If you’re a writer and you’re not using Instagram, then you are putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. The number of Instagram users continues to rise and it’s a great way for a writer to connect with their audience. Of course, I could get really in depth with this blog post—I’ve taught three-hour classes on Instagram—but I’m going to keep it simple. Here are five easy tips that will help you start building a platform and connecting to your readership today.
1. Post consistently.
One of the key things to remember, is that Instagram is looking to keep people on the platform. That means if you have an obsolete account, or if you’re only posting every so often, they’re not going to show your posts to your audience as frequently, since they can’t rely on you for consistent content. Also keep in mind that you have to keep your audience engaged and if they are only seeing posts once in a blue moon, they are going to get bored and possibly unfollow.
My recommendation is to aim for at least once a day for posts or Reels, and five to seven Stories spread out across the day.
2. Respond to every single comment.
This one is important. If someone takes the time to leave you a comment, take the time to respond.
Think of it this way, if someone walks up to you and says, “I love your shoes,” would you turn around and walk away without answering them? Or would you respond by tracing a heart in the air with your finger? Would you simply stare at them and smile? Probably not. Typically, that kind of behavior would be considered rude. So why would you do it online? Plus, the initial point of social media was to socialize. Socializing helps you connect with your audience and potential readers.
If that isn’t enough of a reason, interacting with comments counts as engagement and Instagram loves accounts that get high engagement.
3. Use hashtags.
There’s been much debate about using too many hashtags because it messes with the algorithm. I have found this to be false. But I have heard of writers who use just a few and it works for them. Instagram allows up to thirty hashtags, so I prefer to take advantage of them and use them in captions. People can follow hashtags too, so I want to make sure I have the chance to show up in feeds via hashtags.
It’s also worth mentioning that you should use hashtags relevant to you. You can use writer ones if you’re looking to connect with other authors, but you should especially be using reader focused hashtags like, #amreading, #reading, #goodreads, #books, #bookstagram, #booknerd, etc. You can also use genre specific ones to possibly reach a more targeted reader. For example, #romancebooks, or #mysterybooks. Hashtags are a powerful way to help readers find you.
Although I won’t get into it on this particular post, you should also pair this with a strong keywords game, as Instagram is becoming more search driven.
4. Use Instagram Stories.
I know a lot of people, especially writers, are resistant to Instagram Stories. In fact, when I say this, most writers often respond with, “But won’t the stories just disappear after twenty-four hours?”
Yes, that is absolutely true. But that’s all the more reason to watch them.
There are some accounts on Instagram that I follow, and I can’t help but watch their stories every day. And because I know there is only that twenty-four-hour window, I make it a point to check every day. The same can be true for you—if you have engaging stories, people are going to watch. I also tend to reach more people when I watch a Story and use just one hashtag.
With Stories, you also have an additional chance to connect with your audience through videos. This is a real opportunity to speak with your audience. If you choose to, they can see your face and make the connection that you are a real person. You can show them behind the scenes of a writer’s life and also share things that are a little more personal. The idea is to help them get to know you. If they feel a connection to you, the chances of them wanting to support your work are greater.
5. Make sure your bio is clear.
At the very least, it should say that you are a writer, even better if it tells your audience what kind of writer you are. Romance? Contemporary? Horror? Clarifying your genre and/or categories helps you attract the right kind of readers.
You should also have your website, along with at least one book title—preferably your most recent. I prefer to use Linktree, which allows you to have multiple links in bio, but many authors create something similar to Linktree directly on their websites. If you’re looking to create one yourself, check out this video our admin Megan made.
I can’t tell you all how many times writers follow me, and I have no idea that they’re writers. It’s nowhere in the bio, and when I scroll through the feed, and there is no indication of a writer’s life. You have to let the world know you’re a writer! Tell us in your bio and make sure your posts are relevant. I’m not saying you can’t have posts about everyday life, I’m just saying that you should have author life posts in there especially.
You can also use your bio to promote offerings like free books, freebies, newsletter sign-up, reader groups, and special events.
My bonus tip is to have fun and don’t be an a**hole.
Just like in real life, Instagram is a place to connect with people. I think we lose sight of this fact when we’re in a virtual world. We don’t actually have people physically in front of us, so it’s easy to forget that these are real human beings, y’all. At the end of the day, it’s the same concept we would apply to real life. Be kind and form genuine connections. You do that and you’ll grow your Instagram following and your readership.
