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Item Upon - How to Build Your Author's Platform From Scratch
Do you hang up on telemarketers? 9 times out of 10 I do. Why do we do this? I hang-up because I am afraid that they are going to waste my time. Telemarketing is a tough job. Most of the people who do it aren't given enough training to excel at it. Companies take the sink or swim attitude in hiring here. As a result, you, I, and everyone else receive a lot of bad telemarketing calls. It's to the point where we expect the calls to be bad. We are conditioned by experience to assume that they will suck. This conditioning by bad telemarketing makes it very difficult for the business sales professional to get through to c-level business executives. I had an experience recently that made me think about this. The events took place by email rather than by phone, but t
You don't have to have an elaborate PowerPoint presentation or music or flashing lights to be a speaker. Just choose one or two aspects of your story or subject (you don't want to give away your whole book!) and start presenting them. Groups such as local Rotary clubs are always looking for speakers. If you feel you need to polish your skills, join a Toastmasters group. Bottom line, if you have a compelling story, some group large or small will want to hear it.
Publish Articles
You don't have to send a bunch of letters out to editors trying to get an assignment to write an article. You can write a meaty, content-filled article and distribute it on the web. This is another way to establish your expertise. As with the press releases, there are many sites where you can make your articles (usually 800-1,000 words in length) available for use in other websites, newsletters a
If you already gave up on the idea of starting your own home business because you become frustrated with spending all your money on flaky projects, spending tons of your savings on all kind of e-books and e-software, trying to sell the most healthiest or the most bizarre stuff to friends, family or co-workers...forget all this, let me show you the top number ONE home business in the world, on the internet.Like you I was ready to call it quit and put all of my effort back into my normal day job, when I coincidently stumbled over this company.“Global Domain International has the potential to be the biggest company the industry has ever seen” Network Marketing Business (issue July 2006) That is what the professionals say and after working with these people for about 2 month I
Decide On a Target Market
It's tempting to skip this step, especially if you feel your book or story speaks to everyone. That may be, but it's awfully difficult--and expensive--to market to everyone. It doesn't mean you're shutting out potential customers, it just means you're focusing your laser to greatest effect. So if you survived two back surgeries and your story is about dealing with chronic pain, you may target people with back injuries, but that doesn't mean other sufferers of chronic pain (people with arthritis, for instance) will miss out on your message.
How Will You Talk to Your Market?
Thanks to the internet you have many free and low cost ways to communicate with your audience. Why is this important? Because this is how you establish yourself as an expert in your subject area. For instance, you may consider yourself an expert in back pain if you've developed ways to cope after having two surgeries. But you're a more visible expert, with loads more credibility if you have a television show, newsletter or radio show where you discuss ways of dealing with chronic pain. And here's the best part--your show doesn't have to be on one of the big networks or even on cable. You can post your own show on the web! Likewise you can have your own radio show or podcast on the web. And blogs get tons of attention as well. This is important if you're not known in your field.
Here's a great example. "Sportscaster Chronicles" is a blog and podcast by John Lewis, a New York City writer who is developing his platform as a sportcaster historian. You can view his handiwork at http://www.sportscasterchronicles.blogspot.com/.
Send Out Press Releases
Don't keep it a secret. Let the media know you're an expert available to comment on relevant news stories. You don't want to send releases out without reason, though. For instance, almost all of John Lewis's sportscaster broadcasts are connected to something currently happening in the sports world. A few weeks ago it was comments that Bryant Gumbel made during the Olympics. Before that it was the death of legendary sportscaster Curt Gowdy. He can send press releases alerting reporters of the material especially when, as in Gowdy's case, he has unique information--John had interviewed Gowdy in recent months.
