Facebook is an important tool for many authors to build their email lists, sell books, and create connections with readers. What kinds of posts are working best right now to achieve these goals?
Below you’ll find 21 ideas we gathered from authors who saw high numbers of likes, loves, views, and comments on their posts this year. As you’ll see, there isn’t one recipe for success — these breakout posts ranged from author accomplishments and book release announcements to bookish memes and takeovers by cats!
1. Let readers know where to buy your new book
Lauren Blakely’s post sharing retailer links for an upcoming release was one of her most popular posts this fall.
2. Share a big life event
Kay Smith-Blum’s fans can expect to see lots of gorgeous sunset photos on her page, and they especially loved this one celebrating her wedding anniversary.
3. Announce a book-to-screen adaptation
Tens of thousands of fans joined in Freida McFadden’s excitement about The Housemaid becoming a movie.
4. Celebrate an award
AK Nevermore readers loved this photo of her Prism Award from Romance Writers of America.
5. Share an article readers would be interested in
Jennifer J. Chow knew her fans would appreciate this article mentioning her book Mimi Lee Gets a Clue.
6. Show off a big win
L.B. Martin’s fans were impressed by how quickly she’d racked up page reads for her new book Backstroke.
7. Celebrate a milestone in your journey
Michelle Stimpson’s fans loved this “20 years as a published author” reel, which she used as an opportunity to thank her readers.
8. Wish yourself a happy book birthday
Sadie Kincaid drew lots of excitement from fans celebrating the third birthday of her book Fierce King.
9. Share a cover reveal
James Caine asked fans if they loved the cover of his book, Keep the Doctor Away, as much as he did — and they didn’t disappoint!
10. Take readers behind the scenes of a story
Bernard Cornwell engaged his followers with a series of notes about his character Richard Sharpe, including this post featuring Cornwell showing off what the hero’s sword would have looked like.
11. Re-share a backlist title (or collection!)
Courtney Milan had success with a shout-out for her older series The Brothers Sinister, now available in a boxed set.
12. Pose with a new release
Pam Lecky’s readers were excited to see her pictured with the latest release in her series.
13. Announce an international release
Jesse Q. Sutanto got a lot of love for her post celebrating the UK launch of her book The Good, the Bad, and the Aunties.
14. Preview an upcoming book
Tom Mead’s preorder announcement for The Indian Rope Trick was one of his top posts in 2024.
15. Share personal updates along with book promotions
Ovidia Yu’s readers resonated with the personal tone of this belated launch day announcement.
16. List comps and other teasers
Kristin J. Dawson included recognizable comp titles in her teaser post for Elven House of Ivy.
17. Act out a scene from your book
Hannah Cowan’s followers loved her series of reels dancing with a “handsome firefighter,” using the green screen effect to feature different scenes from her book His Greatest Treasure.
18. Entertain the pet lovers in your audience
Karin Slaughter’s followers could relate to this joke about her cat Dexter.
This cat meme was one of Sarina Bowen’s top posts this fall.
Some of Abby Jimenez’s most popular posts featured dogs, including this one showing her dog delivering her mail.
19. Share beautiful photography
This sunset photo from Kristin Hannah got hundreds of admiring comments.
20. Share bookish memes or quotes
Rebecca Yarros’s fans loved this appeal to bookwormdom.
21. Make your fans laugh!
By far the most popular post on Jenn McKinlay’s Facebook page this fall was an account of the war against her Roomba.
What kinds of Facebook posts have worked on your page? We’d love to hear about them in the comments.
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