Social Media for Authors: Top Engagement Strategies for September 2024
Keeping your social media fresh and engaging is critical for connecting with your audience. September is packed with opportunities to spark conversations and promote your books. Here’s a breakdown of creative ideas for the month plus specific dates that can help you connect with your readers in fun and meaningful ways.
Check out this month’s Social Media Corner video below for even more ideas:
Focus on Your Releases First
Always prioritize your book promotions. Highlight your new releases, build up excitement with countdowns, and don’t forget your backlist. While book sales are key, balance your page with interactive, fun, and relatable posts to keep things fresh. Your audience doesn’t want a constant sales pitch—it’s about building relationships!
Monthly Themes and Creative Ideas
September offers plenty of broad themes to incorporate into your strategy. You don’t need to use them all—pick the ones that fit your brand best.
1. Happy Cat Month
- Share adorable cat memes or ask followers about their pets.
- Post a call-to-action like, “Share your happy cat pics below!” People love to talk about their pets, so this is an easy win for engagement.
2. Hispanic Heritage Month
- Celebrate by highlighting any Hispanic characters or themes in your books.
- If you write diverse books featuring Hispanic culture, this is the perfect time to spotlight them.
- Take a moment to honor and appreciate your Hispanic readers.
3. Pumpkin Season Is Back
- Posts about pumpkin spice are always a hit—people either love it or hate it!
- Try memes comparing pumpkin spice to apple cider or ask followers about their favorite fall desserts.
- Bonus: Share polls or images about favorite fall activities, like hiking, apple picking, or cozy reading spots.
Key September Dates for Social Media
Make the most of these September dates to create fun, interactive posts:
September 2: Labor Day (Monday)
Celebrate with a relaxing or funny post that fits your brand’s tone. You can tie this into downtime reading recommendations.
September 6: Read a Book Day
- Ask readers, “What’s on your fall reading list?”
- Suggest one of your own books and create a special sale or freebie promotion.
September 7: World Beard Day
- Romance authors, share photos or memes about rugged, bearded leading men.
- Interactive option: “What’s your dream leading man—bearded bad boy or clean-shaven mastermind?”
September 8: Grandparents Day
- Share sweet memories of grandparents reading to you as a child.
- Ask your audience to share their own or discuss reading traditions as grandparents.
September 8: International Literacy Day
- Discuss literacy’s importance as an author.
- Highlight literacy programs or organizations you admire, like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
September 8: Star Trek Day
- Perfect for sci-fi and fantasy writers. Share Star Trek memes or discuss overlapping fandoms.
September 11: 9/11 Remembrance Day
- Post a thoughtful graphic honoring the lives lost. Keep this somber and respectful.
September 12: National Video Games Day
- LitRPG authors, ask readers, “What’s your all-time favorite video game?”
- Include fun gaming references, or connect it to fantasy themes.
September 13: Friday the 13th + Defy Superstition Day
- Funny superstitions? Ask followers to share theirs.
- Use memes about black cats and spooky vibes to keep it lighthearted.
September 15: National Women’s Friendship Day
- Celebrate incredible friendships by tagging your author friends.
- Highlight key friendships in your books and ask readers about their favorites.
September 18: National Cheeseburger Day
- Food posts are fun! Ask, “What’s your ultimate cheeseburger build?”
- Bonus: Tie favorite burger toppings to character personalities if that matches your brand.
September 19: International Talk Like a Pirate Day
- Go silly—“If ye write fantasy, this is yer time to shine!”
- Share pirate lingo memes or ask readers to caption pirate-themed character art.
September 21: World Gratitude Day
- Share what you’re thankful for and ask readers to chime in. Gratitude posts spread positivity.
September 22: Autumn Equinox + Hobbit Day
- Fall officially starts! Post about cozy fall vibes and seasonal traditions.
- Fantasy writers, dive into Hobbit Day with Lord of the Rings memes or Hobbit-themed food and drink ideas.
September 25: National Comic Book Day
- Great for fantasy and other cross-genre authors. Highlight popular comics or recommend your favorites.
September 27: Native American Day
- Showcase Native characters in your writing if applicable.
- Honor Native readers and acknowledge their cultures.
Pro Tips for Killer Social Media Posts
When crafting posts, aim to make them:
- Interactive: Ask questions, encourage comments, and invite shares.
- Relevant to Your Brand: Don’t stray too far from your own style or audience’s interests.
- Balanced: Mix personal, lighthearted, and promotional content.
What’s Next?
Looking for more help organizing your author marketing? Check out the “Boss Mode” workshop that kicks off tomorrow. It’ll help you nail down your social media, newsletters, and ads for the quarter.
Join our free Finding Your Indie Facebook group for ongoing tips and resources:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1040499479371559
September is packed with potential—so start planning now to keep your audience engaged. What’s your favorite idea from this list? Share your thoughts and let’s get creative!
