Strategies to Take Advantage of LinkedIn for Self-Published Writers (Indie Authors)
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Hey there, buddy! Ever thought about making LinkedIn work for your author business? You know, that "Facebook for Professionals" platform? It ain't just for job hunters or networking bigwigs in suits and ties.
Written with input from none other than the Gary Collins himself, bestselling author of the "Living Off The Grid" and "The Simple Life" book series, this little guide'll show you how to get a leg up in the author game with LinkedIn in tow.
Gary ain't just a bestselling writer, you know. He's also taught at university college level, consulted and trained college athletes, and been interviewed for his expertise on various subjects by CBS Sports, Coast to Coast AM, The RT Network, and FOX News.
So, why'd we bring up LinkedIn?
Well, in a nutshell, this social media beast ain't just for landing a gig or finding players for your basketball team. It can also be an essential way to promote your author business, especially if you're writing non-fiction (like self-help, STM, academic, or business books).
We went ahead and interviewed Gary to learn his secrets for building a killer LinkedIn following and using the platform to boost his author biz. And here's the skinny:
What's LinkedIn, Anyways?
Imagine an online networking event that takes place 24/7, where you can rub shoulders with folks from all industries and businesses. That, my friend, is LinkedIn! It's like Facebook for grown-ups, providing you with all the tools you need to make your biz boom. You can use LinkedIn for:
- Finding dream jobs
- Recruiting new talent
- Selling your small business
- Polishing your professional rep
Why's LinkedIn Important for Authors?
Gary jumped onto LinkedIn back in 2012, and now he boasts a whopping 8,000 followers. He's learned a few things along the way about using this social media powerhouse to build an author business. Most of his peeps are scattered across the US and Europe – you see, LinkedIn ain't just for networking with potential readers (unless, of course, you're writing the types of books mentioned earlier).
No, the real gold in using LinkedIn as an author lies in building your credibility in the industry and networking with other authors for potential partnerships. When we asked Gary about his LinkedIn strategies, he told us: "I use LinkedIn to connect with people involved in businesses related to mine and the topics of my books."
The beauty of LinkedIn is that anyone can give it a go. We got you covered with our top 5 tips for using LinkedIn like a pro author.
Making the Most of LinkedIn as an Author
LinkedIn is the perfect place to establish your author brand within the professional sphere. Here's how to do it:
1. Recruit Your Dream Team
Building your dream team is step one for every book project. You need yourself a top-notch editor, cover designer, distributor, marketer, and more. LinkedIn can be a useful resource for finding folks who've got the skills you need.
Some authors hang out in Facebook groups and forums, but when it comes time to do business together, they prefer talking shop on LinkedIn. That's because there's less commotion, allowing authors to focus on business or possible co-authoring endeavors. Gary even shared a tale about being approached by editors looking for collaborators on a book project about female entrepreneurship!
2. Grab Attention from Media and Influencers
Influencers and members of the media often browse LinkedIn to find the next big story. Topics of interest include motivating success stories, compelling author interviews, and other engaging content. According to Gary, being active on LinkedIn has helped him land media features multiple times over the years.
But that's not all – why not give potential media contacts a little taste of what you've got? You can feature them in articles, tag them in posts, comment on their activity, or even help them by making a useful connection. These little gestures are sure to grab their attention!
3. Score Speaking Gigs
Networking with industry peeps is crucial to advancing your author career. They can provide valuable tips and can help connect you with speaking opportunities. Gary claimed that he books a speaking engagement every week thanks to his LinkedIn presence, whether on podcasts, radio shows, or other events.
When asked how he secured these gigs, Gary pointed out that most invitations came through his LinkedIn profile. He Alternating with audacious confidence, he gabbed:
4. Utilize LinkedIn for Conferences
Attending conferences and being active on LinkedIn go hand in hand when it comes to building your author brand. Before you set foot at a conference, use LinkedIn to find the people you'd like to connect with while you're there. The best part? Some folks might add you even before you reach out!
Your follow-up on LinkedIn after making new connections at conferences can help you keep those relationships alive and potentially turn them into fruitful partnerships.
5. Expand Your Reader Base
LinkedIn might not be filled with gobs of readers, unless you're penning non-fiction, STM, business, or academic books. But don't fret – when you share a behind-the-scenes look at your writing process or even an interview with your favorite expert, LinkedIn is a great place to post an article and funnel readers to your website.
Just remember to clearly state your author status when setting up your LinkedIn account:
- Choose a professional profile pic
- Design a captivating LinkedIn cover photo
- Include "Author" in your Headline and Current Position
- Craft an alluring blurb about your books in the Description
Gary conceded that at first, he didn't view LinkedIn as a viable platform for connecting with readers. But he discovered that listing all his books and posting blog post updates on LinkedIn resulted in book sales! His advice for authors?
He suggested only promoting a book launch once since it's already listed in your profile. Gary even mentioned using a tool called "Kleo" to boost engagement with your audience.
Wrapping it Up - Take the Next Step
All the strategies we mentioned will make you more visible to potential readers, but only if you stick with it. You've gotta regularly post and engage with people to reap the rewards. Long story short, it's worth it. We've experienced the magic of LinkedIn connections, and we know they can power up your author business.
Now, it's high time you publish that book! Once you've perfected your LinkedIn strategy, give publishing a whirl. You could use our website to distribute your book in over 400 online stores, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Google Play, and Kobo. Not only do we offer free ebook conversion, but we also split royalties for co-authors and provide built-in marketing tools to boost sales.
We'll even let you publish your 1st ebook for free, or try out a paid plan and get your money back if you're not thrilled! So, go on and get started – let LinkedIn work its magic for you!
- To enhance your author business and boost your professional credibility, consider fostering a presence on LinkedIn, a technology platform that functions like a 24/7 online networking event, offering tools for self-development, education, and showcasing your author brand.
- As an author, LinkedIn can serve as a valuable resource for networking with industry professionals, potential partnerships, promoting your work, and scoring speaking gigs across various media outlets, creating a synergy between your lifestyle and the sports of the literary world.
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