by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethspanncraig.com
The advice to “build your author platform” can feel overwhelming when you’re naturally private or introverted. Constant social media presence, networking events, and personal sharing might seem like a personality transplant more than a career strategy. But there’s more than one way to show up for readers.
Focusing on Work Rather Than Personal Life
There’s no requirement to share details about your daily routine or family life to connect with readers. Writing process, craft insights, and research rabbit holes give readers a genuine glimpse behind the scenes without requiring much personal disclosure. Readers who love your genre are often more interested in how stories come together than in what you had for breakfast.
Choosing Platforms That Fit
If live video feels like a nightmare, written posts and static images work just as well. If fast-moving conversation drains you, a blog or email newsletter lets you write on your own schedule and respond when you’re ready. Some introverted authors find newsletters especially manageable. They’re private to write, sent when you’re ready, no real-time pressure. One or two platforms handled well beats five handled badly.
Scheduling to Protect Your Energy
Consistent presence doesn’t require being online constantly. Scheduling tools let you post during planned blocks and then step away rather than monitoring responses all day. Setting specific times for checking comments keeps engagement from bleeding into writing time.
Sharing Expertise Instead of Personality
Share helpful posts about writing craft, interesting research, recommendations for authors you admire. These build credibility and connect you with readers who share your interests. It’s a quieter kind of platform, but it tends to attract exactly the readers who’ll appreciate your books.
Setting Limits in Advance
Deciding ahead of time how much platform work fits into your week makes it easier to stop when you hit that limit. Three posts a week and two check-ins, or everything batched into one afternoon; whatever keeps it from crowding out the writing itself.
What aspect of author platform building feels most manageable for you?
Building an author platform as an introvert? Focus on your work and expertise, not personal details: Share on X
You nailed it! I am a very private person and have done my best to keep my personal life out of the limelight. There are other ways to entertain readers besides sharing stuff about one's life.
Totally understand that! I’m private, too. :)
I remember when I first began, there were tons of small platforms and I tried a lot of them. One can really only handle 2-3 well. (And some of those, it's been so long I have no idea what they even were! LOL)
Two or three sounds like a good number to me! And I know what you mean, ha. I’ve claimed my profile on all the platforms. :)
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for sharing a lot of this wisdom in short concise chunks. Yet again, you show that quality is better than quantity. As an introvert, I think you hit the nail on the head with each one. Thank you.
Thanks for coming by, Paul! Happy writing.