I hear from some of you from time to time and it seems that most of you are in the process of writing books. Are you also building on your platform? Do you know the steps to take toward establishing and adding to your author\u2019s platform? Do you even know the reasons you need a platform and why it should be in place even before your book is a book?<\/p>\n
Ideally, of course, you have spent the last 5, 10, 20 or 30 years becoming known in the field\/genre you are writing in. Most people, however, do not think of this as they merrily live their lives. Most of us turn to writing only after pursuing other career and lifestyle goals. For many, writing a book is an afterthought of life, not a primary part of it. So what is a new, first-time author of fiction or nonfiction to do when they don\u2019t have a platform to stand on? They must build one. How? For Fiction:<\/strong> Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, sign up today for my new Platform-Building online course. Check it out here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/course_platform.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n And if you are new to the big world of publishing, be sure to order my latest book, Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author<\/em>. It\u2019s in print and on Kindle. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I hear from some of you from time to time and it seems that most of you are in the process of writing books. Are you also building on your platform? Do you know the steps to take toward establishing and adding to your author\u2019s platform? Do you even know the reasons you need a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[20],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
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\nFor Nonfiction:<\/strong>
\n\u2022\tWrite within your area of expertise. If you\u2019ve been in this field long enough, you have a built-in audience.
\n\u2022\tBecome even more widely known in your field or interest by conducting workshops for your peers, writing articles for appropriate trade and consumer magazines and getting involved in websites dedicated to this topic\u2014in other words, position yourself as an expert.
\n\u2022\tCreate your own website full of resources for your audience.
\n\u2022\tEstablish a blog related to your topic and post to it often.
\n\u2022\tVolunteer within your field of interest.
\n\u2022\tEstablish programs, contests, fairs, etc. related to your subject and get some press so others know what you\u2019re doing.
\nIn other words, get out there and become known among your book\u2019s target audience. And do this BEFORE you publish that book. Once the book comes out, you\u2019ll be busy promoting it. Now is the time to be develop your platform\u2014establish your audience. <\/p>\n
\n\u2022\tDig out the stories you\u2019ve been writing over the years, clean them up and start submitting them to appropriate magazines. You may be surprised by how many magazines and newsletters publish fiction. Study Writer\u2019s Market. Look at the literary and little magazine category, of course, but also go through each and every consumer and trade publication to locate those that use fiction pieces. For regular reports on where to sell your fiction stories, join SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a> The SPAWN Market Update (posted in the member only area of the SPAWN website) is full of such opportunities.
\n\u2022\tWrite and submit new stories in your book\u2019s genre. It is more important that you acquire a following than that you meet some sort of self-imposed deadline for completing your novel.
\n\u2022\tGet involved in websites related to the genre of your book\u2014I mean get active\u2014become known as the author of some good romance stories, science fiction, thrillers, mysteries, or?
\n\u2022\tApply to conduct workshops within your genre at appropriate writers\u2019 conferences.
\n\u2022\tEstablish workshops, writers\u2019 retreats, etc. locally for other writers of works in your genre.
\n\u2022\tCreate an active and interactive website and blogsite for writers and readers within your genre.<\/p>\n