The received wisdom is that an author needs a platform. That platform should have a website, a blog, a list, two social media, and a regular newsletter.
What if all that is total bunk?
In 3BC a male was born who went on to change the entire world with the help of 70 odd followers and 12 authorised representatives.
This man did not have a list, website, or newsletter. And yet, books about him have topped the bestseller lists to this day.
Start a movement
If you, as an author, can start a movement around your work, you do not need anything else to sell books. Rather than singing up luke-warm leads who you have to message over and over again in order to get sales, find a handful of die-hard enthusiasts who will bite your hand off for the chance to buy your book. You can bet that after they get their hands on your book, they will then will tell everyone, “you need this book.”
Case Study: Seth Godin
Seth does not have comments on his blog. He does not have a list – you can subscribe to his blog by email but that’s about it. He is on three social media platforms and has a website where you can learn which books he has out.
Yet there is a language around the Godin – “tribes”, “idea virus”, “purple cow” and so forth. His disciples get his books and then they make everyone else read them too. Entire communities exist for the sole purpose of talking about his ideas.
Quite on purpose, Godin started a movement. He started several in fact.
Case Study: Douglas Adams
Douglas Adams did not particularly enjoy writing. He liked having written. It is a badge of geek honour to know that the answer is 42. There is an entire guide to all things on earth inspired by one series of books that are little more than a running gag.
When Adams died, his fans dedicated an entire day to his memory – towel day.
Without meaning to Adams started a movement.
How and why to start your movement
If you start a movement, your platform is not just the people you talk to every day on social media. Your platform is everyone who spreads your ideas and everyone they spread those ideas to too.
So how do you start a movement? Let us watch one starting.
We can draw three lessons from this example:
- Do something that stands out – something no one else is doing.
- Embrace your early adopters as equals.
- Let the movement run away on its own – you will not own it.
What movement will you start?