More Ways to Build Your Platform
Having your own author’s website is the Number 1 tool in your platform. Adding a blog to your website is a very close second. But “build it and they will come” hasn’t been true for a very long time. You need to support your website by also creating platform in other places. Linking to your website from other locations on the web helps you by engaging two important audiences: Readers and Robots.
Readers, actual human beings, are looking for books like yours so why not make it easy for them to find you by having a presence in the places where they are already spending time? At the same time, robots are constantly scanning the web, categorizing sites to make it easier for humans to find what they’re looking for. By having a number of good quality links to your site, you underscore your relevancy as an author which boosts your website in the search engines.
There are a number of places online where you can build an author profile and include your URL so that it links back to your website. Below are some of the top places you should have an author profile:
Most publishers, even smaller or DIY publishers, will host an author’s profile page for you and your book. Make the most of it as it might be the only publicity they offer.
Every author listed on Amazon has this opportunity. You can post your headshot, your list of books, biographical information and more.
Goodreads is one of those places where readers already are, so you should be, too. It’s reciprocal in that any reviews from readers on Goodreads can appear on your website by using their widget. At its most basic, however, this is another place to fill in your profile information and link to your website.
If you are an Illinois author, you have the opportunity to be listed on the Illinois Center for the Book wiki. You can build a nice profile there with your headshot, a list of your books and of course your website URL.
If you are not an Illinois author, there are Centers for the Book at other states as well. The Library of Congress is the main Center. When you go to their website, you will find the links to other states. Most states want the author to have a state connection, but if you were born in one state and live in another, you technically have connections to both.
Facebook
Facebook is still a popular social space, but it becomes tricky to know whether to annoy your family with your author news or annoy your readers with your family news. Some authors have two profiles, but then it becomes difficult to keep up with regular posts. At least put a link to your author website in your profile.
Twitter
Like Facebook, this platform may be more trouble than it’s worth for some. Put the website link in your profile and follow fellow authors to use this tool for research it you’d rather.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn has lots of space in the profile section to include your author career as well as any day job you might have. Go ahead and take advantage of it.
Patch.com
Patch is a hyper-local online news source. In addition to being a great place to post information about upcoming book-signings or other events, you can fill out a profile that includes your website.
Don’t panic about having to create profiles at all of these places at once. Do them as time permits. And if you have already put together a file with all the information on your Platform-Building Checklist, you’ll be able to fill in the blanks relatively quickly. With all these links, not only will you prove your relevance to the search engine robots, but you’ll look mighty impressive when someone googles you or your book!
Get all of this information and more in one, easy-to-read guide: Book Rookie - Tips for First-Time Authors
Tips, best-practices, and handy checklists found at the end of every chapter takes the hassle and worry out of launching your author career.