Use Social Media to Sell Books with Zara Barrie and Dayna Troisi
Oct 25, 2023
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Zara Barrie, author of the memoir "Girl Stop Passing Out in Your Makeup" and co-host of "GirlZ Interrupted," teams up with Dayna Troisi, managing editor of Go Magazine and creative writing professor. They dive into the art of turning viral social media success into book sales. Their conversation spills into the joys and pitfalls of book promotion on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the challenge of maintaining authenticity, and the quirky world of merch. Expect laughs and invaluable insights on building meaningful connections online!
Engaging authentically on social media and fostering genuine connections with followers can significantly boost authors' visibility and community loyalty.
Successfully launching a book requires intentional goal-setting and aligning content with promotion strategies to resonate with the target audience.
Deep dives
Emerging Author Program Opportunity
The Emerging Author Program offers a unique chance for aspiring authors to publish an authority-building book without the drawbacks of self-publishing. Participants receive access to comprehensive courses covering proprietary publishing techniques previously available only to higher-paying clients. They also benefit from personalized coaching to avoid feeling overwhelmed during the process. By publishing under an established imprint, authors enhance their credibility and produce books that rival traditionally published bestsellers.
Intentional Book Launch Strategies
A successful book launch can drastically change an author's career, turning a simple book into an influential marketing tool. The episode illustrates how to approach book launches intentionally by emphasizing the importance of defining goals and aligning them with the book's content and promotion strategy. Engaging with potential readers on social media and building a loyal audience before the release helps ensure that the book resonates with its target audience. By fostering genuine connections, authors can leverage their networks to amplify their book's visibility.
The Importance of Going Viral
Going viral can significantly boost an author's visibility and follower count, as illustrated by guests who shared their personal experiences with viral content. Zara Berry discussed how her piece on hairdressers gained massive attention, leading to an exponential increase in followers. Similarly, Dana Troisi's essay went viral for its unique and relatable take on childhood camp experiences, highlighting how specificity can resonate with broader audiences. These stories emphasize the value of finding unique angles that not only engage readers but also create an emotional connection.
Building Relationships with Followers
Engaging authentically with followers is crucial for authors looking to cultivate an active audience. Both Zara and Dana stressed the importance of responding to comments and DMs, which helps build a loyal community around their work. They encouraged treating every follower as valuable, regardless of the overall count, to foster meaningful connections that transcend mere numbers. This investment in relationships can lead to more dedicated supporters who are eager to engage with an author's future projects and book launches.
I literally don't have the words to describe the experience of recording this episode but suffice it to say that it was the most fun interview I've ever done.
Back story: Zara Barrie and I knew each other online (I find her incredibly glam and we're mutual fans of one another to the point that I recommended her book, Girl Stop Passing Out in Your Makeup, on KATU). She told me that she and her podcast co-host slash work wife Dayna Troisi were going to be in LA (they're NYC ladies, natch). We decided to do a podcast swap, they rented a studio and the rest is history. If history involved me becoming obsessed with these two hilarious and brilliant lesbians who, in addition to co-hosting their podcast GirlZ Interrupted, also, between them, regularly write articles that go viral, are university professors (one of them, anyway), produce an audio series (the other of them) and do so many other things that it would be impossible to summarize.
We recorded this right after they recorded their interview with me so were already BFFs by the time this particular recording started. This means that, in addition to covering our main topic—how to turn an online audience, once you've gone viral, into an audience that buys and reads your book—we had many delightful diversions (swag, whether or not your friends support your book, if you should be on your book cover and more).
Listen and you'll become as obsessed with them as I am.