How to do a Facebook Takeover

     The modern change in doing book launches online has brought with it a new term, takeover. So, what’s a takeover? A takeover usually happens when someone asks other authors to takeover a time slot on an online book launch. Slots are usually one-hour long. The point of a takeover is to bring in more authors and in turn increase awareness of the event.
     So, what do you do for an hour? It seems like a long time, but you only need around 6-10 posts! That’s easy right? As authors, we post more than that just having fun on Facebook. Here is a step by step suggestion on what to post:
 

1. Start with an introduction to yourself, with an author picture to catch interest. Tell your audience who you are, what you write, and a little fun fact about yourself. Be interesting and engaging. Ask a question to your audience, like “who here reads romance?”.
2. Get funny. Share a funny or catching image to try and engage readers.
3. Have you ever won any awards not related to your books? Maybe a poetry award. A life reading competition? Post this here. If not, post about your experience. How many years have you been writing?
4. Next introduce your book. Use visuals if you can. Use your hook line to draw readers in. If you’re giving away a prize, mention it now. Tell them to keep following to find out how to win!
5. Do you have reviews yet? Awards? Post them now. If you can, take a screen shot of your reviews or create a catching visual image. Do a separate post for each. If you won this 2017 book award, this best book award, and a best cover award, post about each one on its own. Try not to do more than 3; people lose interest fast. The same thing goes for reviews. If you have a lot, pick up to three of the best (don’t spend more than 5 posts on this).
6. Do a special post on your book including the sale link and price. Make sure you mention any sales your having. (If you’re giving away a prize now is a good time to get people going. Tell them to like the post and share the event page for a chance to win.)
7. OK, now it’s cool visual time! Post something catchy either about your book or about writing. Try making it a question: “How would you rate my book cover? On a scale from steamy – hot, how would you rate my main character? (Wait for people to enter to win. This is where you stall for time.)
8. More funny! Get visual. A book promo pic. A funny meme. (stall for more time)
9. Announce the winners!!! If you’re giving out a prize, announce the winner now. If not skip this step.
10. Give a big thank you to the people letting you take the spot. Share a link if you can. Encourage people to stay for the next takeover.
11. Bow out. Thank everyone for their time.

 
            That’s it! It’s that easy! Most often, if you follow this process, you’ll have more than enough for an hour.