This post was co-published at talanhorne.com.
The publishing business has changed a great deal since the year 2000.
It's a lot more competitive and a little more techno-savvy.
But perhaps most interesting of all is how authors themselves have changed in this environment. Book writing used to be one of the most introverted of professions. Yet with advances in social media, publicity, transportation, and fan culture, accessibility is now more important than ever. It has become extraordinarily difficult for an author to hide from his audience.
And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It does, however, require that the author build a platform, often before he even attempts publishing.
What do You Mean by Platform
I mean those little islands in a Mario level that have no visible support yet somehow are permanently affixed in the air.
Nah, just kidding.
What I actually mean is that the up-and-coming author often needs to have a presence, in the real world or online, where they have garnered friends and fans who are already baked into his plan to sell his books.
And, strangely enough, publishers are beginning to expect this of prospective authors, as well.
The World has Flipped
It used to be that an author would get published and then build a fanbase. But lately that mode of operating has been reversed.
It is not uncommon now for someone to establish themselves first as a personality, and then get published. If your personality is not based on writing, no big deal. You can still land a publisher. And if you're a big enough personality, the publishers will come to you. They will then tell you what to write (or tell a ghostwriter what to write for you).
An example is probably in order.
Suppose you have a bass fishing channel on YouTube. And let's also suppose that your channel has THE BEST BASS FISHING VIDEOS EVAR!!!!!
You get 25 million hits on each video, and the entire online community now considers you to be the expert on bass fishing.
Congratulations. You get a book deal.
Wait, What?
Now, I know what you're asking yourself: "What does being the expert on bass fishing have to do with writing a book?"
Nothing, which is why you need to understand the importance of having a platform.
The bass fishing celebrity has a built-in audience with at least a few thousand guaranteed book sales baked into the mix. Publishing houses are businesses. Like many businesses, they base real life decisions on risk-reward analysis. And though all economic forecasting is mostly hogwash, the appeal of not having to raise an author from nothing, but instead start with someone who has legions of followers, is hard to pass up.
I recently encouraged a personality on the Steemit
So What do I do if I'm Just a Writer?
Because a lot of us don't have million-subscriber YouTube channels or one hundred thousand twitter followers. Some of us are just great at writing, and all that self-promotion stuff is not up our alley. platform to pursue a book deal. You may know him as @broncnutz. And though I was kind of joking, the fact that he has a large number of followers on the platform (a platform that pays him, no less) would give him leverage in seeking a book deal, and he would even have the advantage over someone like me, who has trained himself as a writer.
In that case, what must we do to get published, because as writers we naturally seek publication?
Well, the most important thing is to just get your frakking feet wet.
Everybody starts at square one. And a small presence is still infinitely bigger than no presence.
Take, for example, me: I'm no celebrity, but between my blog, my Twitter, and my Steemit, I end up starting conversations and being provocative. I even comment on other people's blogs and try to make myself sympathetic. Because being sympathetic is such a rare quality in the social media world that it can't help but stand out. Exhibiting that quality makes it really easy to snag followers, like flies on honey.
It unfortunately also requires a large time commitment, though. And the writer's time is already stretched thin between his writing, his sending out query packages, and his day job. So be sure to moderate your social media schedule, because it can quickly ruin your life otherwise.
In the meantime, though, start experimenting. You would be amazed at how much attention you can snag with even a little bit of effort, though it will require you to work a lot smarter, even when you're not working harder.
Conclusion
There are a million different ways to build a platform these days. And the best part is that you can have a lot of fun doing it.
It requires a little bit of creativity, but if you're already a writer then that shouldn't be a problem.
I wish you all success, and I'd love to see what you can do. Show it to the whole world, because the world is waiting.
I consider you as a good writer too and I think you are also very very considerate for your readers and as the time goes you will have some pleasant dividend and that will be a surprise for you also.
See there is hidden relationship between you as author and we as readers and steemit is bringing that thin gap and that is what we all are about in steemit.
Thank you.
