What is a platform and why do you need one?
\nMaybe you don\u2019t need a platform\u2014let\u2019s see:
\n\u2022\tAre you working on a book?
\n\u2022\tAre you a published author?<\/p>\n
If your response was, \u201cYES,\u201d then you need a platform.<\/p>\n
So what is a platform?
\n\u2022\tYour following
\n\u2022\tYour way of attracting readers
\n\u2022\tYour level of fame or recognition
\n\u2022\tYour expertise, credentials, skills related to your book topic or genre<\/p>\n
You already have a platform if:
\n\u2022\tYou are widely known in your field.
\n\u2022\tYou are a celebrity.<\/p>\n
You might continue building on that platform by:
\n\u2022\tPublic speaking
\n\u2022\tPresenting workshops and seminars.
\n\u2022\tBuilding and widely publicizing a website related to your topic\/genre.
\n\u2022\tEstablishing a Newsletter and a Blog related to your topic\/genre.
\n\u2022\tAffiliating with sites, organizations, charities related to your topic\/genre.
\n\u2022\tGoing out and Making News and then report it.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a matter of becoming visible and known in your field or genre.<\/p>\n
And an excellent way to do this, of course, is to write articles on your topic and submit stories in your genre\u2014lots and lots of them.<\/p>\n
Are you aware that you are responsible for promoting your book no matter what publishing option you choose? Whether you get an agent and land a traditional royalty publisher, go with a fee-based POD \u201cself-publishing\u201d company or self-publish (establish your own publishing company), you will be expected to promote your book. <\/p>\n
Start way before you ever begin to write the book.
\nMost of you will ignore this advice. You just want to write your book.
\nSome of you have already written your book. And that\u2019s okay, too.
\nBest case scenario! You will establish yourself as an expert in your subject, field or genre BEFORE your book is a book.<\/p>\n
And once you\u2019ve completed the book, you don\u2019t get to stop. Now you need to shift your article-writing efforts into high, high gear. Why? You\u2019re still building your platform, but now you\u2019re also in promotion mode. <\/p>\n
If you need help establishing yourself as an article writer—or even learning how to write those first few articles, consider signing up TODAY for my online Article-Writing Course. You\u2019ll learn how to:
\n\u2022\tCome up with article ideas or stories based on your topic\/genre.
\n\u2022\tLocate and understand submission guidelines.
\n\u2022\tLocate and approach appropriate magazines.
\n\u2022\tWrite a query letter.
\n\u2022\tWrite a promotional article.
\n\u2022\tSubmit your article or story.
\n\u2022\tRead a magazine contract.<\/p>\n
If you are attempting to enter into the fiercely competitive publishing field with virtually NO credentials, notoriety or celebrity—if you are not widely known in your topic\/genre— spend the $125 for this 6-week course NOW and jumpstart your book sales in 2009.<\/p>\n