Let's use the back pain story as another example. What if a popular painkiller is pulled from the market. You could send out a press release saying something like "10 Pain Relieving Exercises Developed for Former Users of Medicine X". Reporters love stuff like that. You've given them a fresh angle on a story they're already covering. And when you write your query letter or book proposal, you get to say, "pain expert quoted in magazines and newspapers". And these days you can send a press release out via email or use free distribution sites such as http://www.prfree.com, http://www.free-press-release.com/ or http://www.i-newswire.com/submit.php.
Speak Your Mind
Speaking is a great way to get people familiar with you. If you fear speaking think of it this way--pretend you are already on book tour and this is just another forum where you get to talk about your subject! You can start out speaking locally and doing it for free. If you're writing a memoir on your experiences in World War II, there may be high school history classes interested in hearing your story. Or, if you've learned how to cope with chronic pain, you could address support groups who deal with the same struggles. Speaking is also a great opportunity for adding people to your list so that you can let them know when your book comes out. Your list will always be an important marketing tool.
You don't have to have an elaborate PowerPoint presentation or music or flashing lights to be a speaker. Just choose one or two aspects of your story or subject (you don't want to give away your whole book!) and start presenting them. Groups such as local Rotary clubs are always looking for speakers. If you feel you need to polish your skills, join a Toastmasters group. Bottom line, if you have a compelling story, some group large or small will want to hear it.
Publish Articles
You don't have to send a bunch of letters out to editors trying to get an assignment to write an article. You can write a meaty, content-filled article and distribute it on the web. This is another way to establish your expertise. As with the press releases, there are many sites where you can make your articles (usually 800-1,000 words in length) available for use in other websites, newsletters an
Image you are an executive seeking a new position and you could create a PowerPoint presentation about yourself and your accomplishments. Imagine further that you could voice narrated to this presentation using your own voice. You could add the appropriate level of emphasis and articulate your thoughts in a refined manner.If you could do this then you would be playing to your strengths. Executives need to be able to use their presentation skills all the time. They must present to communicate. They must present to convince. They must present to the board or to their employees. Their voice is a well polished tool and their ability to use it is a strength that has been well developed. Their ability to communicate is a matter of pride.Today, an executive is expected to know how to
How Will You Talk to Your Market?
Thanks to the internet you have many free and low cost ways to communicate with your audience. Why is this important? Because this is how you establish yourself as an expert in your subject area. For instance, you may consider yourself an expert in back pain if you've developed ways to cope after having two surgeries. But you're a more visible expert, with loads more credibility if you have a television show, newsletter or radio show where you discuss ways of dealing with chronic pain. And here's the best part--your show doesn't have to be on one of the big networks or even on cable. You can post your own show on the web! Likewise you can have your own radio show or podcast on the web. And blogs get tons of attention as well. This is important if you're not known in your field.
Here's a great example. "Sportscaster Chronicles" is a blog and podcast by John Lewis, a New York City writer who is developing his platform as a sportcaster historian. You can view his handiwork at http://www.sportscasterchronicles.blogspot.com/.
Send Out Press Releases
Don't keep it a secret. Let the media know you're an expert available to comment on relevant news stories. You don't want to send releases out without reason, though. For instance, almost all of John Lewis's sportscaster broadcasts are connected to something currently happening in the sports world. A few weeks ago it was comments that Bryant Gumbel made during the Olympics. Before that it was the death of legendary sportscaster Curt Gowdy. He can send press releases alerting reporters of the material especially when, as in Gowdy's case, he has unique information--John had interviewed Gowdy in recent months.
Let's use the back pain story as another example. What if a popular painkiller is pulled from the market. You could send out a press release saying something like "10 Pain Relieving Exercises Developed for Former Users of Medicine X". Reporters love stuff like that. You've given them a fresh angle on a story they're already covering. And when you write your query letter or book proposal, you get to say, "pain expert quoted in magazines and newspapers". And these days you can send a press release out via email or use free distribution sites such as http://www.prfree.com, http://www.free-press-release.com/ or http://www.i-newswire.com/submit.php.
