A group of aspiring authors questioned: “Why do I need an author platform?” We replied with a simple yes or no response. Some of the answers may surprise you, but they may help you decide if you need to waste time and effort on creating an author platform by reading on…
Do you want to publish your book through a traditional publisher?
Yes, you will need an author platform as your potential publisher will want to cyber-stalk you. Today, publishers are getting pickier with a preference for authors who come with an inbuilt audience before they invest in them.
I’m going to self-publish my book, but I’m only going to share it with friends and family.
No. You won’t need an author platform.
I want to self-publish and sell my book to the masses in hope of picking up a Netflix deal.
Yes—you’ll need an author platform.
My book is for the chess club fundraiser and part of my senior school project.
No. You don’t need an author platform. But good luck with your project results.
I’m self-publishing my memoir.
That depends on who you want to read it. For memoirs, we recommend that you create a simplified version of the author platform. We’ll share more on that later.
I want complete strangers to buy my book, not just my friends and family.
Yes, you’ll need an author platform.
I also want those strangers to keep buying my new books in the future.
Yes, you’ll need an author platform. We recommend you set up a newsletter ASAP for this.
I want book bloggers and journos to brag to the world about how fabulous my book is.
Yes, you’ll need an author platform and a readily available media kit, which we’ll share with you soon.
I want my book to be in Oprah’s book club and Reese Witherspoon’s book club. Can I have both?
Go for it. But, you’ll need somewhere for their media teams to find you and that’s where your author platform becomes invaluable.
I’m a poet, do I need one?
Poets are the masters of the writer’s platform, they have truly grasped the attention of their readers cleverly within this digital age. I. Kid. You. Not. Instagram and Twitter are their best domains.
I’m a future Booker Prize recipient, do I bother?
No. As a high-end literary author, your publisher usually does it all for you by creating a subpage on their website. Then they’ll send you off to do book tours and interviews as part of their publicity campaigns that will be carefully orchestrated to drum up votes in time for your entry into the Booker Prize.
I’m BFFs with the Kardashian’s. Do I need an author platform for my tell-all tales of the rich and richer?
No. Publishers will take you on just for your impressive friend’s list alone, and they will probably build you one too (see above). Being friends with the K-girls, I’m sure you already have a social media presence on the Gram and can probably afford a publicist to manage it all for you. But hey, let’s do lunch sometime. DM me.
I’m exposing my Ex’s secrets while showing off how fabulously I’m doing since our breakup in my book. Will I need an author platform?
If this is part of your revenge plans, no. Although, I can’t wait to read the book—which would make that answer a maybe as this all depends on your author goals.
My book is just a tick off my bucket list to sit on my shelf.
No, you don’t need one, which will give you more time to work on that bucket list.
I only wrote my book during the latest Covid lockdown to fight my boredom. I intend to be a one-book wonder and not write any more after this.
No. But we’ll be forever wondering. Be safe, my friend. Be well.
Were there any questions we missed? If you’re still unsure if you need an author platform, let us know.
Oh, in case you’re wondering what is an author platform, we answer that HERE>>
