How important is an online platform when considering a new author?
And here are their answers:

I represent fiction so the most important thing to me is whether I love the book. I do, however, like to see that an author has some kind of online presence, whether it's twitter, tumblr, a blog, etc. The platform doesn't necessarily matter and neither do the number of followers, but I want to see that they're actively involved with social media in some way.

For me, seeing that a prospective client has a positive online platform before considering them for representation is important. If that prospective client has no online platform whatsoever (which is, frankly, rare in this day and age), this is not a deal-breaker. However, if I cyber-stalk someone and their Fabebook page or twitter account or blog is particularly negative toward publishing, then I will pass on asking for a full manuscript. "Why would anyone be negative online while hunting for an agent,” you ask? Frankly I don’t know, but I’ve seen it two or three times in the past year and moved straight along to the next submission. The next logical answer is, “what do you mean by positive online platform?” and my answer is simple - an inexpensive or free website that has a short author bio, maybe a headshot, and a paragraph that talks about the book (or books). In addition, I find that many prospective clients have either a twitter account or a blog. Again, having no online presence isn’t a deal-breaker, but having a negative one is.”

I think an online platform is important because it allows reader to interact with authors, and find new readers. An online platform also gives us a glimpse at the author(s) personality.

For non-fiction, "platform" is very important. But since I don't represent non-fiction, I'll speak only to what I consider for fiction authors. The story and the writing are what matter most. Sure, it's great if the author mentions their 500K Twitter followers and connections to famous authors. Do I care if they can't offer that? Absolutely not. Sometimes I don't even care if they do offer that. I like asking about Twitter after I offer representation because I think Twitter can be a great tool for new authors. It's not a necessity though, and certainly not a prerequisite. All it is is a nice bonus, and no one should really expect or demand a bonus. That's why it's considered something *extra.* Whether you have 3 followers or 3,000 followers, all that matters to me is if I loved your book and think you'd be great to work with. Big online platforms don't really impress me if I don't already connect with the writing. Nor do I think marketing should automatically be the job of the author. Enough publicity falls on the author these days as it is. That's just the way of the industry now, particularly for debut authors who don't get as much money toward publicity. That said, if a publisher or an agent relies on one person's Twitter account or Facebook page as the primary marketing tool, that's a problem. I wouldn't trust an agent who doesn't put the novel or the writer ahead of "presence."
Thanks to all of the above agents for their input!
It's great to get some industry perspective from insiders in the know. Thanks so much for sharing your various thoughts.
ReplyDelete
DeleteI was been suffering hardship from HIV/AIDS since 9yrs now, and i happen to have 2 kids for my husband, and now we cannot proceed to have another kids all because of my disease and now i have do all what a human like i and my husband can do just to get my disease healed, i have went to several places to seek for help not even one person could ever help, until i melt a comment on the daily newspaper that was commented by Rachael about how this powerful traditional doctor help her get cured of the disease (HIV-AIDS) " my fellow beloved" I firstly taught having a help from a spiritual traditional healer was a wrong idea, but i think of these, will i continue to stress on these disease all day when i have someone to help me save my life?" so i gather all my faiths and put in all interest to contact him through his Email address at Drayespellalter@.COM call+2348051095332 so after i have mailed him of helping get my disease cured, i respond to me fast as possible that i should not be afraid, that he is a truthful and powerful doctor which i firstly claimed him to be. So after all set has been done, he promises me that i will be healed but on a condition that i provide him some items and obeyed all his oracle said. I did all by accepting his oracles fact and only to see that the following week DR.Aye mail me on my mail box that my work is successfully done with his powers, i was first shocked and later arise to be the happiest woman on earth after i have concluded my final test on the hospital by my doctor that i am now HIV- Negative. My papers for check are with me and now i am happy and glad for his miraculous help and power.
With these i must to everyone who might seek for any help, either for HIV cure or much more to contact him now at these following email now,
Email: ayespellalter@gmail.COM or call +2348051095332 “sir thank you so much for your immediate cure of my disease, i must say for curing my disease, i owe you in return. Thanks and be blessed sir.
His Email address ayespellalter@.COM call +2348051095332
Like Angela said, it's nice to get some opinions from agents on the importance/or not of social media.
ReplyDeleteThanks for gathering these perspectives. Very helpful.
ReplyDeleteOne hears so many conflicting POVs, it's great to get the down low from those in the know. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExcellent perspective! I love having an online presence. I'm much braver online than in person :)
ReplyDelete
