With over one billion monthly users, Instagram is one of the most popular social networking platforms in the world. Plus, Instagrammers are much more likely to engage by sharing and liking posts. It’s no surprise that the authors of self-published books are now turning to the immense sales potential of Instagram in order to catch the eye of potential new fans and buyers. The marketing experts at Self-Publishing Relief have some tips and advice about how Instagram can help writers sell more books.

Smart Ways To Use Instagram To Sell More Books

Get the most out of your profile. Your Instagram profile should represent you and your author brand. Make sure your username is recognizable and easy to find. Choose a photo that matches your other social media profiles—this will help your readers easily identify you so they know they’re in the right place. Keep your Instagram bio short and include any keywords your readers might search. And make sure your bio includes a URL link to your author website or sales page where readers can purchase your books and learn more about you. You might also consider making the switch from a personal account to a creator account so you can have access to stats about your followers.

Create interesting content. The best way to use Instagram is to offer value, rather than “selling.” You shouldn’t ask followers to buy your book in every single Instagram post. That would be exhausting for you and your readers! Follow the social media posting Rule of Three: 1/3 promoting your self-published book, 1/3 interacting with your followers, and 1/3 sharing news and tips.

Remember that Instagram is very focused on visuals, so choose your imagery wisely. You don’t have to be an ace photographer to create great images for Instagram. Get creative and mix other types of images in with the photos you take with your phone camera. Be sincere and you will earn your followers’ trust, which will increase the odds of followers buying your book.

And be sure to post content regularly. If your Instagram account looks abandoned, visitors will bounce and not come back. And once you do engage again, your posts won’t be shown to as many followers.

Utilize Instagram Stories and Reels. Instagram Stories are a great way to engage your readers. You can let them know about special offers, show them sneak peeks of upcoming releases, and share other content your readers might enjoy.

Interact with your readers and other authors. When you receive comments on your Instagram posts, like or reply to these messages. These individuals took the time to comment on your post, so show your appreciation by interacting with them. It’s also good to get in the habit of keeping up with your fellow authors. Like and reply to their posts—you never know what connections you can make that might be mutually beneficial in the future!

Use hashtags. Hashtags are a great way to make your Instagram posts more discoverable—and discoverability increases your chances of making a sale. There’s a vast number of posts made every day on Instagram, so hashtags can help users find what they’re looking for and discover new content. Consider including at least eleven hashtags to increase your chances of engagement.

One of the best hashtags for self-published authors to use is #Bookstagram. At #Bookstagram, you’ll find book-related photos and content posted by people who love books and the written word.

Consider paid ads on Instagram. You can boost a post or turn any post into a paid ad. You can set a budget that won’t break the bank and reach Instagrammers who might not follow you but would be interested in your writing.

By following these tips, you’ll tap into the marketing power of Instagram, reach a wider audience, and connect with more readers who may be interested in buying your self-published book.

Question: What have you purchased based on information you learned on Instagram?