Platform Building-Is It Really Necessary?

“Your platform isn’t large enough.” The pretty blonde editor closed my proposal and handed it back.

I attempted a smile, thanked her for her time, stood up, held back the tears, and walked out of the room as gracefully as possible—holding my breath. When I reached the fresh air outside, I wanted to scream.

Ugh! I despised that word, platform—the elusive golden ticket. I refuted this modern publishing precept for big platform with the thoughts . . . but what if a book is amazing? What if an author is really talented? God is a big God! He can do anything.

But now that I’m on the other side of publication with two books recently released, I’ve learned a few things, and I have a better understanding of the importance of platform.

Talent and a unique idea can land you a contract with a small publisher. Many of us don’t care the size of the publisher; we just want to see our baby in print. (Am I right?) There are small to medium size publishers who will take a chance on a new writer with a small platform. And we are thankful for them. I’ve been blessed with such publishers.

But after the release of two new books in less than two months, I can tell you that I’m thankful for the platform, though not large, that I began to grow with the launch of my blog seven years ago.

Day in and day out I’ve consistently written for my followers.

I’m so glad I stayed the course and kept on writing even on days when the views were low and no comments or shares surfaced. Honestly, I’ve felt compelled to blog, and I know that God alone has been behind that grace to do so. In the consistency, perhaps the monotony, I’ve gained loyal followers. I have my tribe—a small tribe, but they are mine.

I am proof that everything the industry professionals tell you is true. Platform, a place to get the word out about your book, is paramount.

Blogging, speaking, and social media are three venues to build your platform Click To Tweet

Social media is a gift. We must embrace it as authors in the twenty-first century. But I do give this rule:

• Use it socially, not just as a tool to promote your book and blog.
• We must share others’ joys and concerns, cheer people on, allow people into our lives, and share our books and articles for the edification of others.
• Share other author’s books and blogs too—more than your own.

I’ve been amazed by how fast a post about your book’s release can spread through social media simply because your friends and followers love you.

But they don’t just love me; they’ve become familiar with my writing. They know what to expect. I am so thankful I started working on platform years ago. It takes time. If an author doesn’t start blogging or social media(ing) until after her book comes out, it’s too late. There’s not been enough time to grow it.

You’ve got to start NOW. Start building your platform before the contract, not just because the publishers demand it, but because you will greatly depend on that platform when the time comes for your book to release.

I do offer this warning. At one point early on in my career, I “wore” this pressure to grow my platform “on my sleeve.” In other words, I came across as desperate for people to subscribe to my blog. I was begging. I’m all about authenticity, so my publishing journey, rejections, and disappointments often became the topic for my blog posts. One day a close friend called me and told me that my dream to have my book published was idolatrous.

She didn’t understand. She had no idea how many hours I had spent with the Lord checking my heart about this. Nor did she know my agent was telling me she would not pitch my book to publishers until I grew my platform. Our friends who are not involved in this industry don’t know what’s needed in the market today, nor do they understand the ache—the calling inside of us to see our books in print. So, be wise in your words. Not everything we learn from God needs to be shared at that moment to that audience.

My friend’s judgment/warning did cause me to check my heart again—for the hundredth time and to sit back for a little bit afraid she was correct. But God made it clear to me that He alone could tell me to stop writing. My writing and platform building comes out of obedience to Him.

 I do what I can, and the rest if up to God. But I will do my part. I’ll blog, share on social media, speak, and teach, join writing groups and attend conferences. I’ll make my business/author cards and attend networking events in my community, and I’ll be open to whatever the Lord would have me do that day.

I am free to do this because I’m not selling me. I’m sharing the story God gave me to share. It’s my ministry. He’s given us wonderful tools in this modern era to generously love others across the country and the world with our words. He has called us to employ the written word to bring life to a dying, hurting world.

Build your platform, if not for the industry, for God.

 

 

Andy Lee is an award-winning writer, blogger, Bible teacher, and author of two books, A Mary Like Me: Flawed Yet Called (Leafwood 2016), and The Book of Ruth Key Word Bible Study: A 31-Day Journey to Hope and Promise (AMG 2015). She encourages digging deep to live fully at www.wordsbyandylee.com.