Best Way for Authors to Tweet on Twitter?

I got the following email from children’s mystery author Jerrye Sumrall (see her books on Amazon at http://amzn.to/RaJev3 ):

What is the best way to word a tweet to get the most exposure? I’ve been trying different variations with @JerryeSumrall and #Amazon or # something else but am confused about exactly what’s needed and what’s not. Are the @ and # really necessary?

Here’s one for promoting the whole series:


The Bayshore Mysteries http://amzn.to/RaJev3 Kid’s Mystery/ Scary Adventure/ Vivid Scenes/ Friendship/ Courage

What do you suggest that I add?

Here is what I replied to Jerrye:

I’m not an “expert” in the best way to word tweets for authors. In fact, I’d be surprised if anyone is an expert given the different parameters

That said, I don’t “respond well” to how you have worded yours. I don’t like [tweets with] words with all initial caps — too hard to read. Try writing a “story” that entices me to click on the link.

I think in your case I would start with “Kids’ #mystery THE BAYSHORE MYSTERIES …” My personal preference is to put the book title in all caps to make it stand out from the description in the tweet.

Re hashtags: I like to use them although I have read negative comments recently so don’t worry too much — just use as you feel.

Answer: Hashtags are not necessary and you do not have to put your username in the tweet.

I do like that Jerrye put the link near the beginning of the tweet. I have read recommendations to do that (although I admit I rarely do).

And, of course, she appropriately used bit.ly to shorten the long URL of the page on Amazon that features all three of The Bayshore Mysteries.

(She could also have used the URL of her Amazon Author Central profile. I have now created www.ZimblerMillerbooks.com to go to my Amazon Author Central profile where all my books are listed.)

Here is an example of a tweet I did — note that I used the shorten URL service budurl:

Cozy #mystery CAST THE FIRST STONE featured on @WestofMars blog http://budurl.com/Castmystery (book incl kosher recipes)

Do you think this is a good author tweet?

If you have an example of a tweet you think is especially effective for authors, do leave it below in the comments.

© 2013 Miller Mosaic LLC

Phyllis Zimbler Miller is the author of fiction and nonfiction books/ebooks, including TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO PUBLISH AND MARKET YOUR BOOK IN THE AGE OF AMAZON and the romantic suspense spy story CIA FALL GUY.

Click here to visit her Amazon author page at www.amazon.com/author/phylliszimblermiller

She also has an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and is the co-founder of the online marketing company www.MillerMosaicLLC.com