What Every Author Should Know About Social Media

For many authors, social media feels like another job on an already overwhelming to-do list. With so much conflicting advice online, it’s easy to become distracted by algorithms, trends and the pressure to post constantly.

That was exactly why we invited Elanor McBay of Write Buzz Media to lead our latest Author Events workshop.

Drawing on her experience helping businesses and creatives build an authentic online presence, Elanor challenged us to think differently about social media. Instead of asking, “How can I beat the algorithm?”, she encouraged us to ask a much more important question:

“What am I trying to achieve?”

It was a simple shift in thinking, but one that sparked some fantastic conversations throughout the morning.

One of Elanor’s key messages was that social media should support your writing career, not consume it.

Your books, your website, your events and your newsletter are your home. Social media is simply one of the ways readers discover you.

When you stop treating every post as a sales pitch and start thinking about how you can connect with people, social media becomes far less intimidating.

Rather than chasing followers or worrying about viral posts, Elanor encouraged us to focus on building genuine relationships with readers.

That might mean sharing the story behind your latest chapter, a glimpse into your writing routine, the inspiration behind a character or even a favourite book you’ve recently enjoyed.

Readers don’t just buy books.

They connect with people.

One of the biggest barriers many authors face is believing every post has to be polished to perfection before it can be shared.

Elanor’s message wasn’t about lowering standards—it was about avoiding perfectionism. Focus on creating good-quality content consistently, rather than striving for flawless posts that become too time-consuming to sustain.

A realistic, sustainable plan that you can stick to will achieve far more than an ambitious schedule that quickly becomes overwhelming.

Not every platform is right for every author.

A historical novelist might enjoy sharing research on Instagram.

A non-fiction author may find LinkedIn a better fit.

Someone who enjoys writing longer pieces may feel at home on Substack.

The goal isn’t to be everywhere.

It’s to be present where your readers are—and where you enjoy spending your time.

One of the most practical parts of the workshop explored the importance of planning content in advance.

Knowing your audience, deciding what you want to say and creating a simple content plan removes much of the stress that comes from wondering, “What should I post today?”

Having a strategy also makes it easier to stay true to your own voice rather than reacting to every new trend.

As someone who spends a lot of time helping to build a community of readers and writers, one of the things that resonated with me most was Elanor’s reminder that social media is ultimately about people.

Algorithms will change.

Platforms will evolve.

But genuine conversations and authentic connections never go out of fashion.

That’s exactly what we hope to create through Author Events—bringing readers and writers together, both online and in person.

A huge thank you to Elanor McBay of Write Buzz Media for sharing her expertise, answering questions so generously and encouraging everyone to approach social media with greater confidence and purpose.

What’s the best piece of social media advice you’ve ever received?

Or perhaps just as importantly...

What’s the advice you’ve decided to ignore?