You've heard it here before, don’t wait until you are
published to start building an author platform – start blogging, use social
network sites like Facebook and Twitter, and of course build a website.
There are many FREE or nearly-free places to blog or create your
web-site on, and the sooner you do it the more chance you will have to get the
name you want as part of the URL. Some sites like Blogger and Wordpress will
allow you to create free sites if you don’t mind the domain name as part of
your URL address; these sites will also allow you to convert to a nominally
priced site without the domain name (ie: http://ChelleCordero.Wordpress.com
[free] or http://ChelleCordero.com [less
than $20 annually]) – there are various upgrades which include other charges IF
YOU CHOOSE.
Promote yourself – YOU are the BRAND – using social
networking sites. To network means to meet others preferably with the same or
related interests and to build relationships in order to learn, share and, yes,
further each other’s goals. Keep the relationship amicable, professional and
always two-sided; don’t argue; help present interesting information, share
items presented by others, respond and be courteous. Aim to give a little
better than you get. And believe it or not, if you SMILE while you network your
pleasant attitude will shine through and get you a lot further.
We've all heard a lot about Facebook and certainly some very
negative as well as the good stuff. As with any social media you should NEVER
post something that you wouldn't want others to know about you or that could
cause harm down the road (ixnay on the drunken vomiting in college, etc). It shouldn't be just sales pitches, make it a mix of soft-sell, informative
(current events), and responses. Stay away from politics & arguments
(unless part of platform). Many of us use Facebook to keep up with relatives,
friends, alumnus, and more – remember to keep the, er, embarrassing stuff to
private messages, emails or NOT AT ALL. Once something is out there, in
writing, it could be damning.
In addition, as a writer, you want a separate page to use
professionally – these are called Fan Pages. You will need a regular timeline
to do this: 1). Click Create Page from the More section at the bottom right of
your homepage; 2). Choose a Page category; 3). Choose a subcategory and enter
the required information; 4). Check the box next to I agree to Facebook Pages
Terms and click Get Started. Send a message, or post on your timeline, about
your Fan Page (include the URL) and ask friends to like it. You won’t have the
same privileges of messaging or posting on other pages depending on their
settings. Use the “gear” in the upper right to make sure you are posting as
your author name [preferred]. You have the option of allowing
others to post on your page and respond to your posts – it’s a good idea to
keep the communication open. Keep your author-fan page professional and about “business”.
With Twitter you have the opportunity to post SHORT messages
(140 characters or less), to send open messages to select people, to respond to
or re-Tweet others and share promo or interesting information. As with
Facebook, make sure you are sending a mixed variety of Tweets and try to Tweet
at least 12 to 24 times daily, but not all at the same time. Use search to find
like-minded interesting people to follow and always try to follow back anyone
who follows you. Always Tweet with the goal that someone will want to re-Tweet
you, keep your Tweets professional, and respond to and re-Tweet others so they
know you are listening to them as well. Use hashtags (#) to point out the main
subjects of your Tweet.
Writing Exercise:
Your antagonist and your protagonist are seated at the same table in a fine
restaurant for an expensive dinner. A waitress brings the food and the order is
entirely messed up. She is extremely embarrassed and apologetic. Write two
responses, one from the antagonist and one from the protagonist. In each case he/she
is the one expecting to pick up the tab and is the first and only one to
respond to the waitress.
Writing Prompt: Describe
in 10 words or less 1) your happiest memory; 2) your scariest experience; 3)
the most beautiful place you've ever seen; and 4) the sickest you've ever felt.
