WHAT IS A PLATFORM?
Most of you know that authors of non-fiction need a platform, i.e., a name and a reputation that relates to the subject matter of their books.
If you're an author of fiction, you can bemoan the ever-growing need to have your own platform, but moaning and groaning aren't going to increase the chances of your books going viral.
Instead of complaining, you can build your platform . . .
YESTERDAY
Yes, yesterday, i.e., long before your work is published.
Oops! You've missed the boat, or as the Mexicans say, in a different context, the plane left without you.
Okay, so you've missed the Concord, but you still have time to board that twin-engine plane . . .
TODAY
If you're one of Shelfstealers' authors, you already have a boarding pass to the Watch Our Writers program. Get ready to board because we're rushing to repair (i.e., redesign) and fuel that plane. Very shortly, you'll find detailed instructions in The Stacks, our Shelfstealers-authors-only blog, about how to prepare for the WOW program, and how to use it effectively.
Unlike many other marketing activities that may help you to build a platform, the WOW program doesn't distract you from your writing. It's designed to help you build a platform AND work on your next project. But like all our crazy marketing ideas, we don't know whether it's going to work exactly how we planned. We'll be analyzing it, tinkering with it and guiding you as we go along.
Whether or not you're one of our authors, learn how to use social media, start a blog and comment on other people's blogs, have a website, contribute, contribute, and contribute. One key rule: it's not about selling or promoting your books; it's about giving back, letting people know you have strong opinions (but respect opposing views), and, especially, it's about being yourself.
Not everyone will fall in love with you, but each of us has something to offer to the world. Find that something and put it out there, with all its warts, too. No, I'm not talking about typos or poorly written thoughts and information--for heaven's sake, do edit your public statements because nothing can destroy a writer's reputation more than unedited material.
I'm talking about honesty and your truths, whatever they might be.
If you write non-fiction, you'll want to demonstrate that you know what you're talking about without pretension or arrogance. You're sharing; you're helping; you want to make the world, or a specific part of it, a better place.
If you write fiction, your truths need not be directly related to the subject matter of your novels, but they should relate to one or more of the themes that drove you to write your novels. In the interests of full disclosure, this opinion is untried and untested, but it makes sense to me that who you are and what you believe are both revealed in your writing. What you want to do, I think, is build on those same truths in your blogs and other social media marketing efforts. Have faith that other people share your truths. Be not afraid when people disagree with you--a little controversy, well-handled, will help rather that hurt.
TOMORROW
Don't try to do everything at once. Plan an overall approach, and then implement that plan a bit at a time. If you're blogging, prepare a point-form outline for your blogging strategy. If you're tweeting, do the same.
Lawyers often call business plans and even legal agreements 'living documents' because circumstances change. Review your plan on a regular basis and adapt it to the new circumstances, but keep to your truths and someone out there is going to think you're wonderful.
If you're lucky, many will think you're wonderful.
If you're really lucky, they'll even buy your books.
If you're really lucky, they'll even buy your books.
Sheryl J. Dunn, Founder and CEO for Shelfstealers, wrote this post, and takes full responsibility for its content, typos, lack of clarity, tone, boredom-quotient, and lack of originality.
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