DeleteI was been suffering hardship from HIV/AIDS since 9yrs now, and i happen to have 2 kids for my husband, and now we cannot proceed to have another kids all because of my disease and now i have do all what a human like i and my husband can do just to get my disease healed, i have went to several places to seek for help not even one person could ever help, until i melt a comment on the daily newspaper that was commented by Rachael about how this powerful traditional doctor help her get cured of the disease (HIV-AIDS) " my fellow beloved" I firstly taught having a help from a spiritual traditional healer was a wrong idea, but i think of these, will i continue to stress on these disease all day when i have someone to help me save my life?" so i gather all my faiths and put in all interest to contact him through his Email address at Drayespellalter@.COM call+2348051095332 so after i have mailed him of helping get my disease cured, i respond to me fast as possible that i should not be afraid, that he is a truthful and powerful doctor which i firstly claimed him to be. So after all set has been done, he promises me that i will be healed but on a condition that i provide him some items and obeyed all his oracle said. I did all by accepting his oracles fact and only to see that the following week DR.Aye mail me on my mail box that my work is successfully done with his powers, i was first shocked and later arise to be the happiest woman on earth after i have concluded my final test on the hospital by my doctor that i am now HIV- Negative. My papers for check are with me and now i am happy and glad for his miraculous help and power.
With these i must to everyone who might seek for any help, either for HIV cure or much more to contact him now at these following email now,
Email: ayespellalter@gmail.COM or call +2348051095332 “sir thank you so much for your immediate cure of my disease, i must say for curing my disease, i owe you in return. Thanks and be blessed sir.
His Email address ayespellalter@.COM call +2348051095332
My Name is johnson Wilson..I never
ReplyDeletebelieved in Love Spells or Magics until I
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Thanks for compiling all these industry perspectives! It's no surprise an online presence is important, and it's always interesting to see the latest insights.
ReplyDeletey name is Tricia Alex, am from USA. i want to use this opportunity to thank my great doctor who really made my life a pleasurable one today. This great man PROPHET ALUTA brought my husband back to me, i had 2 lovely kids for my husband, about 3 years ago i and my husband has been into one qaurrel or the other until he finally left me for one lady. i felt my life was over and my kids thought they would never see their father again. i tried to be stronge just for the kids but i could not control the pains that torments my heart, my heart was filled with sorrows and pains because i was really in love with my husband. Every day and night i think of him and always wish he would come back to me, until one day i met a good friend of mine that was also in a situation like me but her problem was her ex-boyfriend who she had an unwanted pregnancy for and he refused to take responsibility and dumped her. she told me that mINE was a small case and that i shouldnt worry about it at all so i asked her what was the solution to my problems and she gave me this great man phone number and his email address. i was doubting if this man was the solution, so contacted this great man and he told me what to do and i did them all, he told me to wait for just two days and that my husband will come crawlling on his kneels just for forgiveness so i faithfully did what this great man asked me to do and for sure after two days i heard a knock on the door, in a great suprise i saw him on his kneels and i was speechless, when he saw me, all he did was crying and asking me for forgiveness, from that day, all the pains and sorrows in my heart flew away,since then i and my husband and our lovely kids are happy.thats why i want to say a big thank you to PROPHET ALUTA. This great man made me to understand that theres no problem on earth that has no solution so please if you know that you have this same problem or any problem that is similar, i will advise you to come straight to this great man. you can email him at:PROPHETALUTASOLUTIONTEMPLE@GMAIL.COM
ReplyDeleteAm so grateful to this great man DR.LOVESPELL who has brought back happiness to my life,At first i taught he was a scam,Because i saw a testimony about him how he helped someone in bringing back her ex within 48hours so i decided to give him a chance in bringing back my lover back to me who left me 7 months ago,So DR.LOVESPELL said my lover will come back to me soon,So really when the 48hour was completed my lover Frank called me and said he was sorry and that he was ready to make it up with me,Am so grateful to DR.LOVESPELL,Please in-case you are in need of help you can contact him on is private mail (lovespellpower@hotmail.com)tel.no. is +2348104004707.
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ReplyDeletespell caster that i have ever seen in my life the spell you casted for me
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ReplyDeleteI was been suffering hardship from HIV/AIDS since 9yrs now, and i happen to have 2 kids for my husband, and now we cannot proceed to have another kids all because of my disease and now i have do all what a human like i and my husband can do just to get my disease healed, i have went to several places to seek for help not even one person could ever help, until i melt a comment on the daily newspaper that was commented by Rachael about how this powerful traditional doctor help her get cured of the disease (HIV-AIDS) " my fellow beloved" I firstly taught having a help from a spiritual traditional healer was a wrong idea, but i think of these, will i continue to stress on these disease all day when i have someone to help me save my life?" so i gather all my faiths and put in all interest to contact him through his Email address at Drayespellalter@.COM call+2348051095332 so after i have mailed him of helping get my disease cured, i respond to me fast as possible that i should not be afraid, that he is a truthful and powerful doctor which i firstly claimed him to be. So after all set has been done, he promises me that i will be healed but on a condition that i provide him some items and obeyed all his oracle said. I did all by accepting his oracles fact and only to see that the following week DR.Aye mail me on my mail box that my work is successfully done with his powers, i was first shocked and later arise to be the happiest woman on earth after i have concluded my final test on the hospital by my doctor that i am now HIV- Negative. My papers for check are with me and now i am happy and glad for his miraculous help and power.
With these i must to everyone who might seek for any help, either for HIV cure or much more to contact him now at these following email now,
Email: ayespellalter@gmail.COM or call +2348051095332 “sir thank you so much for your immediate cure of my disease, i must say for curing my disease, i owe you in return. Thanks and be blessed sir.
His Email address ayespellalter@.COM call +2348051095332