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by Alex J. Cavanaugh
Building an author platform takes time. Looking back, I now understand why my publisher wanted me online a year before the release of my first book. It took me a while to network, make friends, and build momentum.
Most authors grasp the efforts required before and during a book release. They do blog tours, appearances, interviews, giveaways, and start planning the next book. When the dust settles, they retreat back into the writing cave and out of the spotlight.
Call me clueless, but I missed that last part!
I slowed down while writing and ventured online just a little bit less, but I never ground to a halt. Hey, it took me a year to build that momentum! If I lost it, I’d have to do it all over again. I was determined that wouldn’t happen. (I’m ambitiously lazy.)
Now some writers maintain momentum by producing a lot of books in a short amount of time. I’m a slow writer though, so I knew that plan wouldn’t work for me. I had to keep promoting, which meant maintaining my online presence.
Of course, I don’t like promoting my own books, so did other things instead. I just kept building my blog and Twitter following, co-hosted the A to Z Challenge, participated in blogfests, and started the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. After all, I wasn’t online just to promote my book – I was there to support and encourage others.
Did it work? Well, eleven months after its release, my first book hit the Amazon Best Seller chart.
I also wrote my next book during that time, and when it was released, it also hit the Best Seller charts. Both books eventually soared to the top of the Amazon UK charts as well. And while I’m blessed with a publisher who promotes my work, even they said my online activity had a huge impact on sales.
Maintaining momentum is important. So is consistency. Together it’s like a heartbeat, one that keeps your platform alive.
I know every author is different, but if I’d pulled back and vanished, my chances of success would’ve also vanished. No Amazon Best Sellers. No Insecure Writer’s Support Group. No blog growth or opportunity to really make a difference in this community. And it would’ve been a great loss.
Guess there’s something to be said about being clueless!
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, his third book, CassaStorm, will be released September 17, 2013.
Hi Jessie, hi Capn Ninja!! Well I think you of all the bloggie writers totally cracked this building an author platform thing and not just building but MAINTAINING it - which is probably harder! But you did it and continue to do so in true Ninja style! Yay! Huge congrats with your Cassa trilogy!
ReplyDeleteTake care
x
Yeah I know what you mean. I might slow down after publishing, but letting go of social networking while writing sounds like a huge loss of an opportunity to me...
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Jess!
ReplyDeleteWise words.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Alex. :)
Ambitiously lazy. Love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Alex. You make excellent points here.
Alex is a cool person, he enjoys all spectrum's of life, film, music, books and respect to the masses. Bravo, thank you for sharing another side and story...
ReplyDeleteJeremy H.
New Look, New Name and Same Stuff...
[Being-Retro]
Great post Alex. I think staying consistent is a hard port of online presence.
ReplyDelete~Summer
Alex, whether you know it or not, God is using you to mentor me in this whole "social media" thing.
ReplyDeleteKitty, maintaining is key!
ReplyDeleteMisha, it is a loss...
MJ, what can I say?
Melanie, thank you! It's all God though.
Excellent advice that you certainly put into action very well.
ReplyDeleteConsistency is a tough one for me but I'm trying to do better with it. I admit to getting too lazy at times, and not even ambitiously lazy. Great advice, Alex!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for sharing, Jess. It's nice to meet you.
Hi, Jessica & Alex,
ReplyDeleteAs Alex knows, I admire his drive and energy. I can certainly learn a thing or two or three from him. in terms of maintaining a presence constantly and being there for others consistently. Good job!
Yeah, Alex gets it: don't disappear. He never does; he's everywhere. Thanks for featuring him, Jess.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Just hoppe dover from Alex's blog:) Great interview, Alex is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI totally see a connection in my online activity and my sales. I have four kids and sometimes life gets to be too crazy and I have to slow things down a bit. During these times my numbers always suffer. But it's a hit I'm willing to take to keep my kids going into adulthood on a steady path.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I do not know how you do it. Like Jess, every blog I visit I see a friendly comment from you. As a rare blood courier, I just do not have the time to visit and comment on dozens and dozens of blogs. How do you do it?
ReplyDeleteNo matter. I am glad that you do, for that is how I found you. May your next book (I refuse to consider it to be your last) be even more successful than the other two!!
I think you've hit the nail on the head. It's keeping the online presence up that helps! You've done a great job with doing that!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, we have to decide what is important and people always come first.
ReplyDeleteRoland, I just make it a priority.
Thanks, guys!
Marvelous post, Alex! Online presence truly does help, and you're lucky to have the flexibility to do a lot. It also helps your stories are pretty awesome too. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have so much I want to do, even blogging, but recently I decided I have to slow down a little with the blog to get other stuff done. Although, I haven't slacked on Twitter or FB at all or other things. It's important to maintain a presence. I know my downloads & sales suffer, if I'm away from Twitter too long.
ReplyDeleteYou're a social media and blogging wiz, Alex!
ReplyDeleteI wish I was a little better at it, but honestly, I don't know what else I can do, and everything I think of seems boring ;)
Thanks, Christine!
ReplyDeleteJuliana, you're not boring at all!
Personally, I still think you're a Ninja. Even if you do get some stuff done at work, it's amazing what you're able to accomplish.
ReplyDeleteGreat points and sound advice. Your publisher is wise. And wow about the UK Amazon chart! Sweet.
Great advice. When I first starting blogging and using facebook, I did just as you said. I promoted my book and then disappeared. I'm trying to be consistent now and you set a great example of having an interesting blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the great advice, Alex! Thanks to you too, Jessica, for hosting! I'm paying more attention to this since my book is due out soon, so I appreciate the insight. I am not a social media expert, so I appreciate all the help I can get!
ReplyDeleteWhat I really enjoy about you, Alex, is that you are so genuine, you promote with integrity, and through it all you remain humble.
ReplyDeleteIt's no accident you're on the Amazon best seller list!
Keep rockin' it. :)
Words Crafter, there's a little Ninja in me. And thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. I try!
Karen, you'll do great.
Thanks, Kristen!
Your story is the best endorsement for online presence and staying active. You continually amaze me.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Hi Jess, Alex is indeed awesome. His success should both be an inspiration and a lesson for us lesser mortals who are unable to cope up with writing and building a platform. In our cases one or the other thing always suffers. Alex is not just a prolific writer, he is also great at helping promote other writers.
ReplyDeleteThat was inspiring and useful. Thank you, Alex.
ReplyDeleteThe advice is very, very welcome. Thanks, Alex and Jess. And Alex, thank you as always for working so hard to build community and support writers online. It works; I'm definitely a fan :)
ReplyDeleteLee and Rachna, thanks!
ReplyDeleteLiz, appreciate that! I try.
So inspiring, Alex. I have to remember this when some days I feel like I'm procrastinating on writing by having fun around the blog world!
ReplyDeleteYou keep a fantastic online presence but I sense that you love doing it and that draws people to your site as well. Great advise - thanks!
ReplyDeleteDeniz, just have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteRyshia, I do enjoy it. I like being able to give back.
I'm a multi-book reader and Cassafire is one of three books I'm in the midst of, and I'm enjoying it. Alex, I see your name all over the place. Like Ryshia said, you have a phenomenal online presence which draws bloggers like myself to you. You offer wonderful words of encouragement to all! Thanks, and good luck and much success to you!
ReplyDeleteCathrina, thank you!! I appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteI love the Insecure Writers Support Group! Alex is awesome. :)
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