Social media is an essential tool for authors to promote their books, connect with readers, and build their brand.
However, with so many authors on social media, it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd.
That’s where hashtags come in. Hashtags can help your posts get discovered by new audiences, increase engagement, and build your online presence.
In this ultimate guide to social media hashtags for book authors, we will cover everything you need to know to effectively use hashtags on social media.
What are hashtags?
Hashtags are keywords or phrases that start with the “#” symbol.
They are used to categorize content and make it easier to discover on social media platforms.
When you include a hashtag in your post, it becomes clickable, and users can click on it to see all other posts that have used the same hashtag.
Why are hashtags important for book authors?
Hashtags can help book authors in several ways:
- Increase visibility: Using relevant hashtags can help your posts get discovered by new audiences who are interested in your book’s topic or genre.
- Boost engagement: Posts with hashtags typically get more engagement than those without. This is because hashtags make your content more accessible and visible to a broader audience.
- Build your brand: Consistently using hashtags can help you establish your brand and create a recognizable online presence.
How to find the best hashtags for your book
The key to using hashtags effectively is to find the right ones for your book. Here are some tips for finding the best hashtags:
- Research your genre: Look at what hashtags other authors in your genre are using. You can find these by searching for popular authors in your genre and checking out their social media accounts. Make a list of the hashtags they use.
- Use keyword tools: There are many keyword research tools available that can help you find relevant hashtags for your book. Some popular ones include Hashtagify, RiteTag, and Tagboard.
- Check out popular hashtags: Look for hashtags that are popular in your genre or related to your book’s topic. Some popular book-related hashtags include #bookstagram, #amreading, and #booklover.
How to use hashtags effectively on different social media platforms
Each social media platform has its own hashtag etiquette. Here are some tips for using hashtags effectively on the most popular social media platforms:
- Use 1-2 hashtags per tweet. Tweets with more than two hashtags tend to see a drop in engagement.
- Use hashtags that are relevant to your tweet and include keywords related to your book.
- Participate in Twitter chats related to your book’s topic and use the chat’s hashtag to join the conversation.
- Use 10-15 hashtags per post. Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but using too many can come across as spammy.
- Use a mix of popular hashtags and niche-specific ones.
- Create a branded hashtag for your book and encourage your followers to use it.
- Use 1-2 hashtags per post. Like Twitter, using too many hashtags on Facebook can decrease engagement.
- Use hashtags that are relevant to your post’s topic or your book’s genre.
- Use hashtags to join conversations and connect with readers and other authors.
- Use 3-4 hashtags per post. LinkedIn is a professional platform, so using too many hashtags can come across as unprofessional.
- Use hashtags that are relevant to your post’s topic or your book’s genre.
- Participate in LinkedIn groups related to your book’s topic and use the group’s hashtag to join the conversation.
Tips for using hashtags effectively
Here are some additional tips for using hashtags effectively:
Be specific: Use hashtags that are specific to your book’s topic or genre. This will help you reach your target audience more effectively.
Mix it up: Don’t use the same hashtags on every post. Mix it up with different hashtags to reach new audiences and keep your content fresh.
Monitor your hashtags: Keep an eye on the hashtags you’re using to see which ones are getting the most engagement. Use this information to adjust your hashtag strategy.
Don’t overdo it: Using too many hashtags can come across as spammy and decrease engagement. Stick to the recommended number of hashtags for each platform.
Engage with your audience: Hashtags are a great way to connect with your audience and build relationships. Respond to comments and engage with other users who are using the same hashtags.
Here are some popular book-related hashtags that book authors can use to increase visibility and reach new audiences:
- #bookstagram
- #booklover
- #booknerd
- #bookaddict
- #amreading
- #bookworm
- #bookish
- #readinglist
- #bookrecommendations
- #bookcommunity
- #bookobsessed
- #booksofinstagram
- #bookphotography
- #writerscommunity
- #authorlife
- #selfpublishing
- #indieauthors
- #writingtips
- #amwriting
- #fiction
- #nonfiction
- #biography
- #memoir
- #historicalfiction
- #romance
- #mystery
- #thriller
- #fantasy
- #sciencefiction
- #youngadult
- #childrensbooks
- #audiobooks
- #bookreview
- #bookclub
- #bookishfeatures
- #booknerdigans
- #bookbloggers
- #booktube
- #booktography
- #bookaholic
- #bookbuzz
- #bookpromo
- #booklaunch
- #bookrelease
- #newbookalert
- #authorsofinstagram
- #writingcommunity
- #indiebooks
- #indieauthorsofinstagram
- #bookquote
- #shelfie
- #currentlyreading
- #tbrlist
- #goodreads
- #kindle
- #nook
- #kobo
- #bookstoread
- #bookhaul
- #bookishlife
Here are some real-life examples of how book authors have used hashtags to increase their online visibility and connect with their audiences:
Author and blogger Jenna Moreci uses hashtags such as #amwriting, #writercommunity, and #bookstagram on her Instagram posts to connect with her audience of aspiring writers and book lovers.
Bestselling author John Green uses hashtags such as #turtlesallthewaydown, #bookstagram, and #booklover on his Twitter and Instagram posts to promote his latest book and engage with his fans.
View this post on Instagram
Indie author K.M. Weiland uses hashtags such as #writingtips, #amwriting, and #indieauthors on her Twitter and Instagram posts to share writing advice and connect with other authors and readers.
Author and podcaster Joanna Penn uses hashtags such as #selfpublishing, #amwriting, and #indieauthors on her Instagram posts to promote her books, share writing advice, and connect with her audience of aspiring authors and book lovers.
Young adult author Angie Thomas uses hashtags such as #thehateugive, #bookstagram, and #bookworm on her Twitter and Instagram posts to promote her books and engage with her fans, particularly those interested in social justice issues.
Hashtags are a powerful tool for book authors to promote their books and build their online presence.
By researching relevant hashtags, using them effectively on social media platforms, and engaging with your audience, you can increase visibility, boost engagement, and build your brand.
Use this ultimate guide to social media hashtags for book authors to take your social media strategy to the next level and reach new audiences.
