Marketing Ideas From Cheri Cowell

Would you like to gain more followers, connect to new readers, and engage fans in discussions or in fun ways? Then create a hashtag campaign for your next book release. Here is what it is and how to create one.

What Are We Talking About?

Hashtags are a word or group of words after the # sign (like #hashtag). After used on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+ and Facebook, clicking on these hashtags will show you all other messages that contain the same hashtag. A successful hashtag campaign can create a community of engaged individuals.

There are two types of campaigns:

1. Brand Hashtags–these are more long-term and improve the search engine optimization of your brand. They also get your updates seen by your consumers who are searching for, or using, the hashtag words.
2. Campaign hashtags- these are unique to your short-term contest or promotion.

How to Create Your Campaign

The first thing you want to do is research your potential hashtag word or phrase. On Twitter, enter your word or phase in the search box, then click More Options. Choose, Tweets From Everyone and From Everywhere. Read through these to be sure your hashtag has not taken on some other meaning. Finally, click on Advanced Search under More Options to more narrowly define your hashtag. You will want to keep your hashtag short and make it memorable.

Now that you have your hashtag, create a post to explain it and to encourage others to use it. Then you will want to engage readers when they do by responding, retweeting, and reposting their posts. It is that simple.

Examples For Author Campaigns

I have a new devotional book coming out in December so let me show you what I plan to do. My hashtag will be #365Peace. My posts will read:

Facebook: To celebrate the release of my newest devotional book, 365 Devotions For Peace, I’m asking you to share your tips, practices, and methods for holding onto peace in your life. Use the #365Peace and you’ll be entered in the contest for a free autographed copy (link to order).

Twitter: Share your own tips, practices, methods for holding onto peace #365Peace to enter for free copy of 365 Devotions For Peace (link to order)

Pinterest: Share your images of what brings you peace #365Peace (I will save my book’s cover with this hashtag on a special board on my Pinterest page so I can collect other’s photos and connect to their pages as well)

Cheri Cowell

Cheri Cowell is the author of several books including Parables and Word Pictures in the AMG Following God Bible study series and Living the Story: Reaching Outside the Church Walls.

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