Karen Brown Tyson

Tag: #writingabook

Plan to Publish: How to Build a Powerful Author Platform
As part of my new series, Plan to Publish, I invited Naomi D. Nakashima, author of Write Out Loud: How to Get Over Your Fears and Build the Confidence to Finally Write Your Book, to share her wisdom on how to build an author platform. If you have questions, please let Naomi or me know. Also, we would love to hear what you’re doing to build your author platform.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

People tend to think of author platforms as something you are granted after you’ve been published. But the truth is that building a strong author platform will help you reach your dreams of finally being published and set you up for success and sales once you are published.

Let’s look at what an author platform is and what goes into building one.

What is an Author Platform?

An author platform is the stage on which your brand sits publicly. And while most people think of this as social media, your author platform includes all the ways you promote yourself and your work to your target audience, both online and offline.

It’s anywhere a person might be introduced to you as an author. This can include your website, blog, social media presence, email newsletters, speaking engagements, media appearances (both in print and online), and more.

Why is an Author Platform Important?

An author platform is crucial to your success for several reasons.

First, it helps you build a loyal following of readers interested in your work and more likely to buy your books. This is especially true for channels where you can build a community of readers through connection or engagement, such as email, newsletters, online groups, and social media channels. Any online or offline environment that allows your audience to dive into a conversation with you helps your audience develop a deeper relationship with you.

Second, it can help you attract the attention of publishers, agents, and other industry professionals who can help you grow your career. While many authors understand that they will need a platform to sell their books, they must realize that agents and publishers will often look at the author’s platform while deciding to publish that manuscript. That’s because if built well, the author’s platform can Indicate and help predict how many sales they might expect. The stronger the platform, the better an agent can predict the number of books. As a result, the author will be able to sell. Building an author platform also shows that you understand your ideal readers and your market, two things that will be crucial when it’s time to sell your books.

Finally, as agents and publishers will review your author platform as part of their decision-making process, other opportunities will rely heavily on the platform you build. For example, certain online summits, speaking events, and magazine publications may look at your platform’s size and quality to determine your fit with their event.

What Goes Into an Author Platform?

The same channels and tools you use to build your author platform will be up to you. But I like building an author platform using three distinct layers: core, virtual, and local.

The Core Layer

The Core Layer of your author platform should consist of three primary pieces:
- A public space where you can create content designed to draw your ideal reader to you
- A domain you can use as a call-to-action
- A list where you can communicate with people more privately and nurture them as leads
My favorite tools for this core are the Marketing Trifecta: your favorite social media channel, website, and email list.

Of course, you can choose any tool to build this core as long as the three primary functions are served. You need a public space where you can create content and people can be introduced to you, a domain you can tell people to go to once they’ve found you, and a way to invite them onto a list of some sort so you can talk to them further once they get to that domain. Once this Marketing Trifecta is set up, you can use this to support the rest of your author platform, including expanding to other channels and the other layers of your platform.

The Virtual Layer

The Virtual Layer of your author platform is just as the name suggests: virtual channels you can use to expand on the Core Layer.

While this can, and often does, include other social media channels, this can also include interviews on other platforms, podcasts, bloggers, YouTubers, etc. Now that you have a domain you can send people to, your call to action on any of these other platforms becomes really easy: follow me on my favorite social channel and/or go to my website.

The Local Layer

The Local Layer of your author platform does exactly what it sounds like it expands your Core Layer into your local area. This might mean local radio stations, television stations, bookstores, vendor events, conferences, or even, depending on the genre of your book, related offices and events where your ideal reader might appear.

Building out each of these layers may feel exhausting right now. The good news is that you don’t have to build each of them simultaneously. Instead, start with your Core Layer since that one will support each of the other layers over time. Then, as your schedule allows, you can work on building up the other two layers in any order you wish.

Building An Author Platform is Critical to Your Success

By creating your Core Layer first, you’ll establish the systems you need to always keep in touch with your readers. Then, no matter where you go next, your call to action can always be as simple as “Go to mywebsite.com to find out when my book is coming out” or “Go to mywebsite.com to find out where you can buy my book.” Then, with a newsletter form on your website, interested readers will sign up to get updates and find out when your books are being released.

Remember, building an author platform is an ongoing process that requires time, effort, and consistent engagement with your readers. But by investing this time into your platform, you can establish yourself as a credible and trustworthy author, increase your book sales, and take your writing career to the next level.
May 16, 2023
What Should be in Your First Draft? 9 Easy Writing Tips
Photo by Rey Anthony Cuerquis

Writing your first draft can be a very daunting experience. It can feel like you need to get it perfect or your work is not good. Trust me; we’ve all been there. However, your first draft only needs to be that– a first draft. It is something to build and work on; no pressure is needed.

