Many aspiring authors dream of landing a traditional publishing deal, believing it’s the golden ticket to success. The assumption is that once you’ve signed on the dotted line, your publisher will handle everything—marketing, promotion, social media, and building your author platform. Unfortunately, this is a myth. In reality, the responsibility for building and maintaining an author platform falls squarely on the author’s shoulders. This is another piece of the “Don’t Shoot the Messenger” series, I suppose. Don’t be upset with me! I am just telling you what agents and publishers are telling me!
I have had this conversation with more authors, agents, and publishers than I can count, and I assure you– everyone says the same thing. Agents and publishers say “Oh yeah, we won’t even call an author that doesn’t have all of that set up,” and authors say “publishers are going to set all that up for me.”
I’m here to shed some light on the disconnect and snap authors out of that assumption. If you are trying to get traditionally published, do not go querying a bunch of agents until you at least have your platform set up. I’m SERIOUS!!
What is an Author Platform?
An author platform refers to your ability to reach and engage with your audience. This includes:
- A professional author website.
- Active and engaged social media accounts.
- An email list of subscribers who want to hear from you.
- Connections with your readers and a presence in your niche or genre.
Why Authors Need a Platform Before Signing a Deal
Traditional publishers are businesses. They invest in authors they believe will generate a return on their investment. A strong author platform is often seen as evidence that you can sell books. Here’s why:
- Proof of Marketability
- Publishers want to see that you’ve already built an audience that will likely buy your book. If you have a substantial email list or thousands of engaged social media followers, it’s a good sign that your book has a built-in readership.
- Reduced Risk
- A strong platform shows publishers that you’re willing and able to market yourself, reducing the burden on their marketing team.
- Attracting Agents
- Literary agents also look for authors with established platforms. They’re more likely to represent someone who has taken the initiative to build a presence and connect with potential readers.
What Publishers Don’t Do
While traditional publishers provide some support, there are significant gaps in what they offer:
- Limited Marketing Support: Unless you’re a big-name author, the marketing budget for your book may be minimal.
- No Personalized Social Media Management: Publishers don’t manage your social media accounts. You’re responsible for engaging with your audience.
- No Guarantees of Success: Even with a publisher’s backing, your book’s success largely depends on your efforts.
Building Your Platform: Start Now
If you’re serious about pursuing a traditional publishing deal, start building your platform today. Here’s how:
- Create a Professional Website
- Include an author bio, blog, book details, and a way for readers to subscribe to your email list.
- Grow Your Email List
- Offer a reader magnet, such as a free short story or exclusive content, to encourage sign-ups.
- Engage on Social Media
- Focus on platforms where your target audience spends their time. Post consistently and interact with your followers.
- Network with Other Authors
- Collaborate with other writers in your genre to expand your reach.
- Write Consistently
- Publish blog posts, articles, or short stories on your website or through platforms like Medium to engage readers regularly.
- Share behind-the-scenes updates about your writing process or book progress to keep your audience invested.
- Participate in writing challenges (e.g., NaNoWriMo) and share your experience with your audience.
- Offer free content, like bonus scenes or character backstories, to reward loyal followers and attract new ones..
Again, don’t get mad at me! You’re a writer! You should be fine writing! I didn’t make the rules!
What You Need to Get a Meeting with an Agent (Yes, I Asked a Real Agent About This)
Before you even get a foot in the door with a literary agent, you’ll need:
- A polished manuscript or book proposal.
- A query letter that highlights your platform and marketability.
- Evidence of your platform’s strength, such as email list numbers, social media followers, and website traffic.
Debunking the Myth
Believing that traditional publishing will handle everything is not only untrue but also a potentially career-damaging misconception. Today’s publishing landscape demands that authors take an active role in their marketing and promotion.
By building a strong author platform, you’re not just increasing your chances of landing a publishing deal—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. Remember, the sooner you start building your audience, the more opportunities you’ll create for your writing career.
What You Need to Get a Meeting with an AgentBefore you even get a foot in the door with a literary agent, you’ll need:
- A polished manuscript or book proposal.
- A query letter that highlights your platform and marketability.
- Evidence of your platform’s strength, such as email list numbers, social media followers, and website traffic.
Debunking the Myth
Believing that traditional publishing will handle everything is not only untrue but also a potentially career-damaging misconception. Today’s publishing landscape demands that authors take an active role in their marketing and promotion.
By building a strong author platform, you’re not just increasing your chances of landing a publishing deal—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. Remember, the sooner you start building your audience, the more opportunities you’ll create for your writing career.Share blog posts, articles, or updates to keep your audience engaged while you work on your book.
If you have absolutely nothing, go ahead and set all of this stuff up, write and publish a short novella, and use the follower funnel method to connect with and gain new fans (or pay for Amazon Advertising to get people to join your email list).
Share blog posts, articles, or updates to keep your audience engaged while you work on your book.
