Whether you’re self-publishing or going the traditional route, you need to have an author platform to market your book. As Jane Friedman says, everyone’s definition of an author platform seems to differ, but Friedman defines it as: “an ability to sell books because of who you are or who you can reach.”
And while most agree that the author platform stretches well beyond the digital space, online numbers can make a difference. Jenna coaches authors on how to build numbers for the following:
- Newsletter subscribers
- Facebook fans
- Twitter followers
- Instagram followers
- Website traffic
Most of her work consists of coaching in these areas, teaching authors to become independent and build these followings on their own. She works differently with each client — some prefer weekly calls, while others want a little more one-on-one time.
You’ll cover only those areas you wish. Not a fan of Twitter? Your coaching sessions will focus on TikTok, or vice versa. You’ll learn how to use hashtags (properly), the 80/20 rule, what makes for engaging content, and, most importantly, how to grow your audience — via both free and paid methods.
Remember, growing your author platform doesn’t happen overnight. Depending on how much time and money you have available, it can take months before you see real movement in the needle. So, even if you’re still mulling over ideas for your book, it’s never too early to get started.
Got friends? Regularly scheduled group calls can greatly bring down the per-person price.
