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Back in the Offline Age, an author’s platform consisted of what media venues (radio, TV, print) the author could engage with to sell their book, because publishers were interested in book sales. 

In today’s Online Era, there is the expectation that you have a website, maybe even a blog and Twitter account. While those can be useful, there are other options that shouldn’t be ignored just because they don’t involve a computer.

An author’s platform is whatever you use to help sell your book because publishers are interested in book sales. See, some things never change.

Here are a few examples, although there are hundreds more …

• If you have a military background and write spy thrillers, you have a platform.
• If you get interviewed by the college radio station and do a book signing in the courtyard afterward, you have a platform.
• If your book trailer is on YouTube, you have a platform.
• If you have a Twitter account with hundreds of followers, you have a platform.
• If you have a CafePress store that sells swag with the emblem of the fictional university in your book, you have a platform.
• If you volunteer at a local charity where you talk with new people on a weekly basis, you have a platform.
• If you get your geek friend to set up a domain and install WordPress so you can have a website that gives out advice about your journey to becoming a New York Times Best Selling author, you have a platform.

Anything you do that increases awareness of your book is part of your author’s platform.

If you don’t have a book yet, then breathe easy because you’ve got time.

• Time to learn how to use Twitter
• Time to make new friends
• Time to write a blog
• Time to read about different types of social networking and decide which ones you want to use
• Time to create side stories and vignettes that can be posted on your website before and after your book release

Time to think about and act upon a plan to reach as many people as you can, so that when you do have a book, you have an audience.

Because that’s what an author’s platform is really all about – how many people will listen when you say “Come read my book”?

Jackie Wilcox: It’s gonna be the cornerstone of my campaign for class president. I’m running on a platform of moral, mental, and social advancement through good deeds. What do you think?
- Heroes, Season 1, “One Giant Leap”