Today’s authors need to not only be excellent writers, but marketers and self-promoters. Compared to other social media networks, Twitter is one of best sites for building a professional author platform. This breakout session from the 2017 Bay to Ocean Writers Conference will teach writers how to effectively use Twitter to promote their work and build their personal brand online.

1. Networking Online:
Twitter for Authors
Leigh-Anne Lawrence @writenowsocial
2017 Bay to Ocean Writers Conference

2. Twitter by the Numbers
Current Stats
-320 million monthly active users
-1.3 billion total users
-500 million tweets are sent each day
(Approximately 6,000 tweets per second or 350,000 per minute)
 37% of users are between 18-29 & 25% are between 30-49
 Legitimacy: Percentage of world leaders that use Twitter
= 83%

3. Most Followed Person?
Katy Perry
96.2 Million Followers

4. Profile Basics
It’s all about the look.

5.  Professional photo
 Well-written bio
 Link to website/blog
 Eye-catching cover photo

6. No Photoshop? No problem
www.gimp.org
www.picmonkey.com

7. Finding Your Voice
Get ready to shine.

8. What Makes You “You?”
How would you describe
yourself?
 Funny or
wise-cracking?
 Serious or scholarly?
 Sarcastic?
 Playful and upbeat?
This is your tone.

9. What to Share:
 Things you love (books, movies, hobbies, etc.)
 Writing articles, tips, and recommendations
 Information about YOUR writing process
(successes, trials, and tribulations)
 Interesting articles on subjects you’re passionate about
(remember to share those blog posts if you’re a blogger!)
 Photos from vacations, workshops, conferences, and other
events (like this one!)

10. Once You’re Established…
 Offer sneak peeks of your writing
 Hold contests for fans
 Offer giveaways (bookmarks, signed copies, etc.)
 Hold a Twitter Chat to answer fan questions
 Tweet live from events

11. Your Public Persona = Your Brand
Professional Author You is separate from Everyday You.
Professional PR Director Profile

12. Always…
 Be gracious.
 Be kind.
 Share content by others.
 Thank people who mention you or share your content.
 Be positive (as much as possible).
 Let people see the REAL you.

13. Never Ever…
 Rant. That makes you look unprofessional
and petty. (Watch that Soapbox!)
 Get defensive or throw a public tantrum.
 Feed the Trolls. (Don’t get in arguments with followers.)
 Talk solely about yourself. That’s boring.
 Ignore questions or requests.
 Disappear for months at a time.
 Forget that your Twitter account is your PUBLIC face.

14. Writing for Twitter
Know the language and keep it short.

15. Twitter Lingo + Etiquette
Words to Know:
 Mention
 Retweet
 Favorite
 Hash Tag
 List
Things to Do:
 Tag Other Users
 Credit/Attribute content
that isn’t yours
 Participate in Follow
Friday: #FF

16. Hash Tag Protocol
1. Try to use one hash tag in every post.
2. Don’t use more than five.
3. Look up your hash tags in advance.
Two Types:
 Trending
 Emphasis
#writing
#Sorrynotsorry

17. Hash Tags to Know
Writing
 #writing
 #writetip
 #amwriting
 #amediting or #amrevising
 #writegoal
 #writerslife
Publishing
 #mswl
used by agents/editors
looking for submissions
 #askagent and #askeditor
used to ask agents/editors
questions

18. Crafting the Perfect Post
1. Your tweet needs to
make sense.
2. Your tweet should
include a hyperlink
or an image.
3. Your tweet should
include a hash tag.
Remember: Spelling and Grammar Count

19. MakE Time for Social Media
It’s the new email.

20. How do you tweet every day?
 Schedule your posts in advance
 Track retweets and mentions
 Track favorite hash tags or search terms

21. Use that Smartphone
 Twitter and Hootsuite apps are easy
to use
 Love taking photos? Connect your
Twitter account to Instagram and
share photos on both platforms
simultaneously

22. One Hour Every week
 Find new accounts to follow
 Decide what you want to share (your own content and others)
 Go out of your way to engage with other users
Real Life Examples via Jane Friedman:
 Debbie Ohi posts a daily doodle on social media as part of
her creative process
 Jeanne Bowerman started a Sunday night Twitter #scriptchat
to learn about scriptwriting, and ended up becoming an
expert herself in the topic she set out to study.
 Robert Brewer issues a poem-a-day challenge to get himself
and his community producing poetry.

23. Writers Who Rock Twitter
Follow. Imitate. Emulate.

24. S
o
c
i
a
l
M
e
d
i
a
K
i
n
g
@neilhimself

25. @johngreen

26. @chuckpalahniuk
@chuckpalahniuk

27. @tessgerritsen

28. @hankpryan

29. Share and Share Again
If you build it, they will come.

30. Final TAkeaways
 Be yourself. Be real and authentic. Your voice is your brand.
 Be professional and respectful of others.
 Focus on the positive instead of the negative.
 Think before you post. Once something is online, it lives forever.
 Be gracious. Thank followers who mention you or compliment your work.

31. Final TakeAways
 Share content by others. Don’t just promote yourself.
 Create community. Schedule time to browse sites, read things
that capture your interest, comment, and participate in online
conversations.
 Be consistent. Post content on a weekly or daily basis.
 Treat social media like email. Check your accounts every day
and respond to fan questions in a timely manner.
 Remember: Social media is about engagement. If you don’t engage,
your fan base won’t grow.

32. Resources
Social Media
 Jeff Bullas
 Business 2 Community
 Mashable
 Social Pro Daily
 Social Media Examiner
 Social Media Today
Author Marketing
+ Branding
 The Book Designer
 CopyBlogger
 Galley Cat
 Jane Friedman
 Where Writers Win
 The Write Life

33. workshop
Get the presentation online at: www.leighannelawrence.com
@writenowsocial