Tara's Tools & Tips

Thank you for attending one of my talks!

Below are some of the tools I mentioned for each social media platform. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me.

Tools & Services for Creating Social Graphics

• Canva – Offers templates for facebook cover photos, Instagram sized squares, Pinterest etc. Just select your desired format. Pretty easy to work with. FREE if not using stock images, but there is a PRO paid plan too. 
  
  
• Bookbrush.com – Made for authors. Simply upload your book cover and it will be inserted into flat lays and other fun templates automatically. Free for limited features or a yearly paid plan is available, which is what I have. You can use code TARA15 for a 15% lifetime discount (I do NOT make any affiliate fee on this, just happy to offer the savings). 
  
  
• Rene Webb's Digital Designs on Etsy - Rene is an author who provides editable pre-designed engagement graphics that can be customized on Canva. Save 20% off with code: TARA20 
  
  
• The Author Buddy - Designs social teasers, promo graphics, and provides book promotion. They are kindly offering my attendees the following deals: https://tinyurl.com/TABTara2024

"The 6 Fundamental Facebook Best Practices” by Sprout Social

Growing Your Author Email List & Newsletter

• BookSweeps.com (sponsor a newsletter builder contest and you'll receive email addresses of readers within your genre)
• StoryOrigin.com (author newsletter swaps and group promos for reader magnets)
• BookFunnel.com (similar to Story Origin)

Banned Facebook Words

Here's a list of just a few words FB may flag. Please consider misspelling these words using symbols instead of vowels or even find a new creative way to express the word. 

• Giveaway 
• Free 
• Sign up 
• Enter 
• Contest 
• Win (try using W!N instead)
• Freebie 
• Click below
• Click here
• Like this post

Publishing your manuscript

Draft 2 Digital publishes your manuscript ebook and paperback directly to wide retailers like Apple, Barnes & Noble, Hoopla, Kobo, Overdrive etc. It's free, but they take a percentage of your sales, which I wouldn't have had without going wide with them. Easy to use and great for taking non KU books to international audiences too and simpler than uploading directly to each individual retailer. 

Social Media Post Ideas for Authors

--> Social media post prompts for authors.  (PDF Download)

--> Literary calendar to create content year-round