Building your author platform—Reputation
Posted By Sue Collier on June 4, 2010
Part 2 of a 3-part article
Guest blogger: Dana Lynn Smith
Your author platform determines your reach and influence in the market. Part one of this author platform series discusses the importance of branding. Today’s post covers building a reputation.
Your author reputation is a factor of how well known you are, what you are known for, and how credible you are. Consider these questions:
-Do you have a degree, special training or extensive experience in the topic that you’re writing about and/or in the craft of writing?
-Do you have (or can you obtain) a professional certification in your area of expertise?
-What awards or other recognition have you received?
-What kind of media experience do you have?
-How many people do you reach each month through speaking or interviews?
-How many people read your blog?
-How many articles have you written and posted or published in the past month?
-How well known are you and how much name recognition do you have?
-What leadership positions do you hold?
-Why should people listen to you or read your books?
Nonfiction authors can gain a reputation as an expert in their topic through such activities as writing books and articles, speaking and teaching, appearing on talk shows, being quoted in other people’s articles, and writing the foreword for other books.
Fiction authors may become known for their writing style and their expertise in writing in a specific genre (such as children’s, sci-fi, romance, or mystery) or for their niche within a particular genre (vampire stories, romantic adventure).
Your reputation and author platform can be enhanced by winning awards, receiving excellent book reviews, and getting testimonials and endorsements from celebrities and experts in your field.
What can you do to boost your author reputation and expert status and increase the number of people you reach? How can you highlight your credentials in your marketing materials?
Dana Lynn Smith is a book marketing coach and author of several book marketing guides, including The Savvy Book Marketer’s Guide to Successful Social Marketing. For more tips, follow @BookMarketer on Twitter, visit Dana’s blog at www.TheSavvyBookMarketer.com, and get a copy of the Top Book Marketing Tips ebook when you sign up for her free newsletter at www.BookMarketingNewsletter.com.
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