Most of us feel reluctance when it comes to calling attention to ourselves, which is what we intuit that marketing is all about. We angst about the time required to establish a platform. We’re baffled regarding the tech skills required. We’re lost when it comes to navigating our way through this confusing digital marketplace. Because of our distress, most of us avoid the topic altogether. Then, when our big moment arrives - we panic! We’re not ready! Help!
It doesn't have to be this way. I promise.
Many of you have heard my Writer’s League of Texas story. I attended their behemoth conference as a novice in early 2008. I was overwhelmed by the masses. How in the world could I become noticed in this multitude of authors, all of whom seemed much more accomplished than I perceived I’d ever become? My dream to become a published author seemed formidable. What the heck was I thinking? Then hope arrived.
I attended a session in which the speaker was practicing some tough love with his audience. He said whether we were published or not, we needed to come to terms with the fact that marketing is simply part of the publishing process. Even back then, he told us that we shouldn’t depend on our publishers to do all of the heavy lifting, that we needed to establish an author platform, and that this could be done through creating content. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I grabbed onto his words like my life depended on it.
He explained that, if we’re serious about publication, we need to host a “blog” on a website (?). On this “blog” we were to create “content” on a consistent basis (Double ??). This “content” was to be founded on interests, ideas, and activities that are unique to us. He said that, if we consistently create this blog content bi-weekly, we will eventually create an author platform that would become a resource for an audience of readers. He told us not to worry if people didn’t come to our blog. Just keep it up. Don’t stop. Well, being serious about publication, I accepted his challenge and established a blog called Simple Saturday. I had fun with that blog for 4 short years AND, I began establishing an audience for my work! I continue to benefit from the experience to this day.
I’m telling this story to encourage you to consider what your authentic messaging might be. What are your interests? Strengths? Passions? How do your interests, strengths and passions inform your writing? Asking yourself these questions will help to establish a solid foundation for your author platform. By doing so, you'll establish clarity and purpose in your messaging. This is what takes the ick of marketing. For real!
I’m eager to hear about your ideas. What are you inspired to share with your audience on a consistent basis? Your poetry? Your crafts? Your joys? Your pets? Your love of reading? Your questions about life? Your angst about marketing? (Now, that’s a good one!)
Let me know if I can help simplify this process for you.
Debbie Gonzales is an author, educator, and a Pinterest Marketing specialist. She’s the host of Guided by Deb, a website consisting of over 300 standards-aligned educator guides for all genres. If you’re interested in learning more about Pinterest marketing, reach out to Deb. She loves talking about all things Pinterest!
