A YouTube video by Julie Broad (Book Launchers) arguing that building an author platform enables authors to do more than sell books — it allows them to build community, trust, and participate in broader causes. Using her participation in MrBeast’s Team Water campaign (raising funds for WaterAid) as an example, she connects platform-building to real-world impact and urges authors to use channels like YouTube, social media, and newsletters to advance both their message and charitable efforts.
Questions this video answers
Julie Broad (Book Launchers)
1 in 10 people
293 million children
$40 million
$1
Chapters
What do MrBeast a glass of Clean Water and your nonfiction book have in common? A lot more than you think, especially if you want your book to actually do something in the world. If you're even a little curious about how you can help make the world a little better or what the heck I'm talking about, well, then this video is for you. Hi, I'm Julie the Book Broad, founder of Book Launchers and your host here at Book Launchers TV. Right now, Mr. Beast and TeamWater there are on a mission to bring clean drinking water to people who desperately need it. And I am in. And as I was thinking about the opportunity to participate in this, I was thinking about how it's a tangential benefit of building a platform and connecting with others. See, we're always talking about platform building from a perspective of building your author brand and your business and of course, selling books. But with a platform, there's more you can do than just sell books for impact and income and even funnel building. When you have a platform, you can do so much more in world. And participating in this campaign is a brilliant example of something most authors don't think about when they are thinking about building their author platform. Because I built this YouTube channel. Thank you for subscribing. I have been invited to participate in various YouTube programs, and most recently, this massive movement to help. Did you know that 1 in 10 people on planet Earth still lack access to clean water? In fact, 293 million children go to a school that has dirty water or no water at all. This is both a horrifying problem and one that can be addressed with a big movement. And that's where Team Water comes into play. The goal is to raise 40 million for water aid. My bet is that a lot more will be raised and that 2 million people will get clean water for decades to come, if not more. I'll have a link in the description so you can donate as well. $1 or $100. It all helps. And by the way, all it takes is $1 for one person to get clean water for a year with WaterAid. So literally every dollar helps. I'm excited. Not just about the water, but also about the example that this is of what a platform can do. Well beyond selling books, getting reviews, selling future books, getting speaking engagements, and selling courses. Because a platform does all of those things, of course, but many authors are just like me. And you wrote your book to have an impact, to change lives, to help people. And when you build an author platform, it allows you to do so much more when it comes to having an impact. But here's the thing. If you don't build a platform, build a community, build trust, your impact will be limited. You can't count on Amazon to sell your book. You have to do that. And if you're not talking about your message and connecting with readers, are you going to have the impact you desire when you build a platform? And by platform, I mean social media or YouTube or email newsletter or just community around you. When you do that, you will be able to connect with your reader and you can participate in other causes and projects that can help change the world. Your book is just the beginning. Your platform is where the real impact happens. Supporting a cause like Team Water is more than just doing good. For me. It's a great example of the power of a platform. And I hope that together with all the creators and community out there, they raise millions more than their goal of 40 million. And of course, again, link in the description if you want to help. So now that you know the power of a platform, hopefully you have just a little bit more inspiration to go out there and spread the word about your book. But also you can spread the word about this campaign. So you can help by making a donation. And if it's a fit for your brand, you can share it as well. You're not just an author, you are a thought leader. Whether it's this cause or some other one, you can use your platform to do good. So check out TeamWater. Donate if you can share it widely and let your readers see what you stand for. Because the books that make the biggest impact come from authors who show up over and over again, and especially when it counts. And your book is such a great place for all of this to begin.
