So far we have talked about getting specific on your core message and audience, and building the platforms where you will share your content. Now let’s look at Milestone #3: Write consistent content that helps your readers.

Why it’s important: When you write consistent material, specifically blog posts, it helps your SEO (search engine optimization) and also builds an audience. It’s impossible to build an audience, and to create loyal readers, without actually producing content consistently.

This is a big problem for many writers. The consistency is what gives you credibility over time and allows you to build up a library of content. Believe me, I have been through times when I’ve not been consistent, and it really hurts your growth. It also makes it hard to feel motivated when you keep starting and stopping.

One of the great benefits of creating content consistently is that you can repurpose the material into other formats like podcasts, email newsletters, books, courses, speeches, training, and more.

The big challenge in doing all this is that it’s hard to stay steady. It’s very easy to get excited about your new material, or your new platform, and write for a while… then give up. If you can just stay consistent, you will be ahead of 95% of other writers, I guarantee.

As far as a schedule, I recommend a baseline of creating something once a week. More specifically, I’d recommend at least a 500-word blog post once a week. If you can do that for a year, you will have enough material for a book, if you have organized the material in such a way that you can compile it into a book.

Daily Question: What could your writing business look like a year from now if you wrote a blog post every week and shared it with others?

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Being an author in our media age isn’t just about creating books or written content. It’s also about creating a media platform that can consist of video, podcasts, and social media.

Of course, I encourage you to take advantage of all these for yourself. In addition, you can greatly increase your network if you are a guest on other people’s media platforms. The most common way to do this is by being a guest on other people’s podcasts. It’s an incredibly powerful way to borrow someone’s audience, add value to their listeners, grow your network, and share your message.

If you are a new to this strategy, find a few shows in your niche and share with the podcast host why would make a great guest. Put the focus on adding value. After you have done a few of these, you will begin to get more invitations until it eventually builds its own momentum.

In fact, you can build a great online presence if you only focus on this strategy. Being a guest on other people’s podcasts, shows, and media platforms is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to grow your audience.

Daily Question: What are three topics you could talk about as a podcast guest?

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Platform… it’s one of those words that feels mysterious, intimidating, and maybe even confusing to many authors. You’ve heard that you need a platform and you’re willing to do the work, but why do you need one and how do you build it?

My friend Chad Allen is here on this episode to join me for a conversation about these questions and more. Chad is a writer, speaker, editor, and writing coach. As a twenty-year publishing professional, he served in acquisitions and directorial roles for Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, before going full-time with his own business.

He has collaborated with numerous bestselling authors including Michael Hyatt, Jeff Goins, Mark Batterson, Phyllis Tickle, and many others. Chad is also the creator of Book Proposal Academy, an online course, and BookCamp, a mentoring and community hub for writers. His passion is helping writers get their books into the world. He blogs at ChadRAllen.com.

Chad holds a B.A. in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an M.A. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife, Alyssa, live with their two children in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In this conversation, you will learn all about your author platform, including the #1 reason publishers turn books down, the best ways to grow your platform, the role of blogging and social media, how to change your mindset about growing your platform, and more.

I had the privilege of meeting Chad a couple of years ago at Jeff Goins’ Tribe Conference, and I can tell you he is the real deal. He is an excellent book coach and knows more than just about anyone on the planet about what it takes to put together an excellent book. Over the years, I have read and used dozens of books where Chad had a hand in their success… I just didn’t know it at the time!

In addition, Chad has a special offer for Daily Writer listeners, which is a free 30-day trial of Book Camp, his community that will help you grow your platform.

Check out Chad’s special offer for this community, his book proposal course, and ways to connect with him below:

ChadRAllen.com

Free 30-Day Trial of BookCamp

Book Proposal Academy

Follow Chad on Twitter

Connect with Chad on Facebook

The post Chad Allen: Secrets to Building Your Author Platform appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.