Hey there, writers! Ready to make your author platform awesome? Last time, I talked about how to build your author brand in 10 easy steps. Today, we’re building on what we know and diving deeper into how to make your author platform stand out.
You might have heard the term “author platform” thrown around. If you’re not familiar, it basically refers to your ability to market your work after it’s published, and is a crucial part of your author identity. It’s the strategy you use to boost your target audience and get more visibility, and combines different ways to reach your audience. The success of your platform depends on how well you can use your influence to sell your books and build your career.
If this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Whether you’re publishing your first book or your tenth, there’s always something new to learn about building an author platform.
Start small and gradually build up your following and reputation. Before you know it, you’ll have a fully-fledged author platform that will support you in the long run and bring you reliable sales.
8 author platform tips to make a good first impression:
Create an Author Website: If you haven’t already, the first step in building your author platform is to create a website. Think of it as the central hub for your target audience. It’s a place where they can learn about you, read updates about your books, find purchase links, and connect with you. These all essential aspects of your author platform. You can use it to poll your readers, spread the word about upcoming events like book signings, and generate excitement for future launches. Make sure your site has your author headshot photo, an “About Me” section, and a page about your books/where to buy them.
Update Your Author Platform’s Blog: Next up in your author platform strategy is creating a blog. It doesn’t have to be fancy or time-consuming, but it’s a key resource in your author platform arsenal. Aim for a monthly or bi-monthly posting schedule, sharing updates about your books, writing tips, or anecdotes from your life as a writer. A blog gives readers more information about you and your books, enhancing your author platform’s reach and relatability.
Link Your Published Books: Make sure to link any books you’ve published to your website and your social media accounts. If you haven’t published yet, create a promotional page for your upcoming book, even if it’s only a generalized concept. Include fun facts about your characters, your book’s blurb, and a demo of your cover to attract attention and strengthen your author platform. The more resources you provide, the more enticing your site and book will be.
Relating:
Don’t forget about your email options…
Build Your Mailing List: Mailing lists are your best friend- literally. These lists will be full of your loyal readers—the ones who are invested in your work and eager for what comes next. By paying them regular attention, you can turn them into your full-proof buyers. Check out email services like ConvertKit or MailChimp to get started. Think about how often you want to send out your emails—monthly, weekly, or daily—and stick to it. Consistency is crucial to an email following because it helps build trust.
Use an Automated Response for Your Subscription Email: Make sure your email subscription includes an automated thank you message for anyone who subscribes. Include a free incentive in your thank you email, like a free ebook, sample chapters, or another writing-related freebie to enhance the experience. You can also offer these freebies as an incentive for signing up for your author newsletter. Good manners help build strong writer/reader relationships. Happy readers mean more book buying!
And your social media resources…
Promote Yourself: Use the resources at your disposal to promote yourself! Aside from social media, include links to any sites where your book is sold or reviewed to strengthen your author brand. Remember, people won’t hunt down your book to buy it. The easier you make it to purchase it, the better. By placing your links everywhere, you increase the chances of getting more sales and reviews (the lifeblood of authors everywhere).
Stay Consistent on Social Media: Social media might be the bane of every introvert, but it’s essential to growing a strong readership. Find a rhythm that works for you and your time. Prefer curling up with a book rather than socializing? No problem! Post once a week but keep it consistent so readers know what to expect. Comment on other authors’ posts to grow your network and enhance your professional network. Share snippets of your life, writing process, and any book news to keep your author platform engaging.
Get Creative: Time to get creative with your outreach! Go live on Facebook or Instagram to share writing tips, to connect with your online readers. Make a funny TikTok about writer problems to add entertainment value. Vlog about your writing journey, putting a face and voice to your work. Be creative in your posts, branding, choice of words, and fonts to help your work stand out.
Building a successful author platform takes time, effort, and creativity, but it’s absolutely worth it! By creating a strong online presence, updating your blog, linking your published works, building a dedicated mailing list, and staying consistent on social media, you’re laying the foundation for long-term success.
Dive in, start small, and watch your influence grow. Happy writing and happy marketing, fellow authors! Let’s make our author platforms shine!
Reader Interactions