Building Your Author Platform - Part 4

Connecting with your readers is perhaps one of the trickiest aspects of building your author platform. Do it right and you’ll have lifetime readers that will remember your name.

Recently, I checked out W. Terry Whalin’s website. He gives away free e-books. I downloaded one.

I didn't expect much to be honest. I usually sign up for free e-books only to find they're a waste of my time but this was different. I felt it from the first page.

Each idea flowed coherently into the next. The writing was clear and easy to understand. The pages were free of typos and other errors.

As someone who has written numerous articles on marketing, I immediately recognized what he was doing. He was offering something for me in return for my time. As a result any time I see or hear the name W. Terry Whalin, I stop and listen. I want to hear what he’s saying and what others are saying about him.

When readers visit your website, give them something. The simple trick is offering them something for their time, whether that’s a laugh, a free resource, or an e-book.

What can you offer? It depends on your niche. If your audience is primarily businessmen then they may not appreciate your brand of humor. But give them a free chart, email report or other goodie that helps them and they’ll remember your name.

Understand that while you give something to reader, you also want something from them as well. In order to get Terry Whalin’s e-book, I had to enter my email address. (Note: Always have a privacy policy if you collect email addresses or other sensitive information from your visitors.)

He also used my sign up as an opportunity to tell me about his monthly newsletter. After reading the e-book, I signed up. Why? Because he offered me something of value. He showed me he respected my time.

Always offer your readers something in return for their time.

Liked this post? Stay tuned for part five - Good vs. Great Opportunities - tomorrow!