Your author platform is your:
• Popularity
• Level of Recognition among your potential audience
• Prominence in your field or genre
• Visibility—Reach within your field or genre
• Level of Influence among your potential readers
• Credibility in your field or genre
It may consist of the following with regard to your field or genre:
• Experience
• Track record
• Connections
• Skills
• Proficiencies
• Reputation
It is basically your reach—your following. As Penny Sansevieri says, it’s not so much who you know as who knows you with regard to the topic or genre of your book. How many people know you or know who you are? How many have you influenced in a positive way related to the theme or genre of your book? Are you a trusted expert or professional in your field or in the genre of your book?
Here’s a question you should contemplate even before you write your book. Why would someone buy your book rather than other similar books on the market? This is something you need to seriously explore. If you can’t come up with valid reasons, it may be because you haven’t taken the time and effort over the years—or you just haven’t had the opportunity—to build a solid author platform. Not enough people know who you are. You don’t have a track record within your topic or your genre. You don’t have enough going for you to attract readers.
Learn more about your author platform and how to establish and build on yours by reading my FREE ebooklet, 50 Ways to Establish Your Author Platform. http://www.patriciafry.com