I’ve been reading about this mysterious thing we call a platform, and have come to realize, I’ve been going about it all wrong. No wonder I’ve spent much of my time feeling like a headless chicken. I do believe in multi-tasking to some degree, but I have always held close the quote “Jack of all trades, MASTER OF NONE.”
It seems to me in my journey to conquer the literary world, I’ve forgotten the second half of that quote. I became so dizzy with tasks, I couldn’t do my main job, write the damn novel. Although I was pedaling as fast as I could, my bike remained stationary. Here is a list of career paths I didn’t choose on purpose: IT Guy, Artist, Marketing Guru, Carnival Barker, Salesman, Book Reviewer, Book Editor (Okay, I did pick that one, but it’s different when it’s your own work.) Yet these were all on my daily to do list. There had to be a better way.
I hit the research and learned that not all platforms are created equal. In fact, Platforms for fiction writers are mysterious creatures. Much advice can be found about becoming an expert in your field, but what if you’re an author of erotic romance. Puts a whole new meaning on the word expert, doesn’t it? A great source of info on the topic: Your Writer Platform But to paraphrase and save you hours of reading; it’s all about building a relationship with your readers. Ahhhhhh (using my opera voice here, arms open wide.) Haaaaaa!!!!
Here is what I discovered about a Fiction Platform:
1) You must offer something of value. Take time to create the best work you possibly can, because without the time investment there, the rest means nothing.
2) Focus less on ‘networking’ and more on interacting, by building lasting relationships. I figured out collecting followers and likes, won’t translate into fans and readers. All you will have in the end is a big group of authors with well scratched backs. See my point?
Break it down:
Platform for non-fiction is about becoming a trusted authority.
(I am not a non-fiction author, so you can see my confusion, and although I would be totally willing take one for the team and become an authority on multiple orgasms from strangers, my hubby might have something to say about that.)
Platform for Fiction authors is all about building a relationship with your readers by engaging with them.
How do you do this before you have readers, you ask? It’s the chicken or the egg question all over again right? I struggled with that too. Let me tell you, it doesn’t have to be so complicated. Yes, all of those tasks I mentioned above have to be done to a certain degree. But none of them have to be mastered. My job as ‘Smutty Author’ is to master writing and relationships. That simple. How do you build relationships in your regular life? Quality time. There is no short cut.
It seems to me in my journey to conquer the literary world, I’ve forgotten the second half of that quote. I became so dizzy with tasks, I couldn’t do my main job, write the damn novel. Although I was pedaling as fast as I could, my bike remained stationary. Here is a list of career paths I didn’t choose on purpose: IT Guy, Artist, Marketing Guru, Carnival Barker, Salesman, Book Reviewer, Book Editor (Okay, I did pick that one, but it’s different when it’s your own work.) Yet these were all on my daily to do list. There had to be a better way.
I hit the research and learned that not all platforms are created equal. In fact, Platforms for fiction writers are mysterious creatures. Much advice can be found about becoming an expert in your field, but what if you’re an author of erotic romance. Puts a whole new meaning on the word expert, doesn’t it? A great source of info on the topic: Your Writer Platform But to paraphrase and save you hours of reading; it’s all about building a relationship with your readers. Ahhhhhh (using my opera voice here, arms open wide.) Haaaaaa!!!!
Here is what I discovered about a Fiction Platform:
1) You must offer something of value. Take time to create the best work you possibly can, because without the time investment there, the rest means nothing.
2) Focus less on ‘networking’ and more on interacting, by building lasting relationships. I figured out collecting followers and likes, won’t translate into fans and readers. All you will have in the end is a big group of authors with well scratched backs. See my point?
Break it down:
Platform for non-fiction is about becoming a trusted authority.
(I am not a non-fiction author, so you can see my confusion, and although I would be totally willing take one for the team and become an authority on multiple orgasms from strangers, my hubby might have something to say about that.)
Platform for Fiction authors is all about building a relationship with your readers by engaging with them.
How do you do this before you have readers, you ask? It’s the chicken or the egg question all over again right? I struggled with that too. Let me tell you, it doesn’t have to be so complicated. Yes, all of those tasks I mentioned above have to be done to a certain degree. But none of them have to be mastered. My job as ‘Smutty Author’ is to master writing and relationships. That simple. How do you build relationships in your regular life? Quality time. There is no short cut.
