Do you have a platform you can stand on when it comes to promoting and selling your book? Some of you might have a big question mark over your head when faced with this question. What is a platform, anyway?<\/p>\n
\u2022\tIt\u2019s your following.
\n\u2022\tIt\u2019s your way of attracting readers.
\n\u2022\tIt\u2019s your connections.<\/p>\n
We all have platforms; some are just much larger than others. You may not \u201chave\u201d people, but you certainly know people, don\u2019t you? How many of them would read your book just because they know, like, trust, admire, respect and\/or are curious about you? Most people have a certain number of friends, acquaintances, coworkers, associates, neighbors (former neighbors), organization affiliates and others who would probably buy their books. However, even if you have been stuck in a corporate cubicle for 30 years, socialize only at a church with a very small congregation on Sundays, don\u2019t know your neighbors, mailman or paperboy, there\u2019s still hope. Even a miniscule platforms can (and should) be added to\/expanded upon.<\/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?<\/p>\n
For Nonfiction:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tWrite within your area of expertise. If you\u2019ve been in this field long enough, you have a built-in audience. In 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 For Fiction:<\/p>\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<\/em>. 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. For a Memoir:<\/p>\n \u2022\tShare stories and articles related to your memoir with readers within your book\u2019s area of interest. For example, if you grew up in Michigan, submit something to regional publications in that state\u2014it might be a story from your childhood, something nostalgic about a particular community or a bit of history or genealogical facts related to the area. What is the common denominator among everyone who is writing or who is thinking about writing a novel, nonfiction book or memoir? If you hope to sell copies of your book beyond your close relatives and friends, you must have a platform. Follow these solid suggestions for establishing your platform long before your book is a book and you may be one of the 7% (or so) who actually makes a profit on book sales.<\/p>\n To help you along with the concept of establishing a platform, understanding the publishing industry, choosing your publishing option, getting involved with distributors\/wholesalers, marketing matters and so much more, order your copy of my book: The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book <\/em><\/strong>TODAY! http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Do you have a platform you can stand on when it comes to promoting and selling your book? Some of you might have a big question mark over your head when faced with this question. What is a platform, anyway? \u2022 It\u2019s your following. \u2022 It\u2019s your way of attracting readers. \u2022 It\u2019s your connections. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,3],"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
\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. (Membership in SPAWN\u2014Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network\u2014will help with this). http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a>
\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.<\/p>\n
\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
\n\u2022\tTake your story public. Go out and speak to civic group members, at organizations related to any themes in your story (child abuse, war history, education, individuals with special needs, a particular industry, faith, etc.). Of course, go back and speak once your book is out. If you made a good impression the first time, the crowds will be larger when you return.
\n\u2022\tGet involved in websites and blogsites related to the primary theme in your story.
\n\u2022\tEstablish your own website and blog and do the legwork necessary to get them noticed.
\n\u2022\tGet out more and talk about your book everywhere you go. Collect business cards from those who express an interest in your story and contact them from time to time to let them know how the book is progressing.
\nNo matter what type of book you are writing, establish a killer mailing\/emailing list. Keep track of who you know. Collect names and contact information everywhere you go. Pull names up from your memory bank and be sure to include anyone or any organization that might possibly help you to promote the book once it is published\u2014folks with connections.<\/p>\n