Wouldn’t it be great if there was a magic potion you could drink, a stunt you could perform or even a test you could take that would automagically take you from obscurity to popularity in one painless step?
Wouldn’t it be even better if someone would just hand you the keys to the perfect Writer Platform and you could just hop in, rev the engine and race off to Author Superstardom?
So great, right?!
*pinch*
Right. Back to reality.
Ok, so perhaps there is a bit (read a lot!) more effort involved in building a strong platform that draws people to you and your work. But there is a way to flatten the learning curve and increase your chances of a favourable outcome.
The shortcut? Seek the advice and perspectives of those who have already successfully navigated the near impossible. The following is some of the most useful and insightful advice to be had from authors and experts who have built thriving platforms – and lived to tell about it.
1. Alan Rinzler, The Book Deal
“What we publishers all hope for when opening a proposal from a literary agent is not just a great idea for a book and a promising ability to write, but an aspiring author’s track record in book sales, appearances on radio and television, respect in the professional community for teaching, research, and scholarship, as well as financial success in the field and anything else that has put the author’s name in public and produced a long list of entries on Google.”
“The bigger the platform, the higher the book advance.”
2. Jane Friedman, Being Human at Electric Speed
“Getting a book published does NOT equate to readership. You must cultivate a readership every day of your life, and you start TODAY. Your readers will not be interested in reading just one book; they will be interested in everything and anything you do—and that includes interacting with you online. Audience development doesn’t happen overnight (or even in 6 months or a year)—and it’s a process that continues for as long as you want to have a readership. It shouldn’t be delayed, postponed, or discounted for one minute.”
3. Chuck Wendig, terribleminds
“You are your platform.”
“Ah, but your writer platform isn’t all about you.”
“You shouldn’t stand above and apart. You should stand within.That sounds like some real Zen Hippie Shit, but your platform isn’t about screaming so the cheap seats can hear it. It’s about connecting.”
“Do not confuse “followers” with “buyers.” Tweets and blog posts are free. Your book will not be. They may buy. They may not. Keep expectations in check.”
4. Rachelle Gardner, Rachel Gardner, Literary Agent
“It has never been more crucial for authors to play a major part in marketing themselves, BUT it has never been easier. Where are readers hanging out these days? The Internet. That’s the best place for you to find readers for your books.”
“The Internet has leveled the playing field. With a well-written and compelling blog, you have the potential to build a significant platform. If you take the time to research website optimization and do everything recommended to build traffic on your blog, you can build a sizable audience in a matter of months. Then when you begin to use Twitter and Facebook strategically, you can grow your audience exponentially.”
“You can, and you must.”
5. Seth Godin, Seth Godin’s blog
“I am calling BS on the author who thinks there is a conspiracy keeping them out of the publishing world.”
“What you need to do is the hard work day by day in building a group of people who trust you, and want to support you when it’s time.”
“It is about writing for your readers, as opposed to finding readers for your writing. Totally upside down for most people in the book business.”
“Start today to build the platform that you will be able to use three years from now.”
6. Chuck Sambuchino, Guide to Literary Agents Blog
“Platform is the connections and avenues you develop before you need help spreading the word about your book. Publicity is when your book is out and you ask other people, many of whom you do not know well, to cover your book in the media.”
“Publicity is very hit and miss—almost alarmingly so. You never know when or where someone will discuss your book. Platform is guaranteed. If you’ve created a newsletter with 10,000 subscribers, that is your platform to control…”
“…you must offer other people distinct value to get them to follow you. Make them smile; inform them; cull together information; teach them how to change a tire; create some website that makes their lives easier. If you can do this on a website or in person or through social media, then you will gain followers and fans and contacts. Thus, you will create networks of people who trust you and will consider buying your book(s).”
7. John Locke, Best Selling Author Official Website
“I write to a specific audience, and I know how to find them.”
“Study your book and try to determine the type of person it speaks to.”
“Get your book into the hands of as many people as possible and figure out what those who LOVED it have in common.”
“If you have a book, a website, a Twitter account, and a blog, you’ve got the right tools.”
