Your Writer Platform

Build your platform. Engage your fans. Sell more books.

The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up: The Definition of Marketing (Issue #28)

by

The Writer's Weekly Wrap-Up #28 _ YourWriterPlatform.com

This post is part of a weekly series on YWP, aptly titled “The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up”.

Each Sunday, I will endeavour to provide you with a curated list of the best articles I have seen throughout the week that relate to building your platform.

The featured articles cover topics on book marketing and promotion, blogging, social media and self-publishing. (I may even throw in a few inspirational and fun posts, just so that it’s not all work and no play!)

Marketing May Have to Change Its Name

Marketing is simply the process and activities involved in creating awareness for a product or service, typically aimed at a specific group.

And, although there can be many definitions and variations on the theme (based on the intentions and the values of the one actually doing the marketing), the core concept itself isn’t especially unfavourable.

Intuitively it makes sense that there be a mechanism for connecting what you have to offer, to the group you’d like to offer it to.

The issue that arises for many authors is the suspicion and negativity associated with marketing that has evolved over time: smarmy undertones, cheesy or self-serving tactics, and the in-your-face aggressiveness of mediocre marketing strategies gone bad.

But, I think ‘marketing’ has gotten a bad rap.

The theory is sound, it’s the application that is–in many cases–somewhat less than stellar.

But, marketing your work as an author is a must, so if it still makes you feel dirty, just think of it this way: [Read more…]

The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up (Issue #27)

by

The Writer's Weekly Wrap-Up #28 _ YourWriterPlatform.com

This post is part of a weekly series on YWP, aptly titled “The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up”.

Each Sunday, I will endeavour to provide you with a curated list of the best articles I have seen throughout the week that relate to building your platform.

The featured articles cover topics on book marketing and promotion, blogging, social media and self-publishing. (I may even throw in a few inspirational and fun posts, just so that it’s not all work and no play!)

A Picture is Worth a Thousand “Likes”

Image based content is becoming more and more relevant in driving social media engagement.

Photos, infographics, image quotes and other forms of graphics often receive significantly more interaction than their text-based counterparts.

And, whether you are active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ or Pinterest (or all of the above), the skillful use of images can give you an edge when it comes to capturing the attention of your audience.

To benefit from this trend, consider doing the following:

  • Share excerpts or quotes from your book, speaking engagements or reviews.
  • Create throat-grabbing blog post images, helpful infographics or fun collages.
  • Design image quotes that are entertaining, inspirational or even a series of quick tips.

Use your creativity (or get inspired by somebody else’s) and start developing some truly share-worthy images for your social media accounts. [Read more…]

The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up (Issue #26)

by

The Writer's Weekly Wrap-Up (Issue #26) | www.YourWriterPlatform.comThis post is part of a weekly series on YWP, aptly titled “The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up”.

Each Sunday, I will endeavour to provide you with a curated list of the best articles I have seen throughout the week that relate to building your platform.

The featured articles cover topics on book marketing and promotion, blogging, social media and self-publishing. (I may even throw in a few inspirational and fun posts, just so that it’s not all work and no play!)

Engineer Your Best Year Ever

I’ve just recently returned from an amazing 5 day stay in Vegas for the New Media Expo conference and WOW!

What a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the company–and experience the charisma–of some of the top bloggers, podcasters and new media experts killing it online today.

And although the conference boasted some pretty big names, the majority of the energy and inspiration could be felt in the halls, between presentations, from the teeming masses of average Joe’s, bursting with excitement at the possibilities–the potential that awaits for those of us just getting started.

If you’ve experienced a conference, you probably know what I mean. It is immensely motivating to surround yourself with a group of like-minded, passionate and intentional people. People who speak your language. [Read more…]

The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up (Issue #23)

by

The Writer's Weekly Wrap-Up (Issue #23) - Holiday Book Sales | YourWriterPlatform.comThis post is part of a weekly series on YWP, aptly titled “The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up”.

Each Sunday, I will endeavour to provide you with a curated list of the best articles I have seen throughout the week that relate to building your platform.

The featured articles cover topics on book marketing and promotion, blogging, social media and self-publishing. (I may even throw in a few inspirational and fun posts, just so that it’s not all work and no play!)

Simple Book Marketing Tips for the Holidays

Regardless of whether we are feeling merry and bright, jolly or joyous, the holiday season is swiftly approaching.

And with it’s advance comes the warm and fuzzy, guerrilla marketing tactics we’ve grown accustomed to associating with ‘holiday spirit’.

Promotional efforts get hardcore this time of year, with every business from Amazon to Zappos vying for gift buyers’ attention.

So if you haven’t felt ‘dirty’ enough hocking your book on your shiny new website or on 20+ social media platforms, it’s time to get really indecent!

I mean, how else are you going to get noticed in all the clamouring and arm waving if you don’t go all ‘Black Friday’ on your holiday book marketing efforts?

Right? 😉 [Read more…]

2 Must-Dos to Make Your Book Marketing Infinitely Easier

by

2 Must-Dos To Make Your Book Marketing Infinitely Easier _ YourWriterPlatform.com

Why is it that your book marketing is falling short?

You’re trying to implement as many of the tricks and tips that the ‘experts’ recommend, but few of your marketing tactics are gaining traction.

Sure, you haven’t tried EVERYTHING yet, but you’ve tried enough to move the needle at least a smidge, right?

There’s no question that building a strong platform takes time, and gaining momentum–even with a sound marketing plan–requires the patience of a saint.

But something just isn’t jiving.

You’re Building Your Platform on Sandy Soil

A solid structure needs a strong and stable foundation, and what many authors do is rush to build their platform without first laying a proper footing.

Each time you add another tactic, another strategy, another layer of your marketing plan, the framework becomes more unstable and things start to fall apart.

Methods that should make an impact, produce less than stellar results.

Effort wasted and wheels spinning, frustrated authors conclude that it’s not marketing, but luck that produces standout success for bestselling authors.

Fair assessment?

No. And here’s why: what you’re missing is the first brick.

You may get a bit of a push from your marketing as it stands, but without that first brick, without developing a solid underpinning, there will be little strength or support for anything that comes after. [Read more…]

Authors with Platforms Sell Books.

It’s that simple.

Get on the Insiders List to receive the free Quick Start Guide to Building Your Writer Platform, exclusive content via email, and instant access to a growing library of downloadable resources.