How to Build an Author’s Visibility | CLC Authors Academy

Author Preparation Tool

Build Your Visibility

Share your writing journey, meaningful behind-the-scenes moments and the story behind your book so that readers begin connecting with the message before publication.

Your goal: Decide what you want readers to associate with you, identify simple things you can share, choose where you will begin showing up and create three practical visibility actions for this month.

Clarify

What Do You Want to Be Known For?

Before posting more, become clear about the message you want people to associate with you and your writing.

What main subject does your book address?

What do you hope your writing will help readers understand, change or do?

Complete this sentence

Choose Three Things You Can Share

Visibility does not mean constantly advertising your book. Choose at least three simple ways to help people become familiar with your message, your journey and the person behind the book.

Your Writing Journey Share something you are learning as you write, edit or prepare your book.

The Story Behind the Book Explain why this subject matters to you and what led you to write about it.

A Helpful Lesson Share one useful principle, lesson or practical tip related to your book’s subject.

Behind the Scenes Share a simple moment from writing, editing, proofreading or preparing for publication.

A Personal Story Share an appropriate experience that helps people understand why your book’s message matters.

Ask a Meaningful Question Start a conversation by asking people a simple question connected to your subject.

A Short Extract or Thought Share a short line, idea or reflection from your writing without giving away too much of the book.

Practical Encouragement Share something useful or encouraging that your intended reader can apply today.

What could you share first?

Keep it simple: You do not need professional photographs, complicated graphics or daily promotional posts. Start by sharing useful and genuine content consistently.

Choose

Where Can I Start?

You do not need to be everywhere. Choose one or two places where you already feel comfortable or where the people who may benefit from your message are likely to be found.

Online Platforms

Start with platforms you already understand or use. You can add others later.

Facebook

Useful for personal posts, stories, groups, communities, photographs and short videos.

Visit Facebook →

LinkedIn

Particularly useful for professional, leadership, workplace and business-related topics.

Visit LinkedIn →

WhatsApp Status

A simple place to share short reflections, photographs, updates or brief videos with people who already know you.

Visit WhatsApp →

Instagram

Useful for photographs, short videos, stories and visual behind-the-scenes content.

Visit Instagram →

YouTube

Useful when you are comfortable teaching, explaining ideas or speaking through video.

Visit YouTube →

TikTok

Useful for short, simple video content, especially when your readers are active there.

Visit TikTok →

Physical Opportunities

Visibility does not only happen online. Your everyday environments may provide some of your most natural opportunities.

Church Programmes

Consider ministry meetings, small groups, conferences, fellowships, seminars or other relevant church programmes.

Physical Opportunity

Workplace Programmes

Look for suitable professional events, staff programmes, learning forums or workplace opportunities connected to your topic.

Physical Opportunity

Professional Forums

Consider associations, conferences, training sessions, seminars and professional gatherings.

Physical Opportunity

Community Programmes

Consider schools, parent groups, community initiatives, book clubs, NGOs or other gatherings connected to your book’s subject.

Physical Opportunity

Where will you start?

Choose one or two places first. You do not need to build visibility on every platform at once.

Start where you already are: A first-time author does not need six social media accounts. It is usually better to communicate consistently in one or two suitable places than to appear occasionally everywhere.

Begin

Plan Three Visibility Actions This Month

Now turn your ideas into action. Choose only three simple things you can realistically complete within the next seven days.

Action 1

Action 2

Action 3

Remember: The purpose is not to repeatedly say, “My book is coming.” Help people connect with your message long before you ask them to buy the book.

Your Visibility Progress

Assignments Completed

0/4

Content Ideas Selected

0/3

Platforms Selected

Weekly Actions Planned

0/3

Complete the four assignments to create your first simple visibility plan.