There are so many things you have to do these days as an author. Many writers are going the indie publishing route where you might understand that there is more involved than just writing a story. It isn’t just the Indie authors who are having to do so many different jobs though, even the traditionally published authors are now having to step into the ring of marketing and platform much more than ever before. I spoke with Hope Beringer, a literary agent, the other for my podcast, and she said that more and more publishers are asking authors about the size of their platform before they sign a contract.
What is a platform? Well, it’s the reach you have outside of yourself. Where are you speaking? Who are you speaking to? Whether it be social media, or podcasts, having your own youtube channel or Twitch channel, writing a blog that has people visiting or building an author newsletter with a couple hundred subscribers to it, it’s all platform.
Choose at least one
If you didn’t have a chance to listen to the Pencils&Lipstick episode with Deborah Brosseau who is a communications expert, you could go to episode 70 and listen to all her great advice. One thing she said that stuck out was that you don’t have to be on all the social media platforms spending more time on there than on your craft, but you should choose at least one and spend a bit of time there at least three times a week. And it isn’t just about posting your stuff and being done. You have to interact with other people and get people to follow you by being nice and being willing to build a relationship with people.
Newsletters
A nice way to build a platform that involves the thing writers love (writing) is a newsletter. You can use any number of places that can schedule the emails, automate messages and even build landing pages. ConvertKit, Mailerlite, MailChimp, SendFox or Flodesk. The most important difference is the price. Choose one and start collecting people who like reading your work to be on your mailing list by placing it on your website, Facebook page etc. A newsletter is the way that you can collaborate with other authors, which will help build your mailing list (platform). Joining group promotions puts your book or lead magnet out with several others in an attempt to attract new readers. Private collaboration is typically between two authors who exchange their newsletter to give their readers information about the other author and their book.
Social Media
Social media isn’t the greatest way to sell a lot of books, but it is a good way to meet other authors and readers. Interacting with them as yourself sets you up as a writer who is accessible and a REAL person. It’s also a great way to find podcasts and petition if you can be on the show when your book comes out.
Other influencers you can look for are book reviewers, bookstagrammers or booktubers. Do note that some book reviewers do it for a fee, but if their reach is far enough it might be worth the money. Be sure to do your homework on them and what influence they have on convincing their subscribers to buy books.
Website/Blog
Writing is a way of life for a writer so many already have blogs up. It might be good to have a theme to your blogs, but you don’t have to. Many writers end up writing about their genre, reviewing books in their genre, possibly writing up interviews with other authors, etc. While other writers talk about the craft of writing. Still others write up short stories or flash fiction. No matter what you write on your blog, be sure to direct people to read it on your website in order to be able to show what your reach is.
There is a lot more to platform, but I’m sure you have an idea about it now. We talk a lot about platform, brainstorming new and engaging ideas to expand our reach as authors in the Creative Writing Community. If you’re looking for a place to get to know other authors and writers, collaborate on what it takes to be successful, learn more about the field from other authors and experts and not feel like such a lone wolf, check out the Creative Writing Community or schedule a chat with Kat to learn more about it.