Facebook is the most popular social media platform. This means that it is one of the best places to find and engage with readers. If you haven’t set up a Facebook Author Page yet, here are some step-by-step instructions for how to get started.
To create a Facebook author page you will need to start with a personal Facebook account.
Check out our recommendations for optimizing your page here.
Note how her header photo promotes her new series, and her bio talks about the type of books she writes.
Harlan’s header photo is a perfect example of how to use your header photo as an advertising opportunity.
You can use tools like Canva to create images that are the right sizes for Facebook, to optimize your readers’ ability to read and share them across both mobile and desktop.
Creating a Facebook Author Page is just the first step. To maximize your reach and engage effectively with your audience, you’ll need to promote your book strategically. Here are some tips and techniques to help you get started:
Maintain an active presence on your page by posting regularly. Share a mix of content, such as updates about your writing progress, book excerpts, behind-the-scenes looks at your writing process, and personal anecdotes. Consistency helps keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Facebook Ads are a powerful tool to reach a wider audience. You can create targeted ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors to ensure that your book reaches potential readers who are most likely to be interested. Consider running ads for:
Interaction is key on social media. Respond to comments on your posts, engage with your followers by asking questions, and create polls to gather opinions. This not only builds a community around your work but also helps increase your page’s visibility.
Running giveaways and contests is an excellent way to generate excitement and attract new followers. Offer free copies of your book, exclusive merchandise, or other incentives. Make sure to promote these events across your other social media channels to maximize participation.
Positive reviews and testimonials can greatly influence potential readers. Share quotes from reviews, user-generated content, or fan art on your page. This social proof can help convince others to pick up your book.
Use Facebook Live to connect with your audience in real time. Host Q&A sessions, read excerpts from your book, or give a tour of your writing space. Live videos can create a more personal connection with your readers and increase engagement.
When you’re launching a new book, create a Facebook Event page. This allows you to invite followers, share updates, and build anticipation. Encourage attendees to share the event with their friends to increase reach.
Join or create Facebook Groups related to your genre or interests. Participate in discussions, share your expertise, and subtly promote your book when appropriate. Groups can be a great way to find like-minded readers and build a community.
Keep track of your page’s performance using Facebook Insights. This tool provides valuable data on how your posts are performing, who your audience is, and what times they are most active. Use this information to refine your strategy and improve your engagement.
Promoting your book on Facebook requires time and effort, but with a strategic approach, it can be one of the most effective ways to reach and engage with readers.
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Can I change the template on my current FB page or do I have to create a new FB page?
HI Mary,
You can change the template on your existing Facebook page!
I'm really struggling with this. If I'm changing the template on my existing Facebook page, would I still click on Create as the first step? I would ultimately like to change my existing page to an Author Page with the Shopping template. I hope you can help.
Hi Marina,
You can follow the step in this post https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/2017/02/02/how-to-optimize-your-facebook-author-page-to-sell-books/ to update an existing page to include the shopping template!
Thanks for your reply, but that post does not answer my question, that I can see. I want to change a personal page to an author page, then add the shopping template. Is there no way to do this without creating a new page as the author page? Won't all of the links to my existing page (which I use for my writing news and writer friends) be different from the author page I create?
Don't understand how to create my facebook address (example: http://www.Facebook.com/ ScottViehbeck )When attempting to create author page.
Can I get some insight on where this is to be done when creating the page.
Thank you. Scott Viehbeck
Hi Scott- Here is the Facebook help article on how to claim your username, which will change the url for your facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/help/203523569682738/?ref=u2u
I created a username on my page
@Viehbeck.Scott
But it doesn't show http://www.Facebook.com/ on my username, as well.
Where does it show up to see complete address
It has to be
http://www.Facebook.com/Viehbeck.Scott
Is this Correct. Sorry for all the questions but not getting it.
Haven't yet created webpage. My publisher will soon for me.
Hello. I just sent an email. My name is Scott Viehbeck. I asked question about setting up author page.
I now realized that the website category was to create my Facebook author page. I thought it was for setting up another website.
