Platform Building

Last week I wrote a post about how I'm trying to think of my writing as a business instead of a hobby. One task in making that happen is to build an author's platform. If you're like me, and I feel like many of you are... this is a daunting thing.

Every lecture I've attended on the subject of writing talks about building your audience, or platform. So much so, that I began dreading how to brainstorm this elusive thing almost as much as a query letter. I mean, even as you're reading this you're probably thinking some of the things I did like, I don't have a novel ready, how can I do this? Or, how am I going to get my stuff out there, what's all this mumbo jumbo about mailing lists?
I know the prospect at first is immensely daunting. Especially for someone (like me) who isn't very good at branding, or frankly selling themselves. So, here is what I'm doing to try to build a platform, even though I'm not going to be releasing a product until June.

You're probably wondering why I'm bothering with it now right? I mean June is months away. That's the thing. Now is the time to start doing all of this marketing stuff, generating buzz, getting yourself a readership. Why? Because if I don't have people chomping at the bit for something I've written now, why would they want to buy anything then?

Yes, it all does come down to that.

Much like I did for forcing myself to see my writing; differently, I'll be applying the same technique to building my readership base. That means another list (yay don't we just love lists?!?... No really, they're working for me so don't knock it until you've tried it.)

I know I'm super insistent here on the list thing, but there is a reason.

How many of you have started the year thinking, It's a new year, time to set some goals for myself? Yeah, we all do it, most of the time they involve that ugly, dirty word, you know the one, gym. Yeah, goals don't happen. There full of good intentions, we don't need any stinking good intentions.
2018 is the year we do, not the year we don't follow through. Lists, lists are things you do. If for no other reason than to see that satisfying little cross off (or check mark-which ever floats your boat).

So, here's the list:

1. Write one blog post every Weds*

(I purposely posted today's late because I didn't want to knock a post down off the main page someone else had already done. I know not a good start. As soon as my website goes live, I'll be posting there, and that won't be an issue.)

2. Talk to fellow forum members about how they've approached building a base. Key questions: If they've had luck with guest author blogs or doing interviews with other authors.

(This is the subject of next weeks post in case you're wondering how those discussions went.)

3. Be more active on social media such as Facebook, Twitter

(This is a toughie for me, I'm a watcher, not a sharer.)

4. Post videos.

(People seem to enjoy the information in smaller bites especially when it comes in the form of video. Also, a toughie because I hate having my photo taken much less video... eek!)

5. Make shorts available as PDF's once my site goes live.

6. Include apps which will help generate a mailing list via the site.

(For release info, short stories, and other goodies)

7. Start putting together a team

(If you've heard me talk before about street teams I mean those, as well as a group of people knowledgeable in different aspects of the business. For this post, someone who has marketing experience which I can bounce ideas off of.)

I'm stopping my list there. Seven is a good start, and many of these items will have to be repeated to get my platform going.

*It's important as an author to maintain, and strengthen relationships you've built with other writers. Why? Because some of the best feedback, tips, heck even just life advice you can possibly get comes from everyone else around you. For me, that means writer's groups, and this forum.

I can't tell you how instrumental this forum has been to my growth, and my writing journey. Thank you to all of you who've supported me, talked me down, and just generally put up with me when I felt lousy and wasn't sure this was something I can do. You have no idea how greatful I am to this community, but I will probably repeat that until you're all sick of reading it.

-Corbyn