The bane of my existence lol. Definitely something I’m working on, but like branding, still haven’t figured it all out yet. And I’d love to win because it’s obviously something I NEED to learn!

Great post! I’d love to win this giveaway, as I’m working hard to build my platform. One thing in particular I’m working hard on is making the emails I send to my VIP readers engaging and valuable. I’m in this for the long haul, and I want to learn how to build a good foundation. Thanks so much for the opportunity. 🙂

I so need this! I am working to rebrand myself so I’m not locked into a slot depending on what I write. I’ve learned tips over the years, none of which have really worked, but then I didn’t throw myself into the marketing. I need to do that!!

This sounds like an amazing opportunity! I have one NF book published, another on the way, and a novel as well. I’d love some help with creating a platform for my fiction and my nonfiction.

Very cool, Rachel and Alexa. I love the wonderful post and this is my biggest fear and always has been, regardless of whether or not my book is “hot” and I see it as a best seller. I feel very unsettled about it and I need to learn how to get better at promoting my brand. Tonight’s chat sounds great and I will do my best to be there. Thank you.

Hah! I keep looking at the various ways to grow my platform and running into stumbling blocks. Some things I can’t change (like living in a conservative town and the potential backlash, given the genre I write in) but there are other areas in which I can improve–I just need the guidance. I know I’m not making good use of my email list, and yet I enjoy blogging and love engaging with people on social media. It shouldn’t be that hard, right? But most of the time I post something and get crickets chirping. I’d love to learn how to do more with what I have to work with!

I am pretty rubbish at number 3. It’s not easy when you’re introverted AND shy AND anti-social.

Indeed, an author’s work doesn’t stop after finishing his manuscript. Perhaps, even after being represented by an agent! I am so glad to have found #bookmarketingchat and having read this blog! The success stories of authors like E.L. James are what drives me to continue writing and holding on to my dreams of one day getting my book published. Will focus on one platform and probably start a blog. Time to create some buzz!

I so need an author platform. I think I have one, but I’m not sure, and I don’t know how to create BUZZ!! So I need some serious help!!

Building a platform for my books is something I keep coming back to, but with minimal success. Alexa makes some excellent points here, and with a little luck, I’ll have more success in the future.

Your article comes at a time when I really need it. I thought I’d created my author platform but have come to realize my concept needs work, probably a complete overhaul. It’s frustrating, but there’s nothing to do but plunge in. I’ll certainly reread your article and will buy your book. Thank you for setting out everything so clearly.

Sincerely,
Dana Lemaster

Well said and great article! The thing I really like about this is how it speaks to me. It’s simple and all of these are doable and obtainable if you just put in a little work and research. Its sort of a look inside yourself and look at your book and see if you can help your book so it can help you.

I appreciate the clarity of this article. I have tried to clarify my audience and a losing readers. This helps me realize a few things thanks.

I have genre butterfly tendencies. I innately want to flit from genre to genre like a butterfly flits from flower to flower, collecting all kinds of nectar as it goes on its way. This means that I find it really, really hard to define my ideal reader and the focus of my social media presence. I’ve been focusing on branding myself and in the process have narrowed down what I want to write and who I want to write it for. But it’s still hard. I’d love to win your course as it would help me move further along the track to having the social media presence that I need. I’m currently building my website and it would be great to have your help to polish it. I’m also interested in mailing list automation. I find it really hard to write those emails. I believe I have an audience – I just need help to find them and nurture them :).

A long, long process. I’m aiming at the slow and steady build and have learned a lot from posts like this.

So many things I STILL need to learn! Would love the chance to win 🙂

the platform for my non-fiction is no longer valid and I’m looking for ways to improve my fiction platform. What worked in one part of the country no longer does in the conservative area I now live.

I came to this post through a link from Alexa’s helpful newsletter. When I saw she was on Rachel’s blog, I had to click because I love Rachel. I learn so much from her!

Unlike many of my writer pals, I actually rather enjoy creating marketing strategies, then looking back to see what worked and what flopped. I’m currently revamping my marketing strategies, so winning this would be fabulous! But, even if I don’t win, I thank you both for all that you do to support other authors. 🙂

Why? Because I could use all the help I can get in this area!
I signed up for your book too – thanks so much for that!

I would love to win a spot in Alexa’s course because I’ve written an amazing book and I would love to have more buzz around it.

[…] is how a seasoned writer explained an author platform to me at the time that helped me make sense of it […]