8. Jonathan Fields, Tribal Author
“There are a million ways to drive people to your email list. Most often, it involves some variable of creating valuable content, then adding an opt-in form on a landing page, web-page or blog page and relying on some combination of advertising, organic search and social media to drive traffic to the page with the form. The value and relevance of your content, bundled with a strongly worded offer and even a relevant giveaway to incentivize subscribing will build a nice sized, genuinely interested list. But, it’ll take time.”
“[But] numbers do not automatically translate to engagement and value from a book marketing standpoint. Nor do they reveal what is often the more powerful aspect of a 2.0 savvy author’s platform… who else they know.”
“Build a REAL following of people defined by mutual adoration and a shared love of the content, the conversation and the ideas you bring to life. And, spend time developing, genuine relationships with like-minded people across the social web.”
9. Scott Stratten, Unmarketing
“It’s a business. It’s a marketing platform. It’s a tool that you should have some focus and a plan, because you spin your wheels all day on social media if you don’t have some kind of strategy.”
“Well you have to understand that the writing isn’t what speaks for itself, it’s the ideas, it’s the concepts. People need to run with your concepts, they need to relate to your concepts and actually want to embrace them. The thing with building a platform is you can test those things out.”
10. Jeff Goins, GoinsWriter
“Nobody who changed the world did it by waiting for an audience.”
And yet many of us are doing just that.
We’re holding back.
We’re putting our best art on pause.
We’re biding our time with mediocre work, waiting until someone invites us to take the stage.”
“If this is you, if you’ve chosen to believe this lie, then let me tell you the harsh truth: That day will never come.
The day in which you will be discovered.
The day when you will finally be rewarded for your art.”
“It won’t happen. Not if you’re simply waiting around.
“You will never have the influence you so desperately crave if you do not start living into your future now.”
11. Joanna Penn, The Creative Penn
“You can write online and get feedback on your work. You can collaborate using virtual spaces. You can create online experiences, transmedia stories, apps and serialized books, and experiment with subscription models.”
“You can record your book and get it transcribed. You can use speech-to-text software. You can hire a freelance editor online, as well as a cover designer, a proof-reader and any other specialists you might need if you want to self-publish.”
“…[it’s] about empowerment. It’s about you and your book reaching a global audience on your terms.”
12. Christina Katz, The Prosperous Writer
“I am a person who does not distinguish between writing, selling, specializing, self-promotion, and continuing ed, and also a person who sees all of these things as essential and necessary to my writing success … For me, there is no separation. Writing is the center… I find it impossible and irrelevant to distinguish between writing activities and platform building activities. My approach is far too holistic.”
13. Guy Kawasaki, Guy Kawasaki
“There is no scenario under which thousands of social-media followers is not a good thing.”
“…[idea of] Artisanal Publishing; a person has, from beginning to end, control of the process.”
“People with their own platforms can write and create high quality books, self-publish them and succeed.”
14. Cory Doctorow, craphound
“First-time novelists have a tough row to hoe. Our publishers don’t have a lot of promotional budget to throw at unknown factors like us. Mostly, we rise and fall based on word-of-mouth.”
“It turns out that, as near as anyone can tell, distributing free electronic versions of books is a great way to sell more of the paper editions, while simultaneously getting the book into the hands of readers who would otherwise not be exposed to my work.”
“I still don’t know how it is artists will earn a living in the age of the Internet, but I remain convinced that the way to find out is to do basic science: that is, to do stuff and observe the outcome.”
15. Kristen Lamb, WarriorWriters
“Social media is like us being the band that goes to all the parties and all the mixers so people at least get to know us, like us as artists and grow to be loyal fans. Blogging isn’t a chore, it is a demo tape of our artist voice. It is a free performance at a local mall. And, since writing is our art, if we will approach it as such, our attitude toward it will improve because we will be approaching with a totally different intent.”
“If our intent is to share our passion, to affect people, instead of a chore to be endured and a way to part people from their money, the experience will be more enjoyable for all concerned. Eventually,once people come to love and trust the artist they will be more willing to part with more money to buy the art.”
