Read on Twitter
Been seeing a lot of nonfic book proposals lately that brag social media stats
...without any concept of what numbers make stats worth mentioning.
First, a note--PLENTY of successful authors don't have a ton of followers.
Big social media following ≠ book deal prerequisite
...without any concept of what numbers make stats worth mentioning.
First, a note--PLENTY of successful authors don't have a ton of followers.
Big social media following ≠ book deal prerequisite
Publishers love seeing there's a built-in audience eager for your work.
A substantial social media presence can be part of that, evidence people are already interested in what you have to say.
If you have 100k+ twitter or Insta followers, sure. Put that in.
But, uh, otherwise?
A substantial social media presence can be part of that, evidence people are already interested in what you have to say.
If you have 100k+ twitter or Insta followers, sure. Put that in.
But, uh, otherwise?
Most of the time, a *tiny fraction* of your followers will buy your book.
TINY
If you have 3,000 twitter followers, that does not translate into 3000 sales. Or 300. Or even 30.
TINY
If you have 3,000 twitter followers, that does not translate into 3000 sales. Or 300. Or even 30.
Proudly declaring a few thousand twitter/fb/insta followers is the equivalent of padding out your CV with "proficient in Microsoft Word"
It's 2021. Everyone knows how to use Word.
You're calling attention to what's missing.
It's 2021. Everyone knows how to use Word.
You're calling attention to what's missing.
Instead, skip that and brag about what publicity & sales infrastructure you DO have.
Are you active in an alum community? Speak regularly at industry conferences? Consult for major corporations? Close personal friend of Meghan Markle? Put it in there! (and say hi for me)
Are you active in an alum community? Speak regularly at industry conferences? Consult for major corporations? Close personal friend of Meghan Markle? Put it in there! (and say hi for me)
A lot of people hear "platform" and instantly think "social media followers"
That is [big breath] deeeeeefinitelyyyyy not the same thing
That is [big breath] deeeeeefinitelyyyyy not the same thing
At writers conferences in the Before Times, I'd hear the same question every time:
"How many social media followers do I need for a book deal?"
The answer is...none.
"How many social media followers do I need for a book deal?"
The answer is...none.
If you're extraordinarily knowledgeable about X, and have been sharing your enthusiasm in a way that makes people stand up and pay attention to you re: X en masse, that's a platform!
(Bonus points for connections with respected institutions in the X field)
Twitter schmitter.
(Bonus points for connections with respected institutions in the X field)
Twitter schmitter.
If you've been building connections with people, institutions, and media outlets interested in X and adjacent topics--cultivating opportunities to talk with them about X and bona fides as an X authority--that's a platform.
(Provided your book is about X, that is.)
(Provided your book is about X, that is.)
TL;DR -- When seeking a nonfic book deal, skip social media stats, unless they're outrageously strong.
Instead, focus on proving that a) there's a robust potential readership for your book and b) you have defined paths to reaching it from a position of authority.
Instead, focus on proving that a) there's a robust potential readership for your book and b) you have defined paths to reaching it from a position of authority.
