What are you doing/have you done to develop your platform?

[lynnmosher]

This question probably deserves a whole section on its own! I thought that this is one aspect of writing where we all need to help each other.

Starting out as really green, I read everything I could about developing a platform. I have submitted articles and devotions to numerous online and print magazines. Some have been published; some haven't. I'm working on a website and a daily email devotion. And getting very frustrated.

Anyway, I just thought that, since we have so many newbies, those who are working on developing a platform or who have already done so, would post here and share with the rest of us needing help what they have done or are doing.

[Michael Scott]

Well, the first thing I did was write a book. Now I've started a blog (never had time to bother before - now I learn it's important.).

I'm about to start writing and submitting articles as well, and I've joined a couple of forums where I can talk and get to know people.

A friend suggested I do a couple of interviews for articles and post them as well (yeah, I'll be interviewing myself).

And the main thing is to always point to one common place (in this case, my blog, but it could be your own website or myspace page) for people to learn about you.

That's about all I've got so far.

http://www.Christian-Suspense.blogspot.com

[Tommie Lyn]

I have a blog -- but I'm dilatory about posting. I was feeling guilty about neglecting it until I read The Rejecter's blog post for May 28th. She said fiction writers don't have to have a platform, that it's not necessary for them to have blog.

http://rejecter.blogspot.com/

Whew! Writing fiction instead of non-fiction does have an up side, I guess ..... :D

I'm off the hook.

TL

[kriswrite]

Most publishers these days do want authors who have already established platforms. Here's what I've done:

* Written articles on the topics of my books
* Written op-eds related to the topics of my books
* Become very active in the highest profile online forums related to my book topics
* Spoken anywhere that makes sense for my book topic
* Blogged on my topic (This only matters to publishers if you have a pretty large audience for your blog, though)

I'm also working on mailing lists (both email and snail mail).

Kristina

[Tarin]

I blog weekly on - what else? - the writing life. ;)

[writegirl1949]

Great adivce. I'm wayyyyy behind in doing anything about promoting myself or my novel but I'm caught up in starting a small publishing business for historical booklets aimed at the tourist trade here in the southwest. Once I get the off to the printers, I'll be trying to get a web site back up.

And that brings up a question. I want a web site and need one. But do I incorporate everything I do into one website:


author contemporary suspense
freelance journalist/photojournalist
publishing company
Christian devotionals


And Michael, I visited your blog and read some ... made a comment on your riviting writing.

Blessings, Francine

[Michael Scott]

Thank you for the comments, Francine! BTW, you're the first person to visit my blog. Ever. 'Course, it's only been up for a couple of days, but glad you liked the writing.

Tommie Lyn, it's true you don't have to have a platform to have fiction accepted, but it helps. Especially if you can demonstrate to your agent or editor that people have read and like your material. I've been attempting to have The Coppersmith published for about a year and a half now, and I've finally decided to try and generate some interest in it on my own by making it available online first (here! (http://http://www.bookhabit.com/book/628/The-Coppersmith) ha ha!). This way, I'll have an easier time convincing an editor there is a market for a Christian psychothriller.

http://Christian-Suspense.blogspot.com

[Laina]

What exactly is a platform?

Thanks!

PS Lynn I like your new picture!

[Tommie Lyn]

What exactly is a platform?

Thanks!

It's comprised of people who are your fans, who are likely to buy your book because they like what you write and trust what you say. It is a very valuable asset for writers of non-fiction. And it sometimes is the deciding factor for a publisher who is considering your work.

Fiction writers build a "fandom" from people who like their novels and stories, people who will buy their next book on the strength of how much they liked the last one. Fiction writers should "brand" themselves (which is why you see some writers using various pen names, depending on the genre they are writing at the time).

[Sheri]

Hi,
I was amazed at all the talk of platforms at the writers’ conference I attended in March. By the fifth day-- I thought I'd explode if I heard about another person’s platform. Maybe, I was just ready to go home! I understand the concept but some of it seems so contrived to me, I've always had an aversion to sales, so maybe it's just me. I think speaking is important when opportunities arise--but it seems weird to go to a weekend workshop on developing your speaking platform--which is common, I guess. It just seems like promoting self could get a little sketchy.
I 've created a hard copy portfolio and I'd like to have a website version of it but I'm really hoping one of my kids will just do it for me! I happily speak when ever asked to--but so far, it has just been at local churches.

[Katharine]

This is the kind of thing I joined this site to learn about! When I started writing on a 25-lb. laptop, stretched out beside the dog on my bed, I had no idea I might have to develop a platform someday. My back does get stiff, though...

