I dreamed of landing a traditional publishing deal

When I finished writing my book, I dreamed of landing a traditional publishing deal and seeing it soar to the top of the New York Times bestseller list.

But reality slapped me in the face—agents weren't interested because I didn't have an audience to sell and market my book to.

So, I took a different path.

I self-published.

Why?

Because I refused to let my words gather dust waiting for someone else's approval.

I leveraged my book to land speaking engagements, build my credibility, and start growing my platform.

My book became more than pages bound together; it became a powerful tool to build my audience.

Here's the kicker:
You don't need a massive following to start, but you need to start to build one.

If you're aiming for the traditional route and dreaming of bestseller lists, understand this—having an author platform isn't optional anymore; it's a necessity.

Agents don't just sign books; they sign authors with a presence, a platform, a tribe.

It's not fair, but it's reality.

So, what's holding you back from stepping into the spotlight?

Share your insights on social media.

Engage with your future readers.

Position yourself as the go-to expert in your niche.

Your story matters, but first, you need to matter.

Don't let obscurity be the silent thief of your dreams.

What's one step you'll take today to start building your platform?