BMACA TRAINING 2

 

BMACA TRAINING 2

Building Your Author’s Platform

As has been repeatedly announced on different platforms, today’s topic is:

Building Your Author’s Platform

Permit me to begin with a question:

Is there anyone in this class who hasn’t published a book yet? 🙋🙋

If your honest answer is yes, then let me assure you of something very important:

Nobody was born with a published book in his or her hands.

There’s always a beginning.

Even if you are not yet an author, you are certainly a writer. And being a writer is already a strong qualification to become an author. All you need to do is to repurpose your write-ups—your notes, your posts, your teachings, your reflections—into a manuscript. With the right structure and editing, that manuscript becomes a book.

And boom! You are an author! 🎉

A Practical Example

Earlier this year, I sent proposals to some pastors close to me. I encouraged them to allow me to help them become published authors.

My idea was simple. They had already been preaching for years, preparing Bible study manuals, Sunday school notes, and sermon outlines. I told them, “Instead of leaving these rich messages scattered in files and folders, why not select the best ones and convert them into books?”

I am glad to report that one of them has already been published on Selar. I am still working with others, and soon, they too will join the ranks of published authors.

Now, what is the lesson here?

Just like these pastors, we all have a platform from where we deliver our ‘messages.’ It may be in sermons, speeches, teaching sessions, blog posts, or even social media posts. These are seeds that can grow into books and build your authority as an author.

Who Is an Author?

An author is someone who has published a book—of any volume, in any format, and in any genre.

Three key ingredients are always present:

1. A message – your story, your lessons, your expertise.

2. A medium – the book, whether digital, print, or audio.

3. An audience – people who connect with your work.

And here is the truth: to succeed as an author, you must not only write a book—you must also build an author platform.

What Is an Author’s Platform?

Your author’s platform is the stage on which you stand to be seen and heard by your readers.

It is the bridge that connects you with your audience.

It includes your email list, your social media following, your blog readership, book signings, speaking engagements, media features, and every other place where people encounter your work.

One word summarises it best: VISIBILITY.

Just as Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice … and they follow me” (John 10:27), your platform must have a voice, a hook, and a consistent presence that draws your readers to you again and again.

Your platform is also the marketplace where you sell your products—books, courses, digital resources, or customised merchandise. It is what publishers look at when considering you for a deal. It is where your community grows, and where your influence expands.

Without a platform, even the best books can remain invisible.

The Three Types of Author Platforms

To build effectively, you must understand the three categories of platforms every author needs:

1. Owned Platform

This is your foundation—the space you control completely.

Examples:

Your website or blog

Your email newsletter

Your authored books

Your personal podcast

Your speaking engagements you host yourself

Key Benefits:

Nobody can take it away from you (unlike social media, which can shut you down overnight).

It builds long-term credibility and trust.

It allows you to nurture direct relationships with your readers.

💡 Think of it as your home base. If everything else shuts down, people can still find you here.

2. Borrowed Platform

This is when you use someone else’s audience to promote your message. You don’t own it, but you can benefit greatly from its reach.

Examples:

Guest articles in newspapers, blogs, or magazines

Interviews on TV, radio, or podcasts

Speaking at churches, schools, or conferences organised by others

Social media collaborations with influencers

Key Benefits:

You gain exposure to larger audiences.

You borrow credibility by association—if a trusted platform features you, people trust you more.

You can accelerate visibility and book sales quickly.

3. Earned Platform

This is recognition that comes without asking. You do not pay or lobby for it—you earn it through credibility, consistency, and excellence.

Examples:

Media outlets writing about you because of your impact

Readers recommending your book voluntarily

Winning awards and recognitions

Invitations to speak without solicitation

Key Benefits:

It positions you as an authority.

It opens doors you didn’t even knock on.

It sustains influence long after campaigns end.

How They Work Together:

Owned Platform is your foundation.

Borrowed Platform extends your reach.

Earned Platform solidifies your reputation.

An author who combines all three will not only reach more readers but also sustain long-term impact.

What You Need to Build an Author Platform

Let us now get practical. To build your author platform, here are the essential steps:

1. Choose a Unique Name

Your name is your brand. It could be your real name, pen name, or a variation. It should be:

Easy to spell

Memorable

Professional

Consistent across all platforms

This is what appears on your books, website, and publicity materials.

