Using an author website, social media, and profiles to build your brand and promote your books

As an independent author, your online presence is one of your most powerful marketing tools. A strong digital platform helps readers discover your work, connect with you, and stay updated on new releases. This post will cover how to effectively use an author website, social media, and author profile pages to build your brand and sell more books.

Why you need an author website

Your website acts as your home base—a professional hub where readers, journalists, and event organizers can find everything they need to know about you. It should include:

• A way for people to contact you for interviews, collaborations, or event invitations.
• Links to buy all of your books.
• Any interviews you’ve done, either in print, podcasts, or video.
• A list of upcoming events, such as book signings and launches.
• Links to your social media profiles so readers can easily follow you.

Free website platforms

If you don’t have a website yet, there are several free or low-cost options:

• WordPress – Highly customizable and great for blogging.
• Wix – User-friendly with drag-and-drop features.
• Substack – Primarily used for newsletters, but it doubles as a simple website and mailing list tool.

To maximize your website’s reach, make sure it’s optimized for search engines (SEO). Use keywords that relate to your books and genre so that potential readers can find you easily.

Selecting the right social media platforms

You don’t need to be on every platform—focus on where your target readers are most active. Here’s a breakdown of the top platforms and how indie authors use them:

• Facebook – Great for building a community through groups, author pages, and reader discussions.
• Instagram – Perfect for visual storytelling, sharing book aesthetics, and engaging through reels and stories.
• TikTok – Many indie authors have found success promoting their books through #BookTok, where readers actively seek recommendations.

Engaging content beyond sales pitches

If all you do is post about your book, your followers will quickly lose interest. Instead, create content that allows readers to connect with you. Consider:

• Sharing insights into your writing process.
• Posting behind-the-scenes glimpses of your author journey.
• Talking about books you love in your genre.
• Engaging in trends or discussions that align with your brand.

To maintain consistency, develop a central theme for your social media presence. For example, if you write cozy mysteries, your content could revolve around books, baking, and small-town life. Avoid straying too far from your brand’s identity.

Creating a Linktree or Bio site

To make it easy for readers to find all your platforms, create a Linktree or Bio site. These tools allow you to share one link that directs users to your website, book purchase links, social media profiles, and mailing list signup all in one place.

Building your brand as an independent author takes time, but having a strong online presence will help you sell more books and connect with readers. Focus on creating a professional website, choosing the right social media platforms, and engaging with your audience in an authentic way. The more consistent you are, the more you’ll see your readership grow!

Want to learn more about the steps of the novel writing process? Start at the beginning of this series HERE.

Now available in print and on Kindle!

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.