Newbies to the writing arena have many questions about creating an author platform. And the most puzzling one is whether they need a website before they have a book published or under contract.
In fact, I’ve been questioned twice recently about whether a new author with NO book on the publishing horizon should bother to start working on a platform, and more specifically an author website.
Both individuals felt it would be like putting the cart before the horse.
It’s important to know that this, though, is far from the case.
Creating a website at the get-go is putting the horse before the cart. It’s one of the forces that will pull you forward and help you establish your online platform, your presence, and visibility.
So, the answer to the title question is NO. It’s never too soon to begin your author platform or your author website:
– If you want to be a writer or an author,
– If you intend to submit manuscripts to agents and/or publishers,
– If you intend to self-publish a book, the answer is still the same.
The time to get your online platform started is RIGHT NOW. And the foundation of your platform is a website.
Keeping up with Marketing Trends
When one author mentioned she was writing a middle-grade book and didn’t have a website, I responded that it was a mistake. I told her websites are an essential part of an author’s online platform.
Her reply caught me by surprise. She was advised by an educational site for children’s writing to wait until she received a book contract before creating a website.
If this were 10 or 15 years ago, that advice would make sense. But today, agents and publishers want to know that the potential new author’s platform is up and running beforehand.
The size or lack of size of an online platform can make or break a contract.
The powers-that-be expect you to have a website in place and be involved in social networks before you even submit a manuscript. They expect you to be a big part of marketing your book.
Jane Friedman, Media Studies instructor at the University of Virginia and former publisher of Writer’s Digest, says, “You must cultivate a readership every day of your life, and you start TODAY.” (1)
Why do you need to start your online platform TODAY?
In a single word, the answer to that question is TIME. Establishing an online platform takes time.
It takes time to establish yourself as an authority in your niche. It takes time to develop a relationship with your readers. It takes time to develop trust. And it takes time to broaden your reach.
Real-life example:
One of my former clients created a website. And she created pages on two major social networks. She did all this way before she started writing her book.
The results? She has thousands and thousands and thousands of followers on both social networks. I’m talking well over 30,000 followers.
I included this information in the query letter I wrote for her.
This type of information will make a difference in a publisher or agent’s view of a new author?
They’ll know she’s able and willing to help sell her books.
Since your author website is the foundation of your author platform, it’s absolutely, positively necessary to get a website set up and optimized as soon as possible.
It’s from this focal point, your hub of information, that you will draw the attention of the search engines and readers. You may even catch the attention of a visiting editor, publisher, or literary agent.
Your website is also where you will get readers to sign up for your mailing list – further expanding your marketing reach. It’s the place you will begin a long-term writer-reader relationship.
Think of your author website as the launching pad of your book marketing platform.
Reference
(1) http://janefriedman.com
(Sorry, this was revised from a 2013 article and I can’t find the URL to the article.)
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, book doctor, editor, and self-publisher. I help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript into a book you’ll be proud to call your own—and provide hands-on guidance through every step of the self-publishing process.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
A 200+ page book that will help you write your own children’s book.
FICTION WRITING FOR CHILDREN eCOURSE
4, 8, or 12 Weeks / 9 Sections / Instructor Guided Self-Study Program
WRITERS ON THE MOVE SELF-PUBLISHING SERVICE
Self-publishing help for children’s authors (picture books and chapter books)
You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
2 thoughts on “Your Author Platform – Is it Ever Too Soon to Start?”