Comments on: So You Want to Be An Author Who Sells Books? Step One is Platform Prep

By: GregLang

GregLang — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:03:28 +0000

Wow, this is the kind of advice a first time writer needs. Thank you. I've got some work to do! Just curious, how long did it take you to write Get Known Before the Book Deal? Amazon should be delivering my copy in a few days. =)

By: Freya

Freya — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:38:25 +0000

I agree… Building a platform and an audience takes time and effort. Sometimes its even a trial and error method or just keep trying.

I've seen that most authors think of marketing or promotion only after the book is written. Also we are human enough to believe that are work is great and will just sell itself. But branding yourself as an author before the book is published can take your book to an all new high.

Thanks for pointing it out Christina

By: christinakatz

christinakatz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:11:55 +0000

Nice to hear, Teresa. I hope that you will come back to the Northwest Author Series soon.

By: christinakatz

christinakatz — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:10:21 +0000

Your welcome.

By: teresaklepinger

teresaklepinger — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:32:48 +0000

I went to your Northwest Author Series workshop on Platform last year. It gave me the kick in the pants to start a blog and arrange some school visits even while my manuscript was in the submission phase. I'm sorry to say it still hasn't been accepted, but my rejections have moved from postcard form rejections to personal email letters. I think working on my platform, and demonstrating that in my cover letters has made a difference!

By: christinakatz

christinakatz — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:25:56 +0000

Happy to debunk, Lydia. You PPPP formula sounds similar to my 4 Ps from Writer Mama. Let's see: preparation, practice, professionalism & poise. Platform and persistence make good additions.

By: LydiaSharp

LydiaSharp — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:35:06 +0000

This is something that I see argued by unpublished writers a little too much. They don't see any reason to learn about the industry. They don't see any reason to build a platform. They don't understand even the basic necessity of having a web page of some sort associated with their name and their work. And even if they do blog/ tweet/ whatever else, they don't know why they're doing it or how to do so effectively. They mistakenly think that all of this just “comes together” once you have a book deal.
I'm glad you're here to debunk a few myths, Christina.

I recently came up with a formula for prosperity that I thought you might like, which I'll explain in more detail in an upcoming response to one of your prompts. But here it is, based on the familiar 2 + 2 = 4:
The 2 P's, Platform & Presence, plus the 2 P's, Persistence & Practice, equals Prosperity 4 you.
As with any basic formula, it won't work without all the necessary elements.

By: Simon Hay Healer

Simon Hay Healer — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:37:17 +0000

Rinse and repeat. Platform and voice. If you persist the momentum builds and new opportunities present themselves. This is good advice. Thanks, Simon.

By: Purple Song

Purple Song — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:40:15 +0000

excellent advice…the book is a bible! and I’m not even an author (at least not yet) but any creative entrepreneurship requires the same attitude. Raise your voice to raise your platform..at least that’s one way to put it!