Writing, Not Branding, Is a Platform Builder’s First Move

I subscribe to posts on Google Alerts about author platform development. And most of the how-tos are remarkably generic and uninspiring.

Inevitably, they kick off with the advice to “create your brand.” And I have to confess that I guffaw every single time I read this.

Create your brand? How is a writer supposed to create a brand when so many have yet to even start sharing any work?

Pressure to “create your brand” before you begin writing and publishing your work is going to get in the way. It’s going to make your writing self-conscious. It’s going to make you think that you are “somebody” when nobody has read any of your stuff…because as crazy as this may sound most “writers” get discovered via their writing.

Another thing that makes me laugh is when supposed writers, typically men, take a cursory glance at my work and then pronounce it, “too basic.”

But when I try to investigate further and take a look at their writing, their platform, and the services that they provide their readers and the world…I can’t find anything.

Apparently, if you dismiss my work as too basic, you don’t have to try to get published, build your platform, or take responsibility for putting your writing out in the world —you can just sit around and critique those who actually work 40-50 hours a week doing just that.

I don’t write for people who want to sit around on high and do no writing. I write books for people who are ready to write, ready to get known, and ready to treat writing as a career.

Here’s what happens when you start taking your writing and your writing career more seriously: you start to recognize that there are hundreds and maybe even thousands of folks out there, who have no intention of ever taking their work seriously, and who are scornful towards those who do.

Steer clear of these people. They will take you out of your writing process and into debate-land, a place where little creative work gets accomplished.

The first thing I encourage writers to do is to take their writing more seriously without taking themselves too seriously. If you take yourself too seriously, you have already decided in advance how others should regard you instead of earning their regard. That’s ego, by the way, not creativity.

When you take your writing seriously, you start to grow a career, which is risky and daring and a long, exciting roller coaster ride with no immediate gratification. Hopefully this helps you know when you are on the right track.

But you can’t create if you hold yourself aloof. You can’t do it if the only way you will try is if there are quick shortcuts into an elite club. You can’t create if you are not willing to face your own inner demons. You can’t create if you think your primary job is to be a critic, because criticizing is not the same as creating.

And although you can learn a little from intelligent, thoughtful reflection of other writers’ work, you can learn ten times as much from actually doing your own work.

So get out of the debate club. Get out of the wannabe club. Get out of the branding club. And get back to your writing.

It will take you everywhere you want to go.

Read more on writing and platform-building in the brand-spanking new 366-prompt book, The Writer’s Workout, available for pre-order now at your favorite book retailer now! And yes, you can even get it in time to call it one of your holiday gifts.