As an author, I used to think Instagram was just for selfies, latte art, and vacation snapshots. But once I started using it intentionally, I realized it’s actually one of the most powerful tools out there for writers like me.
Instagram isn’t just a social media platform—it’s a visual storytelling space. And as a storyteller, that’s gold. I can share behind-the-scenes peeks at my writing process, post snippets from upcoming work, or even use reels and stories to talk about the books and characters I’m building. It allows my readers to connect with me not just as a name on a cover, but as a person—someone they can follow, interact with, and feel invested in.
More importantly, Instagram is where readers are. Bookstagram, for instance, is a thriving sub-community. It’s full of passionate readers, reviewers, indie bookshops, and fellow authors. When I post consistently and engage meaningfully, I don’t just promote my books—I become part of the conversation. That builds trust, and trust builds loyal readers.
The visual aspect also forces me to think differently about my brand. Every image I post is a reflection of my author identity, and over time, that creates a mood, a vibe, and a recognizable style. Whether it’s photos of my writing space, quotes from my books, or aesthetic mood boards for upcoming novels, every piece contributes to how people perceive me as a writer.
Instagram isn’t optional anymore, it’s a necessary part of being a modern author. If I want to grow my audience, connect with readers, and have a space where my work can be celebrated and shared, I need to be where the eyes are. And right now, a lot of them are on Instagram.
So yes, it takes effort. But it’s worth every second.
In this post, I’ll be discussing ways to help you use Instagram for authors and grow a large following for your book.
This guide to Instagram for authors will cover:
Instagram for Authors: The Breakdown
Instagram for authors has a hyper-engaged audience. There are over one billion Instagram users every month, with 60% logging in daily. That means the platform is now the fastest growing social media website – and you should be leveraging that for your books!
I get better visibility on Instagram compared to Facebook and X, and I also see a better rate of engagement with Instagram. This offers great potential for authors to reach new readers and develop stronger engagement with existing fans.
The biggest benefit of using Instagram for authors is that it offers greater opportunities to grow your following. Because Instagram’s users are so active, if you consistently post quality content, people are more likely to engage with you than on other social media sites.
And Instagram for authors is about more than just promoting your published books. You can keep your readers up-to-date on your entire writing process. This way your book will already be front-of-mind for your following when it becomes available for purchase.
How to Effectively Use Instagram for Authors: 11 Tips
Here are my top tips for using Instagram for authors the right way.
1. Create relevant content
Don’t panic already, ok? This doesn’t mean you’ll have to take photos of yourself or strip down for a good number of likes.
What I mean with creating relevant content is make your Instagram account about something you truly love.
Yes, you’re an author, but what kind of author? Will you share with your followers about your struggles of being an author?
Will you share your process your writing? Will you snap pretty pics of other books you’re reading and loving? Of your pet? Maybe your garden?
The point is, you’ll love it and your following will feel it and love you more for it.
2. Post regularly
Many often forget about this one, but you betta believe it when I tell you, this is probably the most important one!
By posting regularly, you’re showing up more often in other feeds and that will increase your chances of getting likes and comments on your photos, and even visits to your profile.
There are many arguments about when you should post and how many times per day, but there are also some great apps that evaluate what works best for your audience.
I always advise posting a photo once a day and not more because you don’t want to overdo it.
In general, the best times for posting are between 4pm and 7pm, which is when people are going back home from work.
However, you should also do what you feel is natural for you and your account.
Less is more but once a day is a must!
3. Post consistent content types
Now, when posting, you’ll have to think about what you want to post. This is your part of your job after all, so you should plan it just as you plan your writing.
The best rule to follow is post the same content. This might sound boring to you, but the most successful accounts started this way.
The same type of content, over and over again, and then they opened up to other things. But, in the beginning, it’s important that people will recognize your account as a whole and will want to follow you because you’re consistent and have a structure.
For visual ideas on how to do this, I recommend checking out this Instagrammer, who I love! Marlene uses the same type of content, similar backgrounds, several nuances of the same color, but every picture is unique and makes me wanna go back to her profile!
“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency.” – Dwayne Johnson
4. Create strong aesthetics
If you’ve noticed from the above screenshot of Thanks a Latte Blog’s account, you’ll find it extremely soothing and inviting. The reason why is her aesthetics.
When creating content and posting it, she’s clearly thinking it through.
In the first phase, you’ll have to do the same!
This might bother some of you, but no one can deny how beautiful an account like this looks. It appeals to the eye as a whole, but each photo is also carefully laid out.
For similar outcomes, look for a color palette and stick to it.
Using one main color and different nuances works out great and it won’t be a lot of work for you to figure out what goes well with what.
