Julie has agreed to share insights on the all-important strategy for authors of building a platform to make writing marketable to agents and publishers.
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Thanks to Mark and Kym
for allowing me to be their first guest-blogger. They have asked me to talk
about building a platform. And while I
openly admit I am no expert and have a long way to go in understanding how this
is done, if my steep and continual learning curve can benefit another writer,
I’m more than glad to share.
Let It Shine
When I was a little girl we used to sing a simple, little
song in Sunday school. We’d hold up our
pointer finger, like a candle, and belt out with all sincerity: This little light of mine. I’m gonna let it
shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it
shine, let it shine.
For the second verse, the hand motions got a bit trickier.
While still holding up our pointer finger on one hand we’d cup the palm of our
other hand, imitating a candle snuffer-- even though we didn’t have a clue what
that was. Still, we’d soulfully sing: Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it
shine. Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it
shine, let it shine.
Those early lessons in evangelism were probably lost on us
as children.
Lighting the Candle
But the lesson of letting your light shine is one we can
apply to the concept of building a writer’s platform. Really, the whole point
of a platform is taking your writing light out from under the bushel and
letting it shine.
It doesn’t take a lot of internet research to learn the Big
Houses of publishing are spending less and less money on marketing and expect that
the authors will do the legwork to promote their own books. Long gone are the
days of high-profile displays in a big-box bookstore. Even if you are yet unpublished, or are a
freelance writer, like me, you still want to develop a platform—a public
exposure, a showing of followers.
As my friend Sunny
Frasier from Oak Tree Press has told
me, publishers, acquisition editors and even agents may ask you about your
platform efforts and plans before
they will even consider taking you on as a client. With as many queries as
people in the industry receive, they are more likely to work with the writer
who is already out there holding up their shining candle.
There are many venues to consider when building a platform,
including blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads,
Pinterest, guest-blogging for other writers
or sites, and many others I’m just beginning to learn about. But the end goal is the same: to reach readers, other writers who
can help you promote your work, become a recognizable name, and increase your
odds of publication when the time comes.
Shine From the Inside
Almost all the platform and writing gurus out there will
tell you building a platform is about selling a product and you are the best product. Promoting your
writing or books is only effective if people are drawn to you. Whatever avenue you choose to build your
platform, be a personality people can relate to and like.
Hide yourself and your writing under a bushel? No way! Let
it shine!
For more information
on building a platform vs. selling your book, check out this great article by
literary agent, Rachelle Gardner.
A Bit of Bio
Julie Luekenga writes as Julie Luek and is a freelance
writer. Her work can be seen in regional and national magazines including Dog World, Vibrant Life, Coaching and
Athletic Directors, and others. She is also a bi-weekly contributor to the
women’s writing site, She Writes, and
a monthly contributor to the blog Chiseled
in Rock. She is a member of the Rocky
Mountain Fiction Writers and is author to two blogs, A
Thought Grows and In Fine Company.
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Thanks, Julie, for these generous thoughts. Be sure to check out these ways to to contact Julie yourself:
Blogs:
Facebook:
Twitter:
LinkedIn:
It's very important to have your platform. But not just saying "Hey, I wrote today." "Here's my free book." Let your personality come through, it draws more people - writers and nonwriters alike. As Julie already does. :) Great blog!
ReplyDeleteHey T.J.-- you know that's one of the first things that drew me to your blog. I loved reading all the variety of topics you talk about. And of course, then I was hooked by that incredible personality.
DeleteWhat great advice, T.J. And it's nice to have a forum where "personality" is a plus -- that term often seems to us like a code word for "gee, they're weird." :)
DeleteHey, thanks for following us even before Julie's phenomenal post for us!
BTW, we love your own blog, full of personality -- which is a good thing in our book!
Let it shine. I'm going to carve that in one of the Cave's walls. It encompasses so many things of the writing world. Your inspiration, your effort, your ability, your craft, your confidence... It's great! :)
ReplyDeleteAl, I'd love to see the drawings on your Cave wall. I know you're an amazing artist. And you're so right, all those things go into what we present.
