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.
