introduction to the author, just promotional posts.

Now let me touch on another trick authors are using … third party sites. Using these sites they can blast multiple groups without an author even logging on to social media. Hell, they don’t even have to be on the computer; they can just set times up and the site takes care of the rest.  So say you’re in three groups with said author, you will now see the same promo ad/book cover in your news feed back to back to back. Let us say they set it to every four hours. Every four hours said author dominates your news feed. Umm, can you say annoying? I truly hope that this trend fades quickly and the authors of today learn some manners and communication skills as it will only help their overall goals.

SiStar Tea is a plumber by trade. She takes pride in her job with New York City Housing Authority and can truly see how her services are helping the tenants. SiStar Tea has been a proud member of ARC Book Club, Inc. since 2008 and loves the tight-knit group of women. Averaging about six to eight books a month, Tea also loves to review. Her favorite to read being debut authors, as she likes to follow the authors’ career and see their growth. SiStar Tea is also a proud member of Silver Star 50 O.E.S and feels blessed to have such great women in her life. The single mother of four daughters, two granddaughters and one godson, she is happy to see her love of reading has filtered down to her children.