Building a Strong Author Platform: Social Media and Beyond
When I first started as a writer, I was naive. I thought the hard part was writing the book - my magnum opus carved out of flesh and blood. The rest would be easy. All I had to do was ship my manuscript off and wait for the fat royalty checks to start rolling in.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
That thick stack of paper was as helpful as a dull axe without the muscle to swing it. My words were whispers in the dark without an audience to hear them. If I wanted to cut through the noise and reach readers, I'd need to sharpen my storytelling skills in new ways. I'd need to build a platform.
Harness the Horrors of Social Media
Social media initially felt foreign and frightening to me...a vast digital jungle filled with predators waiting to sink their claws in. But, I realized these tools could connect me with the lifeblood of fans who would keep my work alive.
Craft Your Author Persona
Your profile is the mask you present to the world - make it count. A strong bio tells readers who you are and draws them into your twisted world. Links to your websites are breadcrumbs to guide them deeper into your realm.
Rotate in fresh banners, book covers, and reviewer quotes to showcase your latest nightmares. Please give them a peek behind the curtain when you can.
Grow Your Legion of Constant Readers
Obsessing over vanity metrics like follower counts is a trap. It's not about quantity - gathering a handful of eager fans willing to take your journey can sustain you.
Search out groups and discussions surrounding your dark domains. Don't just promote - engage in the campfire conversations—bond over your love of horror.
Share Mesmerizing Morsels
Resist the urge to broadcast about your books. Make it a dialogue - drop cryptic clues about what you're working on and ask for theories. Share chilling snippets that hint at the terrors to come.
Occasional promos are fine but focus on wickedly entertaining your crowd rather than constant sales pitches. Give them value beyond the book itself.
Email - Your Direct Link to Readers
Social media comes and goes, but email lets you reach your loyal fans directly. As many learned authors have said, "Readers don't check your Facebook religiously for updates - but they will open an email."
Gather Their Addresses
Entice readers to surrender their inbox by offering a free story, exclusive sneak peek, or other digital tome in exchange. Just be careful not to overwhelm them once you have that precious contact info.
Handle Emails with Care
Keep it short and personal. Share news of events, sales, and story snippets. Pose creepy questions to get fans speculating.
Once a month is the sweet spot for newsletters. Any more than that, and you risk becoming annoying background noise. Test different calls-to-action and timing to see what spooks your crowd.
Haunt Live Events
While I prefer the company of words on a page, making in-person appearances can summon some of your most devoted acolytes. A chance to look the author in the eyes. To get that signed first edition. It's powerful stuff.
Descend Upon Local Venues
Libraries, bookstores, and community centers often host free author events if you can promise a good turnout. Look for niche gatherings like horror conventions where your people congregate.
Be prepared with a bone-chilling reading, a peek at your process, and a discussion of the themes that haunt you. Then, open it up for Q&A.
Sell Your Wares
Bring copies of your books to get signed. Set up displays with your eerie swag. You likely won't profit directly, but making connections with fans is priceless.
Collect email addresses of attendees for future communiques. Follow up quickly to keep them engaged while the memory is fresh.
Unholy Alliances With Others
Combining forces with those with a captive crowd can unlock a wider world. But you must approach these partnerships cautiously and treat others' followings with respect.
Podcast Interviews
Reaching out to popular shows in your niche for an author interview can introduce your work to their listening hordes. Come with plenty of tantalizing tidbits ready to share.
Recruit Influencers
Offer free Advance Reader Copies to respected book bloggers and Bookstagrammers in exchange for honest reviews and signal boosts about your book to their niche followers. Just be sure to thank them graciously for their efforts, whether they enjoy your work or not.
Endure the Night to See the Dawn
Remember - platforms are not built overnight. Stay the course, avoid shortcuts, and deliver value to your community. Do that consistently over time, and your fans will spread your story far and wide.
Now get out there...the world needs more quality horror! Just be ready for the fame monster - he comes for us all in the end.
Start Growing Your Author Platform Today
Building your author platform takes time and effort, but the benefits make it all worthwhile:
- Reach more readers who will genuinely appreciate your books. Stop shouting into the void and start engaging your ideal audience.
- Build meaningful relationships with fans. Social media, email, and events help foster genuine connections with your readers.
- Gain authority and credibility. A well-rounded platform signals you’re an author invested in your craft and community.
- Expand opportunities. Publishers and partners look for existing platforms. More exposure means better book sales and more profit.
- Take control of your career. Authors with solid followings have more leverage and independence. Your success is not tied to any one platform or publisher.
- Do what you love. More readers means you get to keep writing books and doing what you enjoy. Income from book sales and platform partnerships can support your desired creative life.
You can build an audience and author career by consistently showing up, delivering value, and engaging with fans. It takes effort, but the rewards make it worthwhile. Start building your platform today!