The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up (Issue #5)

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!)

Finding a balance between time spent honing your craft and time wasted spent building your author platform, is not easy.

Many writers struggle with aligning a momentary spark of creativity with an infrequent hole in an otherwise tightly packed schedule.

So, who has time to also squeeze in a few Tweets, some insightful comments on Facebook and grind out an ‘epic‘ blog post before you’ve had your morning coffee?

Change Your Perspective

It may be time to look at the ‘slog’ of building a platform from a different perspective. If you want your work to be read (a majority are raising their hands here, I think), then you must spend the time now to develop the connections and engagement with those who most identify with your message.

Instead of viewing your early morning Tweets, comments and posts as tasks on your chore list, consider them opportunities to captivate and draw in your audience. Both you and your potential readers will benefit.

The momentum you create and the magnifying power of the internet and social media will help build your platform for you; it’s up to you to get the ball rolling.

 “Start today to build the platform that you will be able to use three years from now.”

~ Seth Godin

Here’s a a list of fantastic articles from around the web to get you started.

Featured Articles

What’s Your Excuse? by C.J. Lyons at No Rules Just Write

Find yourself making excuses? C.J. calls writers out on a couple of well-worn excuses.

21 Platform Building Insights from Authors and Experts Who Excel at It by Kimberley Grabas at Your Writer Platform

Looking for a shortcut?  Seek the advice and perspectives of those who have already successfully navigated the near impossible.  Included in this post is some of the most useful and insightful advice to be had from authors and experts who have built thriving platforms – and lived to tell about it.

Letting Go of Scarcity Thinking by Rachelle Gardner at Rachelle Gardner.com

Rachelle discusses the “Us vs. Them” mentality that permeates the publishing industry and states that the flames are fanned by the myth of scarcity.

4 Ideas for Crowdsourcing Content Creation and Promotion by Kevin Cain at Content Marketing Institute

Kevin has compiled a “short list of questions that will help you gauge how good a job you are (or aren’t) doing of crowdsourcing your content creation efforts. If you can’t answer yes to all of them, chances are that you’re missing out on a few opportunities for easy wins.”

3 Keys to Finding Freelance Clients on Google+ Communities by Tania Dakka at Make a Living Writing

Google+ is paying off right now for Tania. How did she do it? By: “Being there. Being helpful. And interacting.”

100 Things for Authors to Tweet About by Caitlin Muir at Author Media

Woohoo! I’m printing this one out and posting it by my desk; thank you, Caitlin!

20 Inspirational Apps and Online Resources for Writers by Alex Morris at Life Hack

“Inspiration is vital for writers and, thankfully, these days you can find it in abundance, especially following a little help from technology.” So here are 20 inspirational sources to help you “craft the perfect piece of writing.”

Levels of Marketing Magic, the Placebo Effects of Desire by Seth Godin at Seth Godin’s Blog

Seth outlines four key components of marketing. Master these and you’re golden.

Just for Fun

I’m not sure if this is inspiring, or just incredibly accurate…

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Questions, comments or opinions? Please share them below.

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Top photo by mconnors