Dear Indie Annie,

Is it possible to run a successful indie author business without social media? Between turmoil on certain sites and the toll it can take on my mental health, I would love to step back—but I worry it’ll be nearly impossible to connect with readers if I do.

Ready to Sign Out of Socials

Dear “Ready to Sign Out,”

Pull up a chair, darling, and let’s dip into this social media conundrum like we would a rich tea biscuit into a hot cup of tea—very carefully.

You see, running an author business is rather like managing a successful afternoon tea: You want a good variety of biscuits to satisfy different tastes. Still, you don’t need every type ever baked. Social media is just one kind of biscuit in your marketing tin, and quite frankly, it can be as crumbly as a Garibaldi that disintegrates before it reaches your mouth.

If you are ready to ditch TikTok or dump Instagram, here’s your beloved Indie Annie’s recipe for success without social media:

  1. Focus on one primary platform (your mailing list, for example).
  2. Add two secondary platforms (perhaps your website and BookBub).
  3. Mix in three methods of community engagement (such as Goodreads, reader forums, and author collaborations).
  4. Sprinkle in occasional guest appearances on podcasts or blog posts.
  5. Bake with consistency and genuine engagement.

We’ll go through each in turn and savor their respective delights.

Your Mailing List

This is your plain digestive biscuit, or graham cracker for my American friends—reliable, direct, and essential. It’s the foundation of your author-reader relationship. Here’s how to make it scrumptious:

  • Offer a tempting reader magnet—perhaps a prequel novella or an exclusive short story.
  • Send regular newsletters. Monthly is lovely, but aim for weekly if you're prolific.
  • Include personal updates, book recommendations, and behind-the-scenes peeks.
  • Segment your list like a selection box, offering different treats for different readers.

Your Website

Your website is the chocolate digestive of your platform: substantial and satisfying. Make it worth the visit.

  • Create a blog with meaningful content, such as writing updates, research findings, and book recommendations.
  • Add an FAQ page that's actually helpful. Put your series in order of publication or a suggested reading order, or add a glossary for your world. Think about what questions readers are likely to ask you.
  • Include clear links to your books on multiple retailers.
  • Build a media kit for potential reviewers and podcasters to use when talking about you and your work.

BookBub

Think of this as your fancy shortbread. BookBub and other group promo sites are sometimes expensive but can be worth every penny for authors looking to connect with new readers. On the site, be sure to:

  • follow other authors in your genre,
  • maintain your author profile,
  • submit for featured deals regularly, and
  • post honest reviews of books you've enjoyed.

Amazon Author Central

Author pages on distribution sites—Amazon, Google, or otherwise—are your dependable custard cream: basic but essential. If you’re not on social media, this is where readers will go first to learn about you, so make sure you do the following:

  • Keep your author profile updated.
  • Post regular blog updates.
  • Link all your books properly.

Reader Communities

These are your party rings: fun, engaging, and best enjoyed in company.

  • Join Goodreads groups in your genre.
  • Participate in reader forums, though don't just promote your work.
  • If you fancy, create a Facebook reader group. Although this is technically on a social media platform, it is a group you curate and manage—there is no need to scroll, and you can choose to actively engage only with your fans.
  • Engage in Reddit communities relevant to your genre.

Alternative Marketing Bourbon Creams

Now, for some alternative marketing bourbon creams:

  • Start a podcast, or be a guest on others.
  • Write articles for writing and reading blogs.
  • Create a YouTube channel sharing writing tips.
  • Partner with other authors for newsletter swaps.
  • Join forces with other authors for multi-author promotions.
  • Contribute to boxed set collections.
  • Create reading guides for book clubs who want to use your titles.

Remember, darling, just as every biscuit tin doesn't need a pink wafer (controversial, I know), every author platform doesn't need Twitter (or X, or whatever we now call it), or any other platform for that matter. The key is selecting the right mix for your particular taste—and sanity. Wherever you decide to set up your stall, make it as appealing as possible.

Your Action Plan to Gracefully Exit Social Media

On that note, sometimes one has to move on. It’s something I have been pondering for some time—how to make my excuses politely and exit leaving no crumbs. So here’s my considered action plan, served on Indie Annie's best china:

  1. Export your social media contacts—no point in throwing the broken bits at the bottom of your biscuit tin. Use these contacts to direct fans to your new places of engagement.
  2. Set up a robust newsletter system.
  3. Create a goodbye post with clear directions for where readers can find you elsewhere.
  4. Establish your new routine of reader engagement.
  5. Pour yourself a celebratory cuppa, and get back to writing.

Happy writing,
Indie Annie
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