Another thing you can try to use is repetitive miscellaneous: either décor pieces you have around the house or flowers in the background, what’s important is that there is a nice wave between all your photos.
If you feel inspired looking at your feed, your followers will too!
5. Use high quality photos
You don’t need a professional camera for this! Don’t start making excuses.
Nowadays, our smartphones have good cameras that will just do if used in the best way possible. You’re starting out, you don’t need to spend all that money on something you probably won’t even know how to use!
The best advice for high-quality photos is natural lighting.
Honestly, it’s that simple. I think natural light helps your photos look more alive and colorful and it’ll take you a whole less time to edit them—if you edit them at all!
If you’re on the lookout for a good photo editor (that is free!), I recommend using Lightroom or Snapseed.
They’re both really simple to use and many creators on the internet have developed presets that you can buy and use on your photos. If you really don’t know what to do with a photo editor, just buy a preset or two and you’ll be fine!
Just remember! Natural lighting!
6. Engage frequently on Instagram
Imagine this: you’re scrolling down on your feed, see a photo you love, you like it and decide to comment.
A simple comment but it’s there. You see another photo, like it, comment and so on. The first Instagrammer actually answers your comment on their photo.
Who do you think you’ll be more inclined to interact again with?
This is a no-brainer and it’s true for every and anyone out there. You’ll feel like you have a connection with this person, even if you’ve never met them in real life.
Answering every single comment, you get might be a difficult task to accomplish, especially if you have a larger following, but it’s Instagram 101.
Not to mention, all your lovely readers will feel SO special because their favorite author answered them!
One of the authors I’ve noticed does this extremely well is Ella Maise. She just knows how to connect with her followers in what feels a very natural way.
Make someone’s day: reply to them!
7. Share about your life
Now that I’ve discussed replying to your followers’ comments, I would like to tell you how important it is to use Insta Stories.
Again, you might be an introvert or a very private person, and that’s ok! But you can always share a few snaps that didn’t make it into your profile or a few short videos of your daily life.
You don’t even have to share your face, just record them when you’re taking a nice walk or doing something out and about.
I do recommend speaking though, because I feel that there is a special relationship that is developed when followers hear your voice and what you sound like. (It’ll be weird at the beginning, but you’ll get used to it pretty quickly, I promise!)
“Happiness is only real when shared”
8. Host giveaways on Instagram
Not to quote Oprah or anything, but she was onto something! Hosting giveaways is one of the best ways to get out there and get some free promotion.
You’re an author with your author Instagram now, so it makes sense that your prizes are books.
I’d recommend starting with other author’s books because you can include them in the giveaway. For example, to win, one has to follow you, the author and comment on both profiles something related to you or the book. It doesn’t get much better than this!
To host something like this, it might take you a little longer to plan than just posting a photo, but the rewards might also be much higher.
Giving will translate into receiving…
9. Repost relevant content
Definitely repost photos and stories on your Insta Stories! I LOVE it whenever I get a notification that someone has re-posted a photo of mine and added a little thank you note or just simply tagged me over on their stories. It makes it personal and I always feel more likely to interact with that person again.
When reposting, I suggest going for anyone and everyone.
However, remember that popular Bookstagrams might help you get to larger audiences, so their support might be very well needed.
I’m not saying you should butter them up, but it is in your interest to interact with them. They also might be reviewing your books and publicity is always great!
As with everything, just don’t overdo it and your readers are your main base so don’t forget to share their stories too!
You’ll make their day!
10. Use the right #Hashtags
You want to connect with a specific audience.
What kind of audience do you have in mind?
Are they a niche audience?
Do you want to promote to everyone from the Bookstagram community?
What is your main target?
It’s important to know this beforehand because the use of hashtags is incredibly necessary to start things off on Instagram.
You’ll reach more people by using them and by choosing the right ones, you’ll reach to the audience you want/need for your account.
