5 Simple LinkedIn Tips for Authors

LinkedIn isn’t just for resume-wielding business people on the prowl for a cushy new job.

Authors can use it as a valuable marketing tool for their brand and book.

Here are 5 tips for making LinkedIn work for you as an author.

1. Update your title on LinkedIn, and get specific! Think in terms of keywords, so here’s what mine says:
“President of Curiouser Editing, Author of the Pre-Publishing Checklist, Editor, Writer, and Coach”
Here’s why it’s important for me to use terms like writer, editor, and author…

2. Use LinkedIn’s advanced search to find other authors, writers, and influencers. On the left-hand side of the advanced search option, you have keywords, which allows you to find brand-new connections relating to whatever keyword you use. Sci-Fi author? Type that in. Nonfiction author? Type that in. The sky’s the limit! Connect with them to build your LinkedIn profile and reach potential readers.

3. Already published a book or two? Add them under Publications. You’ll find this option, as well as several others, on your profile page.

4. Join ‪#‎allthegroups‬. While I’m a firm believer in using Facebook groups for engagement, I’ve also seen huge engagement on my blog posts and Medium posts in LinkedIn groups. Every time I share with group members, it starts a big discussion, keeping it bumped up, and usually results in more connections. I love getting to connect with new people, and LinkedIn is an effective way of accomplishing that.

5. Connect with agents using the keyword search. I’ve found that it’s easier to connect with agents if you’ve already followed them on Twitter so they’re familiar with your name. That means retweeting these agents and engaging with them. Then you can go to LinkedIn and request to connect with these agents (using #2). An excellent add-in for that email cover letter and pitch.

Authors: Tell me some of your favorite LinkedIn tips!

An expert editor, seasoned writer, and author-centric coach, Shayla Eaton works one-on-one with self-published authors, having edited three hundred books. She is the president of Curiouser Editing, where she offers top-notch publishing guidance for authors and their books.

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