What is an author platform?

An author platform is a way for an author to connect with their audience and promote their work. It can take many forms, such as a website, blog, podcast, or social media presence on any platform where your reader would hang out. Research the platforms you are interested in.  For, example, Khronos reports the age of internet users who use Facebook. More information about gender and socioeconomic situations is available.

• “86% of people ages 18-29 use Facebook
• 77% of people ages 30-49 use Facebook
• 51% of people ages 50-65 use Facebook
• 34% of people that are 65+ years old use Facebook”

Building an author platform can help an author reach more readers and sell more books.

Platforms are Public

There are many ways to build an author platform. One way is to create a website or blog where you can share your work and connect with readers. Another way is to use social media to reach out to potential readers and followers. You can also participate in online communities and forums related to your book's genre or topic. Consider a podcast or appear on other's podcasts.  A public relations media professional can help you get attention which may lead to more sales.  These professionals can be expensive, but may provide a more direct path to publicity. If you don't have a budget for PR, you can still create a public persona to encourage book sales.

Network as you go

Read in the genre you write in and be good to other authors.  If you love their work, post a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or other online sellers. Send them a letter telling them how much you like their book and what specifically you appreciated, and tell them you left a great review on Amazon.  Start building relationships with those in your field by being a fan and by attending and networking at writers’ conferences.  Then when you need to ask for blurbs or reviews, you will have some contacts.

Building an author platform takes time and effort, but it can be an effective way to connect with readers and promote your work. In fact, if you don't have a big advertizing budget, your platform may be the only way readers find you.

Why do you need a platform?

An author platform is how an author promotes and sells their work. It's also a way of connecting with readers and establishing yourself as an expert in your field. There are many reasons why you might need an author platform, but some of the most common include:

- You want to sell more books
- attract more readers
-  get published
-  connect with other writers
- build your brand

If any of these reasons resonate with you, then an author platform is something you should definitely consider building. The good news is that it's not as difficult as it might seem. With a little effort and a bit of planning, you can quickly start

How to build an author platform

When you’re a beginning writer, it can be difficult to get your name and your work out there. One way to do this is to build an author platform. An author platform is a way for you to reach more readers and sell more books. Here are some tips on how to build an author platform:

1. Start a blog or podcast. Consider the needs and interests of your target audience and engage them, and share your work with the world. You can also use your blog or podcast to connect with other writers and readers as you build your community.  Phoebe Robinson's podcast, 2 Dope Queens, led to her sucess as an author, comedian, and inspired a television series. Janet Newman’s blog  is on brand with her book about Living in a Chemical Age.

2. Use social media. Social media is a great way to connect with potential readers. Use Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share your work and connect with people who might be interested in reading it.

Creating a website

An author's website is a key piece of any author platform. It's a great way to connect with readers and build buzz around your work. Here are some tips for creating a website that will help you achieve your goals:

First, decide what you want your website to achieve. Do you want to sell books? Connect with readers? Build buzz around your work? Once you know what your goals are, you can start to plan your content and design accordingly.

Next, choose a platform for your website. There are many different options available, so do some research to find the one that best suits your needs. If you're not a technical person, there are plenty of options that offer easy-to-use templates. but do choose a platform where your audience is likely to hang out.

Developing a social media strategy

When it comes to building an author platform, a social media strategy is key. But with so many platforms to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. The most important thing is to be strategic about your platforms and how you use them. Not all platforms are created equal, and some will be more effective for you than others depending on your goals and your audience.

Think about which platforms your audience is most likely to be using and focus your efforts there. You don't need to be everywhere, but you do need to be active on the platforms that matter most to your readers. Once you've identified your target platforms, it's time to start creating content. Keep in mind that different platforms have different content

Creating a plan for engagement

Author platforms are essentially the sum of an author's online presence and activity. A strong platform can help an author sell more books, connect with readers, and establish themselves as an expert in their field.

There are a few critical components to building a strong author platform. First, it's important to have a website or blog that is easily accessible and updated regularly. This is a great place to share news, excerpts, and other content that will give readers a taste of your writing style and subject matter expertise.

In addition to having a website, it's also important to be active on social media. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are great places to share content, engage with fans, and build an audience

Creating content

As a writer, one of the most important things you can do is build an author platform. This is essentially a way of promoting yourself and your work to potential readers. There are many ways you can go about this, but one of the most effective is to create content. This could be in the form of a blog, articles, podcasts, or even video content. Your content must serve your audience.  What do they want? How do they like to be entertained? What problems can you solve for them?  When your content addresses these questions, you can build your audience.

By creating regular content, you will be able to show potential readers what you have to offer and build up a following of people who are interested in what you do. One key to writing and building audience-engaging content is to never let yourself stay stuck in unproductivity. It can take some time to build up a platform, but it is worth it if you want to be successful as a writer.