New authors often call me. They want my help to build their platform in time for their book’s release the following month. I ask, “What have you been doing to serve your audience this past year?”
They reply, “Nothing. I’ve been writing my book.”
Me: “Who do you expect to buy your book?”
Them: “My family and friends.”
Me: “Eventually, those people will be saturated with your message. Once that happens, who will buy your book?”
Them: “Hmm…I never thought about that.”
The hard truth is that no one can build a platform in a month, especially not from scratch. And what does that phrase even mean, really?
What is an “Author Platform”?
Your author platform is your ability to sell books to people you’ve never met. Celebrities, politicians, and megachurch pastors do this effortlessly because they developed a loyal following long before they became an author.
How can you get that same result? Reaching people beyond your family and friends comes first.
Offering your message for free via a Facebook Live program comes second. As you serve your audience with excellence, more audience members—who don’t yet know you—will be drawn to you, growing your audience base. Staying in touch with them comes third.
What does it take to start?
You don’t need any followers in the beginning, because you earn them as you help them. You will need a computer, camera, and microphone. Plus the message you’ve been sharing for years, formally or informally. That’s it!
As you “go live,” the Holy Spirit will draw the very people who need your message.
They’ll return. Some will bring their friends. And your platform will grow deeper. When you serve your audience well, it builds naturally. And supernaturally.
What if I need to polish my message a bit more?
Even if you’ve been delivering your message for decades, hosting a Facebook Live program will refine it. How? Your audience will ask follow-up questions during the program, bringing up points you haven’t considered before. Two-way conversations with a live audience are so much better than writing to unseen readers who don’t respond!
The flexible, back-and-forth flow of a Facebook Live allows the conversation to take unexpected and delightful turns, making your message richer, fuller, and more effective.
Don’t I have to be an expert to host a Facebook Live program?
Even if you don’t start out as an expert, you’ll become one, and be recognized as such. This will open doors you never dreamt of, expanding your audience reach even further and creating opportunities for new personal and professional relationships.
Many Christian communicators balk at “going live,” preferring to write blog posts and share memes instead. And those are good ways to get your message out.
But if you want to develop solid relationships with your audience so they’ll become loyal followers, advocates, and buyers for years, Facebook Live is the faster choice. Though, like any worthwhile project, it doesn’t happen overnight.
When should you begin?
No matter when your next book will be published, I encourage you to begin building your audience base now. Intentionally reach beyond your family and friends.
Some writers worry they’ll give away everything they know, then their audience won’t want their book. On the contrary, sharing your best in 15-30 minute segments via Facebook Live showcases your message, making your audience hungry for more.
First one viewer, then another, then still others will recognize not only the value of your message but they’ll get to know YOU: your personality, your laughter, and your wisdom. You’ll be in relationship with them. These are the people who will be first in line when your book is released. They’ll become your advocates, encouraging their friends to purchase everything you create, helping your platform grow without any extra effort from you. And all because of the connection created as you serve them.
Will 2021 be your year to build a strong author platform using a Facebook Live program?
Patricia Durgin is an Online Marketing Coach and Facebook Live Expert. She trains Christian writers and speakers exclusively, helping them develop their messaging, marketing funnels, conversational emails, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia hosted 505 (60-minute) Facebook Live programs from 2018-2020. That program is on indefinite hiatus. She’s also a regular faculty member at Christian writers and speakers conferences around the country.
Website: https://marketersonamission.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketersOnAMission
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