16. Dan Blank, We Grow Media
“Most people feel they are wasting time on social media or in developing their audience because they aren’t focusing on the right people, on the right milestones, and don’t understand how building an audience actually HELPS your writing progress. People feel overwhelmed by all of this because they have no plan, no strategy. An author platform is about making hard choices on where to focus your energy, and is as much about what you DON’T do, as what you do. This is a process of refinement, focused intently on your goals as a writer.”
“Build an audience NOW, not when you are panicked at publication. The worst time to build an audience is when you DESPERATELY need them to buy your book. That is when you see all of the bad examples of authors on social media and the web. They feel they have no choice but to spam people in order to get them to pay attention. But an author platform is about NOT doing that.”
17. Michael Hyatt, Intentional Leadership
“A young man once asked a wise old woman, “When is the best time to plant an oak tree?” She answered: “Twenty years ago.” He then asked, “When is the second best time?” She answered, ”Today.” So it is with a platform.”
It would have been great if you had started five or ten years ago. But if you haven’t, [now] is the best time ever to launch yours or take it to the next level.Why? Four reasons:
- You don’t need anyone’s permission. You don’t need to audition, submit an application, or wait for approval. You are in control of your own success.
- The technology is easier to use than ever. Whether you want to write a blog, launch a podcast, or create your own video channel, the hardware and software make it simple to get started.
- The pioneers have mapped the trail. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. You can build on the experience of others.
- The cost is minimal. In most cases, you can get started for free or for a few dollars a month. The biggest investment will be your time. But even then, you can maximize your efficiency with the current tools available.
“Very simply, a platform is the thing you have to stand on to get heard. It’s your stage. But unlike a stage in the theater, today’s platform is built of people. Contacts. Connections. Followers.”
18. Dean Wesley Smith, The Writing and Opinions of Dean Wesley Smith
“…writers are business people. Writing is a business. And an art.”
“We all must keep working on the art AND the business. Learning both.”
“The key is to keep it in balance and write the next book.”
19. C.J. Lyons, No Rules Just Write
“…what is marketing at its heart? Engaging an audience.
And what are we as humans hard-wired to engage with? Stories.”
“Whether it’s giving us a vicarious experience or making us feel like we can change the world or simply making us laugh, we as an audience engage with stories on an emotional level and we transfer those emotions (hopefully positive) to the product being advertised.
“Forget about thinking of marketing as that “icky business stuff” or “blatant self-promotion.” Instead concentrate on telling a story, your story, with your unique voice.”
“Every piece of content you send out to the world whether it’s a tweet or a pinterest board or a novel, let your voice shine through, engaging your audience, and you won’t need to worry about building name recognition. It will build itself.”
20. Corbett Barr, ThinkTraffic
“When you are all-in on what you do, people notice. When you care about what you’re making so much, you bring fresh insight and dedication, and that shines through for your customers to see.”
There’s something attractive about unrestrained dedication, and people notice, join in and help promote what you’re doing.”
“There’s no substitute for being all-in.”
21. Chris Brogan, Chris Brogan
“Start somewhere. People complain all the time that nurturing the digital channel takes time. “I just got on Twitter. I don’t have time to get a hundred thousand followers!” Of course you don’t. You have all the time in the world to figure out ways to automate or falsely inflate or do a hundred other efforts that won’t help. And you’ve neglected to just start.”
“What does take time in building up a network of any kind of value is creating interesting content that is of actual use to your community. That takes time. I can’t see a way around that. But the acts required to show people that you care? To connect and make people feel seen doesn’t take very long at all and pays off greatly. Because it’s people that will fuel your growth.”
The Next Step
No one else has lived your life, had your experiences, or seen the world through your eyes. What can you share from your unique story that will help you attract your audience? Consider applying some of the advice suggested by the authors and experts above to your own marketing strategy. Start now, share freely and focus on consciously and creatively building a connection with people who ‘get’ you.
