Social Media Cleanup for Authors: 5 Powerful Ways to Refresh Your Online Presence in 2025

Let’s be real—your social media might be looking a little… outdated. That Facebook banner from your second book launch? The Instagram bio that skips your newest series? That pinned tweet promoting a sale that ended last summer?

If you’re overdue for a social media cleanup for authors, you’re in good company. Life happens. Deadlines pile up. Social profiles gather dust.

But now’s the perfect time to tackle a social media cleanup for authors—and we’ve got a gorgeous (and free!) toolkit to help you make it happen fast.

Why a Social Media Cleanup for Authors Matters (Especially for Romance Writers)

Think of your profiles as your online storefront. They’re the first thing many potential readers see. A strong, consistent profile gives your author brand a polished feel—and makes it easier for fans to connect with the books they’ll love.

Why this matters:

  • Builds reader trust and brand recognition
  • Highlights your latest books and series
  • Shows agents, publishers, and bloggers you’re active and professional
  • Encourages engagement and discoverability

Free Download: Clean Up Your Feed – Romance Author’s Social Media Glow-Up Guide

This isn’t just a checklist—it’s your go-to kit for refreshing your socials in a weekend.

Sign up below to download the FREE toolkit
(everything you need to audit, organize, and update your author platforms—beautifully!)

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What’s Inside:

  • Bio templates for each platform
  • Profile audit checklists
  • Content performance tracker
  • Hashtag libraries by subgenre & trope
  • Monthly social media maintenance schedule
  • Canva templates for highlight covers & headers
  • Bonus: Custom IG highlight covers in 3 romance-themed styles

Designed exclusively for romance authors, it’s built to help you connect with the readers who are just waiting to fall in love with your stories.

Your 5-Step Social Media Cleanup for Authors

1. Review Your Bio and Links (Your Digital First Impression)

Your bio is prime real estate. It should:

  • Mention your subgenre and tone (e.g., “Steamy small-town romance” > just “Author”)
  • Show off personality
  • Highlight your latest book or series
  • Include a CTA to guide readers to what’s next

But the most important thing? Where that CTA leads.

Instead of using tools like Linktree (which send readers off your site), create a branded “links page” on your own website. This keeps your traffic on your domain, matches your author aesthetic, and lets you track clicks yourself.

Every Swoonworthy Designs website includes a beautifully designed, mobile-optimized links page—ready to plug into Instagram, TikTok, or anywhere else you need it.

Your Links Page Could Include:

  • New release or preorder
  • Newsletter opt-in
  • Reader magnet/freebie
  • Series list
  • Audiobook links
  • Events or merch

Pro tip: Refresh your links monthly based on your goals—just like you’d update your pinned posts or Highlights. This small change can make a big difference in your social media cleanup for authors strategy.

2. Refresh Profile Photos and Banners

Visuals are your first impression. Make them count.

Profile Photo:

  • Clean, clear, and recognizable (DIY is fine—just well-lit)
  • Consistent across platforms
  • Use a themed frame for launches or seasons

Banners/Covers:

  • Feature your latest book or series
  • Include a call-to-action or short tagline
  • Check mobile readability!
  • Swap quarterly to keep things fresh

Design Tools:

Try Canva (or use the Canva templates in the freebie!) to make quick, on-brand graphics without the stress.

3. Pin or Highlight Key Content

Don’t make readers scroll to find your most important info.

Instagram:

  • Story Highlights with branded covers (like the ones in the freebie!)
  • Categories: Latest Release, About Me, Book World, Reader Love, FAQ

Facebook:

  • Pin your newest release, preorder, or lead magnet post
  • Update your “About” tab and CTA button

Twitter/X:

  • Pin a tweet that reflects your tone and current book
  • Include a CTA, branded image, and link

TikTok:

  • Pin your best-performing video or intro
  • Refresh every quarter

Pinterest:

  • Prioritize boards based on current projects
  • Match board covers to your brand aesthetic

4. Check Analytics and Engagement

Use your own data to guide your strategy.

  • Which posts got the most saves/comments/shares?
  • Which ones flopped?
  • What times is your audience most active?
  • What content formats work (reels, quotes, memes, carousels)?

Use that insight to:

  • Post with purpose
  • Stop wasting time on things that don’t connect
  • Focus on quality, not quantity

Data is your secret weapon during a social media cleanup for authors—it shows you what content readers really care about.

5. Trim the Fat (Your Feed Deserves Better)

Curation = clarity. Clean up who you follow to create a space that inspires you.

Unfollow:

  • Inactive accounts
  • Bots or spam
  • Anyone who doesn’t align with your current goals
  • Feeds that trigger comparison or stress

Follow:

  • Readers who regularly engage
  • Bloggers and influencers in your niche
  • Fellow romance authors whose content supports your mindset and genre

Platform-Specific Cleanup Tips for Romance Authors

Instagram:

  • Archive off-brand content
  • Use on-brand highlight covers
  • Refresh hashtags on underperforming posts

Facebook:

  • Update your About section
  • Ensure books and links are up to date
  • Pin relevant posts

Twitter/X:

  • Use tools like Circleboom to unfollow inactive accounts
  • Refresh pinned tweet and bio

TikTok:

  • Update Featured videos and links
  • Use genre- and trope-specific hashtags

Pinterest:

  • Rearrange boards for relevance
  • Update covers and board descriptions

Author FAQ – Social Media Cleanup Edition

Q: How often should authors clean up their social media?

Quarterly—or before any launch. It’s your digital storefront; keep it polished.

Q: What’s the fastest way to make updates across all platforms?

Grab the free Clean Up Your Feed toolkit. It includes checklists, templates, and a monthly calendar to make your updates painless.

Q: Is it worth building a links page on my website?

Absolutely. It keeps traffic on your site, looks polished, and builds your brand—plus, it’s included in every Swoonworthy Designs site.

Resources to Explore Next

Need Help With Your Author Social Media?

If you want support putting these tips into action, Swoonworthy Designs offers:

  • Custom profile graphics
  • Content planning + calendars
  • Full website + links page setup
  • Social audit packages designed just for romance authors

Contact us — because your online presence should be as swoonworthy as your stories.

Work With Us