Every author needs a platform. Years ago it took a long time to build up a reputation through speaking and networking and word of mouth. This is still how it is done, but the internet has made it a different ball game entirely. When I speak at writer's conferences I find that people are at all different levels of understanding and some are feeling completely disenfranchised. Sometimes for me it feels completely like the wild wild west. There is so much information out there that I do not know how to integrate it. I had the privilege of studying at Rutger's University in their mini MBA intensives where we given a pretty good overview of how all of this works. However, it changes every day. But the readers are on the internet and you can build a platform faster if you master some basic things. Your platform is also unique to your goals and the type of book you are writing. You don't have to be on every social media outlet because people say you do. The most important thing is strategy and patience. Social media marketing is a marathon and not a sprint. What are your feelings about this topic?
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When you think about it, digital marketing and social media are not that different from speaking and networking.
Authors need to know their topics whether through expertise, experience, or research to be able to keep their platforms lively and fresh. Authors need to know the audience they want to reach. If authors lack passion about their projects, promotion just becomes work.
There are bonuses to the digital age imho...
Almost instantaneous stats so you can determine whether material is a hit or miss. You can build on hits and create a real connection with your audience, so you can keep them interested and updated. If the audience loves what they see, they share it.
Limitations to speaking and networking...
I have to create a a program and agenda then stick to it, even if the material isn't appropriate or convenient for all audiences. Live appearances have to be limited because of time and expense, meaning your audience is distanced and confined to your schedule. But the bonus of speaking: extra money, hopefully, enough to balance the time and expense.
Glad to see WAE Network up and running again!
I need to learn much more about the social networking beast before I fling myself into it's jaws....I understand it's a necessity these days. My last book was published in the dark ages before Facebook and Twitter 1997 and I am just rejoining the writing profession at 64 with several book proposals in the works. I'd like to be somewhat savvy in my use of social networking before I meet my next publisher.
Thanks for bringing the beast out in the open.
Are you going to teach a class Deborah?
Thank you Deborah for extending a portal to share on this prevalent challenge for newer authors.
I can only speak from my immediate experience.
But it seems that social networks have changed into a pay-for-play format.
Us artists tend to be on limited budgets.
Even if you are an author with a fan page 4,000-10,000 followers, social networks have in the last few years limited your ability to interact with a fan-base by capping exposure of posts unless you pay for additional exposure.
I am new to this challenge, but it seems to me that ideally you need a 2-pronged approach.
1. a savvy publicist who will keep your material topical - a bottom bottom up approach.
2. To access at a hosts of media, blogs, and programs to leverage the expansive networks others have cultivated - top down approach.
How different is an authors experience when signed by a major publisher?