OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
Mega-publisher Simon & Schuster have recently relaunched their website. It has loads of interesting things for authors and readers, but what is particularly of note to me is the Author Resources section.
Under the sub-section of Online Tips and Tools, they promote the use of blogs, social media, book sites and video for authors who want to market themselves and their books. This is essentially the Author 2.0 Model where you have a central hub site with lots of ‘spokes' linking to it and bringing you people, traffic and sales from around the net.
The need for an author platform has been talked about for a few years now, but it seems the mainstream publishers are now actively encouraging it, even for established authors. I don't think the tools S&S list are well researched or easy to use, so here are some other resources you can use to get started.
Blogging
I frequently get questions about how to set up a blog, how I manage this one and what people can do to get more traffic, so here are some links to resources and articles. [Many of the links are affiliate links and I stand behind all of them. I only recommend what I use myself].
- This blog is written on free WordPress software hosted on my own domain. I bought the domain at GoDaddy.com and I use Siteground (affiliate) to host my sites.
- I use Genesis Theme Beautiful Pro which is a paid theme and highly customisable. I used to use a free theme but switched after this site review and it has improved my rankings and also my subscribers.
- I set up the blog myself using the free information at BecomeABlogger.com. I have since used Joel, the BlogTechGuy to help me do techy things I just want to outsource. I do believe in paying for information from experts to improve ranking and performance.
- Podcast: Joel Williams on Blogging Basics
- Podcast: Advanced Blogging techniques with The Blogging Teacher, Paul Cunningham PLUS/ a round-up of all we discussed
- 10 Reasons Authors Need to Have a Blog
- How to set up your own blog
- Top 10 tips for effective blogging
Social Networking and Book Sites
- Writers need social media… and social media needs writers
- How to feature on the most influential sites in the world
- Social networking and book sites for authors
- Twitter overview [I really must update this post but it gives you the basics!]
- Facebook: How authors can use it for book promotion
- Podcast: Book Marketing and Promotion … Your Questions Answered
Videos
- Book trailers: 11 steps to make your own
- Top viral videos are just like great books
- Get Your Video Online – free resources and tips for making online videos from Gideon Shalwick [warning: streaming video]
- I did a whole stack of videos for NaNoWriMo – you can see them here. They certainly helped boost my twitter following and also my blog subscribers.
What else do you want to know in order to build your online platform?
Multimedia short course “Blogging for Authors and Writers” now available. Click here for more information.
Great pieces of information for any budding authors. Thanks.
Thanks again Joanna! Have Retweeted your article just now @jodykat. We’re currently in the ‘build’ stage of the marketing / online presence for our book launching next Spring… and you and your site are proving to be an absolute goldmine of information. I really appreciate your wisdom & generosity – thank you x
Thank you Joanna for this post…i will be following Augie
Joanna, I’ve nearly finished a memoir crossover business book and only now realize the importance of a platform. I’m overwhelmed and frankly don’t know where to start. I’m the introverted type and social networking is difficult for me.
I opened a Facebook page yesterday. Sounds like a little, but it was a hurdle. Now what? Should I acquire a collaborator, give her half the credit and gain a ready made platform?
Where do I blog and about what? My book is about workplace abuse. I haven’t written a proposal yet. Without a platform, what good would it do?
Thanks for reading my rant. Naomi
Hi Naomi,
It is easy to be overwhelmed – here’s my article on just that 🙂
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2009/08/14/3-steps-to-start-author-platform-building/
The main thing is to decide on your goals and 1 specific action and then start doing that. I started with a blog & then moved into Twitter & Facebook, then podcasting and video. It took about a year before I had anything significant.
It takes time to do anything quality, so don’t worry, just get started.
There are posts here on blogging & other platform stuff:
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/marketing/
In terms of a proposal, you will need to include marketing ideas, but they can be future ideas. So don’t let it stop you. By the time you get a response from a publisher, you could be well into it anyway!
On introversion, check out these posts, as many of us are around here 🙂
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/04/15/book-marketing-for-introverts-with-ruth-ann-nordin/
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/07/11/podcast-inspiration-for-authors-clare-edwards/
I hope that helps, Joanna
Hi Joanna,
I find your information and blog every so wise and helpful. I’ve been blogging regularly since Nov. 2010. My in-progress memoir focuses on my parents’ relationship and how our sprawling rooming house, my dad’s extensive travel, my mother’s crazy mother, who lived with us, and eventual racial change and riots in our neighborhood undermined their once great love. I started my blog as a family history blog — creating mini stories through the letters and diaries my family saved that span the past hundred years. I will NEVER have thousands of followers on this blog–many love it, but it’s too niche. So the answer to “platform” is more than just “blogging.” Clearly your blog meets a need –you give lots of advice and help writers find their way to publication. So…I’m thinking of creating a Memoir advice blog — people will only follow what they find helpful — or funny. What advice would you give for finding the right KIND of blog. I’ve posted regularly, tweeted, am on Facebook, etc. but my following is limited. I know need to reach out in a more social way that will BENEFIT others. Any thoughts on how to find the right kind of blog to create?
Hi Linda,
Blogging is definitely rewarding but it is hard to find your niche. This is my 3rd blog and the first two went by the wayside. It took a while to find my own brand. Writing for memoir writers is a good niche – it’s definitely something that people are interested in.
Consider your audience but also consider what you want longterm but it all takes a while to grow.
I have a LOT of information about blogging on the site, but it is all contained here if you want to take it further. Thanks. Joanna
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/blogging/