Social Media Strategies for Writers: Building Your Online Presence

In today’s publishing world, being a writer isn’t just about putting words on the page. It’s also about building a community of readers, networking with other writers, and making sure your work gets seen. The best way to do that? Social media. Developing strong Social Media Strategies for Writers can mean the difference between shouting into the void and creating meaningful connections that last.

If the idea of posting, tweeting, or filming yourself on TikTok makes you nervous—don’t worry. You don’t need to do everything or be everywhere. Instead, you need a focused strategy that works for you, your brand, and your readers. Let’s break it down.

Grab the Cheat Sheet (PDF)

Why Social Media Matters for Writers

• Connection with readers – You don’t have to wait until you have a published book to start growing your readership. Social media lets you share snippets of your journey, and readers love feeling like they’re “in” on the process.
• Community building – Writing is often solitary, but platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads connect you with other writers, critique partners, and beta readers.
• Visibility and discoverability – Even agents and publishers look at your social presence. A well-managed platform shows professionalism and reach.

If you’re serious about sharing your work, building your presence through social media is essential. Hopefully this article on developing social media strategies for writers will take some of the stress off you and get you going in the write direction.

Choosing the Right Platforms

Not every platform will serve you equally. The key is to focus on one or two, then branch out if you have time and energy. I’m kind of a social media whore fan. I love social media, so for me, developing social media strategies for writers wasn’t an issue. Though I will be honest, right now, a lot of my posting is kind of political right now. Sorry, not sorry.  Here’s a quick guide to the most popular options (and where you can find me):

• Facebook – Still powerful for community building. Great for creating an author page or joining writer/reader groups.
• Instagram – Highly visual; perfect for sharing book aesthetics, writing updates, or short videos.
• Threads – Ideal for quick thoughts, short writing tips, and engaging conversations.
• BlueSky – A rising alternative to Twitter/X; worth exploring to get in early.
• TikTok – BookTok is huge! Creative short videos about writing or reading can spread fast.

Pro tip: Start with the platform where you already spend time. Consistency is easier when you enjoy the space.

Building Your Author Brand Online

Your social media presence should reflect your author brand—your voice, themes, and personality. This doesn’t mean curating a fake persona, but it does mean being intentional.

• Visual branding: Use the same profile photo and color scheme across platforms.
• Tone and voice: Are you witty? Encouraging? Educational? Keep it consistent.
• Niche focus: Readers should know what to expect—YA fantasy, cozy romance, writing advice, etc.

For a deeper dive on setting this up, check out my Author Platform Starter Checklist.

Content Ideas that Actually Work

So what do you post? Here are proven ideas that resonate with both writers and readers:

• Behind-the-scenes – Show your messy desk, writing playlists, or character sketches.
• Writing tips – Share bite-sized advice on craft. My post on Showing vs. Telling is a good example of turning writing insights into content.
• Personal moments – A touch of real life makes you relatable.
• Bookish humor – Memes, reels, and lighthearted posts get shared widely.
• Engagement posts – Polls, “this or that,” and Q&As keep readers interacting.

Think of social media as a place to show your personality, not just your book.

Engagement Is King

Posting content is only half the job—engagement is where the magic happens. Here are a few strategies:

• Reply to comments – A simple “thank you” or emoji goes a long way.
• Ask questions – Invite followers to share their thoughts.
• Cross-post wisely – Share across platforms, but tailor your tone to each.
• Celebrate others – Share another writer’s success, recommend books, or cheer on a friend’s launch.

Social media is less about “broadcasting” and more about creating conversations. You want to develop a real relationship with your readers. Be your authentic self. If you are obsessed with cats on the internet, share cat videos. If cottage core is your vibe – share that. Give them a chance to get to know you the person, and get to know them. As a reader, I have a couple of authors that I actively engage with on a regular basis on different platforms, and it’s fun getting to know them as people, and not just amazing authors. One caveat though, be careful not to overshare too much of your personal life. Keep it safe!

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Over-promotion – Constantly shouting “buy my book!” turns readers away. Balance is key.
• Inconsistency – Posting daily for a week and then disappearing for months doesn’t build trust.
• Spreading too thin – You don’t have to be everywhere. Master one or two platforms first.

Take for example, this blog post, I’ll share it on several platforms but it’s easy to just copy and paste the same link on various platforms with a little blurb saying – hey, check out this free blog post on developing a social media presence. That is different than saying buy my book, buy my book, and oh by the way, buy my book.

And yes, consistency is key. I try and do a blog post on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Consistency. Then I may post writing memes or book lover memes or things like that on other days. I’m still engaging with my readers, but in a different way.

Wrapping It All Up

The best Social Media Strategies for Writers are simple, intentional, and sustainable. Start small, focus on connecting rather than selling, and let your personality shine. You don’t have to do everything,you just have to do something consistently. Of course, like anything else, it’s never as easy as you think it will be. You are putting yourself out there, and that’s scary. And it will take a while for your readers to start interacting with you, but hang in there, it will start to happen, and it will be well worth it. I know for some it may seem like a chore, but please use these social media strategies for writers and start building your presence online.

Want help picking platforms or planning your first month of posts? Start with the cheat sheet above, then explore the Author Platform Starter Checklist for a step-by-step brand setup.