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  Old school ways are NEVER outdated.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.

15 comments:

  1. Well said! As a faithful promoter, I am very mindful of when and how I push my novels. Most of the time, I interact with my infamous #CHANNEL LRW ALERTS on my wall, which stimulate engaging conversations ranging from politics to music. Readers want to be recognized as human, not just a cash register on release day. New authors, find a unique way to "speak" to readers and that is how you will gain a loyal following.

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  2. Amen. Yes tell me about your book but tell me about you. I wasn't interested in joining a bookclub on facebook until I saw the author I was reading at the time in the I am in now. Checked it out liked what I saw. Then, started checking out others and all I saw was promos for books. I like where are the people and why are they not talking about the books.

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  3. Loretta you are a beast at promoting and you do on your own page you do not bombard groups. #Teach
    Denise I hate groups that look like rolling billboards I have left more than my fair share of those.

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  4. SiStar Tea, you speak truth. This is such a pet peeve with me. I don't mind sharing my page with authors who hold a conversation with me. However, don't post on my page without asking permission. Ask my permission. The response may surprise you. As my grandmother used to say "You can catch more bees with honey than venom." There is something to be said for good old fashion manners. Manners go a long way to keep readers engaged with you and interested in your work. You dropping in to put your book cover on a page without as much as saying hello, is just impolite.

    Thank you for stating this so elegantly.
    Iris

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    1. Thank you Iris, Yes manners go a long way. What kills me is everybody trying to make a sale its just downright disrespectful go to author page or group and promote their work. Ask first as you said answer might just be yes.

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  5. This is so very on point! I belong to a book group that have booted authors out for that very reason. No interactions and only come in to promote, but won't say hi or boo to the readers they want to spend they hard earned money...well I think not! I not only think it's rude but outright inconsiderate and disrespectful to that group of reader and the the group leader. Author's really need to look at how they represent their brand, because a reader will remember your attitude and approach first before they consider reading, recommending or buying your book and if they were a fan...you may have just lost them.

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    1. Social media has open our eyes to a lot of bad habits. Authors need to see the readers are done with the foolishness.

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  6. I like this ... "You can catch more bees with honey than venom."
    I'm fairly knew at the game, with only two books out and I hate marketing, but it is crazy to see some authors blasting promos on pages. It takes time to build a brand, but we as authors have to know about getting to it and etiquette / respect comes first

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    1. You are so right Nicole. It's all about respect. These stories don't care care about a brand. They want the fast buck and will do anything to get it.

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  7. Very good article and yes you have to interact with the people you are promoting too or it just becomes another spam post!

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    1. Thanks Red. That's all we (readers) are saying do more then just spam groups. Before social media you had to sell your self at book signing in person it was more then just handing out bookmarks or postcard ect.

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  8. Well written article Sistar Tea. Don't know where these crazy microwave authors are coming from with all this foolishness, they will learn from real readers, what proper protocol is for interacting with readers and authors on Social Media.

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    1. Thank you, I truly hope this touches a few authors. I love the term microwave authors, that's how they act they want instant results with out putting in the work.

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  9. I also wanted to touch on inappropriate postings/book promotions. If the page is for Christian writers/authors/books please do not post your most recent erotica, multiple curse words, gangster saga. In the same vein don't post promotions for Romance books on pages devoted to Horror/SciFi unless I suppose the monsters or aliens have lovers from different species. My Dad had a similar expression, You can Catch more flies with Honey than Vinegar. Stop Spamming and Flaming. I've seen more viciousness, spite and venom in some many of the LinkedIn Writers/Authors groups that I just run for the hills when the knives, spears and lances come out. You'd think they were having an online battle version of the Hunger Games, Game of Thrones or an invasion of the Insane Clown Posse than supposedly intelligent adults exchanging writing ideas.

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    1. That is so true. Be mindful of your target audience is.

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