When I started a blog for a class assignment last year, I found that it was a great vehicle for short bursts of creativity. The content of my blog doesn't usually come close to the subject of my fiction WIP, but it does give me a small audience. (I often send out a shameless email to friends when I've posted a couple of entries on the blog, just so somebody might read it.) I mean, at least I can pretend I've got an audience, unlike some (ahem, Michael Scott) bloggers who will do anything if they think no one's looking.

And, in yet another act of shameless self-promotion, it's http://wisedogsinthelibrary.blogspot.com/ and thank you, anyone, for taking a peek.

[Michael Scott]

Yeah, I might have to go back and edit that post...

http://Christian-Suspense.blogspot.com

[kriswrite]

A lot of authors feel as you do, Sheri. I know I certainly would love to just write and leave most of the marketing to the publisher. But that isn't realistic today, and publishers are looking critically at authors, seeing who is willing and able to take a huge part in marketing. Platform is - well, the platform - on which to build good marketing.

Kristina

[michaelsnyder]

I have a slightly different take on this (what's new, right?). I think every suggestion stated so far is a darn good one, all very practical likely very helpful.

I too have heard all the Platform talk at conferences. However...I think this whole idea could be viewed like saving money for the downpayment on a house. There are tons of ways to scrimp and save and plan for it, but the most practical thing one can do is find a steady job. A consistent monthly income is a great foundation from which to build. Anything on top of that--yard sales, skipping trips to Starbucks, clipping coupons, carpooling, etc.--are all very practical ways to accelerate the process. But that singular and sizable resource (one's job or career) needs to be aggressively nurtured. Hard work and continuing education in one's chosen field will likely create more 'extra' income (thus getting you closer to the goal in this example) than all those coupons and skipped lattes combined. And it's quite possible to accidentally become obsessed with all the little money-saving techniques that our actual job performance suffers!

So if you're still with me on this gooberish analogy...I view the quality of one's writing as that steady job. It needs to be tenaciously guarded. If the quality is there--or at least improving daily with hard work--a writer will have the necessary foundation from which to build an entire career. The platform can be built slowly over time, BASED on the quality of the author's work and little else.

So I say do all the cool marketing/platform-building ideas you can think of...SO LONG as it doesn't hamper your writing. (What's that saying about the 'good' being the enemy of the 'best'?) But if you find that blogging thirty minutes/day is cutting into your writing time, I would suggest that time would be better spent improving one's skill, or at least finishing that great American novel. (Side note: As the author of one personal blog and a bi-weekly contributor to a somewhat famous blog...I'm starting to think that blogging is not that great a platform builder anyway.)

A good platform needs to be supported by something. So if you're not already famous...and have no real means to get yourself famous (and thus sell gazillions of books by your name alone), then THE BEST thing you have going for you is your unique story and your passion and ability to tell it. And for my 'money', about 110% of your efforts should go toward nurturing your greatest writerly asset first--your actual prose or poetry or life story.

Sorry if that sounds like a soapbox. I've just seen some really talented writers get bogged down with marketing and branding and blogging and a whole host of other platform-building ideas...all to the obvious and extreme detriment of their writing! It's really sad. Especially if our end goal is to maximize the talent God gives us AND have our writing BE the platform!

Oh, and if I can veer back into the money-saving analogy. The conservative financial expert would advise paying cash for a used car, then saving like mad. After a time, you sell the used car and add all those accrued savings to move up a rung or two in quality. That same conservative approach might work with writing too. Work like a dog to get one story published someplace. Accrue one bona fide writing credit. I hate to say it this way (and I'm talking to me here too!) is that anybody can blog. But not just anyone can point to a literary journal and say, "See, this very real editor saw the value in my work and published it!" Just a thought.

Sorry for my long-windedness (again!). Thanks for listening.

Mike

[AnnieJ]

What Mike said :)

I am talking about fiction here, non-fiction is another animal.
For fiction:
IF you already Have a "platform' or do something or would like to do something that would give you one and sustain it (speaking ministry, blog, teaching about your area of expertise, etc), then go for it, build on it, enjoy it. If it creates stress or takes time away from writing/life, don't obsess over it.

Realty: Platforms do not always deliver sales - usually the ones that do are the ones developed over a long period of time and are built because the 'platform' or medium or audience is a passion, not because someone wants to create a means to hopefully sell a book.

