DarkSide DownUnder
The DarkSide DownUnder now has an account where we showcase new releases.
I am not sure I feel comfortable doing more than this ATM as I personally only skim the platform on occasion (I’m too impatient to watch videos for too long thanks to my chronic fatigue syndrome). Still I can appreciate how the audience enjoys it, especially the younger generation. I love the fact that Booktok has gotten people excited about books and reading.
What I have gathered from the little research I’ve done on TikTok is that the more engagement in viewing, liking and following other accounts, the more likely you are to have views on your content.
DarkSider authors
TikTok is used by authors to capture reader attention, monetise content, increase a book’s visibility, connect with readers and other authors, and drive traffic to their website.
There are a number of DarkSiders dipping their toe into the world of TikTok. It’s such a new platform that many DarkSiders feel they haven’t scratched the surface in using it properly and don’t feel like they are in any way ‘experts’.
I wonder if there is a proper way to use the platform. While you want to aim for what the audience wants, an author must also feel comfortable in using the platform otherwise it doesn’t feel so authentic. And that’s what you hear about being most on social media - authenticity. And also having fun.
I asked a few of our DarkSiders about TikTok and asked them to write a little something about it.
Tips or tricks for TikTok
Or
I have no idea why, but these two methods seem to work in getting more views.
Another tip is, only watch book related content if you are trying to reach the right audience. If you get on to TT and watch cooking videos you will totally mess up the algorithm.
I am no expert on TT, but I am trying and still learning. Most of all, have fun and test different types of content.
TikTok… hmm, where do I start?! As an author using the platform, I feel like it’s the ultimate enemies to lovers to enemies trope where I’m constantly trying to understand the complex battle strategies of the greatest villain. And right when I consider giving up and laying down my sword, that villain sneaks into my bedroom under the cover of darkness to leave sweet notes on my pillow, challenging me to fight another day. So… I do.
As a reader though, it’s more sunshine and rainbows. Booktok is a never-ending bookish rabbit hole I’d quite happily lose myself in if I had the time! I’m constantly adding new books to my growing TBR pile, discovering new tropes and authors (and kinks!), buying bookish apparel and accessories, and learning new skills (I’m looking at you, airbrushed book edges!).
So, I guess for me, it’s the most frustrating social media platform I can’t seem to walk away from! Ha ha!
Tiktok can be a great tool for selling books, but it can also be a great distraction. Too many times have I caught myself losing a day to wandering the mine field there. My best advice is to batch create your posts, save them as drafts, and post them daily at the same time. This will both save you time and brain room to actually write, and take some of the guess work out. Try both slideshow images and videos. See what your competitors are doing. But just make sure you’re also using the platform to engage with other accounts and keeping an eye on what’s trending regarding sounds relative to booktok. Good luck!
I love how TikTok makes it fun to build a community. It took me a while to figure out how I wanted to engage with the platform, but I’m feeling more confident thanks to learning from other creators like @akmulfordauthor and @abloommedia.
When I decided to push hard on the platform, I set a goal to post three videos a day for two weeks, and to engage with other bookish content for half an hour after posting (a combo of commenting on/reposting other videos, plus taking part in a loooot of bookish follow trains). The downside … not much writing in those two weeks. The upside … increased views, engagement and followers. It’s also been good for sales.
A little while ago, I joined a TikTok Live called Hot Potato with the amazing Books and Bitches Downunder crew and had a ton of fun, but at my last book signing multiple readers said they were buying my books after watching Hot Potato (thank you, Books and Bitches Downunder!)
I’m still learning and adapting my content but these days my aim is consistent engagement with other bookish content creators and posting at least once a day. The videos are a mix of bookish/author related fun and behind the scenes content (often using overlays in Cap Cut), and then specific book promotion (my strategy here is to imagine I’m talking to a paranormal romance reader looking for their next read). I’m on TikTok as @HMHodgson and would love to connect!
There are a number of DarkSiders dipping their toe into the world of TikTok. It’s such a new platform that many DarkSiders feel they haven’t scratched the surface in using it properly and don’t feel like they are in any way ‘experts’.
I wonder if there is a proper way to use the platform. While you want to aim for what the audience wants, an author must also feel comfortable in using the platform otherwise it doesn’t feel so authentic. And that’s what you hear about being most on social media - authenticity. And also having fun.
I asked a few of our DarkSiders about TikTok and asked them to write a little something about it.
Tips or tricks for TikTok
- Get in there and spend 10 minutes engaging, TT wants you to spend time there.
- Post your video
- Spend another 10 minutes engaging.
Or
- Spend 10 minutes engaging.
- Post your video
- Exit out of the app
- Go in after a few hours and check to see how much engagement you’ve had.
I have no idea why, but these two methods seem to work in getting more views.
Another tip is, only watch book related content if you are trying to reach the right audience. If you get on to TT and watch cooking videos you will totally mess up the algorithm.
I am no expert on TT, but I am trying and still learning. Most of all, have fun and test different types of content.
TikTok… hmm, where do I start?! As an author using the platform, I feel like it’s the ultimate enemies to lovers to enemies trope where I’m constantly trying to understand the complex battle strategies of the greatest villain. And right when I consider giving up and laying down my sword, that villain sneaks into my bedroom under the cover of darkness to leave sweet notes on my pillow, challenging me to fight another day. So… I do.
As a reader though, it’s more sunshine and rainbows. Booktok is a never-ending bookish rabbit hole I’d quite happily lose myself in if I had the time! I’m constantly adding new books to my growing TBR pile, discovering new tropes and authors (and kinks!), buying bookish apparel and accessories, and learning new skills (I’m looking at you, airbrushed book edges!).
So, I guess for me, it’s the most frustrating social media platform I can’t seem to walk away from! Ha ha!
I love how TikTok makes it fun to build a community. It took me a while to figure out how I wanted to engage with the platform, but I’m feeling more confident thanks to learning from other creators like @akmulfordauthor and @abloommedia.
When I decided to push hard on the platform, I set a goal to post three videos a day for two weeks, and to engage with other bookish content for half an hour after posting (a combo of commenting on/reposting other videos, plus taking part in a loooot of bookish follow trains). The downside … not much writing in those two weeks. The upside … increased views, engagement and followers. It’s also been good for sales.
A little while ago, I joined a TikTok Live called Hot Potato with the amazing Books and Bitches Downunder crew and had a ton of fun, but at my last book signing multiple readers said they were buying my books after watching Hot Potato (thank you, Books and Bitches Downunder!)
I’m still learning and adapting my content but these days my aim is consistent engagement with other bookish content creators and posting at least once a day. The videos are a mix of bookish/author related fun and behind the scenes content (often using overlays in Cap Cut), and then specific book promotion (my strategy here is to imagine I’m talking to a paranormal romance reader looking for their next read). I’m on TikTok as @HMHodgson and would love to connect!
Other DarkSiders on TikTok
Thanks so much to Efthalia, Cassie, Lana and HM for sharing their thoughts.
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