Building Author Platforms and Influencer Outreach with Nicky Blewitt [S4 E8]

Welcome to a new episode of Business Book Bites! Today, Karen Williams, The Book Mentor, is joined by Nicky Blewitt—a book marketer, self-published author, and expert in helping writers build platforms that actually sell books.  

Nicky’s journey from gardener to author and marketing strategist is proof that smart marketing, not big budgets, makes the difference. With over 20 books published and years of experience navigating the indie publishing world, he’s discovered what really works when it comes to building an author platform that attracts readers and grows your influence.  

In this episode, we dive into the essentials of building a strong author platform, from branding and networking to creating a lead magnet that actually converts. We also explore the power of influencers—how they can help you reach more readers, and why they aren’t just for fiction authors.  
We discuss practical, low-cost strategies for book marketing, avoiding common pitfalls, and making the most of your time and resources—so you can focus on what matters most: writing books and getting them into the hands of the right readers.  

If book marketing feels overwhelming, this conversation will give you a clearer, more focused approach to growing your audience and selling more books.  

** Check Out Our Upcoming Events **  

Fancy being inspired to write your book? You can check out all our upcoming events via our website, including our Book Launch Blueprint workshop on Monday 30 June, where you can learn the exact steps you need to follow to launch an Amazon bestselling book.   

We run a monthly online networking event (although we are taking a break in May while we run our writing retreat in Spain) and will be back online on Tuesday 3 June for the Coffee and Connect Café, 12-1pm UK time: www.librotas.com/librotasevents.   

Key Takeaways  

Consistent Branding is Crucial: Whether it's your website or social media profiles, ensure that your branding is cohesive and genre-appropriate to make a memorable impression on readers.  

Discoverability through Networking: Engage with other authors in your genre to share knowledge and run joint promotions. It's a valuable way to tap into new audiences and gain support in the indie author community.  

Influencer Relationships Matter: Reach out to influencers with genuine engagement, offering value first before asking for anything in return. Building solid relationships can increase your book's visibility significantly.  

Bio   Nicky has been writing fiction and non-fiction for the last 10 years. He is a big fan of self-publishing and the freedom it gives writers. He has been an active book marketer for the last five years, disappearing down many rabbit holes during that time. Luckily he emerged knowing what works and what doesn't!  

Website: https://www.thebookmarketer.pro   

Socials:  https://www.instagram.com/the_book_marketer/   

Time stamped overview:  

00:00 From Gardener to Self-Published Author
06:09 Networking and Promotion Strategies
07:49 Centralized Content Strategy Essentials
11:43 Influencer Platforms: Influency & Intellifluence
15:11 Effective Series Writing Essentials
18:37 Trust Individuals: Personalize Marketing Approach
20:54 Targeting Ideal Influencers Effectively 26:25 Empowering Authors for Independence
27:19 "Building Relationships with Influencers"
32:38 Influencer Promotion Cost