Social Media Tips for Authors: Maximize Engagement in May 2023 with These Strategies
Celebrating May as an author? Buckle up, because this month is packed with opportunities to connect with readers, boost engagement, and promote your work. Whether it’s leveraging National Share a Story Month or celebrating fun holidays like Cinco de Mayo, there’s no shortage of ways to make your social media pop.
Check out our tips and tricks for navigating May’s unique themes and events below. Plus, don’t miss the video for even more insights:
National Share a Story Month
For authors, May’s National Share a Story Month is pure gold! It’s the perfect backdrop for sharing your stories and inviting others to do the same.
Here’s how you can take advantage of it:
- Ask questions to boost interaction. Ask your audience about their favorite childhood stories or the most memorable books their parents read to them.
- Share story-inspired promotions. Promote your latest book while tying it into the “Share a Story” theme.
- Highlight personal favorites. Mention books or authors that inspired you. For example, Judith McNaught’s books from the ‘80s and ‘90s are still making waves today, proving stories don’t get too old to feature!
This theme gives endless ideas for posts, discussions, and promos. If you’re looking to fill your content calendar, start here!
May Holidays to Inspire Your Content
May brings a ton of holidays that work great for authors to connect with readers and promote their books.
Must-Know May Holidays:
- Mother’s Day (May 14)
Promote early! Offer signed paperbacks or gift bundles your readers can buy for their moms. - Cinco de Mayo (May 5)
Spice things up by connecting books and favorite pastimes, like reading with chips and salsa! - Armed Forces Day (May 20)
Especially great for authors writing in military sci-fi or romance genres. Dedicate posts to gratitude, share inspiring quotes, or highlight heroes in your books. - Memorial Day (May 29)
Show appreciation, share heartfelt messages, and run themed promotions over the long weekend.
By focusing on these holidays, you can create daily or weekly posts that feel fresh and relevant while keeping your audience engaged.
Astrological Themes and Gemstone Fun
May’s astrological signs (Taurus and Gemini) and its birthstone (Emerald) are unique fun bits you can weave into your social media posts.
How can you use these?
- Astrology-based book marketing. Tie your characters’ personalities or traits to their zodiac signs. For instance, highlight a “Taurus hero” or playful “Gemini twin” from your latest story.
- Spotlight Emerald inspiration. Fantasy authors can tie emeralds into their world-building, while romance authors can showcase this gem as an alternative to classic diamonds in engagement scenes.
These details add a creative twist to your content and showcase your creativity to readers.
Tools and Resources for Social Media Success
Keeping your social media game strong doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We recommend using Canva for creating eye-catching graphics to boost engagement.
Here’s why Canva is a standout tool:
- It’s easy to use for creating memes, posts, and visuals.
- Free and Pro versions both offer amazing features.
- Fully customizable with templates that fit your branding.
Through our Finding Your Indie social media course, you can access Canva templates, memes, and questions ready to drive interaction with your audience. Plus, these prompts make it easier to consistently post and keep readers engaged without starting from scratch every time.
The Power of Engagement in 2023
Social media doesn’t always mean paying to play. Organic engagement matters, and platforms like Facebook reward active pages with lower ad costs.
Key tip: Many social media experts predict that Facebook fan pages will continue to grow in importance through 2023 and 2024. With Meta’s push to compete with TikTok, it’s time to take your page seriously.
Four Rules for Social Media Success:
- Be consistent. Regular posting keeps your audience engaged and algorithms happy.
- Be engaging. Ask questions, share behind-the-scenes insights, and invite dialogue.
- Stay on-brand. Keep your tone and visuals aligned with your author persona.
- Meet readers where you’re comfortable. Focus your efforts on the platforms you’re most confident using.
Conclusion
May is bursting with opportunities to connect with readers and share your stories. Use National Share a Story Month, holidays, and fun themes like astrology and gemstones to create meaningful posts. Pair your creativity with tools like Canva to simplify the process and stay consistent with your content.
Don’t forget to check out our Finding Your Indie course and free Facebook group for even more resources and support. Stay connected, and let’s make your May social media strategy your best one yet!
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Happy May—and happy posting!