DeleteGood points, Julie! We have to establish ourselves early and realize we are selling ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Alex. Certainly you are the role model here.
DeleteIt's interesting, when I started blogging and tweeting two years ago, I did it because I was building a platform -- and then a funny thing happened. I got hooked. Not just on the social media platforms but especially on the connections I made. Now, in addition to building a platform, I'm building friendships. Such an unbelievable and wonderful byproduct! Great post, Julie! Great to see your blog, Kym and Mark!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Julia-- I love writing my blogs and being a part of other sites, probably too much so when it comes to balancing my need to earn a little money writing! But the friendships and connections are invaluable.
DeleteHi, Julia. Thanks for the warm welcome, and for contributing to the conversation. This blog started out as a way both to promote our books and to talk about craft with others interested in that topic, but it's now dawning on us that this is also an opportunity to connect with a community of writers just as passionate as we feel. That's so, so cool, and an unexpected bonus.
DeleteWelcome to the blogger world, Kym and Mark! Great points, Julie. I have to admit, I've never seen myself as a product. Kind of a strange concept :)
ReplyDeleteIt is strange, and not one I overly dwell on, but because I do write freelance, I realize name recognition and building clips (published articles) is vital to my career as a writer. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThanks for the warm welcoming.
DeleteWe agree that the "product" notion requires a bit of (re)orientation. Years ago, one of our mentors told us to only write if we couldn't stop -- if we happened to get a publishing contract here or there, count ourselves lucky and consider it gravy.
That's pretty much been our approach ever since. We write to please ourselves and have been grateful that others liked what we *produced* along the way.
So yep, now we're products. Ha!
I have been so impressed with the community you've created during your time in the online world. You offer some wonderful advice in this post, the most critical of which is: "Promoting your writing or books is only effective if people are drawn to you."
ReplyDeleteThat is what makes you a online superstar (and one in real life, I'm sure). Your genuine interest in others combined with a truly likable personality draws people to you. It makes others want to support and promote you. A good lesson to us all.
Man, Roxanne, you just made me feel really good-- thanks. Really, though, isn't it great to develop online support and friendships? I so appreciate people like you-- it's just wonderful to have that exchange of ideas and encourage each other to grow. Thanks.
DeleteHi Kym and Mari, I'm on line since August/ Sept last year following a workshop prize for a short story competition with Eason/ Penguin/RTE and publishers Curtis Brown.The same message came across loud and clear-we must have an internet presence in order to be considered by publishers.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the blog site,I look forward to following you.Its fascinating to be in touch with readers from all over the world.
Mary Healy
Thanks for that savvy advice, Mary. And congrats on your own successes. Very cool, and a wonderful role model for us all.
DeleteWe're excited to join the community and the conversation. We live in a fairly isolated part of western Colorado (just "down the road," so to speak, from Julie.) But that isolation suits us -- not complaining at all. Still, it's really nice to connect with others who share our passion for storytelling.
Welcome to the community Kym and Mari. Let your personality shine through, great advice Julie. It can be hard, especially when starting out with blogging, to understand how this works. I've found my voice and style have grown alongside my blog. I love interacting with other writers and it is obviously a must for when that big publishing deal lands on your doorstep!!
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a great point for me Suzanne. The real reason I started a blog was to, one, establish a connection and support with other writers-- it can be lonely! And, two, to just practice my writing. Blogging reinforces a discipline of writing with an audience in mind.
DeleteThanks for the warm welcome, Suzanne, and for joining our blog as well.
DeleteThis kind of venue seems a natural for developing and sharing voice and style -- something you've obviously nailed.
We look forward to future interactions with peers in the Blog-O-Sphere.
"...you are the best product." You couldn't have said it better. When people get to know you and like you, they are more apt to purchase your book or whatever you are selling.
ReplyDeleteDiane-- certainly you are an expert in this arena. I appreciate you stopping by and adding your thoughts.