Speak Your Mind
Speaking is a great way to get people familiar with you. If you fear speaking think of it this way--pretend you are already on book tour and this is just another forum where you get to talk about your subject! You can start out speaking locally and doing it for free. If you're writing a memoir on your experiences in World War II, there may be high school history classes interested in hearing your story. Or, if you've learned how to cope with chronic pain, you could address support groups who deal with the same struggles. Speaking is also a great opportunity for adding people to your list so that you can let them know when your book comes out. Your list will always be an important marketing tool.
You don't have to have an elaborate PowerPoint presentation or music or flashing lights to be a speaker. Just choose one or two aspects of your story or subject (you don't want to give away your whole book!) and start presenting them. Groups such as local Rotary clubs are always looking for speakers. If you feel you need to polish your skills, join a Toastmasters group. Bottom line, if you have a compelling story, some group large or small will want to hear it.
Publish Articles
You don't have to send a bunch of letters out to editors trying to get an assignment to write an article. You can write a meaty, content-filled article and distribute it on the web. This is another way to establish your expertise. As with the press releases, there are many sites where you can make your articles (usually 800-1,000 words in length) available for use in other websites, newsletters a
So how do you control your time online?Try these tips:1) Allocate how you’re going to use your time before get started, what tasks need your attention, how much time you’re going to devote to each one, that way you’ll have a clear plan of action and be less likely to waste any precious time.2) Monitor the amount of time you spend surfing, try to limit this time to 15 minutes or less so that your more important tasks are held as your main priority, this is where the majority of your time should be spent.3) Limit your time when searching for information, even if it is relevant to your field, so often is it easy to lose track of time and to waste hours with little to show for it. Remember, mismanaged time accounts for thousands of dollars in lost profits. Time
Send Out Press Releases
Don't keep it a secret. Let the media know you're an expert available to comment on relevant news stories. You don't want to send releases out without reason, though. For instance, almost all of John Lewis's sportscaster broadcasts are connected to something currently happening in the sports world. A few weeks ago it was comments that Bryant Gumbel made during the Olympics. Before that it was the death of legendary sportscaster Curt Gowdy. He can send press releases alerting reporters of the material especially when, as in Gowdy's case, he has unique information--John had interviewed Gowdy in recent months.
Let's use the back pain story as another example. What if a popular painkiller is pulled from the market. You could send out a press release saying something like "10 Pain Relieving Exercises Developed for Former Users of Medicine X". Reporters love stuff like that. You've given them a fresh angle on a story they're already covering. And when you write your query letter or book proposal, you get to say, "pain expert quoted in magazines and newspapers". And these days you can send a press release out via email or use free distribution sites such as http://www.prfree.com, http://www.free-press-release.com/ or http://www.i-newswire.com/submit.php.
Speak Your Mind
Speaking is a great way to get people familiar with you. If you fear speaking think of it this way--pretend you are already on book tour and this is just another forum where you get to talk about your subject! You can start out speaking locally and doing it for free. If you're writing a memoir on your experiences in World War II, there may be high school history classes interested in hearing your story. Or, if you've learned how to cope with chronic pain, you could address support groups who deal with the same struggles. Speaking is also a great opportunity for adding people to your list so that you can let them know when your book comes out. Your list will always be an important marketing tool.
You don't have to have an elaborate PowerPoint presentation or music or flashing lights to be a speaker. Just choose one or two aspects of your story or subject (you don't want to give away your whole book!) and start presenting them. Groups such as local Rotary clubs are always looking for speakers. If you feel you need to polish your skills, join a Toastmasters group. Bottom line, if you have a compelling story, some group large or small will want to hear it.
