Why Authors Struggle with Social Media (And How I Can Help)
I now offer Social Media Management packages to authors in the UK and Ireland looking for support with developing their author brand.
Why is social media so hard for authors?
Social media isn’t about snapping a photo and sharing it online anymore; it’s about:
Figuring out what to say when your brain is already full of deadlines, edits and imposter syndrome.
Trying to sound authentic without oversharing or feeling embarrassed.
Remembering to post something at all when you’re deep in writing mode.
Even for me — someone who’s worked in book marketing for over a decade and is an author — my personal social media can feel overwhelming.
I know exactly how much time and energy go into building a consistent online presence as an author 24/7/365. And how easily it is to get bored, frustrated or confused.
If you want to connect with readers, boost visibility, and build your author brand — but not at the cost of your creative energy as a writer — then hiring a social media manager might be a route to consider.
Pros & Cons of Social Media Management
What are the pros and cons of hiring a social media manager as an author? And why have I been hesitant to add it as a service I offer as a book marketing consultant:
Social Media Managers are a long-term commitment if you want results
It can be costly to employ someone long-term, and not all authors can afford this
It’s a long-term commitment of time for the author and the marketer.
Marketers have to have multiple clients at once, which can split focus if they don’t manage their time effectively
Not all social media managers create content; they schedule your content and manage your channels strategically, which is usually a roadblock for authors
From my perspective as a book marketer, I wasn’t sure of the value of only managing social platforms long-term when so many authors struggle more with the content creation side, so I focused on the latter.
However, over the last eighteen months, I’ve naturally moved into the area of social media management due to publisher and author demand.
Though I’ve mostly been offering short-term management rather than long-term, I now see the value I could offer authors if I offered Social Media Management as a service.
Which is why: I’m officially opening my books to work with authors as a Social Media Manager.
The truth of it is, an author can do anything, but they can’t do everything. And this service will help many authors establish their goals and maintain their author brand all year round.
Author Social Media Management Packages
As a social media manager, I have three packages available to authors - ranging from £375 to £1000 per month (dependent on referral schemes, discounts and requirements) with a 60-day introductory period and a rolling quarterly contract and one-month break clause (I know, I sound like a landlord!).
Packages include:
Package 1: Management
In this package, I do not create content. Instead, I re-purpose and schedule author-driven content, and build channels in partnership with my author(s) on up to x2 channels (exc, newsletters), focusing on consistency, engagement and analytics 24/7/365.
Package 2: Branding
In this package, everything from the first package is included, but I create some content for my author’s social media in addition to scheduling re-purpose and author-driven content, or up to x2 social channels and x1 newsletter platform. This package also includes a detailed long-term social strategy, market research and in-depth quarterly analysis.
Package 3: Campaign
Package three is the most comprehensive long-term package, with a full in-depth strategy, content creation, written emails, digital advertising across social platforms (Meta, TikTok, etc), and influencer outreach and engagement for up to x3 channels and x1 newsletter. Minimum booking of three months.
Social media management is very much an investment for authors, and I’m always happy to discuss pricing to accommodate budgets as much as possible. But if you’re looking for someone who actually understands publishing, the author experience, and what readers engage with online, you can book a FREE 15-minute discovery call for more details on packages, pricing, and see if we’re the right fit.
Please note: I’m currently focusing on adult fiction authors based in the UK and Ireland only, as that’s where most of my experience lies (and a girl needs sleep!).
If you have any questions, you can DM me, comment or reach out via my Contact Form.