Do you agree with the advice and insights above? Do you have your own platform building wisdom to share? Help your fellow writers by sharing your advice below.
i UNDERSTAND WHY A PLATFORM IS IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU FINISH YOUR NOVEL
Glad to hear it, Brian! Hopefully this article gave you some great ideas for building your platform!
Kimberley, this is such a wonderful resource! Building a platform can be a really daunting thing, but the expert advice you’ve compiled here really clarifies the process.
Even though it’s still a bit daunting . . . 😉
It is daunting, I agree Bobbi! Even the experts differ somewhat on the ‘execution’ of building an author platform (although they all seem to agree on the need for one). Bite sized chunks is probably the best way to approach it. Taking it one step at a time will get you there!
SO many great quotes, I am having a hard time deciding which I like the best. I think that I am going with Corbett though “There’s no substitute for being all-in.” 🙂
Great post!
Thanks for your comments, Lori! Corbett’s quote is great; I also like Jeff Goins’ comment, “Nobody who changed the world did it by waiting for an audience.” So right!
What a great resource for building an author platform. I’m a beginner so I’m signing up to learn how to build a following before the book deal.
Glad you found it helpful, Priska! Keep at it, and soon you’ll have an engaged fan base that can’t wait for your next book!
“Wouldn’t it be great if there was a magic potion you could drink, a stunt you could perform or even a test you could take that would automagically take you from obscurity to popularity in one painless step?”
Actually I’m pretty glad that said magic potion doesn’t exist. Otherwise 1) I’d be exposed to a lot more crap and 2) I’d be shoving my crap down other people’s throats. That is, I think the process from obscurity to popularity is what builds quality.
Which seems what a few of the folks you quoted seem to be saying themselves.
True, Amit. The struggle and hard work is sometimes what helps separate the ‘wheat from the chaff’, so to speak. The quick path may lead to getting known, but quite possibly not what you want to be known for… 🙂
This is my favorite kind of list post, Kimberly.
A great resource that can be gone back to time after time. I keep a special folder in Evernote for these… and this one is now saved to it! Creating a platform/audience building is a fascination of mine… and can be very frustrating in the early stages.
Your blog looks really sharp!
Ahh, Evernote. One of my new favourite things!
Glad you found the article useful, Gary! And you’re right, it can be frustrating and overwhelming at first. But the best thing to realize is that there are many creative (and I agree, fascinating) ways to build your audience–as we can see from the varied advice above.
Thanks for the site appreciation as well!
Hi Kimberley,
Thank you so much for putting all of these great insights in one place. I am cranking out my first Kindle book now. It’s a huge learning experience. I hope I’m doing some things right, but feel like the ball is just barely starting to roll. I hope to leverage all I learn in Round 1 to make Round 2 much more effective.
Thank you!
— Joe Wickman
I think that’s the best way to go at it, Joe. Learn as you go, but know that everybody makes a few mistakes along the way. Remember, too, that all the work you put in now will help build momentum for years to come. Good luck on your kindle book! Send me an email and let me know how it goes!
Unfortunately, I’m going about this backwards – Two books in and now I’m thinking marketing. Terrific advice which I’m starting to follow one bit at a time. Thanks so much – Just followed via twitter.
Thanks for the follow, Kelly! And I’m so glad you found the advice helpful. From where I sit, if you have two books ready to market, it was time well spent! Just shift your focus to include a plan for building your author brand and gaining visibility. And keep writing! 🙂
Thank you for this fabulously helpful resource, Kimberley!
Just a few weeks ago, I hadn’t even heard of most of these folks. Now that I’m paying attention, it’s amazing to see how much they’ve done by just going for it.
I’ve got a number of books in my brain, ready to be written. It’s great to have a helpful list of those who have gone before . No need to reinvent the wheel. Just gotta put my own spin on it 😉
Exactly, Nikki! I don’t believe you can create in a vacuum. Great ideas spring from the great ideas of others. Learn from those people who have already carved out a path and add your ‘special sauce’ to create something that is uniquely Nikki.