In my opinion, the success here is not solely about good writing skill ( I am not saying that good authors are not getting rewarded ) but if you have good amount to invest in SP and you are an average writer then also you can rise to a level where every body here aspire to.
So its a mix of both good writing skill and some decent SP.
Thank you @talanhorne...steem on and stay blissful...
@talanhorne, Sometimes you might hear about @alexbeyman. He is a writer on STEEMIT platform. I am not a big fan of his writings, but I do read them! He got his audience! Like wise you said, this is a good place to build ourselves as writers or any other. Then we can think about future plans! Excellent article friend!
Cheers~
I think the most important part is sutainibility, you mentioed about @broncnutz and I have been a regular follower of him since Aug 2017 and my observation for him is that he was having 55K SP during those time and later in December added some more now he is having 0.1 million SP.
But let me tell you that he got his fan base beacuse of his generosity and over time he really build a massive follower base and geneerally who are having a huge SP, have got the upper edge to build a follower base na dit is easy in steemit.
But the main issue is that sustainability, you have to sustain to those level once you reached and after you reach that level, it requires more than the SP amount to sustain at that level.
But I do find you @talanhorne as generous as well.
Thank you and Have a great day.
Yes you can build a platform easily the most difficult is to have a discipline to keep you dynamic, for example i like steemit because you can share your ideas and increase your skills as blogger. Regards
I've talked to several published writers and they tell me that a lot of publishers won't even look at your book UNLESS you already have a following.
And I think that is missed by a lot of people looking to get published.
Yes. And...I'm kind of unsure about how to feel.
On the one hand, a writer shouldn't have to be successful in other fields to prove he is worth investing in.
On the other hand, it's fairly easy to build a following on social media. Especially if you reach for the low-hanging fruit.
In any case, I believe Steemit followers should count for more than Twitter followers, since Steemit followers actually pay you (even if it's not out of their own pocket). But I'm guessing most publishers don't know about Steemit yet.
I guess it's our job to change that.
It's the reason why I Indie-publish. Once my books became profitable I stopped worrying about getting an agent or publisher. And I see a lot more of successful indie-publishers then getting picked by the big publishers.
And some publishers/agents want sales numbers for books, so Steem would be difficult to calculate into that.
But I use Steemit as a revenue source for my books. I quickly learned if I serialize a book on Steemit, the book becomes profitable before it even hits Amazon.
But in terms of an audience, that doesn't just occur in books, but also music. And there reaches a point, if I have developed a large following on my own, what do I need an agent or publisher for?
That is expert writing revel in and extremely good paintings.
Upvote And Resteem Done
I want to say something. This is something I think about 6 weeks a day and I can not find a way. What should I do here? I'm looking for the answer to this question. Thanks for sharing. Now I will do something that I will think again and enjoy as you say. But I am a student and enjoying life that I am now living is more important than economic comfort. That's why I do not know what to do.
Your blog is one of the interesting place to read. This is what we called as a platform. You made it here
Excellent article & valuable discussion.
I am very proud to the @talanhorne, because it has shared a great post, I really like your post.
Your articles removed sunglasses of our beliefs & believes. Motivation to make us as writers is working. A best post & Steemit made everything change~
I really appreciate your thinking @talanhorne. Building platforms creating best things someones and also creating errors someones. All need to keep balance. Best post indeed.
You're a good knowledge person about writing and it's very difficult.
Your job is excellent topic.
Have a nice day Thanks @talanhorne
very good post my friend .. I like the same post you friend
this article looks like a good reference to why we should do steemit rather than a web site. this is the best place to build the audience. impressive post & nice sharing. @talanhorne
@resteemia
wow..very inspiring and you have shared all that knowledge with us..thanks alot sir..i know that it is tough at the beginning but im trying my best to do it till the end :)
@talanhorne - Sir your publications are trending on Steemit & hope your web site will trend on google too Sir... Nice article Sir...
+W+
You are a good person to write.your ideas and writing have been fulfilled.
This is great article.