2. Identify Your Niche and Target Reader

Not every book is for everyone. Define your niche clearly—be it Christian inspiration, self-help, business, fiction, or poetry. Then study your target readers: their age, interests, struggles, and desires.

When you know whom you are speaking to, your message becomes sharper and your influence deeper.

3. Craft Your Brand Story

Your brand story is your “why.” Readers are not only interested in your books but also in you. Share your passion, values, struggles, and victories. Let them know why you write and what you stand for.

A strong story creates loyalty. People connect to the person behind the pen.

4. Build an Author Website or Blog

This is your digital home. At the minimum, your site should have:

Your bio and photo

Your books with purchase links

A contact page

A blog or news section

💡 A blog allows you to share updates, writing insights, excerpts, and valuable tips. It improves your visibility on search engines and keeps your readers engaged.

5. Collect Emails and Build Your List

Your email list is gold. Unlike social media followers, your list belongs to you. Offer something valuable for free—like a sample chapter, a short guide, or tips—to encourage sign-ups.

Through regular newsletters, you can update readers on book launches, events, and new resources.

6. Grow Your Social Media Presence

Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or YouTube. Share engaging content—quotes, behind-the-scenes videos, short clips, or polls. Respond to comments, join groups, and collaborate with influencers.

Consistency builds recognition. Social media is where you remain visible and accessible.

7. Create Multiple Formats of Your Book

Readers consume content differently. Offer:

Print books

eBooks

Audiobooks

Workbooks or journals

This multiplies your reach and increases revenue streams.

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8. Use High-Quality Promotional Materials

Invest in professional designs and marketing tools:

Book covers

Flyers and banners

Book trailers

Press kits

These materials make you appear professional and attract opportunities.

9. Connect with Industry Players

Build relationships with publishers, editors, publicists, bookstore owners, and other authors. Networking opens doors for collaborations, endorsements, and speaking engagements.

10. Seek Awards and Recognitions

Apply for literary awards, competitions, and community honours. These elevate your credibility and add weight to your platform.

11. Make Public Appearances

Go beyond the page—host book signings, attend conferences, speak at schools and churches, and feature on podcasts or TV. Public appearances expand your reach and position you as a thought leader.

12. Engage Your Audience Regularly

Keep readers close through newsletters, live Q&A sessions, online book clubs, giveaways, and interactive posts. Engagement builds loyalty, and loyalty builds influence.

Practical Visibility Test

Here is a simple exercise. Type your name into a search engine.

How many places does it appear?

That is a measure of your current visibility. If your name barely shows up, it means you have work to do in building your platform.

Blogging as a Powerful Tool

Among the easiest platforms to build is a blog. It costs almost nothing—only your data subscription—and it serves as your digital shopfront.

What authors can blog about:

1. Behind-the-scenes of your writing journey

2. Insights from your research

3. Bonus stories or character backstories

4. Book reviews and recommendations

5. Writing tips for fellow authors

6. Excerpts from your book

7. Personal experiences and reflections

8. News updates related to your work

9. Social or humanitarian contributions

10. Book events or industry trends

💡 If you run out of ideas, you can use generative AI to brainstorm dozens of topics.

Blog post structure that hooks readers:

1. Catchy title (using numbers works well)

2. Engaging opening (story, quote, or statistic)

3. Clear, valuable content

4. A call-to-action (buy, share, subscribe, comment, or attend)

Why All This Matters

Building your author’s platform is not just about selling books—it’s about building a community.

With a strong platform:

You attract the right readers.

You gain credibility in your niche.

Publishers and media take you seriously.

You expand your income streams.

You leave a legacy of influence.

Remember: an author’s platform is not built in a day. It is built brick by brick, word by word, story by story.

Call to Action

Let me leave you with two tasks:

1. Set a clear author goal for the next 12 months.

Write it down in one sentence. Is it to finish a manuscript, publish your first book, grow your audience, or launch a blog? Make it SMART—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

2. Start building your owned platform today.

Open a simple blog or website and publish your first post. Introduce yourself, your writing, and what readers can expect from you.

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In Summary

Your author’s platform is your stage, your visibility, and your bridge to readers.

Owned platforms give you control.

Borrowed platforms extend your reach.

Earned platforms solidify your authority.

Combine all three, stay consistent, and you will not only sell books but also shape lives, build influence, and leave a lasting legacy.