A writer's platform is necessary.
Your book is done.
Your family members and friends have bought and bartered all the copies you could muster.
Now, how do you sell books outside the friends and family? Build a platform that matches your skill set and expands your audience.
Associations with media, organizations, and groups of people help expand your audience.
If you are a member of a media organization, arts group, or professional organization, you may have started your platform already.
Below are seven ways an individual can begin to build a platform.
The key to building your platform is to align your skill set with associations that could benefit from your content.
Look around.
You probably have some pieces already in place.
Blog - Start a blog associated with your niche or hobby.
For example, if your expertise involves dogs, start a blog about dog training.
Be specific as possible.
Shoot for pit bull dog training.
Post a minimum of 2-3 times a week to build traffic.
Magazine Column - Browse the internet for the best publications in your niche.
Query to start a column about your expertise.
Give them two column samples.
Jump If a publication is open to your column.
Don't worry if a publication does not want to include your column.
RSS the column and continue to provide consistent valuable content for your visitors.
Article writing - Write valuable content and send the content to article directories.
Article directories generate traffic and provide potential clients to become accustomed to your style.
Colleges/Universities - Submit an application to local colleges and universities.
Teaching in your field builds your platform and keeps your craft sharp and current in the field.
Workshops - Teach workshops about your hobby topic or book.
Nonfiction books lend themselves to tangible workshops and training.
Again, find the audience that would be most interested in learning and benefiting from your information.
Series - Release a video, audio or podcast series that instructs visitors how to complete a skill, activity or just something plain fresh.
The video should offer valuable information that benefits the visitor.
Internet Show - Start your own radio or web show! Develop a web page and record.
Post regularly to develop an audience.
BlogtalkRadio and UStream both provide free platforms to build and audience.
Building a platform is hard, rewarding work.
A diverse platform will not only grow your audience, but can provide endorsements, sponsorships, and contacts from businesses interested in reaching your audience.
Your book is done.
Your family members and friends have bought and bartered all the copies you could muster.
Now, how do you sell books outside the friends and family? Build a platform that matches your skill set and expands your audience.
Associations with media, organizations, and groups of people help expand your audience.
If you are a member of a media organization, arts group, or professional organization, you may have started your platform already.
Below are seven ways an individual can begin to build a platform.
The key to building your platform is to align your skill set with associations that could benefit from your content.
Look around.
You probably have some pieces already in place.
Blog - Start a blog associated with your niche or hobby.
For example, if your expertise involves dogs, start a blog about dog training.
Be specific as possible.
Shoot for pit bull dog training.
Post a minimum of 2-3 times a week to build traffic.
Magazine Column - Browse the internet for the best publications in your niche.
Query to start a column about your expertise.
Give them two column samples.
Jump If a publication is open to your column.
Don't worry if a publication does not want to include your column.
RSS the column and continue to provide consistent valuable content for your visitors.
Article writing - Write valuable content and send the content to article directories.
Article directories generate traffic and provide potential clients to become accustomed to your style.
Colleges/Universities - Submit an application to local colleges and universities.
Teaching in your field builds your platform and keeps your craft sharp and current in the field.
Workshops - Teach workshops about your hobby topic or book.
Nonfiction books lend themselves to tangible workshops and training.
Again, find the audience that would be most interested in learning and benefiting from your information.
Series - Release a video, audio or podcast series that instructs visitors how to complete a skill, activity or just something plain fresh.
The video should offer valuable information that benefits the visitor.
Internet Show - Start your own radio or web show! Develop a web page and record.
Post regularly to develop an audience.
BlogtalkRadio and UStream both provide free platforms to build and audience.
Building a platform is hard, rewarding work.
A diverse platform will not only grow your audience, but can provide endorsements, sponsorships, and contacts from businesses interested in reaching your audience.
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