3 Ways to Rethink and Maximize Your Author Platform Without Overwhelm

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When people talk about “platforms”, what comes up?

Flashes of millions of social media followers and guest spots on national morning shows?

Hours and hours spent responding to comments and creating content?

All of your spare time being focused on growing your audience, but you mostly feel like you’re running in circles?

Well, let’s take a breath and zoom out a bit.

What if a platform was just as publishing expert Jane Friedman describes: an ability to sell books because of who you are or who you can reach.

 And if you’re a writer and food creator, chances are you already have a few thoughts of what you specifically could do or are already doing.

You don’t have to recreate what works for someone else because your audience and message are unique. The way you engage with people is unlike anyone else, so why would you try to copy someone?

The magic in maximizing your platform, regardless of size, is you can use what’s working already and create something you’re excited about. 

Sounds way less scary and overwhelming, right? And by that, I mean doable. And it totally is. Let’s look at what an author platform is and 3 ways to rethink and maximize yours without overwhelm.

Why an Author Platform Matters

First things first, an author platform gives you an ability to not only reach more people, but a better opportunity to sign on the dotted line for a publishing deal. 

If you’re a known entity or someone with a dedicated following, you’ll immediately make an agent or publisher take notice. In fact, a lack of an author platform is the biggest reason agents say, “No, thank you” to a manuscript. 

Steve Martin said, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”

Well, I’m saying: Be so visible they can’t ignore you.

Yes, you still need the writing chops, but if you’ve amassed a loyal following, it’ll be one less reason for agents or publishers to say no.

Other Doors Will Open for You

Beyond publishing, an author platform opens up opportunities for speaking engagements, interviews, and partnerships. Don’t limit yourself to only book sales. 

It may feel scary to dream beyond getting your book on shelfs, but a writer’s life is a long and windy path. You have no idea when and if the next book deal will come, so you better take hold of your career anyway you can.

Who are the people you hope to reach? What are you big life dreams — the ones you’re even too afraid to say out loud? Chances are that the more your work is exposed, the closer you’ll be to having those things come true.

Maybe you dream of spending two months in the South of France every year and because of your author platform and following, you host a 3 day writing workshop while you’re there to make some extra money. And what if it sold out? And what if it became an annual affair?

An author platform allows you strength and flexibility with your career be it your email subscribers, social media following or press mentions.

You never know what could happen, so keep your doors and windows wide open for whatever comes your way. Now, let’s dive into the 3 ways you can rethink and maximize your platform.

1. Make a List of Where You’re Currently Hanging Out 

Before you can look at where you want to go, look at the places you already are. Make a list of the places physically and virtually where you’re currently hanging out or have already established a presence.

Are you a part of a local food bloggers community? Write it down. 

Do you host a monthly pop-up dinner series? List it.

Did you set it up, so your Instagram automatically posts to your Facebook business page? Jot it down.

Have you started a following with your TikTok series on how to grocery shop for the week with just $40? Put it down too. 

Chances are, the list is longer than you originally thought. When my clients make their lists, they see two things: 1. They have more going on than they realized. 2. They have more going on than they realized. 

Your career and personal connections run wider than you think. Often, we’re so busy looking at other people’s platforms and reach and believe we’re missing something with our own. So, we end up joining a ton of platforms or groups because we don’t want to miss an opportunity. 

Once you can see all of the places where you’re hanging out, it’s time to focus on the ones that truly matter.

2. Ditch the Places Draining Your Energy 

One of the mistakes people make with their platforms is trying to be everywhere. Yes, you want to reach as many people as possible, but if you’re showing up with a bad attitude on Instagram because you don’t enjoy it, you’ve already lost. 

But if you’re known for all-night conversations and people are constantly saying how they could talk to you for hours, pitching yourself to podcasts may be an easy win for you. Plus, they are one of the best marketing tools because it allows listeners to spend an extended period of time with you, making them more likely to buy what you’re selling.

As you look at the list of places where you’ve been and are hanging out, what lights you up? 

What spaces make you excited to be and which ones do you wish would just slip away?

It’s scary sometimes to step away from opportunities when you’re building your career as a cookbook author or food memoirist. Every chance to share your story, whether it’s  writing a monthly column or speaking at a conference, feels too big to pass up.

You will have to say no to things though, and it’s important to know why you’re passing something up. 

Let’s say a local food magazine asks you to write a weekly column. It doesn’t pay much, but you’re able to get some writing clips and meet industry folks while you’re doing it, so it’s worth it in the beginning. As time goes on though, it’s taking time away from the YouTube channel you started which has gotten you booked on some local television shows. 

As much as you’ve loved writing for the magazine and hate to let it go, it’s holding you back from making a bigger impact. 

Cutting back is one of the hardest things to do, but it’s necessary. 

If you need to make your Twitter private with a note in the bio to find you at your website, so people won’t see you haven’t posted in seven years, do it. 

Cleaning up and leaving places that are holding you back is the only way to find the people who truly need you.

3. Double-down on the Places You Love

Now, it’s time to go all in on the places you love. 

If you’re energized by speaking to crowds and being in-front of live audiences, how can you invest more with where you’re already showing up?

Let’s say you’re an active member of some local or national culinary organizations. Are there monthly or annual meetings where they may need panelists, judges or speakers? A lot of groups are champions of their members, so they’d be more inclined to hear a pitch from someone who is invested in the cause already.

Not sure how to pitch yourself? Do you know people who have been guest speakers or panelists for the group? Ask them to coffee or to hear more about what they’re doing, and then see if they have any pointers on who you should be connecting with. 

This is the slow grind of networking and building your platform, but it’s also what’ll pay off in the end. Part of your platform is your network, so make sure you’re investing fully where you are and with the folks you’re meeting along the way. 

The energy you’re saving by only being where you love will allow you to say yes to things that matter over things you feel you “should” be doing. 

How to Keep Growing Your Platform Without Overwhelm

As you gain momentum with your platform, new opportunities will pop up, and you’ll be tempted to add things to your list. Growth is necessary, but you can put some boundaries on it. 

Maybe, you only start a YouTube channel when you can afford an editor and videographer. 

Or you outsource the copywriting for your blog and email newsletter, so you can accept the piling requests as a podcast guest. 

You can delegate and rearrange things as needed, but you’ll have to be honest with yourself about what is and isn’t manageable. If the goal is to grow and maximize your platform and reach without being overwhelmed, you’ll have to protect your time fiercely. 

Want help figuring out how you should build this out for your book proposal? Get on my coaching waitlist here.