For authors, writing a book is just part of the mission. If you actually want people to read what you’ve written—or if you want a shot at getting picked up by a traditional publisher—you also need to focus on building your writer’s platform.
What’s that?
A writer’s platform consists of your built-in audience coupled with those connections you have (be they individuals or media outlets) that can trumpet news about your book.
In Create Your Writer Platform, author Chuck Sambuchino identifies the most common building blocks of a writer’s platform:
- A website and/or blog with a large readership
- An e-newsletter and/or mailing list with a large number of subscribers/recipients
- Article/column writing (or correspondent involvement) for the media—preferably for larger outlets and outlets within the writer’s specialty
- Guest contributions to successful websites, blogs, and periodicals
- A track record of strong past book sales
- Individuals of influence that you know—personal contacts (organizational, media, celebrity, relatives) who can help you market at no cost to yourself, whether through blurbs, promotion, or other means
- Public speaking appearances—the bigger, the better
- An impressive social media presence (Twitter, Facebook, and the like)
- Membership in organizations that support the successes of their own
- Recurring media appearances and interviews—in print, on the radio, on TV, or online
As he points out, you don’t need all of these. But make sure you’re not just giving a token nod to the pillars of your writer’s platform. Your platform will need to be strong and well built.
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to talk a lot about these platform builders. For now, I want to highlight public speaking, which I consider to be the first pillar of your writer’s platform. I know that can be tough for some, downright scary for others. I have three words for you. Get over it! Getting out there in person to share your message and your book is critical—especially if you videotape each presentation you give so you can carve it up in to short bits that you post on your newly-created YouTube channel. More on that later.
For now, I would suggest that you do what you can to make public speaking more comfortable and to improve your skills. Toastmasters is a terrific starting place. If you have networking or professional organizations in your area that offer public speaking opportunities you might try them as well. That’s another great way to jump in, especially once you’ve gotten comfortable with the group after joining.
Don’t wait to get started on this. Jump in now, even if you’ve just figured out what you want to write about. Building a writer’s platform takes time. So does building your skill and confidence as a public speaker. So seek out speaking opportunities in your community now. Most professional groups and associations that meet on a monthly basis are looking for speakers. That could be you. You’ll also want to check out these other great ideas for lining up speaking engagements.
Then watch Maya Angelou’s video below. She just might cure you of any stage fright you feel.
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