DeleteJulie, I really enjoyed your advice. I especially loved that you touched upon the fact being "a personality people can relate to and like" is key. If a writer is a jerk or standoffish, they're in trouble. I've come across some folks like that or ones that have a one-sided affair with themselves. They only post, tweet, etc. their wares like a robot but never bother to "mingle" with their audience. That's a total turn-off for me.
ReplyDeleteOh Melissa-- you hit on one that gets to me too. In fact, I can't say it any better-- "never bother to 'mingle' with their audience." I don't think writers have to get into deep revelation or talk on-end about personal issues (in fact, I would warn against that) but at some level we need to connect, develop a feeling of friendship, draw people with our words. After all, that seems to be the point!
DeleteMelissa (and Julie), we can tell already that we're going to like this community Julie has helped us enter.
DeleteThanks for dropping by and sharing your insights. Hope to hear more from you.
Julie is a delightful writer. I have enjoyed reading her blog posts. **When I have a product to promote, I'll totally follow all of your amazing advice.** ;)
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet-- speaking of blogs I love to visit! :) Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteExcellent advice Julie!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Kym and Mark. Best of luck!
Thanks, Elizabeth, and nice to make your e-quaintance.
DeleteGod, this cold has made me late on so many things.
ReplyDeleteJulie...you know you and I share the same thoughts on so many things, this being one of them. I held off joining Twitter because I didn't have a book to promote (yet), but after a couple of weeks, thought, "But I do have myself to promote, and that's a big part of being a successful author."
I want people to be drawn to me before the first book is ever published...to know me...to like me like Sally Field...to say, "I've enjoyed his tweets, liked his blog, giggled over some FB posts...I think I'll buy his book." Then, maybe the writing will keep 'em coming.
Great article, and M&K...you're doing a fantastic job.
Love the font change, too. Looks sort of like mine. Something that begins with a "D." Oh, and your verification is still on, in case you weren't aware. Don't know if you want it that way, but it deters comments from many people.
DeleteI think about the verification thing too- I wonder how many comments it deters. I do know it's hard on my old lady eyes.
DeleteYou do a good job of presenting who you are in your blog, Mike. You're a good example.
Aw, shucks, Mike, hice of you to say. But we're watching you close as a guy who seems to have really figured all this out.
DeleteWe have a friend who attended a conference with a session on using social media for writing promotion and heard a panelist say to just use the media that writers feel comfortable with. We're testing those waters, but we already know we really like the blog environment.
Thanks for dropping by, and thanks for joining our site even before Julie's fab post for us!
Mike, oh knower of so many blog things, what's this "verification" you're talking about. And if we have it (sounds kind of like the flu), how do we get rid of it?
DeleteThanks!
Ha! I appreciate the compliment, but I've figured out about five months worth of it...always something new just around the corner. I actually like the blogging world a lot more than I thought I would, too.
DeleteThis is how it's worked for me...wanted to write a book. Set up blog and started blogging. Wrote the first draft of a book (not the one I originally set out to write). It's resting. Joined Twitter. Joined Facebook. Read a ton of stuff in the process. A lot of good how-to sites. About to face the first revision, and there are several more books yelling in my head to get out.
I pretty much only use Twitter to tweet my blog articles, other people's, say hey to people on occasion...touch base here and there. That's all I have time for, but would do more if I could. But NOT overdo. A fine line between being acceptable and obnoxious...I should know, I tread on it all the time. Julie handles Twitter like a real pro. Tweets the right things, retweets the right things, and makes some real nice comments and connections.
Facebook I use more for discussions (like this comment). It's actually a nicer way to get to know and really converse with people other than, "Nice post." But as you can see (again, by this comment), it's rare I write anything that succinct. Plus, there are a variety of people on FB. Google+ is like Twitter...I use it to post my posts.
The verification thing is like Captcha. A word and number verification that readers have to "pass" to prove they're not robots. Blog owners never see it when they comment. It's automatically enabled when you open your site.
