Fans love to meet and talk with authors, and going live on social media is one of the easiest ways to do it. Well-timed live streaming can be part of a book publicity campaign and generate significant interest. It can be promoted in the same social media channels where it will occur, and people can attend anywhere they have an internet connection. A live online event can draw a much larger attendance than one held in person and is less time-consuming and costly. As a result, it's easy to see why live streams that caught on during the coronavirus pandemic continue to pick up steam. Authors and fans like them equally.

One of the reasons live streaming has become so popular and effective is the rise of smartphones. People usually have their phones with them, and watching videos is a popular feature. Combining the convenience with an opportunity to watch an interesting author gives you a recipe for a successful event. Like any appearance, it's wise to prepare in advance and have material ready to present. People are likely most interested in a conversational style, but ensuring you cover interesting topics makes for a better viewer experience. Most live streams are recorded and available for on-demand viewing.

Should you only live stream around the time you release a new book? The answer is yes and no. While you certainly want to be visible around the launch of a new book, there might be other significant occasions on which you plan an event for fans. You want anything you do publicly to reflect well on you and your books, so plan online events as carefully as you would one held in person. You may also choose to live stream an in-person event or presentation you hold on your book tour. It could originate from a bookstore where you're making a presentation or anyplace else you appear for an event in person.

Novelists and other fiction authors can connect live streams to locations mentioned in their books. It's an excellent way to build reader interest or provide a setting to tell fans more about your inspiration. People will form stronger connections once they've met you, whether it's personally or virtually. If you're a nonfiction author, you can make the live stream a demonstration or talk about the topic your book covers. Once you start, you can plan future virtual events based on what worked best the first time. New ideas are always good, but you can give them more when you find something your fans like.