Most authors find the promotion part of publishing a book at best challenging and, at worse, a necessary evil. Some authors enjoy it, seeing it as an important part of getting a book noticed and into the hands of readers.
The antidote to this entire platform thing is to first think about readers and those you will influence through your work. It’s a borderline magic potion to enjoying the platform-building process and writing content in general. Thinking first about others is quite liberating.
Or as C.S. Lewis pointed out, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
The vaccine to cure the problem if you are uncomfortable with self-promotion is to intentionally include books you didn’t write and other authors you appreciate in your promotion. When you do this, there are immediate positive results in the way you view platform-building.
When your author platform is a place to recommend good books to your connections, the purpose is raised to something much greater than only focus on your work.
Whether you have a reasonably successful author platform or are just getting started, make it a point to “adopt an author” or two, or more, to amplify along with your material.
The key ingredient in this “magic potion to enjoy platform-building” is not requiring reciprocal promotion. This is not a business transaction but a heartfelt endorsement of someone else’s work. Maybe you don’t even tell them. Do a Nike on them. (Just do it.)
We all need to see people in less transactional ways. Doing something without the expectation of an in-kind response pushes back against harmful self-interest.
Adopting an author to amplify is good for their book; your book; and, most importantly, your soul. Metaphorically speaking, it removes all the mirrors in your house, so you can’t spend all day looking at yourself.
Every author should have a list of books that meant a lot to them. None of them should have your name on the cover, index, or acknowledgment page. If you are an author, you should have read some books that impacted how you think about things.
This list should be posted on your website or social-media profile and changed every few years if you desire. Consider doing a “what I am reading now” list.
For me, the five books that changed my thinking or contributed to my understanding of life and our world are:
- Your God is Too Small by J.B. Phillips (the first Christian book I read)
- In His Steps by Charles Sheldon (the second Christian book I read)
- In Search of Excellence by Tom Peters
- When Pride Still Mattered by David Maraniss
- The Next Christendom by Philip Jenkins
Honorable Mention: 1967 Who’s Who in Baseball.
Making a list of a few authors you want to help succeed and another of books that formed you as a person are worthwhile endeavors since they will help other people grow, which is a far better pursuit than only promoting yourself.
Who knows? You might even enjoy marketing!
Pay it forward from your past,
give credit where credit’s due
because fame is not made to last,
and in this world, neither are you.
Tip your hat to those who made
you more than you had been before.
Give up your place in your parade,
give up the podium and floor
and bid them speak now in your place,
each giant on whose mighty shoulder
you found light and you found grace,
and so, before the trail grows colder
turn the spotlight from yourself
to old loved books on dusty shelf.
Great post, Dan. I have been thinking along these lines. When I used to see a book published on a theme similar to my own, my first thought was about competition, but recently I have been thinking more in line with your proposal – it is good for the Kingdom that this other book is doing so well. And what is good for the Kingdom is of course a blessing for all of us, including me. I have started acting on your suggestions, and will continue to do so. Blessings to you, and all Christian authors – we are all on the same team.
This is an excellent article. I would like to know more about the author and read other articles that he has written. Please ask him to contact me at my e-mail address which is david_devin11676@yahoo.com Now will some senior editor at this website please adopt me and help me publish the attached book? If you are kind enough to do that I will gladly share 50% of the money I make with you.
I wish you all the very best.
David Devin
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One of the nicest surprises I’ve encountered since I started writing novels is the generosity shown by the community of writers. My own books have occasionally been highlighted on others’ blogs even though I hadn’t requested them.
I interview a different author each month on my blog to discuss their books, and I’ve found this to be a great way to highlight the author’s work and build relationships. It’s also been a fantastic learning experience about the craft of writing from so many different viewpoints.
Thanks for this post, Dan. I truly enjoy highlighting other authors and promoting their work. I love hosting hope-filled fiction authors on my blog each week, and I always pray God will use it to reach readers for each author featured.
I love the quote from C. Sl Lewis, and I love the idea of adopting authors. In His Steps is on my list of books that have influenced me, though I distinctly remember my reaction upon reading it: “Oh, I wish I’d never read that book.” It’s challenge is hard to ignore.
I’ve been supporting other authors for years. It’s so much easier and lots more fun than touting my own books. And it creates community.
A writing community is so important. I’d have given up without that.
Dan,
Well said, unique stuff!
Thanks.
Excellent suggestions which I have never thought about before. I do struggle with self promotion and this approach will be very helpful. Thanks
Just delightful! I’ve stumbled into the joy of becoming an advocate for other authors, and I’ve now been asked to write endorsements for five books (two are published, three in the works).
What an insightful post, Dan. It’s a great suggestion to promote books that have impacted me. I have a top ten list and will actively promote them so they can bless others.
Both lists are a fabulous idea. I think it’d also be a good idea to update them every so often.
This is advice worth putting up on my wall. Thank you.
Yes. This. I recommend authors whose work I love on social media but haven’t thought about listing them on my web page.
Great idea!