Publish Articles
You don't have to send a bunch of letters out to editors trying to get an assignment to write an article. You can write a meaty, content-filled article and distribute it on the web. This is another way to establish your expertise. As with the press releases, there are many sites where you can make your articles (usually 800-1,000 words in length) available for use in other websites, newsletters a
Altruism. Corporate responsibility. Philanthropy. These are often used to describe cause-related marketing, an activity in which businesses join with charities or causes to market an image, product, or service for mutual benefit.Embracing a cause makes good business sense. Nothing builds brand loyalty among today's increasingly hard-to-please consumers like a company‚s proven commitment to a worthy cause. Other things being equal, many consumers would rather do business with a company that stands for something beyond profits.Powerful marketing edgeCause-related marketing can become a cornerstone of your marketing plan. Your cause-related marketing activities should highlight your company's reputation within your target market. Cause-related marketing can positively diff
Speak Your Mind
Speaking is a great way to get people familiar with you. If you fear speaking think of it this way--pretend you are already on book tour and this is just another forum where you get to talk about your subject! You can start out speaking locally and doing it for free. If you're writing a memoir on your experiences in World War II, there may be high school history classes interested in hearing your story. Or, if you've learned how to cope with chronic pain, you could address support groups who deal with the same struggles. Speaking is also a great opportunity for adding people to your list so that you can let them know when your book comes out. Your list will always be an important marketing tool.
You don't have to have an elaborate PowerPoint presentation or music or flashing lights to be a speaker. Just choose one or two aspects of your story or subject (you don't want to give away your whole book!) and start presenting them. Groups such as local Rotary clubs are always looking for speakers. If you feel you need to polish your skills, join a Toastmasters group. Bottom line, if you have a compelling story, some group large or small will want to hear it.
Publish Articles
You don't have to send a bunch of letters out to editors trying to get an assignment to write an article. You can write a meaty, content-filled article and distribute it on the web. This is another way to establish your expertise. As with the press releases, there are many sites where you can make your articles (usually 800-1,000 words in length) available for use in other websites, newsletters a
There are many different value-creation strategies your company can follow to marketplace success. Perhaps your organization’s differentiating strategy is:• Offering outstanding customer service like Nordstrom. • Trading on an upscale image like Mercedes. • Positioning yourself as the low-price leader like Wal-Mart. • Leveraging individualized customization like Dell.Your business strategy defines your company’s intent. In essence, it’s a promise – a promise that defines what your organization intends to deliver to its customers and the marketplace. But articulating a good strategy is only the beginning. It’s the strategy’s execution that determines whether an organization can turn good intentions into profits.Poor Business Strategy Execution Is Dest
You don't have to have an elaborate PowerPoint presentation or music or flashing lights to be a speaker. Just choose one or two aspects of your story or subject (you don't want to give away your whole book!) and start presenting them. Groups such as local Rotary clubs are always looking for speakers. If you feel you need to polish your skills, join a Toastmasters group. Bottom line, if you have a compelling story, some group large or small will want to hear it.
Publish Articles
You don't have to send a bunch of letters out to editors trying to get an assignment to write an article. You can write a meaty, content-filled article and distribute it on the web. This is another way to establish your expertise. As with the press releases, there are many sites where you can make your articles (usually 800-1,000 words in length) available for use in other websites, newsletters and blogs. It's an excellent way to get your name in front of new audience members. Two popular distribution sites are http://www.ezinearticles.com and http://www.isnare.com.
Will You Pass the Test?
How does this all sound to you? If you're excited by these ideas and see them as opportunities to talk and write more about something you're deeply interested in, that's fantastic. It means you're on the right track--you've chosen a topic or story you're passionate about. If you aren't interested or motivated enough to want to speak and write articles or press releases connected to your topic, you may want to reconsider your book. After all, this is the kind of stuff you'll have to do at some point to sell your book. If you don't want to do it now, how will you sell your book later? Even more to the point, if you're not willing or interested enough to put this kind of activity behind your book, why should a publisher be interested in working with you? You build your platform, you build your book's future. So give it your best shot. If you feel you need help brainstorming ideas or developing your plan, hire a coach or consultant to support you. Often it's easier to move forward when you can better see the road ahead.
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