Hi Everyone,
I've been reading up on self-publishing, as I'm still in the starting process of indie authorship. One of the big messages that I keep finding is that building a solid platform before you even publish is one of the keys to succeeding as an indie author. It seems that without at least a Facebook page, A Twitter account, a blog, and a mailing list, it's difficult to have a chance to succeed as an indie author.
Even though I have a few books on self-publishing, so far most of them have mainly said things like "you need to have a presence on Facebook, Twitter, etc." but have not offered really any practical suggestions on how to do it and what to do.
So I'm turning to people here for advice.
Right now, I'm still very early in the process. I have 2 novels that are finished in first draft form and I am now working to revise both of them. I have an action plan for revision, but it's going to take some time.
As for building a platform, I am a little lost on how to do that. I have a Facebook page but I'm a little lost as to how to turn it into a place to draw in potential readers. I think the potential is there, as I use it not just for personal stuff but also for writing-related stuff and belong to several groups that are related to what I write. But I don't know how to target readers rather than writers with it yet.
I also have a Twitter page that relates to what my blog will be like, but I'll admit that I have been neglecting it. It's been very difficult for me to get into Twitter. I love Facebook but I think the severe word limitations of Twitter stump me. I always feel as if I'm not saying anything worth typing because I have so few words to say it. So some advice on how to get more into Twitter and build a readership would be great.
As for a blog, I am in the process of prepping posts for it but I feel more comfortable having a number of posts ready to go before I launch it. That way, I'll be ahead of the game when I do launch it and I'll be able to keep up with writing in it frequently. I've never built a blog before, so I still need to research how to do that (yes, I am a little technically challenged).
As for the email list, I have no idea what to do with that. I don't want an email list that is only about marketing my books. I'd like to offer something a little more, but I'm not sure what to do with that.
As you can see, I'm completely lost! Sorry for sounding so clueless. I am doing my research slowly and reading books on self-publishing, but there are so many books out there that it's tough to separate exactly what is for total beginners like me.
Any help would be so appreciative.
Djuna
I've been reading up on self-publishing, as I'm still in the starting process of indie authorship. One of the big messages that I keep finding is that building a solid platform before you even publish is one of the keys to succeeding as an indie author. It seems that without at least a Facebook page, A Twitter account, a blog, and a mailing list, it's difficult to have a chance to succeed as an indie author.
Even though I have a few books on self-publishing, so far most of them have mainly said things like "you need to have a presence on Facebook, Twitter, etc." but have not offered really any practical suggestions on how to do it and what to do.
So I'm turning to people here for advice.
Right now, I'm still very early in the process. I have 2 novels that are finished in first draft form and I am now working to revise both of them. I have an action plan for revision, but it's going to take some time.
As for building a platform, I am a little lost on how to do that. I have a Facebook page but I'm a little lost as to how to turn it into a place to draw in potential readers. I think the potential is there, as I use it not just for personal stuff but also for writing-related stuff and belong to several groups that are related to what I write. But I don't know how to target readers rather than writers with it yet.
I also have a Twitter page that relates to what my blog will be like, but I'll admit that I have been neglecting it. It's been very difficult for me to get into Twitter. I love Facebook but I think the severe word limitations of Twitter stump me. I always feel as if I'm not saying anything worth typing because I have so few words to say it. So some advice on how to get more into Twitter and build a readership would be great.
As for a blog, I am in the process of prepping posts for it but I feel more comfortable having a number of posts ready to go before I launch it. That way, I'll be ahead of the game when I do launch it and I'll be able to keep up with writing in it frequently. I've never built a blog before, so I still need to research how to do that (yes, I am a little technically challenged).
As for the email list, I have no idea what to do with that. I don't want an email list that is only about marketing my books. I'd like to offer something a little more, but I'm not sure what to do with that.
As you can see, I'm completely lost! Sorry for sounding so clueless. I am doing my research slowly and reading books on self-publishing, but there are so many books out there that it's tough to separate exactly what is for total beginners like me.
Any help would be so appreciative.
Djuna
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