Announcing the Instagram for Authors Course!
Last year, way back before my first book launch (was that just last year??), I wrote a guest post on Shayla Raquel’s blog all about Instagram. I talked about how authors can use Instagram to market themselves before they even have a book out.
I’d heard a lot about “building your platform,” but no one seemed to have good, practical advice. And the advice I could find led me to believe that I had to take pictures of me holding my book and fill my Instagram feed with it. What else would a writer talk about, right?
WRONG. Writers have so much more to say!
But Instagram kept coming up on my radar. So, naturally, I wanted to dive in and learn all I could.
So I did.
I connected with other authors, found fellow readers, and fell in love with the platform and the amazing people on it. And, in the meantime, my account grew.
As I learned more about the platform, discovered what worked and what didn’t, my following grew. And, with it, my ability to market myself BEFORE I had a book to sell.
Since the article, I’ve had several people reach out to me for Instagram advice. They’d find the guest post, look me up, and ask me for help with growing their account, setting up their profile, using stories, etc. I was humbled by the response and so happy to be able to help! (And I still am!) I love helping other authors succeed.
And I love Instagram. It has an amazing writing community, and it’s a very open, welcoming, and positive place. (So, of course, I think you should join, too!)
The premise of building your Instagram account is simple: figure out who you’re talking to, talk to them in a friendly way, and make it about them. (The basics of any business, really.) But that can be so difficult in execution!
So I decided to create a course — a step-by-step blueprint that helps you navigate Instagram and thrive on the platform without having to go through all the trial and error I did. For the last month, I’ve been hard at work writing text lessons, recording and editing videos, and creating printables for the course. It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience, and I’m so excited to see what you will do with the information inside!
Here’s a sneak peek at the lessons included:
Module 1: Instagram 101
What Instagram Is Used For
Why You Should Use Instagram (and How to Find Your Why)
What Instagram Offers to You as an Author
Module 2: Getting Started
Pick a Username
Create Your Profile
Set Up Your Page the Right Way & Intro to Analytics
Instagram Setup Checklist (printable)
How to Start Following (and Hopefully Get Your First Follower!)
Module 3: Plan Your Content
How Often Should You Post?
All About Branding: What Do You Want Your Profile to Be?
How to Plan Your Posts (Planning Tools)
Setting SMART Goals for Your Instagram Account
A Branding Clarity Exercise (multi-page worksheet to help you get super clear on your who you are and who you serve)
Module 4: Create Your Content
Over 30 Post Ideas (printable)
All About Photos (Taking, Sourcing, Editing, and Storing)
All About Videos (For Stories, Your Feed, or IGTV
Canva.com Is Your New Best Friend
Module 5: Post Your Content
How to Post to Your Feed
How to Post to Your Stories
How to Post to IGTV
The course is fully user-friendly and so easy to navigate. I created it so you could jump around if you need to review a previous section or are just curious about a particular topic, but the course is designed to help you move through the basics, start planning, then create and post your amazing content.
Sounds pretty awesome, right?! So what are you waiting for? Sign up now at the special launch price and get full access immediately. I have plans to add more content in 2020, which means the price will most likely increase. So lock in your special launch price TODAY!
I wouldn’t have been able to do this without your support, whether you follow me on my blog, my email newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Patreon, Goodreads, Amazon, or, now, my Indie Author Learning site! THANK YOU so much for joining me on this journey. You are all THE ABSOLUTE BEST.
<3 Melissa