Go to your dash. Then, by your blog name is an orange pencil, a button with a couple of sheets of paper, and then a down arrow. Click the down arrow and it will bring up a menu of options. Go down to the last one, "Settings," and click. This will open up your "Settings>Basic" page. Look at the left column...the last one will be some settings options. Click on the "Posts and Comments." Near the bottom of the page is "Show word verification?" Change that to "no." And save.
I'm always more than happy to help, so don't hesitate to ask. If I don't know, I usually can point you in the direction that will have some answers.
Sorry so long...I was almost going to send you an email...but then I thought, "Why send it...I'll post it here!" :o)
Oh...and I'm moving to WordPress and have set up my new site...portions of it. WordPress is much more difficult to learn. And just when I have blogger down, too. Anyway, I still have lots of fixing up to do, but am finally okay with telling people about it. There are a few spots (like "My Tribe" page that aren't pretty yet, but thrown up there. You're on that. :o)
It's mlswift.me and I'd love to see you there.
Howdy, Kym & Mark & Julie,
ReplyDeleteTrue words. Many of us stumble around in the dark when it comes time to build a platform for our books. The good thing is once we reach a hand out, there are other bloggers/writers willing to help us on the journey. I've learned different tips from various people and I'm still learning new things everyday.
Howdy, back atcha, J.L, and thanks for the warm greeting.
DeleteEven though we now have several books out, we really feel like we've backed into this thing. And, clearly, even with a few pages in print, platform is still important.
We're shamelessly sitting at everyone else's feet, trying to catch all the crumbs of experience as we *now* try to do this right for our current and future projects!
I'm loving the fact that the comments here are so positive about the idea of platform building and marketing. You cannot believe the number of people who tell me "I don't have time for that, I'm busy writing my book." Okay, so who is going to buy your book if they don't know it exists? Competition is tough out there; personality and interaction sells books. Social media is a godsend.
ReplyDeleteAs an acquisitions editor, I can't hand a potential client to the publisher knowing that there is no intent to market. These days, publishers and authors work hand-in-hand to bring in sales. A publishing house has to stay afloat and in the black in order to keep operating. Seems like a no-brainer to me, but there are delusional authors out there who think their only job is to write.
And I can add nothing better than this, Sunny. Thanks.
DeleteSunny, thanks for sharing these insights on our blog.
DeleteWe both came to the writing game as journalists first and, despite now writing for the passion of it, have always treated writing as a business.
There's lots of advice out there for getting that first book written, and even into the hands of an agent or editor. But what's seemed woefully missing to us is how to help the willing press then market our products effectively.
The real name of the game *is* marketing, and we came late to the realization of how important building a platform is. Yes, we've developed a certain fan base with our books, but it's still an ongoing challenge to increase that market share.
Social media is a wonderful game-changer -- perhaps not the only game changer, but clearly an important component.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing.
Above all else, platform building should be and is fun. Thank you for this great article!
ReplyDeleteIt IS fun, isn't it?
DeleteThis was great and super encouraging Julie. I am falling in love with this writing community and how wonderfully everyone freely gives a boost up to fellow writers!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Susie.
DeleteJulie, I remember singing that song, and you're absolutely right. Don't hide your light. Thanks for a great reminder. Yes, it is a lot of hard work, but it can also be fun. Again, thank you!
ReplyDeleteMarja McGraw
My favorite part, and really it should have scared the bejeezies out of me, was "Don't let Satan "pffff" it out!"
DeleteIt is fun!
Thanks Julie. And as I always say, writers can be great marketers. If you're the brand, then you need to craft a story about you as a brand. Who better to craft a story, then a writer? I think there's a natural connection between writing and marketing; it's just a matter of shifting your ability to write an engaging narrative toward how you frame yourself as a brand. Thanks for the insight, Julie.
ReplyDelete--Patrick
Great insights Patrick. Really like the writer-marketer connection. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteDitto Julie's comment, Patrick. We really like your perspective on taking narrative writing skills and applying them to the art of marketing. And you're right: that should be a natural for a storyteller.
DeleteThanks for sharing this wonderful insight about branding.