Reality: ALL the PR and platform building a writer does in the world cannot overcome the myriad issues that are out of the writer's control. if your distribution isn't good or if your publisher decides not to support you or sometimes even a cover that just isn't appealing, or someone else coming out with a book like yours near the same time that outshines yours, something in the news sours people on the subject matter of your book/platform lots and lots of things.

Reality:The market is tight, advances can be smaller, paid out over longer periods, contract may be further apart, harder to come by. Even Big Name authors are being pressed to produce books closer together and spend less time on promo (of course in those cases the publisher spend more money on pr for them ;)) so you simply cannot afford to jeopardize work time to promo time.

So, yes, if you have a platform or if it appeals to you, do what you can to build one, the same applies to most PR you can do for yourself (that's another topic). But don't drop everything and fixate on this if it's not.

annie jones

[ekovax]

This has certainly opened my eyes to a brave new world.

I must admit that I had no eartly idea what a platform was before this. When I saw the title for this thread, I was imagining something along the lines of a political platform--how do you stand on the issues while you are writing? :)

Up until now, I've avoided the whole blogosphere, but I should probably get off my sizable duff and get cracking.

[Michael Scott]

I wouldn't overlook writing articles and posting them online, either. Anything you can do to drive traffic to your book, you should do. For me, the blog is a place to build contacts and share samples of my writing (I have two excerpts up now, and I've only been blogging for about a week). Everything else drives traffic to the blog - the blog highlights the writing and drives people to the one finished book I have for sale through an online publisher (real cheap, too.

I'm still learning. There are a lot of things you can do to get on people's radar screen.

What Mike said: absolutely. Don't detract from your writing at all. Ensure you have something worth reading when you get traffic. There's no point in marketing a crappy product. If you do, you'll only hurt your longterm chances.

http://Christian-Suspense.blogspot.com

Check out The Coppersmith (http://www.bookhabit.com/book/628/The-Coppersmith)

[lynnmosher]

I am s-o-o-o-o glad I started this thread. You guys have made some great comments. It's appreciated by everyone, I know. Especially me!

Francine, You asked what should be on your website. I had a thought. You listed devotionals with the other things. I think, and if I'm wrong, someone please jump in, you should separate the devotionals into an attached blog. Just my two coppers-worth.

Laina, Thanks! Glad you like the pic! If you notice, the mouse has disappeared! LOL!

Sheri, I'm not crazy about self-promotion either. In fact, I'm very uncomfortable with it.

Katharine, Your blog is great.

Michael, Your site is great.

Since I am a non-fictioner, this whole platform thing is difficult. Though my mother's death and other things have contributed, editing my book has been shelved while I have been developing a platform. I guess it is worth it, though I'm not sure.

From all I've read on publishers and agents sites, they all expect non-fiction writers to be able to speak as part of their platform. Well, I'm here to tell you, that is the last thing I ever want to do. For a number of reasons, I am definitely not a speaker. So does someone with non-fiction experience have any thoughts on this?

[Michael Scott]

Gee, as a minister I speak non-fiction every week. But I'm sure that's not what you're talking about.

I would think writing articles would be the way to go. There are a lot of free, online sites you could use to begin producing which could generate traffic, that sort of thing.

I don't know what sort of non-fiction you are writing, but I imagine there's some things that could be done in whichever arena it is which will generate a degree of "expertise" on your part.

So, what is your non-fiction area?

[lynnmosher]

Yes, I'm already doing that. I've been doing articles for a while and had a number of them published. I also have a monthly column on one site and am a regular contributor to a devotional blog on another. I write some stories, some true and some fictional, Biblically-based articles, and devotionals.

My problem will come, when I soon search for an agent, is that my physical condition prohibits a lot of what publishers usual want a writer to do...speak, travel, etc. This has been holding me back somewhat. I'm afraid to mention my condition to an agent, fearing the rejection.

[michaelsnyder]

Michael...hey, if you're a minister with any kind of congregation, you already have a platform! It may or may not be 'large' (eye of the beholder, I guess?). But that really is the kind of thing publishers are interested in. Meaning: if you and I wrote similar books on similar topics with similar writing quality...AND they only have one slot available to fill...you get it, not me, no matter how large or small your flock is.

A note about blogging and articles and such...I was tired when I wrote all that last night (but I still agree with most of it). By no means am I meaning to disparage blogs or article-writing at all. Writing is writing, and it should all improve the overall quality and experience of the writer. I WISH I could write quality non-fiction. But alas, I'm a chronic fictioneer.

