10 Fantastic Reasons To Have An Author Platform

There is much more to being an author than writing books. You also have to take on an active role in getting your name and work out there if you want to be successful. Although there are various ways to go about this, these days one of the best ways to self-promote is to build your author platform online. If you are currently an author or are thinking of becoming one, the following are 10 simple ways to build your author platform online.

1. Find Your Target Audience

By now you probably know the types of readers you will appeal to, and which ones you won’t. Take the proper steps for finding your target audience through the use of social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Look for people who are interested in your genre of writing and either follow them or make them your friends. If you have a solid following, others will likely jump aboard.

2. Stay Alert

Take the time to set up alerts so that you are notified every time a person mentions you in a Twitter or Facebook post, brings up your work, or shows support. This will allow you to reach out to and praise every individual who clearly approves of what you are doing.

3. Create a Website

If you do not already have a website or blog, take some time to get one up and running. A personalized website is a great way to attract people and build a fan base. It also gives you the perfect opportunity to publish content online and make announcements regarding your work.

4. Know Who and What You Are Competing With

Chances are there are many other authors who write about what you do, so it is a good idea to know who and what you are competing with. Search the internet for keywords that are relevant to your work and genre to see who and what you find. Research other writers to know what they are saying and how they are saying it. If they are particularly strong in certain areas, you should work on improving in those areas to stay ahead of the competition.

5. Let People Know Who You Are

Make sure you take the time to write a brief biography on yourself so potential readers know who you are and where you are coming from. Post this biography whenever and wherever possible to get people in the know. By taking the time to introduce yourself, people will probably become interested.

6. Post Photos of Yourself

If you are taking advantage of social media sites to expand your author platform, which you should be, make sure you post some photographs of yourself doing what you love. By showing people you are a real person who has a legitimate passion for writing, they will be able to relate to you better and take you more seriously.

7. Use Links and Ads

Although the use of affiliate links and advertisements probably won’t make you rich, it can offset some of the costs you encounter as you build your author platform online. If you have a website or blog, use affiliate links and ads that pertain to your genre. It may just bring you added traffic and more exposure, which is ultimately what you want.

8. Link Your Website with Your Other Accounts

While social media sites can do a world of good for an author’s platform, they can be even more effective if they are linked to your website. Make sure your friends and followers are able to click on a link that will take them directly to your website or blog. This will make it easier for them to visit your site and see what you have to offer.

9. Stay Up-to-Date

When you have established a group of fans and followers, do your best at keeping your website and blog updated with fresh content. People will easily lose interest if your content becomes stale or boring. Post new content, book excerpts, and photos to keep your fans coming back for more. It is crucial in the beginning phases of your website to keep your content fresh so that Google can pick up on the keywords in your content, Increasing your websites visibility within search.

10. Ask for Opinions

You would be surprised at how many people respond to an question online. If you are using Facebook or Twitter, ask your friends and followers questions regarding various topics. Whether they are questions regarding your work or not, they will probably be eager to give their opinions. Reader input is a great way to expand your knowledge on certain subjects and keep your content evolving.

These are all great ways to build your author platform online. Although these things may seem like a lot of work, they are really quite simple as long as you stay committed to them. Making a name for yourself in the writing world is not a piece of cake, but these things will definitely help.