Having a massive social media following is great, but let’s get real: does it actually translate into a business? The answer is no, and traditional publishers know it.
Publishers are smarter than ever. We aren’t just looking for vanity metrics or a viral moment that lands you ten thousand new followers overnight. We vetting authors to see if they have a funnel. They want to know: can you move those followers from just liking a post to becoming paying customers? How are you driving them toward online courses, exclusive memberships, or merchandise?
I want to know email size, open rate and click-through rates. Tell me what paid speaking and consulting you do and whether those clients seek you out or were contracts you won.
A following is a fantastic asset, but it’s not enough on its own. In today’s competitive publishing landscape, passive attention doesn’t get book deals—conversion does. I am not devaluing your hard work to build an audience, but it does shift the focus. Don’t just build a following. Build a bridge.
Good luck!
Ashante Thomas's Blog 
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