Essential Content Elements for Your Author Platform

As a writer, you already know the importance of having your work read by people who appreciate it. But how can you make sure they can find you, especially in today’s crowded online marketplace?

That’s where your author platform comes in.

It’s the all-important hub that connects YOU with your READERS! And gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself and your books in the most effective way possible.

The best part? Creating an author platform is easier than you might think! With the essential content elements (website, email list, freebie or giveaway, your other profiles, and social media links) you can give yourself the best chance to be found and appreciated by the right audience.

So, let’s dive into how to build the essential content elements for your author platform.

Building Your Online Presence: The Essential Content Elements Needed for Your Author Platform

Building your online presence and platform is crucial in making a name for yourself in the romance industry. One of the key components of your platform is your author website.

But, what are the essential content elements that every romance author needs on their website?

Let’s dive into the must-haves for your author platform, from essential pages to social media links.

Author Website

Your website is the storefront of your author platform, and it should reflect your brand and showcase you as an author.

Essential Pages

Each of these pages serves a purpose! Your About page is where you can introduce yourself. Your Author Blog page is where you can share additional stories and content while creating engagement with your readers. And each of your book pages can showcase each of your books and extra content to go with each.

Content Extras

Additionally, you can add extra unique content on each of your book and/or book series pages to not only capture your readers attention but also to convince them to sign up to your email list with the promise of exclusive content.

Build Your Email List

Grow your online presence and keep yoiur readers updated and informed using a simple form to capture their email addresses.

You must create a list of readers (your subscribers) to send updates, newsletters, and promotions regularly. You may be wondering what content you should send to your readers?

Well, what do you have that’s valuable, relevant, and useful? Check out the Content Library to create your own!!

Offer a Valuable Freebie

A great way to give value to your readers and incentivize them to sign up to your email list is by offering your readers a reader upgrade (aka freebie).

This content can be exclusive content that’s related to your characters, your world, or even your storyline. You can also offer a short story, a deleted scene, an author Q&A, or even a sample from your next book, as this will give your readers something of value.

This type of content is ideal to warm your readers up to your brand and your content!

Current And Active Social Media Accounts

Having your social media links on your website makes it easy for your readers and potential followers to find you. Make sure your social media links and your profiles are accurate, active, and up-to-date, as readers love following authors they love.

Find out where your ideal readers spend their time online. And focus your attention to that platform.

Including the links to your social media accounts is an excellent opportunity to highlight your content and may even provide social proof that’ll help convince other readers to like, follow, comment, and share your content.

Set Up Your Other Author Pages

Expand your online presence by creating an author pages on websites like Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, and even Bookbub.

These are just a few of the most widely known author websites on which you can set up your author profile to advertise your brand and your books.

To make the most of these, you need to set each up author profile and make sure to use the features they offer.

Learn to update and optimize your other author pages.

Conclusion

Building your author platform takes effort, but it’s an essential element to grow and evolve your career as a romance author.

With these essential content elements for your author platfrom, you’ll have everything you’ll need to build a solid foundation for your online presence and connect with your readers.

Remember your online presence should be authentic, informative, and engaging, so focus on providing value for your readers and make yourself accessible and open to creating new relationships within the industry. It’s time to start building your author platform, and this list is a great starting point to do it right.

But maybe you need more information first!! Dive deep into what the experts are saying.

Dive Deeper!!

While I hope that you follow the above steps to create the content you’ll need on your author platform, there are more steps to your platform that I barely touched on. Take a look at these experts:

Self-Publishing School: How to Build an Author Platform: 8 Vital Steps to Grow

Masterclass: How to Build an Author Platform to Market Your Book – 2023

Friesen Press: 6 Essential Elements of an Author Platform

Jericho Writers: Author Platform | What It Is and How to Build One

Self-Publishing Advice: The Ultimate Guide to Building A Solid Author Platform

Reedsy: 7 Ways to Build a Rockin’ Author Platform

ProWriting Aid: How to Build Your Author Platform While Writing

FAQs

Why Should I Have an Author Platform?

As an aspiring author, it’s important to establish an online presence to connect with readers and potential publishers. This is where having an author platform comes in handy. An author platform is essentially an online hub that showcases your literary work, your accomplishments, and your personality.

Think of it as a virtual resume that allows readers to get to know you on a personal level beyond just your writing. Once established, your author platform can help you build a following, attract new readers, and even land book deals. It’s a crucial tool that can take your writing career to the next level.

So, why not start building your author platform today and see where your literary journey takes you?

Do I Need an Author Platform Before I Write a Book?

As an aspiring author, you’ve no doubt heard the term “author platform”! But what exactly does it mean, and do you really need one before you start writing your book?

Well, to put it simply, an author platform is essentially your online brand. It’s the way you present yourself and your work to the world, through channelslike social media, blogs, and websites.

And while it may not be absolutely essential to have one before you start writing, building a platform early on can help you establish an audience and create the buzz you need around your work.

Plus agents and publishers often look for authors with an existing platform, as it can demonstrate that you’re serious about your writing and have the ability to market yourself effectively.

So, if you’re serious about becoming a published author, taking the time to build an author platform might just be worth your while.

Here’s an article from ProWriting Aid that goes into it a bit more.

What’s Next…

Finished creating your author website? Learn to submit your author website to Google.

Don’t forget to optimize your book pages so your books can be found easier.

Already finished your author website and ready to add extra content: Make your author website stand out with website extras!