I came across a fantastic article from the blog of author Anne R. Allen. I subscribed to her blogs well over 2 years ago, and I can tell you that Anne runs an always interesting and informative blog for writers. Besides her interesting articles, written by her, and sometimes by her co-host Ruth Harris, Anne also shares links at the end of her blogs for a writer’s ‘FYI’ on current events in the publishing world, contests, submission alerts, etc.
Anne wrote a post about the importance of building an author and blogging platform for writers. Anne goes into detail about some of the nitty gritty items many of us may tend to overlook as insignificant, and explains why they are not insignificant.
Have a look at a partial statement I’ve copied here, then be sure to click on the ‘Continue Reading’ link for so much more.
. . .When should you think about your platform?
Definitely as soon as you’re ready to send out a story or submit a manuscript to an agent. I’m not saying you’ll automatically get rejected if you have no platform, but editors and agents will Google you, and if they can’t find you on the first SERP (Search Engine Results Page) they may send an automatic rejection. Not all agents and editors are that harsh, but I’ve heard from many who are.
On the other hand some authors obsess too much about platform and waste time on pointless overkill. (More about how to skip the time-wasting stuff in my post, 7 Ways Authors Waste Time Building Platform.)
But many writers ignore platform-building entirely, often because they’re not quite clear on what it means.
It’s true that “platform” isn’t easy to define. Jane Friedman, former Writer’s Digest editor has written extensively about it. She says when agents say they’re looking for author with platform:
“They’re looking for someone with visibility and authority who has proven reach to a target audience.”
This is especially true for nonfiction authors. But no matter what you write, agents, editors, reviewers and even bloggers you’re querying about a guest post are going to put your name into Google and hit the “search” button.
The results are a good indication of your platform. . . .Continue Reading
Blogging:
But there’s something quick, easy and relatively painless you can do right now to raise your search engine profile that won’t take more than a couple of minutes from your writing time.
Ready for it?
Ta-da!
Comment on blogs.
With your real name. (Or whatever name you write under.)
Yup. Comments on high-profile blogs that are on Google’s radar get your name onto that search page. (Also on not-so-high-profile blogs that have been set up by somebody schooled in SEO.) . . . .CONTINUE READING
DGKaye©2016
DGKayewriter.com 
I’ll read anything that has the word “easy” or the phrase “without trying” in the title, Debby. Ha ha ha. Great suggestions 🙂
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Lol, thanks Diana. Anne R. Allen has a terrific blog posted weekly with all kinds of nuggets for writers. 🙂
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Thanks Debby. I wonder if it was easier to be a writer in the ‘old days’ when the choice was simple, write or starve. Now we have to think about platforms 🙂
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That is certainly some delicious food for thought Malcolm. Always two sides to a coin isn’t there? 🙂
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Thank you for posting this, it is something which I will be looking at very carefully, i hope to have Suleskerry book one ready for publishing very soon.
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Oh, how exciting for you Adele! Congratulations! Always glad if I could help. )
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All great advice. I was just interviewed about my use of social media and how II made it effective. It’s been essential for me, but I also feel the limitations. I can’t want to spend more time on social media. I want to write for my own sense of doing my soul work and my creative work. I’m deciding how far I can go with comments and interaction. I decided to stick with FB (not sure that’s a good choice with where they’re going, so that might change), Twitter, and LinkedIn and let the rest float out there in Neverland. I’m not a fast writer, so I only comment when I trulyy care. Thanks for being an inspiration, Debby, and a great social media user.
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Thanks for always visiting and sharing your perspective here Elaine. Yes, there are so many avenues of social media, and with writing and blogging, there are only so many hours in a day. We have to choose a few that we personally feel works best for us. I’m on many platforms but I mainly focus on facebook and twitter, although posting on google is really important to keep our names in the search engines, so I post a lot there too, but don’t visit it as often. And I’m truly honoured that you find the time to drop by here and share your thoughts. 🙂
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Once again, Debby, thanks for this information.You’re like the Sherlock Holmes of blogging – always looking in every nook and cranny for clues to help us become more expert bloggers. 🙂
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Lol, that was cute Carol. Funny, my husband calls me and FBI. I’m always searching around to keep up to date, and as you know, I love to share the good stuff with others. 🙂
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Wow! Great article and advice. Thank you! I’ll check out Anne’s blog. 😀
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Glad you find it helpful. Do check out Anne’s fabulous blog. 🙂
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Another wonderful reblog Debby, such great advice on Anne’s post and another blog, thanks to you, I’m now following! Again, thank you so much for all of this, I’m more than grateful to you. Here’s a great big hug from me…just ‘cos ❤ 🙂 xoxo
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You’re such a sweety Sherri. I’m just glad that when I share some of these blogs that others will find them as helpful as I have. I know you’re plate is full, and sometimes it will feel as though it never empties, but you can save these articles in a folder for when you need to refer to them. Or you can always come back here. 🙂 xoxo ❤
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Yes, I’ve got your posts saved Debby, and some articles in folders you’ve linked to so that I can read in full a bit later. I’m working on my memoir most days now you’ll be pleased to know…and studying up on platform and the whole ‘publishing’ thing as I go! Thanks again Debby, you’re a star! ⭐ ❤ xoxo
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Yay to you Sherri! I’m so glad your taking it all in. It’s a process I know, but in no time it will feel like riding a bike; only it’s an ongoing process. You’ll learn to manage your time between writing and keeping up with the biz! And I’m here! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks again so much Debby, you really inspire and encourage me so much…it’s so great knowing you’re here, guiding me along, walking side by side with me 🙂 xoxo
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So glad I’m being of some help to you Sherri. I’m here. 🙂 xoxo
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You are, you are dear Debby…thank you so much!!! 😀 ❤ xoxo
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Aw shucks Sherri. ❤ ❤
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❤
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Fantastic advice. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
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Glad you found it helpful Tess. 🙂
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It’s all good except that I go into information overload.
😀
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Oh yes Tess; welcome to my world! lol ❤
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XX
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Anne’s blog is one of my favourites, particularly the emphasis on ‘slow blogging’ – not just throwing out blogs for the sake of it, but to produce quality posts over quantity.
My sort of gal!
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Absolutely agreed! And why am I not surprised you follow her? Anne was one of the first bloggers I followed when I began blogging. It never disappoints and is also entertaining and chock full of writer tips at the end of every blog. 🙂
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Yep, one of my first too – a great place to start.
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🙂
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cool post. Like this a lot. I think platforms are vital, but theres always loads to learn about and so off I trot to check out the post 😀 thanks for the link
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Glad you found it helpful Sacha. 🙂
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Great reminder for writers. This is an important issue. I love Anne’s blog. So much good info and advice on there. Also, she’s not afraid to say “times have changed and I’m going to contradict myself but here’s why”. And the slow blogging. ? Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks so much for reading Sarah. It’s lovely to connect here with another of Anne’s blog followers. Anne is full of great info and I also appreciate her forthrightness. 🙂
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