Written by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, EdD

Do editors need to build a platform?

And if so, what do we need?

Bundles of money?

Movie-star connections?

An intimate knowledge of where the neediest authors congregate?

The best way to organically establish our editor platforms is to understand that it’s about our relationships. We must invest in relating to and interacting with authors and colleagues who are interested in us and our specialized services.

Our platforms are extensions and representations of our strengths, core beliefs, worth ethic, style, values, communication styles, and ideas that stem from our philosophy and are ultimately shared by our clients.

The problem is finding effective methods to convey our benefits to an audience yet to be discovered.

Instituting and sustaining connectivity to our potential client base is both problematic and gratifying in organically building our author platforms.

What immediate steps are needed to establish or broaden a lucrative author platform?

Applying these methods is more efficient when we understand that our goals when developing our platforms are to locate, involve, and value our clients.

The following is a list of strategic tools to assist us in building our platforms:

  • Create a business website: Create a clean website rid of anything considered divisive. We should keep things strictly business, leaving out political beliefs and anything else that will turn off our potential clients. This landing page should describe our services, credentials, testimonials, and anything vital to our editor business.
  • Create a memorable tagline: A tagline gives potential clients an idea of who we are and what we do.
  • Create business cards: Generate legible cards and include a current professional headshot and contact information.
  • Research the ideal client: Knowledge of our ideal client should be detailed. What do they write? What do they need from us? Who and what can help us find potential clients?
  • Research the market: Study genres, trends, and niche markets.
  • Attend writing conferences: Attracting clients includes showing up in places they’ll be. Consider applying to teach classes to establish our authority as editors.
  • Build an email list: When attending conferences and events with colleagues and potential clients, invite them to sign up for our email list.
  • Join Instagram and Twitter: Social media is our friend, and we should embrace the benefit of its astounding ability to reach and connect us to people.
  • Establish a Facebook page: Creating a professional page independent of our personal page helps to project an image of professionalism.
  • Write a professional bio: Having a concise biography available to potential clients on our website and social media profiles is vital.
  • Have a professional headshot: Investing in a current professional headshot helps clients see us in a leadership position.
  • Start a blog and newsletter: A great product indicative of our talent, niche, and knowledge base is an excellent way for people to engage with us.
  • Become an expert in your field: Consistently having something to say or offer helps to demonstrate our authority in our editing niche.

Information is worthless if we don’t act. When we take small steps, beginning with the most manageable tasks before tackling harder ones, implementation becomes doable. Using the guidance shown in the list provided, we can effectively and organically grow our platforms.

 

 

Author, editor, artist, podcaster, speaker, and friend–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, EdD, is a freelance author/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She’s a board member and contributor to various magazines. Katherine is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA, ACFW, CWoC, AWSA, and AASA. She’s authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.” You can learn more about Katherine at www.drkatherinehayes.com