And in those early days, lean into like that exclusivity factor. People love to be a part of something that is special and kind of like their own private circle, right? So kind of lean into that. Like maybe you share release date and you share the cover reveal and all of those things first with your email subscribers before they get anywhere else on your website or social media or wherever else you're marketing. And that really

helps to make it feel like more of an exclusive space. So really just picking your platform,

setting up that opt-in form, writing that welcome email, and then it's automated and you can

kind of be hands off with it while people are subscribing. Welcome to the Fiction Writing Made Easy

podcast. My name is Savannah Gilbo and I'm here to help you write a story that works.

I want to prove to you that writing a novel doesn't have to be overwhelming.

So each week I'll bring you a brand new episode with simple, actionable, and step-by-step

strategies that you can implement in your writing right away.

So whether you're brand new to writing or more

of a seasoned author looking to improve your craft, this podcast is for you. So pick up a pen and

let's get started. In today's episode, I have a real treat for you. My guest, Shelby Lee, is here

to talk about how to build an author platform whether you have a finished book or not. And Shelby isn't

just going to share run-of-the-mill marketing tips. To date, she's sold over 60,000 copies of her

four books and has built an entire business around helping authors market their books in a way

that feels aligned and authentic. Now, I mentioned that Shelby is here to talk about how to build an author platform,

and I know this is a topic that can feel overwhelming, especially for those of us who are

introverted or who are new to the marketing game. And trust me when I say that Shelby's advice is

both beginner and introvert friendly. So we're going to discuss everything from content marketing

strategies to the importance of

creating a cohesive brand that truly represents who you are as an author. Whether you're just

starting out or looking to refine your existing author platform, Shelby's insights are sure to

provide the clarity and motivation you need. So grab your notebook, settle in, and let's dive right into my conversation

...