(((((( Resteem service)))))
Great writing experience. its really blog
Upvote Resteem @talanhorne
This is professional writing experience and great work.
Upvote Resteem
Nicely said buddy this was the best post so fare a guiding post for life
i have talked to numerous posted writers and that they inform me that lots of publishers might not even examine your ebook except you have already got a following.
and that i suppose this is neglected by using quite a few people seeking to get posted
Good writing you just shared.Writing is very hard.
For your post propagation.
Upvote/Resteem
Very nice, good job my friend
.
@talanhorne, Absolutely I agree with your points. Yep..most step has build-up any platforms. But important to do what's best way to selection. Any platform now very competitive and has powerful technology. So need to faced huge competition for stay. Best ideas indeed your blog.
its good to change with time otherwise we all will lack behind and the world will go far away ...thanks for sharing this important post dear
I think through most media platforms steemit is best way to publish anythings. Its giving best promotions to us. I appreciate your thoughts posted there. Best wishes to you for succeed more of your thoughts.
You are a good writing. I like your written. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations
Now you are in the MinnowsPower Loyalty Member List...!!! @talanhorne
Exceptional article & excellent advices + discussion...!!!
20% Upvoted by @MinnowsPower
That is article is professional & Excellent writing . so great experience.
100% like and resteem
Thanks @talanhorne
you are an excellent understanding individual approximately writing and it is very hard.
Your activity is extraordinary subject matter.
Have a pleasant day thank you @talanhorne
honestly I accept as true with your factors. Yep..maximum step has construct-up any structures. however essential to do what is high-quality manner to choice. Any platform now very aggressive and has effective era. So want to confronted massive opposition for live. exceptional ideas certainly your weblog.
time to show it to the world they are waiting for the talent !!!
Hello @talanhorne,
Extraordinary good article. According to my view STEEMIT is the best platform for writers like you do. Incredible discussion.
~@mywhale
Yes buddy the advancement of technology has sure made the world much easier no wonder for the authors as well and it has become much more easier to come in contact with the readers and get to know how /what they feel about the writings thus that inspires the writer to write more and more :)
Wish you the same buddy !
every great journey begins from a single step and its time to start that journey
The world is changing time for us to change too ; )
Great and amazing post sir.
Truly, awesome concept.
I appreciate your work sir.
I am highly inspired from your post.
Your posts helped me a lot.
Thanks @talanhorne sir for sharing this post. 🤗💙
Upvoted + resteemed your post sir.
anazing post really nice sir..tnx for share
re-steem
because it feeds your life and makes it richer :)
but it's Hard To have Big Followers Like Steemit & Twitter ..@mctiller even if your book never published keep at it @talanhorne Building Platform is Easy
Really @talanhorne felt amazed by the way you wrote this article you really have wonderful writing skills and you have the skills of making people interact with you really the best part was the world is flipped... Haha you surely deserve a big thumbs up for this article keep it up waiting eagerly for your new post!!
Very good post my friend. I like it
Thanks for sharing
very nice writing thank you for share. great post... @talanhorne
resteem and upvote you.
Now myriad platform to publish the work us to the world.
Steemit example, various people from parts of the world are here,
Thanks @talanhore has given spirit to all the writers to continue to work
I've been thinking about it since I joined Steemit. but I could not find what to do. because I have no obvious ability. but I know that every person has a skill. and Steemit will help me find this ability. I believe it. thanks for sharing.@talanhorne
yes there are a lot of ways to create a platform as you mentioned. but the other thing is that we can not classify literature into the number of books sold or how many followers there are. this would be a great disrespect. there are people who are followers and who think they write themselves by writing a few sentences, then question their own selves and leave the literature to their owners
Definitely I agree with you. What matters now is who you are. If you have a plane, you do not have to be an expert to get in. Flip some information. Experts and intruders do not know the value of the prisoners.
Unfortunately !!! It's a humor for social media.
Thank you very much for this incident. @talanhorne
Good post, I am a photographer, it passes for my blog and sees my content, I hope that it should be of your taste :D greetings