“I’ve always wanted to write a book.”
“I think God is calling me to write a book.”
or my favorite:
“God told me to write a book.”
Well, that’s awesome. I’ve written more than a dozen books, so I’m a fan of that endeavor. Mostly. What many writers, or would-be writers, don’t realize, is that writing is one thing. Authoring a book and getting it published is another. But if you indeed do get your book published, the real work begins after the book is done.
Today, the job description for an author includes marketing their work. And building a platform prior to the release of your book, in fact, prior to finding a publisher–or even self-publishing.
Many writers believe a myth: they will write the most amazing book ever, and somehow, it will be discovered. They won’t have to do a thing, everyone will line up at the door of their local bookstore to rush in and grab a copy.
I’m so sorry, but that simply doesn’t happen. The way to sell books is to build a platform and join the conversation on whatever it is you want to write about first, before you write your book, or at least, before it is published (whether you self-publish or find a royalty publisher).
I’ve been thinking about platform, and marketing, and whatnot, because I will speak next month at the West Coast Christian Writers conference in California. I’m leading the Platform & Public Speaking track, and I’m excited to have the chance to help aspiring writers learn more about the publishing industry.
If you want to know more about what I’ll be teaching, watch this YouTube video. And if you decide to attend the conference, use the code KERI10 to get a discount on your registration fee.
Here’s a really helpful article on marketing your book or business from expert Rob Eager of Wildfire Marketing. He’s always spot on. http://www.startawildfire.com/2015/01/15-marketing-tips-for-2015.html
Your marketing track sounds great, Keri. Is this writer’s conference also going to have agents and publishing reps in attendance?
Hi Tim,
No, I don’t think so. Mt Hermon Writers Conference is the best place to meet a bunch of agents and editors and pitch book ideas. This conference is really geared toward people who have recently started writing and want to learn the fundamentals of writing and the publishing industry. It’s geared toward instruction, not pitching. But it’s right in your neighborhood so you should think about going! I could use you as “Exhibit A” in my seminar–someone who is building a platform through blogging.