WHAT Every Author Asks Me About Social Media Content

Practical ways to start—or restart—your author platform in 2026

As the end of the year rolls around, a lot of authors start thinking about their 2026 goals. One of the most common things I hear is:

"I need to get on social media—or get back on it—but I have no idea where to start."

If that’s you, you're not alone. Whether your last post was three months ago or you’ve never posted at all, it is possible to show up online in a way that feels manageable and real. You don’t need to go viral. You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to be present.

This post is for authors who want to:

• Start fresh with a new online presence
• Reconnect after letting their socials go quiet
• Move beyond "Buy my book" posts
• ​Build a rhythm that supports their writing, not competes with it

Social media doesn’t need to take over your life. Let’s get you started — or restarted -- with content ideas that actually work.

What Should Authors Post That Isn’t “Buy My Book”?

Every author asks this eventually. Here’s the short version: don’t just promote—connect. Readers follow authors because they want more than just marketing. They want insight into your world, your process, your interests—even if that’s just one or two posts a week.

Below are simple, flexible ideas for fiction, non-fiction and poetry authors. Pick the ones that suit your tone and comfort level, and start there.

For Fiction Authors

You write stories. Let your social media reflect that in small, authentic ways.

Easy Photo Ideas

• Your writing desk or editing setup
• Notebooks, index cards or plot maps
• A place that inspired your setting
• ​Favourite coffee mug with a page of notes
  
  

Short Caption Ideas

• “This line changed everything in the story.”
• “This character wasn’t planned—she just appeared.”
• ​“I nearly cut this chapter. Glad I didn’t.”

Engagement Prompts

• “Do you finish books you’re not enjoying?”
• “What was the first book that truly stayed with you?”
• “Paperback or hardback—what’s your preference?” or one of our personal favourites "does the audiobook count as reading?"
• “What makes you try a new author?”
• “Do you judge a book by its cover?”
• "How many books are on your TBR pile?"

Other Content Ideas

• Share review quotes (even short ones)
• Thank a bookseller who’s stocked your book
• Repost a reader photo or comment
• ​Recommend another author’s book you’ve enjoyed

For Non-Fiction Authors

You’ve written about something that matters to you. Use your social media to keep that conversation going.

Easy Photo Ideas

• A research stack or annotated article
• Your workspace or planning wall
• A headline or stat that connects to your topic
• A book that shaped your thinking
  
  

Caption Starters

• “This stat changed how I approached Chapter 3.”
• “I couldn’t fit this in the book, but I keep thinking about it.”
• “This is the question I get asked most often…”
  
  

Engagement Prompts

• “What’s a misconception you’ve come across in this space?”
• “What’s one book that shaped how you see this topic?”
• “Who deserves more attention in this field?”
• “What’s an idea you’ve changed your mind about recently?”

Other Content Ideas

• Break the book into small insights—one idea per post
• Share recent articles, interviews or podcasts
• Reflect on a key learning moment from your research
• ​Ask your audience what they want to know more about
  
  

For Poets
Poetry lends itself beautifully to short, visual or audio posts. You don’t need to explain it—just share it.

Visual Ideas

• A handwritten or typed poem
• A short stanza paired with a still image
• Your writing notebook, open to a half-finished line

Audio and Video Ideas

• Record a 20-second reading of one of your poems
• Share a clip from a recent event or reading
• Post a Story with your voice reading over a background image

Engagement Prompts

• “Do you read poems aloud or in your head?”
• “What’s a poem you’ve never forgotten?”
• "If you could invite any poet over for dinner, who would it be and why?"
• "Do you have a favourite word and why?"
• ​“What’s a moment from your life that felt like a poem?”

Other Content Ideas

• Recommend a poetry collection or fellow poet
• Reflect on the inspiration for a specific piece
• Talk briefly about rhythm, revision or voice
  
  

Not Posting Daily? That’s Fine! Start with once a week. Two if you can manage it. You don’t need to post constantly—just consistently. Keep it real, keep it simple, and remember that your feed is an extension of your writing life, not a replacement for it.

Catch Up On What You’ve Missed! If you’ve been away from your account for a while, spend some time checking:

• Goodreads, TikTok, Instagram or X for reviews and mentions 
• Reader tags or bookstore posts
• Hashtags like #bookstagram or #[YourBookTitle] or #[YourName]

Repost these with thanks. A kind review, a bookseller shelfie or a librarian’s pick is always worth revisiting. It keeps you in the conversation and shows your appreciation.

How Do I Actually Do This?
If this feels a bit overwhelming, start here.

Canva is an easy-to-use tool that lets you create visuals like quote cards, event promos, or “coming soon” posts. The paid version allows you to schedule directly to social platforms, saving time and effort.

You can also use:

• Meta Business Suite for Facebook and Instagram
• LinkedIn’s native scheduler
• X’s scheduler (if you’re still posting there!)

Not sure how to create a post, add a caption or schedule content? Just Google your question. YouTube is full of short, helpful tutorials. Once you’ve done it once or twice, it gets easier. You don’t need to be a tech expert—just open to trying.

Don’t Be Afraid to Use AI for Content Ideas
If you're feeling stuck on what to post or how to word something, try using a tool like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to help you get started. You can use these tools to:

• Generate social media post ideas
• Draft caption options
• Brainstorm reader questions or engagement prompts
• Rework a review quote into a post
• Break down your book into shareable themes

Start simply by giving the AI a few key details—your name, the title of your book, your genre or topic, and who your readers are. Then ask it to suggest 5 to 10 content ideas, or draft a sample post in your tone. You can always tweak the results, but it’s a great way to build momentum.

Final Thought: Just Show Up! 
You don’t need to have the perfect post, the best lighting, or the most polished feed. You just need to start.

A little consistency and a little personality go a long way.
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Need help turning this into a plan that works for you and your book? Get in contact with me and book in a consult.

Let’s make 2026 the year you feel confident showing up online.