Platform: A Buzz Word You Can't Ignore by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

The problem with buzz words is that we start hearing them so often that we're tempted to ignore them because we think we've gotten the message or we're tired of hearing it . Platform is a buzz word that has been making the rounds in the publishing industry for a few years now and looks like it might become one of those permanent fixtures. 

Agents and editors have blogged about it, and marketing professionals and publicists have taken it to a whole new breakout level. There is now the Marketing Platform, Online Platform, Speaking Platform, Blogging Platform and now the Social Media Platform. It seems that we need a substantial platform in every area of our lives that has the potential to amplify our names and promote our work to increase possible sales. In short, this platform buzz word isn't going away.

A few years ago when the economy began to tank, publishers became more selective than ever in what they accepted for publication. The competition got tough, and as I've always said, in my humble opinion it was already tough.

So what is platform?

My personal definition is that platform is a buildup of readership and/or a following of people who like to read what you write enough to buy and/or promote it. The bigger your platform, the higher your ability to sell your books in large volume and to get your books published through a publisher. 

One reason why some have come to dislike the word platform, is because so many good authors are being rejected due to their lack of platform--or at least that's what they're being told. Their writing is good enough for publication, the concept interesting and applicable to the present, but if the author doesn't have a great platform, it can be rejected based on that alone. In the old days, it was the quality of a writer's work that meant publication. They were told to keep improving their craft and a door would eventually open. 

Times have changed!

Now authors are expected to build a platform before publication while they improve their craft. It wouldn't hurt to have a marketing degree, but if not, writers need to be reading all the marketing and promotion blogs and articles they can find, and implement what they learn. It isn't enough just to store away the information for later use. Somewhere in all this time while learning the craft of writing and platform building, writers must squeeze in a full-time job to pay the bills and have enough left over for writing organization fees, conferences, and workshops.

So the great question for every author is: How do I build a platform? It all boils down to marketing yourself as a writer, promoting what you write, and connecting and networking with people. Those who are great at promoting themselves, speaking in public, and building that public awareness will build a bigger platform and have the edge over writers who don't promote themselves well.

I'd like to point you to some great articles that have been written on this topic:

Need A Platform? by Agent Terry Burns

Fiction Platform by Agent Rachelle Gardner

How Important is an Author's Platform by Michael Hyatt, Board Chair of Thomas Nelson Publishers

What are your thoughts on platform? Are you feeling overwhelmed by this buzz word? Have you been able to implement what you learn? What are your most difficult challenges in building a platform?