How 3 authors are engaging communities across platforms
+identifying your North Star and the cultural moments and news that caught our attention this week
quick summary ⚡️
3 authors who are building community on digital platforms
Another reason to post on LinkedIn, a journalist documents her effort to go viral on TikTok, and more in the cultural moments and news that caught our attention this week
The steps to finding your North Star, aka your WHY
Mood coming out of Labor Day Weekend
ones to watch: authors
Curated by Megan Collins, Cultural Anthropologist, Generational Expert and contributor to the MTD blog
These days, authors–like musicians–are increasingly being tasked with getting on social media to act as their own marketing team and build their audience. For better or worse, authors are finding that having a robust social media presence might not only make it easier for them to secure a book deal but certainly helps create a community and fanbase…if they play their cards right. For authors looking to read more about how we recommend building your social strategy, check out our dedicated post on the MT Deco Blog. And read on for 3 authors who we think are effectively engaging the bookish communities across platforms.
Abby Jimenez & BookTok
In addition to being an author, Abby Jimenez is a Cupcake Wars champion and motivational speaker. Her NYT bestselling romance novels, such as 2021’s Life's Too Short and this year’s Just For The Summer, are beloved by readers globally. Off the page, her social media savvy and sense of humor have helped her grow an engaged and devoted following, especially on TikTok where she has over 700k followers and is a fixture of the “BookTok” community. Notably, Abby hasn’t reached these heights by only posting about books! She also posts authentic and heartwarming content featuring trending memes, snippets from her book tours, her pets (Stuntman Mike & Tess), and the occasional pop-in from her delightfully precocious teen daughter.
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Jack Edwards & BookTube
You should also know Jack Edwards aka @JackintheBooks, a popular English YouTuber, author, social media influencer, and host. Jack is known for his “BookTube” content where he reads mostly contemporary fiction and ties it into popular culture in fun and interesting ways. For instance, he read the book that inspired this year’s Met Gala theme, often shares books recommended by celebs like Harry Styles, and most recently, did a deep dive into when poetry was an Olympic sport. In addition to reading a ton of books, in 2020 Jack released his own book: “The Uni-Verse: The Ultimate University Survival Guide”. His thoughtful analysis and passion for literature have made him a beloved figure among his audience, and in recent years, the industry at large. In 2023 & 2024 Jack hosted the official livestream of the prestigious Booker Prize!
Ann Patchett / Parnassus Books & Bookstagram
Ann Patchett is a prolific author known for her insightful explorations of women, human relationships, and all complexities that life brings. She’s written over a dozen books since her 1992 debut, 5 non-fiction and 9 novels most recently Tom Lake. In 2002, she received both the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction for her novel Bel Canto. Beyond her writing, she’s passionate about supporting independent booksellers and is the owner of a Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee has become a beloved institution in the city and on Bookstagram.
more on the MTD blog
💎cultural gems💎
The cultural moments and news that caught our attention this week:
GEN Z POWERS THE RISE OF THE CORPORATE INFLUENCER, the times
Here’s another reason to start using LinkedIn. In a recent study, Refine Labs found that sharing information through a personal LinkedIn profile garnered almost 3x as many impressions and 5x the engagements as doing it through a brand page.
HOW GOOGLE FORMS BECAME THE HOTTEST NEW DATING APP, dazed digital
“The bold 33-year-old New Yorker had bravely stepped into a space few had entered before: using paid social media advertising to find love.”
HOW HARD IS IT TO TAKE OFF ON TIKTOK?, rolling stone
Rolling Stone tasked one of their writers with becoming a TikTok creator. She takes us on the month long journey.
YOUTUBE STARS WANT SOME RESPECT, wsj
“As YouTube creators’ audience grows, they want to earn the kind of money and prestige enjoyed by traditional television stars. They’re using strategies that also resemble traditional TV—chasing Emmy awards and trying to drive up ad rates.”
CHASE BANK SAYS IT IS AWARE OF VIRAL ‘GLITCH’ INVITING PEOPLE TO COMMIT CHECK FRAUD, nbc news
In case you missed it over Labor Day Weekend, a Chase Bank “glitch” went viral on TikTok and X, with users encouraging others to hop on the trend. Turns out, it was check fraud.
tips
What’s your North Star? Do you even have one? If not, how do you find it?
If these questions have ever spiraled through your mind, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Identifying your ‘why,’ or greater motivating purpose, is essential to achieving your big-picture goals, whether it’s for yourself or a brand you work on. Everything you do, down to the nitty-gritty of your daily to-do list, should move you forward toward the big stuff.
more guidance here
inspo
Anyone else playing this game?
