When I discovered bookstagram, or #bookstagram, I knew a time suck was one tap away. I was hooked. If you’re new to this great place on the internet, the first thing I want to explain is what the #bookstagram community is and why it’s amazing online and in real life.
What is Bookstagram?
In a nutshell, bookstagram is an Instagram account dedicated to great books. Many times, this is a personal account by someone who is a book blogger who wants to share a new book with their followers. Usually, their social media platform is full of book recommendations, creative photos of books, and popular hashtags, like #bookstagram, for example.
Because I’m a big reader, I love to join in on the book community fun. My Instagram feed isn’t dedicated to book reviews, but I do post about what I’m reading often. I also love to “meet” other fellow book lovers who share their book hauls to give me ideas on what I should add to my reading list.
Since starting to post about my love of books, I’ve been able to team up with publishers. It’s a great way to get free books while building relationships at the same time. If you’re interested in this kind of content and want to make new friends with other content creators who have their own bookstagram account, I’m going to share my tips for starting your bookstagram on Instagram.
5 Tips for Starting Your Bookstagram on Instagram
1. Pick a niche.
I’m going to start with some advice I don’t take, and that is to go all-in on bookstagram. I post about everything under the sun on my Instagram account. I know this holds me back as an influencer, but I just can’t help myself. If you can help yourself, pick a niche.
It doesn’t have to be books. It can be a specific genre. Yes, you can niche down further than books. Someone who does this well is Abby at @crimebythebook. If romance is your thing, do that… and be creative. Some of the things my fellow #bookstagrammers do are fascinating!
2. Tag the author and the publisher.
When you post about the latest novel you’re reading or the latest pick from Reese’s Book Club, then make sure you are tagging the author, the publisher, and yes, even Reese Witherspoon.
This sends a notification to those people and it gets you on their radar. This could lead to future opportunities working with them and their marketing teams on book tours, for example.
3. Use relevant hashtags.
The obvious one here is hashtag bookstagram, but there are a whole lot more to use. See what other specific hashtags book influencers are using to get ideas.
The goal is to please the almighty Instagram algorithm in the hopes that a lot of people going down the rabbit hole of bookstagram will discover your post and follow you for more.
4. Connect with other content creators.
I can’t tell you how many book recommendations and new titles I’ve gotten from other like-minded readers on the app. You can always find me in the comments or DMs of other people posting their book stacks or to be read lists on their Instagram page. Bookstagrammers are my people!
I love seeing the gorgeous pictures Katelyn at @bookcasebeauty posts and getting my next book recommendation from Hanna at @hh_reads.
5. Reach out to publishers.
It’s a good idea to post your beautiful bookstagram pictures and write a caption about the last audiobook you read before you reach out to publishers. You want to be able to show them you are a real-life bookstagrammer when you tell them, “Hey! I’m a bookstagrammer!”
I suggest messaging them on Instagram and letting them know you’re interested in working together if they are looking to work with bookstagrammers. Some publishers have programs just for this reason. Random House is one that I am currently working with.
I could probably make this list longer, but I think this is a good start. I’d love to add to it and share more in-depth tips on getting the most out of being a member of the bookstagram community, but this is the nuts and bolts of it.
Please find me at @ChristinaAllDay and check out the posts of my monthly book reviews, new releases, book photos, and to see what I’m currently reading in my Instagram stories. I’d also like to hear who your favorite bookstagrammers are so I can give them a follow.