My point was mainly about spending time, effort, energy, and/or valuable brain cells building a platform to support writing that COULD be a whole lot better. Maybe I'm old school, but I still think that quality writing will get their attention. And so far, my editor/agent pals tell me the same thing....great writing, fresh voice, original ideas, platform, professionalism, etc. Now...good luck defining those terms and/or trying to put them in priority order! Unfortunately there's no formula or script to follow.

Mike

[Michael Scott]

Okay, at this point I want to be careful not to come across as calloused. I hope I don't. I don't know the specifics of your condition, nor why it would inhibit you from speaking or traveling.

I wouldn't avoid sharing it with an agent, however. If you are, for example, writing about cerebral palsy, then having cerebral palsy gives you instant credibility. Speaking out about it would, I suspect, generate a lot of interest, if only because people tend to respond with interest and compassion when they see someone with a disability overcoming the odds. Following that, of course, you have to have something meaningful to say.

You know your situation best - but I doubt God allowed this difficulty into your life so you would feel ashamed by it, and if that's the reason you're holding back, then let me encourage you to go forward. On the other hand, it's entirely possible that the disability you're experiencing has a very practical aspect to preventing you from speaking publicly. If it's relevant to what you're writing about, you may be able to overcome it anyway, but again, you'll know best.

I guess what I'm asking is this: are you positive you can't do this, or are you just fearful?

[Michael Scott]

That last post was for lynnmosher

[Michael Scott]

Hey Michael Snyder,

Yeah, I could use the church as a platform, but I have two issues with doing that. a) As a minister, I don't want to use the pulpit to advance myself as a writer. It's too self-promoting. Besides, what I'm writing are dark, Christian suspense stories - not everybody's going to appreciate that, and I don't want to scare them. b) Since I'm starting a church from scratch, we have about a dozen people attending right now. Not much of a platform as it is.

My main concern is with the self-promotion. I've seen way too many ministers fleece the sheep that way, and I don't want to be one of them.

http://Christian-Suspense.blogspot.com

[tdriggers08]

Wow! I can certainly tell that I'm a Newbie. I feel as though I have gone back to school and learning more than I can comprehend.

Tim

[writegirl1949]

Michael ... as far as dark Christian suspense ... maybe check out other authors websites and see what they do. I know Peretti does horror suspense but I believe he also did stories for kids, didn't he?

And Brandlyn Collins is another ... though not dark or horror, they are suspenseful. Here's her web site: http://www.brandilyncollins.com/

Hope that gives you more to chew on.

Lynn, thanks for the suggestion. I think I was looking at it that way. Now, one more ... do I name my web site with my name or the publishing company's name. Bear in mind, I have no intention of doing anything other than my own historical booklets right now ... and that takes me to another issue ... the history is that of the southwest ... and my novel is set in the southwest. Theoretically, I could style it with a hint of southwestern flair and maybe come up with a name that reflects the southwest. I'm just not sure.

Anyone else with ideas, jump right in. I'm loving this discussion.

Blessings, Francine

[lynnmosher]

Tim, Stick around. I've only been around since last July (not the date on my profile. I forgot I signed up!) and have learned a great deal. This site is a wealth of info and support!

Michael Scott, I guess I should have worded my post a little more carefully. I fail in this occasionally. I am not ashamed of my condition at all. My fear of rejection would be the dreaded walking paper, a no-thank-you-we-don't-want-you because my fibromyalgia keeps me somewhat secluded.

I would never keep my condition from an agent; I just don't want it to be a contributing factor in being turned down by an agent. My condition has nothing to do with my writing. I never write about it, just haven't as yet.

In some ways, the FM does contribute to my not being able to speak. It causes lapses in memory. I also have learning disabilities that make my mind go blank and forget what I'm saying. But am I fearful? Yes. My personality rebels at having to speak before others.

This is why I am working so hard to develop a platform in other areas.

[michaelsnyder]

Michael...you make another great point about not wanting to use your home church as a platform. That can feel a bit creepy. I've had a few people ask me to sign books in the hallways at church before. And it's a delicate balance. I'm definitely not into self-promotion at church!

That said, your particular profession will still likely count as an 'asset' when potential publishers look at your marketability. Although I can't imagine you'd launch into an advertisement from the pulpit, the reality is that word would indeed get around in your sphere of influence and help sell books on a local level.

In the end it's more about the heart and intentions and good taste. So again, great point.

Mike

[lynnmosher]

Francine, I would go with your name. That is what you want recognized. The publishing company has their own site and you cannot use it. Besides, if you used the publisher and your first book would be with them, your next book might be published by someone else.

Great idea about the southwest flavor! And if you next book setting was someplace else, you could always change the look and feel of your site.

