Have You Fired The Sales Department Before Even Getting Started?

Here’s where I got the idea for today’s post:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5crBbDA6e1w

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I am referring of course to the first of the two short animations. (although the second is funny)

(I love Dilbert. lol!)

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This got me to wondering how many writers (or any other profession which involves selling of wares on the internet) think that sales and advertising is beneath them, or not worth their time.

Being really honest, if you had a couple books for sale, but no one knew they existed, how could you expect people to drive to the warehouse (i.e. Amazon, B&N, Smashwords) and beg for your product?

That is where your Author’s Platform comes in.

You’re looking at me with a blank stare…

All that an Author’s Platform consists of is what you have set up to help advertise, and in general, inform potential readers about what you have written.

That’s it. In a nutshell.

I’ll use myself as an example.

Last November I had finally reached my goal of enough bathroom poems written that I could now put them out to friends and family for second opinions.

So Excited!

Then I really started looking into what it would take to publish them…

(I’m gonna be honest here)

YIKES!!!

This is a steep learning curve. Especially for a girl who is borderline computer illiterate, and can’t seem to make either photo editing program on her darling husband’s computer work the way she wants. *pout*

I must say, though, that formatting the poems wasn’t nearly the chore I thought it was going to be.  🙂

But I digress.

Last November I decided that the procrastination was over. The blog needed to start. So in I dove. Head first, no prep, barely any research. Loved (almost) every moment of the process.

Next came the Facebook page and Twitter (if memory serves I created them almost the same day).

Twitter seems to be more my speed than Facebook. I really thought it would be the other way around. The discovery still baffles me. But what is even more confusing, is that I get more blog hits from Facebook than Twitter. Go figure.

For a recap: At this point I have a blog, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account. All building friends and followers for when I eventually publish my little book of poetry (and of course all the other stuff I’m creating).

Then I found out about something called Goodreads. All I can say is that I have an account. It still is a little intimidating to me for some odd reason. When I get this book out I’ll have to pull on my big girl pants and figure out how to make an Author’s Page. *squeals and hides under the bed*

It was something of a stroke of luck when I temporarily learned how to make my blog posts automatically appear on my LinkedIn, erm, wall…I think it’s called? Yeah, another one that eludes my braincells.

That’s another point!

If you absolutely hate working with a certain social media site…

Don’t Worry About It!

Sure all those people say that you Must be on all the sites.

But really, I think just being consistent with a few will get you better results than just occasionally showing up at 12 different places.

That’s why I’m don’t sweat not being able to figure out LinkedIn and Goodreads. Facebook is doing…ok for me. Twitter, well being truthful, Twitter is borderline on an addiction for me. I just have to know what is happening!

Seriously, though, I love my Twitter writer friends. They are the best!

The biggest piece of advice I can give you?

Have Fun With It!

If you don’t keep it interesting for yourself a) You’re going to burn out real quick, and b) You’re probably boring your hard won friends and followers (and yourself, to tears).

So post those kitten photos. Tell the world how you broke the wide screen with your contact lens. Brag about your kid’s burping ability. They like to know that you’re a real human.

Writers have good days and bad days like everyone else. We just learn how to turn the experiences into words for others to read. (But that’s another post, I think.)

Just don’t be afraid to be the real you out there in cyber world. A fake you wouldn’t be the same.

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Want more on how to actually build and maintain an Author’s Platform?

Check out these other bloggers!:

Bad Redhead Media

Rachel has a wealth of information on her site for everything from setting up a Sales Platform to internet etiquette. The above link will take you to her list of 10 helpful tips for authors. If you are interested in more just click on the tab for her blog (located at the top of the page, toward the left).

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Catherine, Caffeinated

Catherine is a lot of fun (at least I find her to be). She writes about the entire process of self-publishing, from first edits to the empty feeling afterward when you learn it’s not a get rich quick scheme. She also has many people guest post to share their experience and knowledge.

She has a handy search box at the top right hand corner of her blog. If you don’t want to spend an hour wandering through her writings (I’ve done it…many times. lol) go ahead and type in a key word for something you’re curious about and see what it brings you.

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Savvy Writers & e-Books online

While I do not agree with everything this blog suggests, there is a lot of useful information here. There is a long list of subjects down the right side of the site. I have it cued up for you on Author Platform/Brand. If you want to explore something else go ahead and choose your topic, there are plenty of posts in each. Don’t worry, we’ll come looking if we don’t hear from you in a few days. 😉

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This is just a small example of the many helpful blogs and bloggers out there.

Most writers are very friendly, helpful people. It surprised me when I found this out, but most of us work on the Pay It Forward strategy. We all help each other, so in return, we all get help.

Now go put on your Researcher’s hat so you can eventually learn enough to reach for that Promoter’s hat. Don’t worry, you’ll get there soon enough.

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