THE ULTIMATE CHEAT SHEET TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL AUTHOR PLATFORM
To find success in becoming a published author, you must build a robust author platform. A strong author platform will help you establish your brand, grow your audience, and ultimately sell more books.
It may sound daunting, and googling the phrase “build author platform” may perplex you. We’ve got you covered with 15 simple tips to develop a successful author platform.
1. Start With a Clear Understanding of Your Brand
Before you ask how to build a successful author platform, take an inventory of your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth.
What is your unique selling proposition as a writer? What literary themes do you explore in your books? What emerging demographic do you want to target?
By understanding your brand and what you want to accomplish, you can create a platform that represents your work and connects with target readers.
2. Create Your Author Website
Your personal website is ground zero for your online presence. It should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and contain everything readers need to know about your work.
Here are a few crucial elements for author website development:
Clean and professional design that reflects your brand
Bio that highlights your experience and expertise
Contact form for readers and professional contacts to get in touch with you
3. Maintain A Blog
A blog is one of the best author branding tactics that showcases your writing.
Write about topics that resonate with your readers and the themes you tackle.
Create a content calendar and post consistently.
Promote your blog posts on social media.
Encourage comments and engage with readers.
4. Build a Mailing List
Email marketing is a powerful tool for authors to update readers about new and upcoming projects.
Offer subscribers a free sample or preview of your work in exchange for their email address.
Use a service like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to manage your mailing list.
Send out a regular newsletter with updates on your writing, events, and promotions.
Include links to your social media profiles and website in all of your emails.
5. Engage with Your Readers on Social Media
Social media for authors is essential to connect with readers and promote their work.
Building a successful social media presence as an author involves the following:
Choose social media platforms that you are comfortable using.
Post consistently and engage with your followers.
Use hashtags to increase visibility.
Share peeks into your creative process.
6. Participate in Online Writing Communities
Online writing communities connect you with other authors and provide valuable insights into the publishing industry.
Join Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit groups relevant to your genre.
Engage with other members’ posts and share your own work.
Offer support and advice to other members of the community.
7. Attend Book Fairs and Literary Networking Events
At these events, you can connect with readers, network with other authors, and gain exposure for your work.
Research the event and plan ahead.
Bring plenty of business cards and promotional materials for distribution.
Offer to speak on a panel or host a book signing.
Engage with attendees on a professional and personal level.
8. Create Book Trailers
Book trailers are a great way to promote your work and capture readers’ attention. Creating a successful book trailer hinges on a few critical factors:
High-quality visuals and audio
Short yet attention-grabbing videos
Text overlays that highlight key points
Clear call-to-action
With a range of creator tools and platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, creating and publishing these teasers has never been easier.
9. Host Giveaways and Contests
Giveaways and contests can quickly increase engagement and expand your audience reach. Hosting a giveaway doesn’t need to be complex or costly. Simply follow these tips:
Choose a simple prize relevant to your readers, such as a signed copy of your book or a consultation call with you.
Promote the giveaway on social media and your website.
Use a service like Rafflecopter or Gleam to manage the giveaway.
10. Write Guest Posts on Literary Blogs and Websites
This is the mother of all author marketing strategies. Guest posting increases your visibility among newer audiences, especially if the blog you’re writing for has many readers.
Research blogs relevant to your brand and genre.
Reach out to the blog owner with a pitch that will engage their audience.
Write a high-quality post that showcases your writing and expertise.
Promote the post on your social media profiles and mailing list.
11. Consider Paid Advertising
Paid advertising can help you reach a larger audience. Here’s how you can maximize results:
Set a budget and choose platforms your readers actively use.
Create engaging ads that showcase your work.
Use targeted keywords and demographics to reach your ideal reader.
Monitor your results and adjust your strategy as needed.
12. Collaborate with Other Authors
Collaborations further expand your reach and connect with new readers. It’s a fantastic strategy for content marketing for authors.
Choose authors who share your interests and genre.
Guest post on each other's blogs and promote each other's work on social media.
Host joint giveaways or book signings.
13. Offer Exclusive Content
In a value-driven market, exclusive content can build excitement for upcoming works. Here are a few ideas for exclusive content:
Sneak peeks of upcoming releases
Short stories or novellas that tie in with published books
Bonus content, such as deleted scenes or character profiles
14. Establish A Book Club
Book clubs allow you to connect with readers on a personal level. Here’s how you can do it:
Choose a book relevant to your brand and genre.
Offer discussion questions and engage with members.
Host virtual or in-person meetings.
Offer attractive promos to book club members.
15. Be Authentic
Be authentic and true to yourself. Your author platform should accurately represent your brand and personality.
Don't try to be someone you're not or force a persona that doesn't feel natural. Authenticity is vital to building a successful author platform and connecting with readers who will appreciate your work.
Conclusion
Building a successful author platform may seem daunting, but these tips and strategies will help you break the process down into smaller achievable goals.
Before continuously googling “tips for building author platform” remember to stay true to your brand and focus on creating valuable content that resonates with your readers.
Credit: K. Dinkin