Showing posts with label " Author Platform. Show all posts
Showing posts with label " Author Platform. Show all posts

Create a Theme for your Author Platform

Thanks to Canva, I've created posters and flyers
that showcase the theme that runs through my books

By Linda Wilson    @LinWilsonauthor

Developing an author platform is a matter of finding the right balance that works for you. Advice given to authors is to experiment with the social media outlet(s) that you’re comfortable with, and expand from there. The important thing is to connect with your target audience. Some of the best advice for you to create an author platform plan can be found in Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s Frugal Book series, especially Howard-Johnson’s The Frugal Book Promoter.

What is an author platform?
According to Masterclass.com, an author platform is how an author reaches their target audience. Ideally, authors need to find ways for readers to discover what they can gain by reading your book(s). Will your readers be entertained? Will they learn something? Have you offered them enough for them to want to come back for more? Read more of your books? A good start is to zero in on offering a need you can fill for your readers and find ways to get the word out. “It’s not uncommon for new authors to get a book deal based solely on their social media presence or blogging platform.” (Masterclass.com) In a nutshell, here are the four steps Masterclass suggests to create an author platform: 

                • Create a website.
                • Publish articles on online outlets that specialize in your area.
                • Maintain social media accounts and keep the accounts current.
                • Explore other media ventures, such as discussing your craft with other authors on podcasts.

How to Create an Enduring Author Platform 
After posting blurbs and the covers of my books on various outlets such as Twitter and Facebook and making no sales, I had to stop and figure out why. I took a look at the body of work I had developed, four picture books and a chapter book trilogy, some still in development at the time, and unearthed a common thread. Perhaps I’m unique. Probably most authors have an overall plan worked out before they begin writing. But if you’re like me, you might be pumping out material with no common thread in mind. After much soul searching, I came up with a theme for my body of work, the message I want readers to remember after they read my books. Once I put my plan in place, visits to schools, book fairs, and more, have been fun and easy.

           • Decide what you want to impart to children in your works. What is the message you want to send that will remain with them after they finish reading your book(s)?
            • Come up with a sentence that encompasses your message. My sentence is not earth shattering and it sounds so simple. But I looked at my projects, as I said, some in progress at the time, and realized that my biggest desire was to show my young readers that they can extricate themselves from their screens and have fun pursuing outdoor activities. All of my books take place outside. My sentence, which I use in my advertising: Stories that Explore the Great Outdoors.
            • Promote yourself using your theme online and also by making local appearances. What can you offer children? I’ve found my most rewarding experiences are by sharing my books and programs with children in my town. So far, I’ve had great fun doing readings at local outlets, such as schools, libraries, and small businesses. I’ve put together programs that include puppets, collections of natural materials I’ve made through the years; have conducted treasure hunts, and have provided crafts that fit the books’ subject matter—anything that brings children close to nature.
            • Examples of my theme carrying through in my books: My chapter book trilogy, Secret in the Stars: An Abi Wunder Mystery: My character, Abi Wunder, learns that she has good instincts, can solve problems, and can learn to be athletic by swimming and hiking. In Secret in the Mist, the second book in the trilogy, to be published later this year, Abi learns how to ride a horse and bikes all around town.  My picture books, A Packrat’s Holiday: Thistletoe’s Gift, Tall Boots, Waddles the Duck: Hey, Wait for Me, and Cradle in the Wild: Each book takes place outdoors and leaves readers with a message, respectively: If you try, you will find the perfect gift for a loved one; with courage you will succeed at your goals; through trial and error you can save animals in trouble; and from a surprising discovery, you can think of a creative way to be a Nature Buddy, a person who understands nature and doesn’t interfere.

When you create programs and activities that revolve around the theme of your works, there you will find your reward. Hopefully, you’ll be making book sales along the way. But the true reward is seeing the light in children’s eyes as they get excited about reading your books and sharing in the activities you’ve created for them.
Here is the theme on a banner made by VistaPrint
 Linda Wilson writes stories for young children. Visit   Linda at https://bit.ly/3AOM98L. Click the links for   free coloring pages and a puppet show starring   Thistletoe Q. Packrat. While you’re there, get all the   latest news by signing up for Linda’s newsletter. 

 Find Linda’s books at  Amazon Author Page.

 Connect with   Linda: FacebookTwitterPinterestInstagram


                               

Growing Your Authorship ID

 

by Deborah Lyn Stanley

In the world of writing and authorship, success depends upon visibility. Website Platform contains all the ways our work is found using metadata and SEO search tools. We often hear about brand. Brand is who you are, built-up by your words, and the graphics you choose. We aim to communicate with clarity and deliver inspiring content that motivates action.

Every piece you write advances expert status in your field. That’s what leveling up is about. A consistent writing practice, free writing and exploring various forms will expand your experience and stretch your skills. What if you find a style or form that captures your attention and inspires a change of direction—maybe Essays, Literary Journalism, Poetry, Journals or Storytelling. How about book reviews or writing true stories?

The key thing is to understand your creative process, go with it and know for whom you are writing. Do you use mind maps, post-it notes on a whiteboard for brainstorming, an inspiration collage board, music, writing at a coffee shop, or solo in your office? Follow your style. Then be ready to pitch your ideas to readers for feedback. What topics would be of most interest? If you belong to a group on Facebook, setting up a survey is easy. Otherwise send out a survey to your online subscribers, and post it on your website or blog.

Writing for your niche audience is a worthwhile endeavor. The focus becomes a message for their benefit and inspiration. The reader finds value, tells others and returns to see your next article.

