Sally is an author, former editor with HarperCollins and currently runs Red Hill Publising in Brisbane. And she is wise:
Author platform: make a stand
If you make a living as a public speaker to large audiences, head up a major corporation, pastor a large church, appear on national radio or television frequently, or you’re a regular contributor in The Age or The Australian (for example), then don’t worry about what I’m about to say. You’ve got your platform. If not, then you need to put the time and effort into marketing yourself and building a readership. It has never been more crucial for authors to play a major part in marketing themselves – but it has also never been easier. Where are readers hanging out these days? The internet. That’s the best place for you to find readers for your books.
The rest lives here http://sallycollings.com/2010/05/author-platform/