Friday, August 2, 2013

Platforms for Dummies

I hope the "For Dummies" people will forgive me for stealing their mojo, but I couldn't come up with a better title than this. As many of you may already know, I was a total, straight-up, greenie when I began my publishing adventure.  I call it that, publishing adventure, because I had been writing my whole life and never could have prepared myself for the jungle that this industry is.

I started my research the way I always do...with the internet.  I was immediately overwhelmed. There were a million sites telling me a million things to do and my mind was boggled.

There was, however, a theme. Thank God.

I noticed the word "platform" over and over.  How it was vital I had one and how all agents look for one. Platform?  What the hell was that? And where the hell can I get one?  I read on.

Turns out, a platform is not a tangible thing.  Who knew? The best description I can give is that platform is really about how someone can find you and learn about what you offer.  That may not be the best explanation, but it made sense to me.  Platform therefore, is your presence on the internet.  In the beginning, my platform was like, nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Zilch.  So, I studied and read some more.  Now, a couple years and nine books later, this is my platform:

  1. My facebook pages, both personal and my fan pages
  2. My Twitter handle
  3. My blog
  4. Posts I have made guest-posting on other blogs
  5. Reviews of my books
  6. My LinkedIn account
  7. My Pinterest pages
  8. My Amazon Author Page
  9. My Smashwords profile
  10. Book trailers on YouTube
Of course, the best part of my platform is actually my body of work.  Each book is a new introduction to me as an author and each story gives me another way to reach new fans, followers, friends, and fellow authors.  Every time I get a new written review or I post a new blog, my platform increases.  And about the best thing I can figure, it never gets smaller.  Win-Win!
I may not know everything about building a platform, but I am here to help you, if I can.  Happy platform-building!
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5 comments:

  1. LindsayAugust 2, 2013 at 10:28 PM

    Interesting post on platforms. At least you weren't talking about shoes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownAugust 2, 2013 at 11:05 PM

      HA! Initially, a couple years ago, I could have been. And don't think I wasn't tempted to post pics of fabby footwear!

      Delete
  2. Joanna FayAugust 3, 2013 at 12:06 AM

    Still building...but then, perhaps that never ends! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Patricia KiyonoAugust 3, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    Thanks for the latest lesson at the Combs University of Writing! I'm always having to remind myself to get out there and connect with readers. The work never ends, does it?

    ReplyDelete
  4. DTAugust 4, 2013 at 3:35 AM

    Yes, I'm with you - I can tick off most of those on the list. There is an argument for integrating everything, but I do wonder if different platforms fulfil different purposes?

    ReplyDelete

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