Before you start writing, your first question might be, “How do I write the first draft of a book?” To answer this question, I suggest creating SMART goals.

Your next question might be, “What do I include in my first draft?” This post outlines everything you need to include in your book’s first draft for fiction and nonfiction.

Read on for more.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

What to include in a first draft: fiction

Fiction writers have plenty of freedom when it comes to their first draft. There is no limit to your imagination; you can write about whatever you choose.

However, a first draft always needs some key features to ensure you have the makings of a good story. So let’s check them out in more detail below.

In your first draft, you will need:
- Setting
- Characters
- Story structure
- Tone and theme
Setting

One of the most important parts of your story is the setting. The story’s setting is a great way to portray a theme, motif, or message you want to get across. The setting is just as important as your plot and characters in making reading your story an immersive experience for a reader.

In your first draft, you should explore your setting and make sure its role in your story is clear. You need to ask yourself:

How does the setting move the story forward?

Do the characters relate and respond to their world? If so, how?

Does the setting influence the decisions and actions of the characters?

Characters

Before you start the first draft, you likely have a vague idea of the characters who play important parts in your story. It’s important to develop your protagonist, antagonist, and side characters.

All of these characters should be rich and fleshed out. Create profiles for your characters that outlines every part of their life. Flesh these characters out and make them into people readers will like, dislike, and be interested in.

In your first draft, you have an excellent opportunity to explore each character, learning their strengths and weaknesses, how they make decisions and everything that makes them who they are. This will help you learn how to use them to make the plot move forward.

Story Structure

It is okay for your first draft to be rough, but it does need to illustrate your overall plot. It needs to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Of course, that is not to say that you cannot change the plot in future edits. This is certainly possible, but your first draft still needs to work through the main plot as it stands clearly.

One of the best parts of a first draft is that it gives the writer a clear vision of the plot and what works and doesn’t. You will find plot holes you may not have seen while creating the plot through the writing process. It’s okay if the plot naturally changes as you write your boo.

Think of the first draft as a test drive for the overall story, and fully immerse yourself in creating that journey for the reader.

Tone And Theme

The tone of your work will take shape on its own as you write. You can try to set the tone you want initially and carry on with creative exploration until you stumble upon the tone that best fits your story. One of the most fun parts of writing is watching a story unfold before your eyes.

What to include in a first draft: nonfiction

Nonfiction works need to have clearly outlined points, messages, and facts. Let’s check out the details of what to include in your first draft of nonfiction below.

Research

A significant portion of the nonfiction writer’s work is research. Therefore, during the prewriting stage, gather as much research as possible before you try to write your first draft.

Understanding your message

Here, your first draft is about exploring what your message is and how you can best convey it. So, You don’t need to worry about writing it in chronological order; you can write whatever part of the book you want first. The most important thing here is to ensure all your points are written down and your message is coherent.

Of course, you will still need an introduction, a conclusion, etc., but you can save these for last to focus on the main bulk of the work.

One of my favorite books on how to write nonfiction is Start Writing Your Book Today by Morgan Gist Macdonald.

Bonus tips for writing your first draft

Here are some more general tips for writing your first draft.

Don’t fear failure or struggle

A good book was not written in one night with a few swishes of a pen. This means that one draft will not be enough. You may need to write many before your book is finished. This is good because it means your work is refined and you are improving as a writer. Try to enjoy the journey of writing the book. Don’t only focus on the end goal. Don’t let the fear of failure or struggle stop you from enjoying the process.

Ignore your inner critic

Your inner critic is an important voice, but not when writing your first draft. This part of the writing process is about being playful and creative exploration. So, let go of the inner critic and let your writing flow freely.

Ask for feedback

Feedback from publishers and other writers, even for your first draft, is invaluable because they will be able to help you iron out non-urgent problems and provide insight into what they think the story or message is about, who the characters are, etc. This will be useful for other drafts.

Final thoughts

Your first draft can be a daunting idea, but I hope this article provides useful insight into what to include, what to let go of, and how fun it can be to start writing your book.
September 8, 2022
How to Uncover Ideas to Write Amazing Content Every Day
Do you ever wonder how businesses uncover ideas to write amazing content that reaches their customers?

You are not alone. In talking to small business owners about writing content, it is clear that finding new ideas every month is a challenge.

[bctt tweet=”Do you ever wonder how businesses uncover ideas to write amazing content that reaches their customers? You are not alone. Read more on the blog.” username=”KBTWrites”]

Content creation is a vital marketing tool. And with more than 5 million content pieces published every day, it’s essential to write about important topics to your target audience.

But the process to uncover ideas for writing is one of the hardest things to do.

So, where can you find the best content ideas? Research.

While quantitative research can offer valuable statistics on customer response to products and services, qualitative research allows you to gather information by talking and listening to customers and staff.

