Why You Need an Author Platform

Why You Need To Build A Platform

Even if you’re a mere 10,000 words into your novel, or have just one client, you need to set aside time to create, build and maintain a platform which you can use to get your name out to potential fans, clients and agents. The entry barrier for getting any creative work published online is very low; even your 90-year-old grandma has the ability to start a blog, if she wants! Because of this, there are many others who are competing for other people’s attention. Also, we’re a more distracted society than ever before with all the apps, blogs, podcasts, videos and other forms of media that are freely available.

Three Benefits of A Platform

When you have a platform you’ll become more visible, better connected and have a “louder” voice than people who don’t. You’ll be setting yourself above the others, in terms of visibility, which will help you to be seen by larger audiences. Through your audience, you’ll be able to make more connections. The internet is no longer a one-sided conversation; by engaging with people you meet online you’ll be able to make connections that might otherwise not have occurred. Finally, you’ll be able to leverage your connections and visibility to help spread your influence and reach even more people.

Platform Building Basics

Get your platform started by taking action and doing these three things:

Create A Home Base- Ideally this is your own self-hosted website, a place you have total control over and call home. This is where you can have a blog, sell your work and offer your services. Don’t worry about making it perfect right off the bat; just get started first and tweak it as you go.

Reach Out- Twitter, Facebook, Linked In–these are all places you need to go in order to expand your reach. If you don’t go where the people are, you risk limiting your audience to your close family and friends. Also consider guest posting on blogs that are in your niche as a way to gain new followers.

Engage Your Audience- Be accessible to the people who follow you; answer their emails, talk to them through social media and answer comments on your blog. You might even consider starting a podcast or a YouTube channel where you can communicate through audio and video.Having a well-built and active platform is essential in order to break through the noise. If you haven’t gotten yours started, schedule time to do it today. Just a well-focused hour a day can make a huge difference in your success.