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Super helpful! Thanks Nicola. One question you might not thank me for 😃 what if you write on quite disparate themes, like me? A bit of a Jill-of-all-topics

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This is a great question, and one I think lots of people will relate to. There are two ways of approaching this (and actually they can compliment each other, so they're not an either/or): 1. Consider whether there might be any common threads that connect the subjects, for example I use to blog about a range of seemingly disconnected subjects but what I realised was that the common thread was fairness, or justice, even though the subjects themselves seemed disconnected from one another. I grew that IG account to 25k by talking about all kinds of things so people will respond to that 2. The common thread could be you! You are the thing that links them all together - people are there to enjoy *your* unique perspectives/ voice/ opinions on different subjects, so you can play on this! Cariad Lloyd is a 1-2-1 client of mine and she does this beautifully - her IG is a mash up of grief 'stuff', her Jane Austen show, other comedy stuff, parenting, and promoting her MG novel that's coming out in October. The common thread that runs through it all is her voice, and perspective. 'Niching down' is a legitimate way to show up on IG, but I'm a fan of kind of just being a bit human too.

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Thanks, @Nicola! That is very helpful. I think I will combine #1 with the advice on your post for nonfiction writers looking to pitch/publish in a specific area, i.e. to make 60% of your posts on that topic, and see how that goes!

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brilliant

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😊 thanks Annie ❤️

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so much great advice here, thank you for sharing so succinctly... given me a great big boot up the backside to fall back in love with my IG account!

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I am so thrilled it has made you feel this way. There are so many ways to use Instagram that can serve writers, rather than the other way round!

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yes, it's as much about the mindset around it isn't it? I've found you over there too and followed x

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So much gold in here Nicola! I’m going add something that will also piss people off - the best time to build your social media is well BEFORE you write your book proposal 🫣. It can take time to build authority and audience via social media. But as they say about planting trees - the next best time is right now.

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Oh gawd. I might have to put my hard hat on before I share this 😆

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