[kriswrite]

Lynn, I wouldn't worry about physical diffuclties. You can still do telephone interviews, which, frankly, most writers do more than in-person interviews. These would be for radio and print.

I'm not sure if this helps you, but if you feel you need to speak in public, it can be really helpful to have something to do than just talk. If you can come up with hands-on approaches for your audience, they will have fun, learn a lot, and you won't have to talk as much :) For example, when I wrote books on historic fashion, I often gave events where I'd speak just a bit, then allow my audience to do things like try on corsets and petticoats. I'd wander around and answer their questions and they always had a blast.

Hope this helps,
Kristina

[lynnmosher]

Thanks, Kristina, for the encouragement and info. And I love your idea. Cool way to do it. Thanks for your input. Yes, it does help!

[Sheri]

Even though thinking of platform building makes me cranky, I am thinking more about it--at least a website to list published articles and maybe pictures of my dog! Any-who, I came across this article on creating an author's website that might interest others, like me, that aren't there yet:
http://www.timbete.com/CreateWebsite.html

[lynnmosher]

Thanks for the link, Sheri. I saved it.

[journalwriter]

I started up a blog last year. At this point I post about once a month. But I've read in too many places that what you put on your blog is often considered "previously published" material to some editors. So I'm very careful about what I post, not wanting to dilute the possibility of future publication with something I work really hard on. So that makes blogging less of a priority in my writing life. I see every submission as an opportunity for someone to read my work and see my name, thus in an inadvertent way, building a platform. But one of the things that gets fuzzy to me is what my platform should be. Currently I'm working on a young adult novel, plus my childhood memoirs, and a memoir on my life with cats. I've also written a few opinion pieces and essays that I intend to submit when I find the right markets. But I don't have a specific topic (outside of home schooling) that I regularly write about. So that makes building a platform a bit more hazy. My blog address is in my signature if anyone has a hankering to read a post or two.

[Michael Scott]

I understand your dillemma, journalwriter. I've learned through what others have said and my own observations that those writer's who succeed tend to write within a specific genre, and build their platform around that (ie: Stephen King - horror, Michael Crichton - technology and medical thrillers, John Grisham - legal suspense, etc.). And readers can get testy when a writer strays out of their genre (ie: Grisham's A Painted House. Not a lawyer in it.).

I suspect it would be wiser to start building a platform around a particular idea or group of ideas/genre, something like that. And once you start generating success, then branching out into a wider sphere.

Look at Joel Rosenberg. After the success of his end-times thrillers (The Copper Scroll, The Ezekiel Option, etc.), he's now branching out into a non-fiction assessment of world politics. Disappointing if you're looking for the next novel, but at least connected to the subject matter about which he's written.

Your platform will express your voice-your particular "take" on the world which no one else has, which can only be developed by writing, writing, and writing some more.

Honestly, I wouldn't even think about developing a platform until I was sure I had something ready to sell. But that's just me and how I'm doing it.

As for the blog - it's a means to an end. So will be all the articles and classified ads pointing to the blog. I want to drive traffic to my book and build a readership. That's my goal.

[Zanzibar]

This is a very intersting thread. I'm going to start another one about how to start a web-site and blog.

That is my next step. I've just been offered a contract for a historical novel I wrote!

I'm very excited, but my publisher is very small and only in their second year. They do not have a large promotion buget. So promotion will be mostly up to me. So now I need to start a web-site and a blog and get myself into some Christian Romance Blogospheres in order to 'network' my book. (sigh... what I'd really like to do is work on my next book.)

[abbasjewel]

Sheri I know what you mean ...I have an aversion to sales myself. Marketing and promoting anyone or anything just dosen't seem to be my forte, but I am begining to realize their importance. I suppose having an understanding of the concepts and process involved in these activities makes it easier to employ them. Now if I could just find out where these 'understandings' lived..hum..m..m...:confused:

[Michael Scott]

Congratulations, Zanzibar! Way to go!

[lynnmosher]

Zanzibar, When you get it all signed, post your great news in the success forum so everyone can see it and leave you congratulations.

[michaelsnyder]

Yeah, Zanzibar...super huge and groovy Congratulations!

Mike

[Zanzibar]

Thanks guys. But I don't think the moderator will let me post it there. This publisher is not vanity or subsidy, nor do they publish for just anybody who sends them a manuscript - but they do use pod technology.

They are a brand new christian ficiton house. Not sure if I'm allowed to post the address here, but if you want to check them out for yourself email me and I will send you the url. (I had 2 threads bumped to other places yesterday :o so I'm trying to learn and stay within the rules.)