This month we have guest Jennifer Waddle. Jennifer is the author of Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer (affiliate link), and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn’t Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.
The Power of Private Messaging
By Jennifer Waddle
Last year, I had the privilege of being interviewed on a YouTube channel and was able to share the highlights of my book about chronic worry. Little did I expect that interview to cause a flood of private messages to arrive via email, Facebook, and other social media platforms.
At first, I deleted the messages and reported them as spam, thinking I’d been hacked. But when the messages kept coming, I took some time to investigate and found out many of the requests were from like-minded women who wanted to know more about my books and ministry.
Since then, I’ve come to appreciate the power of private messaging for marketing purposes – especially when done authentically. Here are a few ways you can use private messaging to connect with authors and readers alike.
Connect with Platforms in Your Niche
The World Wide Web is saturated with various niches that will never be part of your personal circle—and that’s okay. However, there are just as many groups that are a great fit for you as a writer.
Since my explosion of private messages last year, I’ve joined dozens of online groups that are on-mission with my goals as an author. The genuine connections I’ve made have led to unique friendships, business connections, and acquaintances I still keep in touch with.
Do your research and find YouTube channels, Facebook groups, and Instagram accounts that resonate most with your writing style. Once you find your people, engage regularly and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the network of partners, clients, and buyers that will naturally result from your efforts.
Give More than You Take
When participating in groups online, I recommend giving more than you take by commenting genuinely and investing selflessly whenever possible. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Give free eBook copies to people who need what you have to offer.
- Set up 30-minute Zoom meetings to learn more about fellow authors.
- Be willing to do minor edits or other writing services at a deep discount.
Giving more than you take is almost always more rewarding to you than it is to the receiver. And from my experience, it opens the door for more connection in the future, naturally leading to more book sales and services.
Remember They Are Real People
As you know, social media has connected the world like no other phenomenon. But at the same time, it’s provided an avenue for people to say whatever they want whenever they want—without a filter.
When private messaging or commenting on public posts, always remember there is a real person behind the screen. This keeps our messaging authentic, personal, and kind, which goes a long way in building lasting connections.
Yes, the internet can be overwhelming, and we need to limit our screen time, but as writers, it’s our goal to want to connect with as many readers as possible. Social media is still one of the quickest, easiest ways to do that.
I encourage you to start using the power of private messaging by connecting with people in your niche, giving more than you take, and remembering they are real people behind the screen. Who knows what genuine connections you’ll make, which can lead to selling more of your amazing books!
Connect with Jennifer on her website. Or her FB group Biblical Encouragement for Middle-Aged Women