Here is a collection of the strategies, tactics, tools, and templates I have found to be most helpful in building a platform as an author.
The purpose of your platform is to provide people with a path to become true fans. They will progress through four stages. They will 1. recognize your name/book/brand, 2. research you and your work, 3. read your books and emails or social media posts, and, finally, 4. read everything you create.
Here is how to build a platform to take someone from recognition to reading everything you write.
1. Recognize You
At this stage someone might say they heard you on a podcast, read about you on a blog, saw your name/book shared on social media, read an article by you, saw an ad for you/your book online, came across you while searching for something, or saw your book ranking highly on Amazon.
Strategies to help you get recognized:
- Situation-specific SEO
- Super Simple Networking with Email
- The $1.80 Strategy for Instagram
- The Book Elevator Pitch
2. Research You
At this stage someone is motivated to search for you/your book on Google, Amazon, Goodreads, or their local bookstore.
Strategies to help you get found online:
3. Read Your Writing
At this stage someone will read your book, read your emails, read your blog posts, read your social media posts, listen to your podcast, or watch your videos.
Strategies to help you get readers:
4. Read Everything
At this state someone becomes a “true fan” reading every book you write (in the genre they read) as well as every email you send, article you write, and every post, podcast, or video you publish.
Strategies to help you inspire true fans:
