Grow Your Platform with Collaborations and Giveaways
Types of Collaborations
There are many types of collaborations, both long term and short term. On a short term basis, you could trade lead magnets with someone who has a similar audience and message. If your message would benefit her audience and her message would benefit your audience, you could share her lead magnet with your readers, maybe in an email or on social media, and she could share your lead magnet with her readers. Similar to being a guest that we talked about a couple of weeks ago, this is a win—win. Both audiences are served and hopefully you both gain readers as a result.
Another option is to create a resource with someone else and share it with both your audiences and beyond. I did this a couple of years ago with Rose, who I interviewed last week about Youtube. We created an advent devotion and a Facebook group that went with it. We then both promoted it all the places and got all the email addresses of everyone who signed up. It was a lot of fun to work with someone else and it grew both of our audiences.
Being part of or even hosting an online summit can also grow your audience. Those require a lot more work, especially hosting your own summit, but as you invite others to be part of it, your ability to have it promoted expands. The more people sign up and benefit from the content you and your guests provide, the more your audience grows.
Keep in Mind…
A couple of things to keep in mind: There should be some overlap in audience or message so that your resource attracts the type of people you serve. For example, when Rose and I worked together on the advent devotion, I was writing a lot about growing in your faith using journaling and spiritual disciplines. Rose writes about creating a devotional life you love. The same type of person would be interested in both topics because they overlap a lot, but we each have a different angle on the idea of growing in your faith, so we weren’t competing with each other. We both had content of value to both audiences.
It’s also helpful if you have similar size audiences as the person you’re partnering with so it’s fair. But, it can also be a way to bless someone else even if they’re platform is smaller than yours.
Giveaways
Giveaways are also an option, either by yourself or in collaboration with others. If you have a published book, offer a signed copy as a prize. To enter, have them like, comment, and/or share a social media post, or subscribe to your email newsletter. If you don’t have a book published yet, you can give away something else that relates to your topic that you write about. If you have people subscribe to your email in order to enter, be sure to include all your subscribers in the giveaway, not just new ones so you’re not neglecting those who are already on your list. Promote it on your website and SM and encourage existing subscribers to share it with their friends who might also be interested.
For a group giveaway, you can use an app such as King Sumo to facilitate people entering. All those in the group hosting the giveaway can contribute to the prize and then share it within their circles of influence. Working with a larger group increases the size of the prize you’re able to offer and the reach of who hears about it.
Audience matters!
Keep in mind, you want to stick to working with people who have a similar audience and/or message. If you attract people who aren’t actually interested in your message, you’re not doing anything productive because they won’t stick around. You want to attract those who will genuinely benefit from what you have to offer.
So do any of these sound like a good option? Who has a similar audience and message to yours who you could collaborate with or host a giveaway with?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with all these ways to grow your audience, don’t panic. You don’t need to do them all! In a few weeks, we’re going to talk about discerning which activities might be a good option for you.
Resources:
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The Purposeful Pen is a weekly podcast for Christian writers designed to help you build a writing life with eternal impact. Each week you’ll hear practical tips and Biblical truth on topics such as improving your writing, honing your message, and managing your time. I always respond to listener emails and I’d love to hear from you! Amysimon@amylynnsimon.com