Article Review: "30-Day Platform Challenge: Build Your Writer Platform in a Month" by Robert Lee Brewer
Writer’s Digest produces books for writers and aspiring writers without end in sight. Often, these books are collections of articles over a spectrum of a chosen topic with professional writers’ contributions. This is for the format for the current book, Writer’s Digest Guide to Self-Publishing 2015 .
I’d like to offer a brief overview of each article and note on each author over the next several weeks then sum up the entire book.
Writer’s Digest Guide to Self-Publishing 2015 is divided into three main subject areas: 1) Production 2) Management and 3) Promotion. Other sections include author interviews, listings (of professional services to the self-publishing author), resources such as conferences and book fairs, and an index.
The present article, “30-Day Platform Challenge: Build Your Writer Platform in a Month” was perhaps the single most helpful to me as far as promotion in the entire book. Not every day was a winner, but overall, it was something to build on.
A “platform” in this context is a means of promotion of a book or writing. According to Chuck Sambuchino, author of How to Create Your Writer Platform , a platform consists of 1) the author, 2) his personal and professional connections and 3) any media outlets, including social networks, he can use to sell books.
Author Brewer says simply: “A platform is not marketing; it’s the actual and quantifiable reach authors have to their target audience.”
He starts with the simple chores. Day one is “Define Yourself.” He gives specific directions about this, even posting an example from his own life.
“As long as you’re being specific and honest, there are no wrong answers when it comes to defining yourself,” he tells the reader.
As the month goes on the chores get more complex and challenging.
I have not completed this. Now that my wedding is in the rear view mirror, I would like to. I’ll have to write a post with “Define Yourself.”
Title: “30-Day Platform Challenge: Build Your Write Platform in a Month”
Author: Robert Lee Brewer
Writer’s Digest Guide to Self-Publishing 2015
Section: Promotion
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©2015 Denise Longrie
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Other articles from Writer’s Digest Guide to Self-Publishing 2015:
“Book Cover, Cover Text and Interior”: http://bit.ly/1amh2lu
“Record Keeping 101”: http://bit.ly/1zJm8hp
“How to Keep Your Manuscript Safe”: http://bit.ly/1DvCR9b
“Making the Most of the Money You Earn”: http://bit.ly/1E8XZlW
Image Credit » http://pixabay.com/en/typewriter-antique-old-machine-159878/ by OpenClips
Comments
Lovebeingmummy wrote on April 3, 2015, 1:10 PM
That sounds very interesting, I'll have to have a look into that
msiduri wrote on April 3, 2015, 1:19 PM
I found it to be one of the more helpful and proactive pieces in the book. The book itself has high and low points.
allen0187 wrote on April 3, 2015, 9:33 PM
Sounds like something that all of us here in Persona Paper can use a lot. Thanks for sharing and I'll definitely look into this as well.
msiduri wrote on April 3, 2015, 10:06 PM
I hope you find it useful.
scheng1 wrote on April 4, 2015, 2:09 AM
He is very practical about writers having to promote their own books.
msiduri wrote on April 4, 2015, 9:13 AM
Oh, yes. And gives practical advice on how to build a platform to do so.
agvulpes wrote on April 7, 2015, 9:52 AM
It all seems to boil down to have the 'will power' to carry through with a commitment ? 30 Day Platform Challenge sure does seem interesting :)
msiduri wrote on April 7, 2015, 11:11 AM
Will power and direction.