A theme that best serves the reader’s needs also applies to writing in a series. Series writing guides the author’s focus, consistently meeting the reader’s expectations.

A great tool for creativity and research is your commonplace book or journal.
Use it for writing your next article, essay or blog post.



Helpful Links:

Carolyn Howard-Johnson: How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically:
How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically: on Amazon   

Telling True Stories: Nonfiction Writer’s Guide–Multiple Contributors
https://www.amazon.com/Telling-True-Stories-Nonfiction-Foundation

Commonplace Books: History & Tips https://www.writersonthemove.com/2021/06/commonplace-books-history-follow-up-tips.html


Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her My Writer’s Life website at: https://deborahlynwriter.com/   
Visit her caregiver’s website: https://deborahlyncaregiver.com/
 

Mom & Me: A Story of Dementia and the Power of God’s Love
https://www.amazon.com/Deborah-Lyn-Stanley/
& https://books2read.com/b/valuestories


 

 

 


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What’s Different About an Author’s Website?

As authorprenuers, we must market our products 

i.e., books, articles, and niche. 

Platform, Brand, and Website form the vehicle to make that happen.


Today let’s talk about websites. What does a writer need to set-up a dynamic website, or to update up an existing one?

  • Create a Clear Identity
  • Create a vibrant headline with an image that is topic or niche focused and describes what you write and might include an image of your latest book cover, or another highlight of your work
  • SEO Optimization is critical! Search Engines must find your site and the more often the better
  • Create Quality Content, focused and quickly visible
  • Use titles that grab readers’ attention
  • Titles & Subtitles Keyword effective
  • Consistently use Keywords and categories with each post and page
  • Include Social Media button links to your pages—ask readers to like and follow you
  • Create a navigation bar—a menu bar—that is easy to follow
  • What Pages should you include?
    • The Landing page, aka the Home Page
    • An About page, to introduce yourself, what you are about and your professional bio
    • A Contact page
    • A Page for testimonials and/or reviews
    • A Page to describe your product or services
    • A Sales page
    • A Blog page

What to avoid:
  • Clutter
  • Use only one sidebar if at all
  • No pop-ups

Remember to update your website periodically. A website is never finished; it is ever a work in progress. Make improvements as you go, as your work transitions, changes and grows.

Recommendations:
  • WordPress: offers free themes for the basic structure of your website, it’s the most versatile; it will grow with you to promote and offer value to your readership, as well as handle sales transactions. WordPress uses Plugins to enhance the functionality of each site. www.WordPress.org
  • “All in One SEO” is a plugin for optimizing your site with search engines that I have found to be the most friendly to use and the most thorough.

As you consider the design of your website, visit other author websites to check out the ease of using the layout and access to information. The following WordPress Themes for Authors are worth considering: 
  • Astra
  • Ocean WP
  • Author Landing Page
  • Ultra
  • Writee
https://wordpress.org/themes/search/writers/

YouTube instructional guides for the theme you choose work quite well to speed up the process.



Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction. She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her writer’s website at: https://deborahlynwriter.com/   
And her caregiver’s website at: https://deborahlyncaregiver.com/ 
Facebook: Deborah Lyn Stanley, Writer    https://www.facebook.com/deborahlynwriter/

 

Author-Reader Engagement

How to Serve Your Niche Audience

 by Debra Toor



STEP 1 Research your niche readers and create their profiles.

Readers' Profiles

1. Professions:
2. Education:
3. Lifestyles:
4. What do your readers care about?
5. What motivates them?
6. What information, tools and resources do they need, but can't find?
7. Do they need to do more with less time?
8. Where do readers go to network, collaborate, find info, and get assistance?
     Examples of online sites
     - professional association blogs
     - trade e-zines
     - Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, Yahoo groups, Google+
     - Twitter Chats, etc.

     Examples of offline sites: 

     - conferences
     - meetings
     - trade shows
     - professional trade print magazines

STEP 2  Research your niche competitors and create their profiles.

Competitors' Profiles


1. How do your competitors fill readers' needs?  

2. Do they provide solutions to obstacles?
3. What service do they fail to provide readers?  How can you fill this void?  Can you provide specific professional expertise?

STEP 3  Combine profile details.  Create a plan and a reader survey.

 1. Design your survey to be brief and easy to complete. 

 2. Ask a select few to provide feedback on your plan.
 3. Focus on tools, resources, and information that they would like to see:

 Some ideas:

 - downloadable worksheets
 - tip sheets
 - checklists
 - handy resource lists 
 - networking venues and resources
 - expertise on specific subjects
 - informative slideshows, infographics, fact sheets, charts, videos, podcasts

Offer an incentive, such as a free copy of your book or a free downloadable resource.


Remember, your blog is your primary forum to engage your readers:

- Make it welcoming, accessible, informative, and entertaining.
- Offer posts that have value and are sharable.
Encourage readers to share their suggestions, opinions and stories.  
- Offer contests with prizes that are on your niche audience's wish list.

How do you connect with your readers?  Inspire other writers by sharing your story in the comments section.


Helpful Links


"Crawling Inside your Customer's Head" by Copyblogger: www.copyblogger.com/empathy-maps/


"Author Platforms: How to Use a Time Machine to Create Your Author Platform," by Katie Davis, Huff Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/author-platforms/ 

________________________________________________________________
Debra Toor is the author of Survival Secrets of Turkey Vultures, an adventure story for grades 4 to 6 that's based on peer-reviewed science. She's also a ghostwriter for a health blog.


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