Building Your Author Platform: 3 Essential First Steps

So, you’re writing a book! Congratulations! Get that first draft done as quickly as possible. Once you have something written down you can begin to work on building up your “Author Brand” and enticing people to want to read what you are going to publish. There is no right or wrong time to begin building up your audience but, generally, the sooner the better. Below we have gathered some quick tips on getting started. Remember that writing, publishing and marketing a book(s) [or series] takes time, patience and persistence. You are the one who needs to decide what kind of author you want to be and what you’re author business is going to look like.

Define Your Author Brand

Before you dive into social media or website creation, it’s crucial to define your author brand. This is essentially your unique identity as a writer.

Who are you as an author? Are you a mystery writer with a sharp wit? A romance novelist with a deep understanding of love? A non-fiction expert with a passion for sharing knowledge?
Who is your target audience? Understanding your readers will help you tailor your content and marketing efforts.
What is your author voice? Your writing style is a significant part of your brand. Develop a consistent voice that resonates with your readers.

Once you have a clear understanding of your author brand, you can start building your online presence.

Create a Strong Online Presence

Your online presence is your digital storefront. It’s where readers can find out about you and your work.

Author Website: Your website is your online home base. It should be professional, easy to navigate, and provide valuable information about you and your books. Consider using platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress for easy website creation.

Social Media: Choose the platforms that align with your target audience. Whether it’s Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok, be consistent in your posting and engage with your followers.

Email List: Building an email list is essential for direct communication with your readers. Offer incentives like free short stories or exclusive content to encourage sign-ups.

Engage with Your Audience

Building a platform is about more than just creating content. It’s about connecting with your readers.

Respond to Comments and Messages: Show your audience that you value their input by responding to comments and messages promptly.

Join Online Communities: Participate in author groups and online forums related to your genre. This is a great way to network and connect with potential readers.

Collaborate with Other Authors: Collaborating with other authors can help you reach a wider audience. Consider co-authoring a book, participating in joint interviews, or hosting guest blog posts.

Take Advantage of Free Publicity: There are a wide variety of different ways that authors can help each other reach more readers and get more sales by participating in Live Author Events on Social Media, Be a Guests On Your Fellow Authors Podcasts, and write a blog post for one of your fellow authors.

Remember, building an author platform takes time and effort. Be patient, consistent, and authentic. The more you engage with your audience, the stronger your platform will become.

Do you have any specific questions about building your author platform? I’m happy to help! You can leave a message using my CONTACT FORM or you can visit my author’s services pages on https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com