Good luck with your writing! Your fans are waiting 🙂
This is a great list of people to quote from! Thanks for sharing. I would add to keep it simple when beginning a platform. Find one of two marketing strategies that work well and are a good fit and work them until they’re pretty much on autopilot then add one or two more, and so on. It really is a learn as you go journey. 🙂
Some good advice, Karen! It is easy to get overwhelmed when first starting out, but each “plank” you add to your platform helps strengthen your connection with your present and future audience. Starting is always the hardest part, but simple, direct steps toward your goal will get you there!
Kimberley, I commend you for having your writer platform website. Thanks to Jeff Goins for retweeting this impressive collection of established bloggers and their views on platform building, I now know about your website.
With the Barnes & Noble gift certificate my daughter gave me for Christmas I bought Get Known Before the Book Deal by Christina Katz, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt, and Create Your Writer Platform by Chuck Sambuchino.
I have been around (age 70) long enough to remember when the word we heard all the time at writing workshops and conferences was “voice.” Also long enough to have used onion skin paper for carbon copies of our manuscripts.
Thank you for what you are doing to help writers.
Thank you so much, Barbara! I appreciate it, and I’m grateful to Jeff for helping to share this information so that writers can help writers succeed. I hope that the Your Writer Platform community or “Tribe” grows as strong as Jeff’s at GoinsWriter.com!
I love the three books you’ve mentioned, and will be adding them to the resource page. What did you think of them? Did you have a favourite?
I’m glad you’re part of our community now, Barbara! Your ‘experience’ is welcome 🙂
Kimberley, I have started with Christina’s book since I have known about it the longest. I think it would be hard to choose a favorite since all three of these authors are such good writers and knowledgeable about what it takes to promote oneself as an author. Thank you for acknowledging my “experience.”
That is the best part, isn’t Barbara? There is not just one way, but many creative and interesting paths to connecting with our readers. Thanks for your comments!
Are you a writer, an author, would you like a bigger platform for your work? Read this, there are real gems in all 21 short, well written and well worded posts. Debra Jarvis 🙂
Thanks, Debra!
Always respond to comments on your blog. I think that needs to be done before you even make a new post. Also, comment on other people’s blogs.
A comment takes a blog post from being a static, handbill-type object to a conversation. And it’s not just a conversation between you and one other person, but it’s a conversation made in a public room where anyone can overhear and also come into the conversation.
If you just make blog posts and hope that someone will hear, you’re like someone preaching on a stump in the middle of nowhere. First, you have to meet people and have a conversation. Eventually you will have so many people who like to hear what you have to say, you can switch from having a conversation with individuals to preaching to the masses. (Although you should never completely stop interacting; if people see that you still reply from time to time, they feel like you will hear them if they comment, even if you can’t reply, and people have a great desire to be heard.)
Thanks for your great comment, Keri! I’m with you on the importance of responding to comments on your own site, as well as contributing to the conversation on other blogs. I believe comments are a barometer of the level of engagement your site elicits from your readers. The greater the interaction, the greater the impact.
By allowing comments on your blog, you can put a face and a voice to your reader, and even know what they are thinking the moment they’ve read your post. From a marketing/business perspective, that’s gold! From a personal perspective, it gives me goose bumps to be able to connect with like-minded people from literally any where in the world!
So keep commenting, Keri; I hear you, and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment on what I have to say 🙂
Great insight from people in the know
I find it’s always useful to hear how to accomplish something new from someone who’s already nailed it. 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
Great round-up, Kimberley! I am adding this to my 3000+ Evernote folders. (I am discerning with my folders; just have been on Evernote for years. Another great writing tool!) You are building such a great collection of articles. Well done! 🙂
Thanks so much, Lee! I will not be known for my “petite” articles, will I? 🙂
I’m glad this post made the cut for your Evernote files; it is a great one for a little inspiration when you need it…
Thanks for stopping by!
loved all the advice. thank you
Awesome Teresa! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I have been researching advice all day on how to improve my blog. I could have saved myself a lot of time. Thank you so much. Now I can work solely on finding something to write about and getting people to follow it.
So glad I could help, Audrey! 🙂
Yep, got the message. Thanks
Sometimes it helps to hear it from a few different sources, right Elizabeth? 😉