A professional Facebook Author page is a must-have for all writers. Though Facebook doesn’t offer the same organic results as they did in the past, they’ve created one of the greatest advertising platforms that is excellent for selling books.

You’ll want to make sure your page is complete before running any ad campaigns. Set up or optimize your Facebook Author Page with this tutorial.

1. Facebook Cover

Your Facebook cover is a billboard where you can create a cover that promotes you and your books.

Design your own cover image according to the Facebook page cover dimensions. You can use a mobile app or web-based graphic designer like PicMonkey or Canva. Make it even easier by hiring someone on Fiverr to do it for you.

Facebook also allows for a video in the cover section. This is a real attention-grabber. If you’re experienced with Windows Movie Maker or iMovie, you can make a cover video in a snap. Visit my Facebook page to see an example of the video I created for my cover.

Otherwise, browse freelance sites for a video production specialist.

2. Use the Shopping Template

Facebook’s Shopping template will allow you to host a store on your author page. It’s the perfect place to showcase your books.

If you’re setting up your author fan page for the first time, you will be prompted to select a template.

If you already have an author Facebook page, you can change to the shopping template in Settings under Templates and Tabs.

3. Fill out Your Page Info and Story Sections

I can’t tell you how many authors pages fail to include vital information, like bio and website. Fans are going to want to visit your blog, website, or Amazon page so be sure to add as much information as you can.

More free promotional real estate is offered in the Story section located in the right sidebar of your Facebook author page. This area features another image and a text area where you can include a live link.

4. Activate Call to Action Button

This call to action button can be used to encourage fans to contact you, watch a video, shop for your books, and more. Click edit button and a box will pop-up with button options and settings.

5. Add Your Books to the Shop

The Facebook shopping template is perfect for authors because you can feature a little bookshop right on your page.

Click Shop in the left sidebar menu. You will see a box where you can Add Product. Click that area to add your book cover, buy link, and toggle the Share this product to your page if you’d like your book to be posted to your timeline.

6. Embed a Mailchimp form

If you’re a Mailchimp user, you can grow your email list straight from your Facebook page. However, this must be done through your Mailchimp account.

Log in to Mailchimp, click your username in the top menu bar to activate the dropdown menu. Click account and then click integrations. This is where you will find the option to add a tab with a Mailchimp form to your Facebook Author page.

You can reorder your tabs by returning to the Templates and Tabs section under Settings. Click and drag them to the desired spot.

7. Invite Your Friends

Use the handy Invite Friends button to get the first likes for you page. Click this button ever few months as you add new friends to your personal profile.

8. Claim Your Facebook Username

Once you get 25 likes on your Facebook author page, you can choose a username.

Try to find a username that is closest to your writing name or the same as your social media handles.

Choosing a username will also set the URL for your page, making a nice, neat address instead of the default jumble of words with numbers.

9. Connect to Your Instagram

Connecting your Instagram account allows you to share Instagram posts to your Facebook Author Page. It also makes it possible to configure Instagram ads via Facebook in your browser, which is easier than doing it from a mobile phone.

Make sure your Instagram is connected by visiting the Instagram tab in Settings.

10. Use Offers

Whenever you want to promote your book, you can use Facebook Offers to stir up interest and urgency. Click offers in the left sidebar menu or in the posting options on your timeline.

You can then add a photo, choose what kind of offer you want to post (coupon, discount, promocode, or other), and set the expiration date.

11. Create a Group That’s Connected to Your Page or Link Your Existing Group

Groups are an extremely effective way to stay engaged with your readers. Each time you post to a group, your members will get a notification, so unlike page fans, group members are more likely to see your posts.

A private group can also be a way to give members exclusive access to you. Just make sure you are prepared to invest time and thought into your group to make it a worthwhile endeavor.

If you already have a group, link it to your page so your brand is connected.

Now You’re Ready to Go!

Your page is ready for using, sharing, and advertising.

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