One of the greatest downfalls for aspiring authors is that they wait to write their book until they have a “platform” to sell it to. And while I could tell you that you need to do this and we can start with how to build your author platform, I think this is silly business to get caught up in the this traditional step.
If you want to write a book and you have your idea, you should start writing that book yesterday. There is no point in waiting around to write it.
However, if you want to sell that book, you do need an author platform. Let’s explore why this is true and how you can build a platform that works for you—without losing years of your life trying to fit into outdated publishing industry standards.
Breaking Down Traditional Author Platform Thinking
Traditional thinking about an author platform stems from what traditional publishing gatekeepers have said for decades:
- You need 10,000 email subscribers.
- You need tens of thousands of social media followers.
While having a massive email list and social following is certainly helpful, it doesn’t need to be a barrier to your success as an author. This “one-size-fits-all” approach has held back countless writers who could have been successful long before amassing such numbers.
The truth is, building a platform with these metrics can take years. By the time you achieve them, your audience and message may have shifted, forcing you to start over. Worse yet, the wait-and-build strategy often robs writers of their momentum and passion.
This is why I reject the traditional mindset around author platforms.
Throwing Tradition Out the Window
When I started writing, I believed the myth that you had to wait until you had a large platform before publishing. But after my first couple of books, I realized the opposite was true: You don’t wait for a platform to write—you create your platform as you write. Here’s why:
Algorithms Work Against You Without a Targeted Audience
For example, when I sold my books primarily to family and friends, Amazon’s algorithm noticed and started showing my books to similar audiences. But my family and friends didn’t represent my ideal readers, so my sales stagnated.
You Learn What Works by Doing
Building a platform while writing allows you to discover your real audience. This audience will guide your marketing, help you refine your message, and ultimately become your biggest supporters.
The “Create-As-You-Go” Formula
Over the years, I’ve developed a simple formula that has worked wonders for building my platform while simultaneously writing and publishing books. Here’s how it works:
Start Writing Your Book Immediately
Don’t wait. Begin crafting your manuscript with your target audience in mind. Get started writing and while you do it, you will be able to build your audience because of how excited about your book and that you want to be sharing it with the world.
Share Your Journey
As you write, talk about your process on social media, in blog posts, or through emails. Share snippets of your writing, your research, and the lessons you’re learning along the way. This will help build excitement and people who will want to read your book will start showing up consistently.
Capture Leads
Use these interactions to build an email list. Offer a freebie—like a sample chapter or a short guide related to your book—to encourage people to subscribe. What you can do for this freebie is to ask ChatGPT to put together a cheat sheet or a checklist that goes with your book topic.
Launch to a Ready Audience
By the time your book is published, you’ll have an audience that’s already interested in your work and eager to support you. This method not only helps you sell more books but also allows you to refine your marketing approach as you grow.
Why You Still Need an Author Platform
While I advocate for creating your platform as you go, I want to emphasize the importance of having one. In my book Author Platform Solution, I share the story of my first book, Productivity Success. Here’s an excerpt:
One of the greatest failings for many authors is that they have failed to create a platform for sharing their books.
It’s painful for me. I see authors who have spent hours, hundreds or thousands of dollars, and are convinced their books will do well. But, in the end, they sell a few copies and disappear into oblivion.
My first book was a little bit like that. I had worked for three months to get it ready for publishing. I spent $500 on my editor. I spent $150 on my cover designer. It was a huge project for me.
Then, I hit publish, and nothing happened.
I promoted my book for nearly a year and was able to get 248 orders to my name. This is the supposed average for book orders of a self-published book. If that is true, I should have felt great, but I didn’t.
In fact, I was kind of devastated. I had worked so hard, spent so much money, and at 248 copies sold, I still hadn’t even broken even after a year. For the average person, this would have ended things.
Yet, I was determined to write another book. I loved writing and publishing. And all the other work around writing a book wasn’t so bad. It was addicting. But I realized something—I had to figure out how to publish books that would sell and how to promote them well.
That realization changed everything for me. I went on to write more books, build my platform, and develop a sustainable approach to self-publishing that I now teach others.
Have You Checked Out The Minimalist Author Way!
This course will guide you through a proven three-phase process to help you go from idea to bestseller in just 90 days—no fluff, no overwhelm, just a simple and effective system.
With this course, you will also get access to The Minimalist Author Club, the private community for aspiring authors and self-publishing authors to work together in writing and publishing books.
And you will get lifetime access to any new products that I create to help writers and authors.
Join The Minimalist Author Way Today!
Build a Platform That Fits You
Every author is different. Your platform should reflect your unique voice, goals, and audience. Whether you’re writing cozy mysteries, self-help guides, or epic fantasies, you can create a platform that works for you. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
1. Blog Regularly
Share tips, stories, or insights related to your book’s topic or genre. Blogging builds trust and establishes your authority.
2. Use Social Media Strategically
Focus on one or two platforms where your readers spend their time. Share valuable content, engage with followers, and make meaningful connections.
3. Leverage Guest Posts and Collaborations
Writing guest posts for established blogs or collaborating with other authors can expand your reach.
4. Run Targeted Ads
Use platforms like Facebook or Amazon to target readers who are most likely to enjoy your books.
Don’t Wait—Start Building Today
Building an author platform doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By starting small, staying consistent, and focusing on your ideal audience, you can create a platform that grows alongside your writing career.
If you’re ready to take your author journey to the next level, I’d love to help. My book, Author Platform Solution, breaks down everything you need to know about building a platform that works for you.
Today, I’m giving away the Kindle version of Author Platform Solution for free!
This book is packed with practical advice, step-by-step strategies, and real-world examples to help you grow your platform and sell more books.
Click the link below to grab your free copy:
Download Author Platform Solution on Amazon Now
I can’t wait to hear how this book helps you on your author journey. Don’t let the myth of the traditional platform hold you back—start building your audience and writing your book today!
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