General Bookstagram and Book-Related Hashtags: #bookstagram #books #booklover #book #bookworm #bookstagrammer #reading #bookish #bookaddict #booknerd #bibliophile #instabook #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #read #bookaholic #booksbooksbooks #bookphotography #bookshelf #booklove #love #bookreview #bookcommunity #bookblogger #instabooks #booklovers #reader #igreads #bookrecommendations
Bookworm, Reading, and Review Hashtags: #bookishphotography #whattoreadnext #readallday #bookworms #bookwormproblems #bookpic #newreads #readingtime #readingisfundamental #whatimreading #bookreviewer #bookpost #tbrpile #justread #readingaddict #avidreader #readallthebooks #booksta #booksandbooks #readaholic #booksarelife #bookwormlife #amreading #readinglist #readmore #reads #currentread #booknerdigan
Bookstagram Community Hashtags: #bookstagrammers #bookcollector #readinglife #bookobsessed #bedtimereading #readerforlife #bookshark #bookpicture #bookishphoto #booksaremagic #bookster #bookishproblems #bookstoread #bookrecommendation #bookaesthetic #bookishlife #readstagram #girlswhoread #readersofinsta #bookrec #booksbooksandmorebooks #riotgrams #booksbooksbooks #booksonbooks
Book Blogging and Reviewing Hashtags: #bookblog #bookblogger #bookblogging #bookbloggers #bookbloggerlife #bookbloggersofig #bookblogs #bookbloggersofinstagram #bookbloggerbooks #bookbloggerpost #bookbloggerslife #bookreviewblog #bookblogginglife #bookstagramblogger
Book Club Hashtags: #bookclub #bookclubofinstagram #bookclubs #bookclubbook #bookclubsofinstagram #bookclubreads #bookclubstagram #bookclubpick #bookclubread #bookclubselection #bookclubbooks #bookclubbing #bookclubmeeting #bookclubdaily #instabookclub
Book Haul Hashtags: #bookhaul #bookhauls #bookhauler
Book of the Month Hashtags: #bookofthemonth #botm #bookofthemonthclub
Bookshelf and Shelfie Hashtags: #bookshelf #shelfie #bookshelves #bookshelfie #bookshelfporn #shelfiesunday #shelfies #shelfielicious #shelfiesaturday #shelfiegoals #shelfiedecor #shelfiestyling #shelfielove #shelfielust #shelfietime #shelfieinspo #shelfiestyle #shelfiesnotselfies #shelfiequeen #shelfielife #bookshelfstyling #bookshelfgoals #bookshelflove
Book Stack and Pile Hashtags: #bookstack #bookspines #bookpile #stackofbooks #bookstacks #bookstacksaturday #bookstackchallenge #bookstacksunday #bookstacking #bookstackattack
Current Read and Reading Hashtags: #currentread #currentreads #currentlyreading #amreading
Giveaway Hashtags: #giveaway #bookgiveaway #bookgiveaways
Book Review Hashtags: #bookreview #bookreviewers #bookreviewblog
Romance Book Hashtags: #ireadromance #romancebook #romancebooks #readromance #gottareadromance #romancereaders #amreadingromance #romcombooks #romancenovels #romancereader #romancereadersofinstagram #romancereads #romancenovel #romancebookstagram #romancereaders
Literary Travel Hashtags: #literarytravel #literarytravels #booktravel #booktravels #booktraveler
Young Adult (YA) Book Hashtags: #ireadya #yabookstagram #yabooks #yafiction #yalit #iloveya #yabookstagrammer
Hashtags are the new author bio.
11. Get reviews
One of the biggest ways Instagram for Authors helps is through reviews. You should follow lots of book reviewers from the beginning and try to form a relationship with them. This way it’s not jarring if you DM them to ask for a review.
Look through what the bookstagrammer is posting about to see if they have reviewed any books in a similar genre to yours. They will be more likely to review your book if so.
Once you find some right-fit bookstagrammers, be sure to follow their accounts and engage with them on occasion. This doesn’t mean liking 50 of their posts. If anything that is a off-putting way to get attention.
Time investment can pay off. If you start following a book reviewer and interacting with their posts posts six months before asking them for a review; they are much more likely to agree. You can even ask them to review across multiple platforms, like Amazon, Goodreads, etc.
After sending your book to reviewers, do not follow up about the review/post until at least 2 months have passed. This gives them time to get to your book – because imagine how many other authors have also reached out to them! If you think you will have a hard time being patient, you can also ask them when they think they’ll have time to review.
After a reviewer posts, be sure to add the review to your stories!
Last but not least…Just be yourself!
These guidelines won’t work if you don’t feel like this is something natural in your life. Yes, it’ll take some time to get used to it, but in the end, if it makes you feel stressed or you start overthinking it, just ditch these!
Your Instagram account needs to be a reflection of your life as an author, of the things you love to do and everything you’re willing to share with the people who love and support you the most: your readers!
Whatever, however, and whenever you want to give them something, share with them, give them sneak peeks of future books or just talk about your day, they’ll be there for you!
Instagram is supposed to be fun, a lot of fun! If you spend too much time trying to snap the perfect photo, you won’t have any time left for your book! Just jump on the rollercoaster (hopefully now, after having read these tips, with a better security belt) and see where it takes you.
Most importantly, enjoy the ride!
