Building a Platform

I had a question from a reader:

What is the best way, in your opinion, for an unpublished author to start marketing themself before they are published?

Building a platform is much more important for non-fiction and adult authors than for fiction and children authors. My dad and I tried to publish a non-fiction adult book (we had an agent), but most of the editors felt my dad didn't have enough of a platform to sell the book.

Most children agents and editors books don't seem to care about platform. It is the book itself that is the most important. The audience doesn't care about the author's credibility or credentials. Children authors don't turn as easily into brand-names since studies show that kids don't pay attention to the author name the same way adults do.

That being said, there are things you can do to make yourself stand out. Agents do take you more seriously if you get a MFA in creative writing. You can also publish short stories in magazines or win prizes. SCBWI, for instance, has awards for authors who have not yet been published.

Blogs are of questionable value. Most agents seem to look up blogs only to make sure a potential client isn't crazy - agents have turned down clients because the author overshared on their blog, were overly critical of others, etc. I have heard a story or two about people getting deals from their blog, but I can't confirm they aren't urban legends. Definitely don't advertise a blog if you can't keep up with it!

Most importantly, if your bio is empty, don't try to inflate it. Agents see that as amateurish, and it turns them off.

Also remember: Your platform won't mean anything if the agent or editor does not connect to your story. It is a very subjective career!