Comments on: What’s an author platform? Part 1

By: The Promotional Advantages Of Being An Indie Author by Sandra Beckwith -

The Promotional Advantages Of Being An Indie Author by Sandra Beckwith - — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 05:58:37 +0000

[…] It means that they begin learning about book publicity, promotion, and marketing long before their publication date is confirmed. They’re often starting to learn how to get the word out when they’re still writing “ and acting on what they learn at the same time. They’re reading books, taking courses like mine, asking questions, and building the networks that will constitute their platform. […]

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:32:41 +0000

Congratulations on the platform success, Alberta, but I’m so sorry about what you’ve lost.

By: Alberta Sequeira

Alberta Sequeira — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:44:06 +0000

I can’t believe in 5 years how my platform has built. I’m a speaker on “The Effect of Alcoholism on the Whole Family” after losing a husband and daughte from it.

I’ve since teamed- up with another author and speaker, and more importantly, a recovering alcoholic. We’re reaching out for talks with the blend of AA and Al-Anon for our journey through alcohol abuse from both sides.

Now I need important people to realize this.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:32:41 +0000

Unfortunately, Leonard, there’s no magic word. [Sigh.}

Platform relates more to the fans you have in place before the book comes out — people ready to buy your book when it becomes available. Your comment here suggests that these are tactics you implemented specifically to promote this book. Is that correct?

Platform relates to more than one book — it supports your latest book plus the ones that came before it and those that will follow.

How active is your Facebook page? How much do you engage with other authors in your genre? Have you done a virtual book tour with sites catering to your book’s audience? These and other tactics could help you sell your book (if people find the book’s concept appealing). Some book promotion tactics can help with platform building, but they’re mostly related to letting people know about your current title.

By: Leonard Tate

Leonard Tate — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:19:00 +0000

I am the self published author of a medieval fantasy “Jasmine and the Lamp of Spell” and I have been working diligently at developing an author’s platform. But this endeavor has proven far more difficult than I ever imagined. I have a website, Facebook page, Youtube video and a host of other efforts and I am still waiting for a bump in sales. Can you share with me the maic word. Thanks.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:51:48 +0000

Thanks, Vivian! You’re not alone, believe me. I also think that platform is more important for self-published authors than for those going the conventional route.

Let me know what you think of Part 2 when it goes up, OK?

By: Vivian Kirkfield

Vivian Kirkfield — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:00:41 +0000

Sandy,
We can always count on you for focused, relevant articles of value!
I’m almost ashamed to admit that when I sent my first query to literary agents, several responded, asking me what my platform was. I had no idea what they were talking about…thank goodness for your workshop, Sandy, where I learned that valuable piece of information, along with many others that have helped me in promoting and marketing my book.
I’m looking forward to the next post in this series and will share all of them.