Hi Kym and Mark! Having Julie over is a great way to break into the community. There is so much info out there for creating a platform, it seems limitless. Blogging, however, is one of my favorites. Welcome.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Nancy-- your blog has really taken off since I've known you!
DeleteThanks for the kind words, Nancy, and the warm welcome.
DeleteFrom Julie's comment, sounds like you've got this thing figured out. We suspect we're going to like blogging as a way to build on our own platform as well.
Thanks for stopping by and looking forward to interacting with you in the future.
It took me several years before I got my platform to hang together well. I wish I had been able to do it sooner, but I've decided not to beat myself up about my tardiness, but perhaps if I hadn't believed platforms were only for nonfiction writers I would have gotten my books into readers hands sooner. Now I tell all aspiring authors they need to get busy early. I do think it's never too late to shape the platform.
ReplyDeleteLesley- I keep hearing pros and cons of fiction vs nonfiction writer platforms. I wonder if this is more applicable to the blog world?
DeleteLeslie and Julie, thanks for bringing this up. Actually, we're now surprised there's a debate at all. Seems like any author, fiction or non, would never want to sit on the sidelines and throw stones across that dividing line.
DeleteOkay, okay, so we're recent believers to the importance of platform, which probably makes us obnoxious, overzealous converts to this scene. (Our first Silverville book came out before the ubiquitous firestorm of social media venues, so we were a bit slow with the sequel to commit to using sm until it became apparent that this is an essential marketing tool.)
And boy are we ever playing catch-up -- talk about "tardiness," Lesley. We could be the poster children! :)
Thanks for stopping by.
I like what you had to say. I am one of those people that just wants to finish my book, but I'm beginning to realize that making people aware of what I'm doing is just as important as what I'm writing. I do have a Facebook account and I'm wondering if I should have two: one for family and the other for the business side of things. It is looking more liking that I will self-publish, so I know the importantace of having an audience. I guess time will tell.
ReplyDeleteSam, that's what I did. I have my personal FB site but did set up a writer account. I use a writing name which makes it easier to keep those separate.
DeleteHi, Sam. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteLike Julie, we also set up a separate FB site to promote our writing. 'Course, we cross-pollinate by often posting to friends about what's also discussed on the writing site. Friends have come to expect lighter, less promotional comments on our private accounts (but where we sometimes point them to the other if they really want to get the scoop), and 'likers' who visit our FB writing page get more "hard core" info about our events, promos, etc.
Seems to be working.
Oh, and we linked the FB to a corresponding Twitter account, so anytime we post on FB it goes to Twitter automatically. Gotta say we're not really tweeters to speak of -- haven't found that to match our style as well.
We appreciate you stopping by and hope to keep up your e-quaintance.
Wonderful post Julie! Way to let it shine!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Tyrean.
DeleteI loved those little Sunday school songs. Great post, Julie. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, all, for helping to make our first guest blogger event such an overwhelming success.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks so much to Julie, not only for a great inaugural guest posting chock full of wonderful insights but also for her generous prompting of her own blog tribe to come over and participate.
We plan to invite writers and industry professionals to contribute guest postings once a month as part of the blog fare on our site.
Hope you'll stop by and chat in the future!
Julie is so great~ we know this for fact!
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to also take a line to commend you on your book. I was telling julie on FB that after I got the book in the mail it took a slow start to find time to read. But once I hit halfway point I couldn't put it down and had to finish it even till midnight! Your writing style is impeccable!! The story, the funny parts of the curse, it was so so sooooooo creative!! The research for the locations in the beginning had to be a pill with the desciptions, but your writing style is so well descriptive without overbearing, I imagined it all very clearly! 5 stars out of 5!! Recommended you on my goodreads! I'm looking forward to reading the 1st book and 3rd in the series....shame I had to start in the middle but well worth it to find out how good it would be ;D
I could totally see this as a movie...send it in!
DeleteThanks, Tammy, for these kind words about ALL PLUCKED UP, and also for the generous effort to include a review on your Goodreads recommendations.
DeleteGlad you like the book, and we're pleased to make your e-quaintance!