Thank you for you help before.
Oh technology! What an experience
My query is similar to Chloe who wrote on March 8. Currently I have two FB pages, one for each of my published books. Is there any way to amalgamate, or do I need to create a new author page from scratch. If I do, how do I keep all my followers - over 450 on one, near 200 on the latest title?
Hey Angela, unfortunately there isn't a way to combine the pages. You could try to convert one to an author page and invite the followers of the other to follow it. Or, you could create an author page from scratch, and link to it from your book pages. You could put out posts letting readers know they should follow your author page for all the latest news/ releases. This should encourage them to follow the author page as well as your book pages.
Many thanks Clayton. Will follow this good advice.
Hello
Struggling to determine how to include multiple books on one Facebook Author Page . In other words, I have several books I want to promote and wonder if I need
one author page for each book or one author page for all the books.
Hi Jim! We recommend using one author page for all books as this makes it easier for readers to locate your complete works. You can include all of your books in one page by listing links to their Amazon pages or by utilizing all book images in your header photo.
Hello, is it possible to create an author page and keep it unpublished/ private until I'm ready for it to go out into the world? And how do I do that? Thanks
Hey Eleni,
It is! Go through the steps to create page (you can skip uploading profile picture and cover image for now), and once the page is created, select "settings" in the top right.
Then, under the general tab, click "edit" to the right of "page visibility" and choose to "unpublish" the page. Then, once your page is complete and you're ready to share, you can publish it.
Hi,
I haven't published any book but have published some stories on a publishing website where many users can read, comment like your stories. So is it a good idea to create FB page while you haven't published any book yet?
Hey Shrikant! I would say go ahead and make a Facebook Author Page! If readers are reading your short stories and like them, they might want a way to connect with you. And, if they like your Facebook page, you can alert them when you have a new story or book!
I'd agree it's a good idea. If readers like your work, they'll be thrilled when you finally write a book, or more stories. You'll have a nice reader/fan base going for you. A very desirable asset!
If I am to use a pen name, do I have to set up another profile under than pen name before creating the page? If I use a pen name I would rather have no way of readers linking back to my real name.
Hey Tara, I believe you can create an author page with your current account and select in settings to hide the page author. If your current profile shows up as linked and you can't hide it, simply delete your author page and restart with a new profile.
If I write a continuing series of articles, can I post them on my author page weekly and have them there available for my readers to read?
Hey Roger, absolutely! That's a great way to share articles with your readers.
Hi there WWM:
Thanks for your helpful article!
I'm relatively new to Facebook culture, but I've managed to get my FB Author page up (I think).
I now have two wee questions:
(1) I notice when I comment on posts in the greater Facebook world, FB assumes it's regular-me instead of author-me who is posting. So I'm wondering if there's a way to choose author-me as my representative when I post in certain cases?
(2) A friend of mine posted my page to her followers and she noticed that the post didn't automatically include a one-click option to "Like" my public page (as she'd seen in other cases). And so I'm wondering if I have an error in my settings, or is the alleged one-click option just for established authors.
Thanks again,
Seth McDonough
Hey Seth,
Good questions.
1) this is something that Facebook has changed over the years, here is what their help documentation currently says:
Like and Comment as Your Page
How do I like or comment as my Page on another Page's post?
You'll need to be an admin, editor or moderator to like or comment as your Page on another Page's post.
To like or comment on another Page's post as your Page:
1. Go to the Page post you want to like or comment on.
2. Click your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the post.
3. Select the Page you want to like or comment as.
4. Like or comment on the post.
Note: Keep in mind that a person's profile isn't the same thing as a Page, which can represent brands, businesses or causes. While you can publish, like or comment as your Page on another Page, you can't do the same thing on a person's profile.
2) Things like this constantly change on Facebook and I wasn't able to find reliable information on how it works. I suspect that you need to boost (pay Facebook to promote) a post about your page in order to get the "like" button.
Hi, can other people who are not my friends on Facebook see my page
Yes they can!