Sheila asked Anna LeBaron:

Anna, thanks for your engaging memoir. Your insight and determination at such a young age are admirable. I liked and respected your pacing in telling the story. I am just about to publish my third book which like yours, is memoir. It has been years since my other books and I am at the least, out of practice at reaching readers. Do you have advice for finding the people most likely to enjoy your story?

Anna LeBaron Hi Sheila,
It's an honor to have you as a reader. :)
As for your question, it's a very broad topic, and would be difficult to answer adequately in this one post. Having a "platform" is now what publishers want to see when they are considering signing an author for publication. Having a "platform" is also necessary for those who wish to self-publish. Either way, as an author, it is imperative to have ways of connecting with the readers who would enjoy your work.
Currently, the best way to do that is through an email list and through social media. There are courses you can take that show you how to grow an email list, and I am currently in the process of designing an online training course to help anyone find and connect with their tribe. Not just people who will "Follow" you on your socials, but those who are your fans, and yes, even your super-fans - those who would follow you to the ends of the earth because they believe in you, your work, and want to share your work with others and grow your tribe.

I'm not sure your level of comfort with social media, but making sure that you have an account and a presence on all the major social media sites is a place to start. Include a well-written bio, a profile photo of your face (preferably not staged), and a link to a website where potential readers can connect with you and see your body of work all in one place.

Choose one social media platform where you feel the most comfortable and begin sharing your life with those who choose to engage with you. Respond to their questions and comments (like I'm doing here) and have as much fun with that as you can.

I always say:
The #1 Rule of Social Media is BE SOCIAL.
If you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong.

The way you have fun and engage with your tribe will be different than the way I do. Kind of like going to an after-five event and meeting new people. You tell each other a little about yourself, and in doing so, you find out if you click with that person, then you create a way to stay connected with them. Even if you are not an extroverted person, like me, you can attend the event, be yourself, and quietly engage with those you feel comfortable with. Showing up is key.
Engaging others is important.
Ask questions.
Listen.
Share about yourself and your life.
Figuring out if you have enough in common to continue the connection will happen naturally.

Social media is a "sneak peek" into the everyday lives of others. Over time, your followers will be able to put together a realistic picture of your life in their mind. They will come to know what to expect from you on your socials. Your writing, work, family, friends, passions, hobbies, goals, dreams, aspirations; all of these can be shared as a way of allowing others to know if they want to stay connected to you.

Expect slow, but organic growth.
Provide good content, offer value, give of yourself.
You will know you are doing it right if your platform, and the level of engagement, is growing.

Your tribe will show up for you, in the form of engagement, when you offer content that works for them. When they do, take note of what attracts their attention, and then offer more of that.

To sum it up: Find your tribe. Love them well.

I wish you all the best as you continue your journey as an author.

Anna

P.S. If this is not the kind of help you needed, please contact with me through my website (annalebaron .com) and I'll see if I can be of more help.

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