LITMOTIF | Tasneem Motala

NOVLR

This is an online writing app, and their services beyond just being a word processor include a free author site!

There's very few options in terms of customization, but if you're already using their platform to write, the site builder is worth a peek! Plus it's beginner-friendly!

(not sponsored at all btw but carrd.co is having a sale rn on their pro standard accounts and you can get your first year for only $11 !! it's great if you want some of the bells and whistles, like working contact forms and a custom domain so you don't need to use their url or branding)

CARRD!

This is great for basic landing pages or splash pages, which is enough for a photo, bio, and any links!

You can do much more too, even on a free acc. Multi-page sites are a cinch with a bit of know-how (its small learning curve goes a long way to customization!)

Pro is about $19/year.

example screenshot of my linktree page, with my display picture, short bio, social buttons, and all my links organized by category (agenting, freelance, shop, and client work)

Linktree!

Just a page full of links, all about YOU!

This is a great option for authors who have been featured in many different zines. You can link each of your works in the main feed and do icons for your socials.

And if you have merch, it even supports promos!

Here's what mine looks like:

Want a website but don't know where to start? Here are some options I've found that are super easy to use (almost no learning curve!) and are FREE!! (upgrades to premium optional)

(But if you wanna follow and learn as much as you can for when you need to start...? OWO)

Your job once the book is out, whether you wanted it or not, is at least in part to get people to buy it! So building that ecosystem in a way that you can manage easily is super important!

We'll talk about the ecosystem another day, but until your book is OUT, don't stress too much about brand!

But there's ways to just post and ways to post effectively. Being loud doesn't always mean results.

Building a website, optimizing your social bio, having eye-catching graphics... building the brand, even if it's just a small updates account, is always an ecosystem.

When it's announced on PM (if you're on the trad route!), when preorder links drop, when you have your launch events, and when your book is ON SHELVES, this whole chunk of time is when you want to be as loud as you can!

I HAVE A BOOK
IT DROPS ON THIS DATE
HERE'S WHERE TO GET IT

etc, etc...

Fiction books are an entirely different marketing beast, but my not-so-hot take is that if you want people to know your book exists, you need to post about it.

Some want to post the whole journey, from writing to pubbing, and that's cool!

But you don't need to until your manuscript is a BOOK!

Do you need a brand? And when's the best time to start building one if you do?

There's a general consensus within the industry that if you want to write a nonfiction book, having a sizable established following that you can leverage and convert into sales is super helpful!

But fiction writers...?

And... that's it! Congratulations! You've optimized your account's bio to be more personal and show potential new followers and readers what your account will provide them, even if you just post cat pics.

If you try this tip out, tag this account! I'd love to see your bio's glow-up!

Example Subscribe to my newsletter, where I [DO THING] Check out my latest book, [TITLE], out now! New short story out in [@ZineName], link below! It could be anything, but generally it would be related to either your interests (value proposition) or your writing (pushing towards where they can find more of your works).

Line #3

CTA! Call! To! Action!

What would you like to gently nudge your potential new followers toward? Maybe you have a newsletter, or a book coming out soon with a fancy preorder page?

Example Cat posting while waiting on the call to adventure. Always on the hunt for the perfect cuppa chai. The Renaissance Faire hates to see me coming. If you post a lot of cat pics, that's your value proposition! If you're really into a subculture, say so! People with similar interests will follow and maybe even check out your stories!

Line #2

What do you offer?

Breaking yourself down into a value proposition can be hard since we're such multi-faceted beings, but think about what you want your account(s) to focus on.

What do you want your readers to take away from your books? What is it you want to say?

Example A Lore Bard sharing knightly tales of female rage. Tea addict who writes cozy mysteries with spice. Victorian Romance writer, but make it steampunk! Right away, people clicking into your profile will know what you write about and whether they're interested in your books and/or what you have to say.

Line #1

Introduce yourself. Who are you and what do you write?

If you want, you can get creative by using specific language from your novel or even the genre you write in to pull potential readers in!

🧵

Did you know that your social media bio can help you gain readers and sell books?

Yeah, it's possible! Here's the "winning formula!"

#litmoTIPS

Let's support each other and grow together online! When LITMOTIF hits 50 followers on bsky, I'll drop the info for our first ever (totally free!) brand building-focused event ;3

Right now the details are still in the works, so shhh... (but I think y'all will love it!!).

Hit follow? Pretty please?

LITMOTIF | Elevate Your Author Brand Today LITMOTIF helps authors enhance their online presence with branding, website design, and social media tools to reach readers and boost book sales.

Need more than just actionable advice for your online author career? LITMOTIF's services might be for you!

°┊ Branding Start Kit
°┊ Website Design
°┊ Ghost Posts
°┊ Social Media Audits
°┊ Book Box/Launch Merch Design

litmotif.ca

♡ / ↻ appreciated!

#promosky #smallbusiness #writingcommunity