How Authors Can Use Pinterest for Marketing
How Authors Can Use Pinterest for Marketing
By Lena Sledge
What is Pinterest? It’s a cross between a virtual pin up board and a scrapbook. Once you create your account, you are able to create boards for different interests by organizing photos and illustrations from websites and blogs. Each album contains photos (pins) of items that fit the description. Authors can also allow others to contribute to their album if they desire, which fosters increased sharing and interaction. Authors may also use Pinterest to strengthen their readership, promote their writings and upcoming book releases. If you’re an author, let’s look at several ways you can best utilize Pinterest.
1. Create an album for your book covers. You can name your album whatever you choose. Then pin book covers to that album. Make sure and leave a great description of the book, so if someone is interested in purchasing it or getting more info, they can do it easily. It’s best to leave shortened url links as they look better. Try using Bitly or Tinyurl.
2. Create an album for the characters in your book. Choose attributes that compliment your characters. You can create fashions, clothes or accessories that your character would likely wear. You can create an entire world for your character with an album. Another great tip: add your readers and fans to the album as contributors and have them come up with images they think represent the character. It’s a great way to get your readers involved and stay connected.
3. Create an inspiration board. I have one titled, Why I Write. It contains images and photos of things that inspire and motivate me to write. I hope that other writers, authors and aspiring writers can use the same images to help them too. We all need a little motivation sometimes and it helps readers to know that we don’t wake up everyday revved up and ready to type away. Some days, it takes a little prodding. You can also use images that help you write, such as a beautiful desk, gorgeous stationery, funky pens or quotes about writing.
4. Create a Favorite Books album. I have one titled, Page Turners. It’s an album of all the books I couldn’t put down or books I just absolutely love. Make sure and describe your images appropriately with the author and title. This helps because authors may search for images of their own books, how nice would it be for an author to see that you’ve pinned their book and leave a comment on your pin? It’s also a great way to give book recommendations to readers. People don’t want to be inundated with your self-promotion, they want resources and information they can use.
5. Get your readers involved. Ask your readers to contribute to your album for the next book. Ask them to come up with images that you need to add description to your characters. Maybe your character wears a certain type high heel shoe or drinks a certain vintage wine but you can’t find it. They can help you with the research and pin it to your board. Readers would love to contribute their input and feel like they helped in the making of your upcoming book.
6. Create a board for your videos. Yep, you can pin videos. I have an album for all my book trailers called Video Voyeurism for Books. You can also create an album for how-to-videos to help other writers, video book reviews, book signings, workshops, or just a video message to your readers.
Lena Sledge is an award winning author and blogger. She is also the publicist for the Alabama Writers’ Conclave, the oldest writers organization in continuous existence in the U.S. She is also a public speaker and has given several workshops on marketing for authors. Her upcoming book releases for 2013 are titled, Breaking Willow and Waiting on Heaven. You can follow her updates at http://www.lenasledge.com or http://www.lenasledgeblog.com.
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