It is conventional wisdom in the industry that all writers need a platform to succeed. While this isn’t necessarily the case, it is something that most writers will need to understand. The problem with this concept is that it suggests that having a platform is the most important part of publishing and it is not.
The writing is.
The story is.
The thing we as writers wish to convey and how we convey it is what counts.
None of this falls within the arena of social media, but of writing. It is the story that keeps us at the keys long after we should have gone to bed or left for work. It is story that pulls us from the other aspects of our life. It is also story that keeps readers in turning pages and wanting more. This is true whether we write fiction or nonfiction.
Story is why we write, not platform.
Now I’m not saying that platform is unimportant. Not at all. Platform is how readers find writers and stay connected. It’s a great way to foster fans. For nonfiction writers, it’s how to establish credibility in the field as an expert.
There are so many ways that platform helps, but without words on the page, there is no writing career. It all just platform for something that does not exist.
I understand why writers get caught up in the idea of building a platform. It’s easy to focus on that and neglect the work itself. It’s so much easier to write a blog than finish a manuscript. Tackling a post is nothing compared to editing a chapter or plotting a book.
Creating a platform taps into the age-old trap of the creative—distraction.
Building a platform seems necessary and is easier than the actual work (not easy mind, just easier than writing). It’s why so many writers let it take over and eclipse the work itself. It’s built-in procrastination—an attractive alternative to facing the page. Who doesn’t crave a scenario like that? It’s a guilt-free excuse to steal writing time. But like everything in a writer’s life, you have to find the discipline to strike a balance between outreach and work. Both are important, but without the work, the platform is useless. It’s just noise in an already noisy world.
It’s the work that matters and deserves the bulk of your focus. Don’t fall prey to this temptation and mistake social media for writing. It’s not. At best, it’s a passive form of marketing and should be treated as such. Spend time on it, but a small portion. Let writing be your priority. It’s what matters most.
If you want to learn more about platform, I highly recommend reading Jane Friedman’s blog Author Platform Definition. She agrees that for fiction writers, the work matters most. Nonfiction authors do need a platform, but even then, it’s the work that counts the most. Stay focused on what matters.
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