Building an author platform can feel overwhelming. Writers are often told they need a newsletter, social media presence, podcast appearances, events, a personal brand, and a marketing plan—often before they've even finished their manuscript.

The good news? Building a platform doesn't have to be complicated, time-intensive, or soul-crushing.

In this practical seminar, author and podcaster Courtney Kocak will help you cut through the noise and focus on the platform-building activities that actually matter. Rather than trying to do everything, you'll learn how to identify the handful of activities that best align with your strengths, goals, and bandwidth.

Think of this as Author Platform Essentials: the easy, effective, paint-by-numbers version of platform building. A clear, actionable roadmap for creating visibility, community, and career momentum—and ultimately selling books—that still leaves plenty of time for what you actually love: writing.

By the end of this presentation, you'll have a better understanding of the platform-building options available to writers today, which activities deliver the greatest return on investment, and how to create a sustainable strategy you can begin implementing right away.

This presentation will cover:

• What an author platform consists of and why it matters more than ever

• The most high-value components of a strong author platform

• How to identify your existing strengths, assets, and opportunities

• Email newsletters, social media, podcasts, events, and other platform options explained simply + tips for each

• How to build genuine relationships that lead to collaborations and community

• A simple, sustainable platform plan you can maintain long-term

• Q&A