Do you have a platform to stand on?

June 28, 2:22 PMBaltimore Children's Writing ExaminerJennifer Bond Reed

Have you reinvented yourself as an author? What does this mean? With the change in economy, many children’s book publishers are rethinking not only what they buy to publish, but how they do business. No longer are the days when an author leaves the marketing of his or her book to the publisher. Authors need to be more than writers; they need to be the ultimate cheerleader for their book. One way authors do this is to develop a platform.

What is a platform?
If you think of an author’s platform as a stage, you are on the right track. Pretend you are on that stage. Who is your audience? What do you talk about while you’re on the stage? How are you reaching those people in your audience? An author platform is the way you reach readers. It can be through a network and organizations. It can be through notoriety if you have a claim to fame. It can be through exposure such as websites and other forms of media. Because you can’t reach every human being on earth, it’s important to know who your readers are and to target them specifically via any means you choose. Terry Burns, www.terryburns.net, Hartline Literary agent and author puts it in this way in his book, Pitch or Promote Like a Pro. “Everyone already has a platform right now unless they are a complete hermit. The place to start is to identify the one we have now. Everyone has friends and relatives, and how about the directory of your church… Do we have work contacts? How many people are on the various groups we’re in? Involved in a PTA group?” You have access to a lot of people and these people could be part of your platform.

Websites and Blogs
Max Anderson writes books for boys. He has a gift in this area, but also sees a need. Anderson has a website, which he admits he doesn’t update regularly, but he does have a blog where he discusses books for boys, gives reviews on books for boys and also talks about reluctant readers. Not only is Anderson knowledgeable and familiar with the subject, more readers are visiting his blog on a regular basis. He has published several books for boys as well, so Max is an “expert” on the subject. “My blog, Books for Boys, is where I spend most of my "platform building" time. Its ranking has steadily climbed on Google, over the past two years, when people search under the topic of books for boys. Right now, it is at # 4 on Google.” Anderson says that he is convinced that his platform (his blog) is the reason why Boys’ Life is holding one of his short stories for future publication. Boys’ Life editors probably like the idea that Max already has a strong following of readers through his blog. If Max writes about being published in Boys’ Life, his readers might go and buy a magazine so they can read his story. It’s a win-win for both the author and the editor.

Finding your Niche
You’re writing your first children’s book (or maybe your tenth) and you just aren’t sure what your niche is. It isn’t always so cut and dry. The first most obvious way to approach this is to think hard – What is your book is about? For Stephanie Meyers, author of the well-read Twilight series, it is fantasy/romance. This is her niche. Her platform is her website. It not only highlights her books, but she has videos, music, interviews, and photos all about her books and now movies. Meyer’s niche draws readers in and she hooks them via her website. They want to know more not only about Bella and Edward, her two hugely popular characters in the Twilight series, but readers want to know more about Meyers, the creator. For Meyers, her platform started with her website but has grown into television, radio, newspaper, magazine and even movies! Of course, now she has name recognition too. As she grows in success, more people discover her which ultimately means more book sales- a publisher’s dream.

Michelle Buckman, teen author puts it easily enough. “If you were calling up a school about doing a talk, what would you say? What would your topic be? You can't just say you're the author of children's books. It must have a targeted topic” And so must your platform. She writes and speaks on real issues that affect real teens. “I write fiction that tackles contemporary issues, such as teen pregnancy, rape, molestation, abstinence. However, my unique focus is how teens (and adults) can use their faith on a daily basis to handle these issues.” Buckman has an informative website but she also speaks, is an acclaimed newspaper journalist, and writing instructor. She has a large audience- a large author platform.
It’s not always easy and many authors don’t focus on just one subject or one genre when writing.

Often seen in children’s publishing, an author may write for different ages and on different topics. Still they have may have a strong platform such as Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of books for children and young adults. Her website is full of information for writers and she focuses on teaching her readers how to become published authors. However, it’s her blog, Cynsations that keeps people interested in Cynthia Leitich Smith. This continually updated resource is full of interviews, reading recommendations, publishing information, literacy advocacy, writer resources, news in children's and teen literature. Smith’s blog isn’t just about her personal successes, but so much more. Smith has found her niche and has a huge audience because of it. Editors know this and love it, so chances are pretty good that Smith will continue to sell lots of books!

Niche and Platform
There is a difference between having a niche and having a platform, however your platform should include your niche. Terry Burns writes books about the west and loves cowboy stories. His website has a western theme. This is his niche. His platform is the website itself, his blog, articles and speaking engagements. He draws people into his website through his love for the west. Like-minded people find him and he grows a following.

Kevin Scott Collier notes the difference well. “A platform is media rich places that increase an author’s consumer base.” For Collier, this includes a television show, books, websites and magazines. “I see a platform as affiliations that already have a locked in consumership, then you springboard your other works through name recognition.” Once you find your platform and build on it, your name will become more recognizable, well-known until you are selling books to editors just because of who you are!

Where to Start?
Authors and editors agree that building your platform even before your book is published is a good idea. The first thing to do is to consider the people you already know. Make a list of groups you belong to, friends and family and work associates. Today, building a website is probably one of the easiest way to start building your author platform. It not only lets the world know all about you and your writing, but you can also track the number of hits you receive each month. This ultimately may be used in selling your manuscript. The same goes for blogs, which have become increasingly popular. If your website or blog site receives a lot of hits, editors will take notice.

Kevin Collier notes that although these two platforms are good and essential, there is more an author can do. “You cannot just stand on your website alone. You have to be plugged in good with a variety of things that themselves have a reach and service a built-in wide audience. The bigger your outreach, and platform, the bigger the opportunities become. It's easier to get book contracts, writing spots, and often can bypass standard submission processes and move to the head of the line.” For Kevin, television appearances, and his illustrations appearing in different venues from private school educational packets to illustrations for a small motion picture studio are just some of the ways he is continually developing his platform.

Just as writers are encouraged to know their readers well, so must an author know what his or her niche is and how he will market his book. Know your niche and become an expert in it. Write articles on the subject that you can give away on your website. Get in touch with other experts in the field and write to them. Visit their blogs or websites and comment. Join organizations that are relevant to your topic. Stay up to date on current news that relates to your niche. Stay active in those areas in which you have some expertise and think of ways to increase your author platform. Promoting your book via an author platform is becoming more the norm today. Because selling a book is highly competitive, it’s not a bad idea to start thinking about your platform and how you will reach thousands of potential readers! Do you have a platform to stand on? If not, start one now!