Episode 9: Social Media for Authors and Illustrators: How to Build an Authentic Brand and Grow Your Following

About This Episode

Social Media for Authors and Illustrators: How to Build an Authentic Brand and Grow Your Following

Why Social Media Matters for Writers and Illustrators

Building a platform is no longer optional for authors. Agents and publishers want to see numbers. They need to know your audience will buy your book.

But here’s the thing: social media can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to be everywhere. You just have to be consistent where you are.

In Episode 9 of the Publishing Cousins podcast, Melissa and illustrator Nikki Boetger break down a real, practical approach to social media — one that fits your creative life and actually works.

Choose the Social Media Platform That Fits You Best

There are dozens of platforms out there. Don’t try to use them all. Pick one or two that feel natural to you.

Nikki loves Instagram. It’s visual, clean, and lets her art speak for itself. She’s also experimenting with LinkedIn — and seeing great results for attracting potential clients.

Melissa prefers email newsletters. She finds them more personal and less anxiety-inducing. (And as she’ll share in Episode 10, newsletters may actually be better for book sales than social media!)

The lesson here: find your platform and own it.

Consistency Is the #1 Social Media Strategy for Authors

Nikki’s marketing coach gave her one rule above all others: consistency, consistency, consistency.

That doesn’t mean posting every single day. It means picking specific days you know you can post — and sticking to them.

Nikki started slow. She committed to one day per week, then added more as she built the habit. Now she posts on a regular schedule. And her follower count is growing because of it.

In March alone, she gained nearly 100 new Instagram followers. All from being consistent.

How to Use a Social Media Calendar (Even If You Hate Planning)

Nikki describes herself as a “fly by the seat of my pants” poster. Sound familiar?

Her solution: a simple paper calendar. She jots ideas down in pencil as they come to her. She moves things around. And she always has something ready to post.

You don’t need fancy software. You just need a system that works for you.

Instagram Reels: Why Video Is Worth the Effort

Nikki admits she resisted video for a long time. Filming herself drawing felt weird.

But here’s what changed her mind: the numbers.

A regular photo post might get 3 views. A time-lapse drawing reel? 200 views. The difference is significant.

People love to watch artists work. It’s fascinating, even if the artist doesn’t understand why. If you’re an illustrator, start filming your process. Speed it up in Instagram’s editing tools. Add some uplifting instrumental music. Post it.

It works.

Instagram Hashtags That Get Illustrators Seen by Art Directors

Hashtags aren’t dead — they’re strategic. Nikki shares two powerful ones for illustrators:

• #kidletartpostcard — A monthly event every first Thursday. Art directors and publishers follow this hashtag. People have gotten actual client work from it.
• #drawitiinyourowstyle — A community challenge that builds visibility with other artists.

When you search a hashtag on Instagram, it shows you how many posts use it. More posts = more algorithmic reach. Use popular hashtags in your niche.

LinkedIn for Illustrators: An Unexpected Platform for Client Growth

LinkedIn might not be your first thought for creative professionals. But Nikki is seeing real results.

On Instagram, she’s gaining younger artists and aspiring illustrators. On LinkedIn, she’s attracting potential clients — people listing company names and job titles.

That’s the business she actually wants. And it’s coming from being consistent on a platform she previously ignored.

Building an Authentic Social Media Brand as a Creative

Nikki didn’t plan her brand colors. They just emerged.

Scroll through her Instagram and you’ll see aqua, teal, and a specific shade of green in almost every piece. That’s her brand. It happened naturally because those are the colors her brain gravitates toward.

Authenticity works the same way for your content. What music do you love? What topics light you up? Let those things guide your posts.

Author Pepper Basham is another great example. Her Facebook page mixes personal posts, bookish humor, and content that genuinely reflects her personality. It’s fun to follow — whether or not you’ve read her books.

Social Media Builds the Community You Can’t Find Locally

Here’s something Nikki says that really lands: social media gave her community.

Her critique partners. Her illustrator group that meets twice a month. Her industry connections. None of that would exist without social media.

If you live in a small town or rural area, social media is how you find your people. Writers and illustrators need community. It’s not optional.

What If Social Media Still Terrifies You?

Good news: you don’t have to do it alone.

Marketing firms — even small-town ones — now offer social media services. They can build your brand, create content, and grow your following for you.

If managing your own social media feels impossible, hiring it out is a real option. There’s no shame in focusing on what you do best: writing and illustrating.

Key Takeaways from Episode 9

• Pick one or two platforms. Don’t spread yourself thin.
• Consistency beats frequency. Pick your days and stick to them.
• Video outperforms static posts on almost every platform.
• Hashtags like #kidletartpostcard connect illustrators with real clients.
• Your authentic style IS your brand. Let it show up naturally.
• Social media builds community — especially if your local one is small.
• Newsletter lists may matter more than follower counts for book sales.