Approaching TikTok as an author is different from approaching other social media sites. TikTok is a powerful tool in promoting yourself, but it is also more casual and benefits from more diverse content. Here is a roundup of TikTok content ideas for authors.

A Day in the Life

An effective way to connect with an audience is by connecting as a person and sharing more about yourself. Post about a week or day in your life, showing drafting, coffee shops, what you’re watching, hobbies, etc. Giving a closer look into what it is like to be an author is entertaining to an audience of readers, unfamiliar with the lifestyle.

@alex.aster♬ original sound – Alex Aster

Publishing Updates

Posting updates is a great way to share “industry secrets”. For readers that are unfamiliar with the writing and publishing process, sharing updates helps to educate them and get them excited for your future work. Document when you hit “The End”, talk about how many rejections you received before landing your dream agent, share the cover when it’s ready. Anything that brings them into the fold of your journey.

Introductions to Characters

When introducing someone to a book, get plot points across is great, but an even stronger method is finding ways to introduce your characters. Get creative. Think of how you can pique a readers interest. You want the readers to be curious about the characters and dying to meet them. Posting an introduction to your main characters, share something unique about them or (or spicy like in the example below) that will make audiences yearn to learn more.

@thebibliotheque #authorsoftiktok #aaronblackford #elenaarmas ♬ som original – Graça

Bite-Sized Excerpts

A great way to suck a reader into your story is by using snippets and quotes from the book. Think of them as Costco samples for your story. You can create a little scandal by posting a spoiler without spoiling anything or you can hit on a major theme with a single line of dialogue.

Set the Mood

Using TikTok as an author means that you need to create more visual content. A great way to do this is by creating and sharing book moodboards. Using photos that represent the setting, who the characters are, and maybe even hinting at the storyline ahead, you are able to make your world something that other people can imagine more easily. If you’re traveling to a destination where your book is set, film content. Or just pull images that help tell the story.

@neelyalexanderwrites This and the show Jury Duty #fyp #romancebooks #booktok ♬ original sound – Neely Tubati Alexander

Share Inspiration and Research

Research is an inevitable part of writing, and surely during your journey drafting, you came across fun tidbits, interesting facts and unusual history. Share those! Keep a running notebook of the fun factoids that made you kick your feet as you dove deeper into a subject.

Currently Reading

Though it may be arguably one of the easiest ideas on this list, as an author, you should share what you’re reading, preferably in the genre you’re writing. In the BookTok space, people are constantly looking for book recommendations. And you’re looking for readers. Posting about your favorite new releases, current reads, or longtime favorites not only provides a valuable service, but brings in audience who has the potential to become your future fans.

Character Art

Whether it’s commissioned by you or created by your fans, share the beautiful art associated with your book.  Readers love diving deeper into a world and what better way than through a visual medium that completely nails what you have pictured in your mind?

@authormeghanquinn I am honestly so obsessed with how these prints turned out and it’s your last chance to order yours before release. 🎄 So if you’ve been thinking about it, here is your sign to pre-order Christmas Staycation! #meghanquinn #christmasstaycation #romancebooks #romanceauthor #romcombooks ♬ Moonlit Nylon Lounge – Penny Riot

Promote that Playlist

While writing a book, so many authors are inspired by music. From a track they had going the entire time they wrote to a song that totally captures a character’s vibe, undoubtedly music is connected to your art. Using another powerful medium like music can ignite emotions and intrigue as well as establish some familiarity. Whether there’s a Taylor Swift album that got you in the headspace to write or a lead singer who strikingly resembles your MMC, there’s power in pulling in a soundtrack for your story. Pair that with some quotes, pictures of your cover or a brief video where you’re explaining the connection and you’re harnessing some serious curiosity.

Your Writing Space

A lot of popular videos on TikTok are lifestyle content. A great way to participate in this is by showing what your writing set up looks like for you. Maybe it’s a day you write from the couch, your desk, a coffee shop, a wine bar. Wherever you write from is a chance to share what a sliver of your life looks like with your followers.

Beyond the Desk

Your life is more than just writing, and people enjoy seeing that. The amount you share about your life outside of being an author is completely up to you, but people enjoy seeing what happens outside of books. Who is the person behind the pages? For some that may look like introducing the world to your spouse (and dog) a la Jeneva Rose. Or it may just be taking your audience on a walk with you down your favorite trail.

@jenevaroseauthor Welcome to your nightmare, b*tch! 💀 #jenevarose #theperfectmarriage #comedyvideo #bookrec #reaction ♬ Halloween ・ cute horror song – PeriTune

Local Bookstore

Being in the book world, we know how incredibly important it is to support indie bookstores and  one way to create book content with some variety is to post about your local bookstores. Maybe your recent title is on their shelves. Or maybe it’s just where you go to be amongst books. Perhaps you have an event taking place. Either way, posting about indie bookstores and your involvement with them is a great way to connect with readers that live in that area and to support the bookstores themselves.

Films and TV

In a world where new television shows and movies are constantly being released and constantly creating conversation online, joining this conversation is a great way to plug into pop culture. Are you a thriller author? Maybe there’s a relevant case being talked about. Are you a romance writer? Who are the five male leads who made you swoon in this year’s rom-coms? Do you write historical fiction? Tell us about the documentary that blew your mind!

Frequently Asked Questions

If as an author, you are frequently asked the same questions, it might be a good idea to create posts that answers them. You can even host an “Ask Me Anything” where you request questions from your existing audience. Or you can just think about questions you know readers will have and answer those. “Will there be a sequel?” “So wait, how did this character get away with murder?” “When are you going on book tour?”

Reviews

If your readers are anything like us, they love to check reviews before picking a book up. Use this to your advantage and post good reviews. And if you want to be a little controversial… post the bad ones too. This allows viewers to see good things about your book that are coming from a different source. Glowing reviews are an effective way to persuade viewers into reading your book.

@taliahibbert 🤪 #theprincesstrap #royalromance ♬ okay you got me there – TheKissesofTrisha

Any Author Event

Posting about bookish events is a fantastic way to create community and potentially meet new readers. If you are taking part in an author event, post about it. Whether you’re an attendee or the star of the show, bring your followers into the bookish world you’re living in. Giving your viewers a chance to meet you at an author event could be a great way to meet the fans you already have and the opportunity to meet new ones.

Book Dedication

Many books have beautiful and moving dedications. If your book is one of them, sharing your dedication may be another way to convince viewers to read your book. Posting what your dedication says allows people to see your motivations in writing your book and understand your purpose.