The Write Way to Build Your Author Platform

The book market is a crowded place, with millions of books published every year. To draw attention amidst this competition, authors need a strong platform. This goes beyond mere visibility; a well-defined platform showcases your unique voice and writing style, attracting readers and publishing professionals interested in your genre or topics. This targeted approach not only makes your work discoverable but also cultivates a loyal following over time.

Your author platform encompasses both online and offline spaces where readers can discover you, engage with your work, and track your author journey.

The goal of your author platform is to create a recognizable identity that allows readers to engage with you and your writing, and foster relationships that extend beyond just reading your books.

Your platform provides multiple touchpoints for your audience. This includes your website, social media profiles, and other venues where you connect with your audience such as book signings, readings, or workshops. By regularly sharing valuable insights, updates, and resources relevant to your niche, you cultivate an environment where readers can connect with you and your work. This interaction builds a sense of community and encourages readers to return for more.

As an author, think of your website as your online resume, your author hub; a central location where readers can discover everything about you and your work. Showcase your books with clear descriptions, eye-catching covers, and easy purchase links. Include a compelling bio that highlights your writing journey and experience. Make it easy for readers to connect with you through a dedicated contact section and a newsletter signup form. Don’t forget to keep readers engaged with a blog or maybe a news section where you share updates, insights, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your writing process. A well-designed website is a powerful tool for building your author brand and connecting with readers.

An email list is a valuable asset for direct communication with readers. It’s a direct line to your audience, allowing you to share updates, news, and exclusive content. Offer something valuable in exchange for signups, like a free short story, writing tips, or a sneak peek behind the scenes of your writing process. Use a reputable email marketing service to manage your list and ensure your emails reach your readers’ inboxes.

Content is king. As an author, consistently delivering engaging and relevant content to readers is crucial, whether through social media posts, blog entries, or your novels. Regardless if it’s a weekly blog, monthly newsletters, or daily social media interactions, maintain a regular posting schedule. This keeps you on your audience’s radar and establishes you as a reliable source of content. Share insights into your writing process, character inspirations, world-building details, or sneak peeks of upcoming works to generate excitement and keep readers engaged.

When sharing your passions on your website and social media, It's best to avoid controversial topics like politics, religion, or social issues, as they can be divisive and alienate readers and potential raders alike. Instead, focus on topics that resonate with your target audience and align with your brand as a writer. Keep your personal beliefs separate from your author identity, unless they directly relate to your writing, such as when your book addresses specific social justice themes. Remember, your readers come from diverse backgrounds and may hold different views.

For authors who thrive in live settings, author Misty Simon sets a compelling example of leveraging in-person presence to build a strong platform. In her twenty-six-year writing career, Misty’s built a recognizable brand, “I wear vintage swing dresses with petticoats,” she says about her identifiable presence at the plethora of events she attends. “I’ve found that one of the most important things when building a platform with readers is not only being authentically you but getting out to events as much as you can.”

Misty goes on to explain that she doesn’t always meet current readers when she’s attending community events, but she does meet many readers and, in their interaction, she usually ends up with new readers, or even just new friends. “It [getting out there] also lends itself well to interacting online,” she continues, “as you can use it for content.” Misty posts about an event beforehand; she posts about getting ready in those fabulous swing dresses, and always includes a photo. “These are all great things to connect with online readers or give them a glimpse into your process and things your excited about.”

Book signings, readings, and workshops are excellent ways to connect with readers, but what if you're an introvert or live in a remote area? Don’t worry; building your author platform is still entirely possible, even if in-person events aren't your thing or aren’t feasible due to your location.

Focus on written communication, and learn how to leverage technology. Engage in ways that feel comfortable for you. You might send out regular newsletters to followers and subscribers; publish weekly blogs posts; share updates, thoughts, or quotes on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram; contribute articles to other blogs and websites; or participate in digital interviews.

Author Lydia M. Hawke has further solidified her connection with readers through her facebook page, “Crones Unleashed,” a thriving social media community dedicated to her Crone Wars Series. This carefully moderated space provides a safe and engaging platform for fans to discuss the stories, share related content like memes, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

By creating content your readers want to read, you can foster relationships with your audience without the need for extensive travel, or face-to-face interactions. Remember, it’s about quality engagement, not quantity, and you can shape your platform in a way that feels authentic and manageable for you.

Expand your reach and build credibility by getting your name out there. Guest blogging on related websites, podcast interviews, and creating valuable free resources like writing guides and checklists are all great ways to connect with new readers and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Don’t forget to get involved! Join online writing groups and forums, participate in relevant Twitter chats and Instagram challenges, and engage with readers who leave reviews and comments. These interactions help you build connections, build your brand, and learn from other writers in your field.

The key to success lies in building genuine connections. Engage with your readers by responding to their comments, asking questions, and participating in conversations. Authenticity is crucial; let your personality shine through in your writing and interactions. By being yourself you’ll attract a loyal following who appreciate your unique voice and perspective.

Another way to grow your author platform is by partnering with other authors for joint promotions, webinars, or co-authored blog posts. These collaborations can help you reach new audiences, share followers, and build relationships within the author community.

Your audience is always eager for your next release. Share the progress of your upcoming books or projects. This might include sneak peeks, cover reveals, or maybe excerpts. Keeping your readers updated makes them feel involved in the process and can build anticipation for new releases.

Leverage those book reviews and testimonials! The best way to support your favorite author is by leaving reviews. Encourage your readers to do so on platforms like Amazon, Goodreads, and your website. Display positive testimonials prominently on your website and social media to build credibility and attract new readers.

If it’s within your budget, consider using paid advertising options to promote your books and content on platforms like Facebook, Google, or Amazon. This can be particularly helpful around book launches or when you’re trying to reach a wider audience.

Offline activities like local book clubs, library readings, or community events can also be part of building your platform, even if they are less frequent or smaller scale due to location or your personal preferences.

Expand beyond text-based content by incorporating videos, podcasts, or graphic illustrations. Multimedia can make your content more engaging and accessible to different segments of your audience.

Prioritize consistent engagement, utilize online tools, and expand your reach through collaborations and search engine optimization (SEO). Implementing SEO best practices, like incorporating relevant keywords in your website and blog posts, boosts your online visibility, attracting more organic traffic crucial for platform growth. Track your progress by using analytics to refine your strategies. Building a platform takes dedication and patience. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Focus on setting achievable goals and track the performance of your posts, website traffic, and engagement rates to understand what content is getting attention and resonates with your audience. Use tools like Google Analytics for websites, or native analytics on social media platforms. This data can help you refine your content strategy and improve your interactions. Don’t forget to celebrate small victories and learn from any setbacks. And remember, the most important thing is to stay consistent and engaged with your audience.

In today’s competitive literary landscape, building a strong author platform is essential for reaching your audience and fostering a loyal readership. The best way to achieve this is by consistently engaging with your audience through various channels, creating valuable content, and utilizing tools like social media and SEO to enhance your visibility. Stay authentic in your interactions, and focus on providing insights that resonate with your readers. There's a write way to build your author platform and by doing so, you not only establish your presence as an author, but also cultivate a community that supports and champions your work.

~Dani

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