Below are some easy ways to conduct research to uncover audience-focused content ideas.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

Connect with the Customers You Have and the Customers You Want

Chiara McPhee, COO and co-founder of Bizzy, offers this advice: “I’ve found it incredibly helpful to have a framework in place to systematically collect, prioritize, and implement product features based on customer feedback–both from customers you have, and the customers you want!”

In addition to finding out what your customers think of your products and services, find out what problems they’re facing. Uncover content ideas from the information collected.

Plus, here are some other things you can do:

If you use an email service provider like ConverKit, you can ask your email distribution list questions like:
- What issues is your business facing today?
- List 3 questions you have for me [or my company].
- How can I [or my company] help you solve a problem you’re currently facing?
Use the information collected to meet customer needs and write educational content that will help others.

Consider connecting with your audience while they’re visiting your website. HubSpot offers a Live Chat feature where you can interact with current and prospective customers and see what questions they’re asking. Write content based on the topics you repeatedly see in the chat.

Listen to Audience Discussions through Keyword Searches

An excellent way to find content ideas is through search engines. In addition to Google, there are more than 16 other search engines available such as Bing, Swisscows, and DuckDuckGo.

Additional ways to search include:

Answer the Public allows you to search for keywords or phrases, and then it generates a circle of question keywords related to your topic.

BuzzSumo is great for everything, from topic research to brand marketing.

Ahrefs not only offers keyword search capability but lets you enter your competitor’s domain to see how frequently they’re publishing and republishing content on the same topic.

Uncover Ideas Using the Skyscraper Technique

As you search for ideas for content writing, consider using Brian Dean’s skyscraper technique. This technique examines high-performing content and makes it better. What is high-performing content? Posts with lots of social shares or high-ranking blog posts that appear on search engine pages.

Next, Dean recommends taking the content to the next level. He recommends taking all four of the following steps:
- Make it longer
- Use better designs
- Offer up-to-date information
- Create a more thorough version
Dean offers a few ideas on how to improve existing content.

Hold on to Your Research by Creating an Idea System

Coming up with ideas to write content can be hard. So once you develop a process for generating ideas, it’s essential to create a system for saving your ideas.

1. Keep a notebook

Jot down a new idea as it comes to you. Get a notebook that transports easily and can fit into any bag. Carry it with you as ideas and inspiration may strike at any time. If you are in a position where you cannot write, like a car or on a treadmill, record your idea on your mobile phone.

2. Keep a digital idea log

Any idea from your notebook that you decide to pursue can move to a digital file. Use Dropbox or Google Docs to organize your ideas. You can also use these tools to store photos.

3. Idea board

If you work with a team in an office environment, consider adding an idea board in a central location. Encourage staff to add ideas to the board regularly. Reward employees for their willingness to share. If some team members are remote, consider using a tool like Trello or Mindmeister.

Keep the Ideas Flowing Using a Fixed Repeating Schedule

Manufacturers use the Every Product Every Interval or a Fixed Repeating Schedule (FRS) to manage product production schedules. Using the FRS approach allows the manufacturer to repeat the same production schedule to produce the product.

Once you develop a process to uncover ideas, use the same approach daily or weekly. Evaluate how the process is going for a few weeks or each month. If necessary, make adjustments to your ideation process.

Find the Beauty in Capturing Your Ideas

A few months ago, I read about James Altucher’s approach to capturing ideas. He writes ten ideas every day. Altucher believes if you make a list of ten ideas each day, you will become an idea machine. I love this!

As a person who wakes up in the middle of the night with all kinds of ideas, I was excited by this approach to capturing my ideas each day.

As someone not afraid to jot down ideas on anything – journals, Post-It Notes, napkins – the concept of making idea-collection an intentional part of my day was great.

One of the things I learned by consistently capturing my ideas is that some ideas make it, and some don’t. My new approach is progress for me as I once thought every idea I came up with had to live and breathe. Today, I am just satisfied to get my thoughts out of my head to explore the possibilities of making at least one idea come to life.

How do you uncover ideas for blog posts or projects? Please share how your idea process works. Feel free to share your comments below.
October 8, 2020
How to Overcome Obstacles in Writing my Next Book
Have you ever wondered what obstacles there are in writing a book? Before writing my first book, I never could have imagined the highs and lows I would experience in writing a book. But I learned and quick.

This post outlines what I experienced and how I overcame obstacles in writing my next book.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

Obstacle #1 – Figure out my ‘goal’ for writing book #2

My reason for writing Time to Refresh was clear: Show readers how I renewed my mind following my third job layoff. At the time, I wasn’t concerned about making money, seeing my book in stores, or making the bestseller list. All I wanted was to get my thoughts out of my head and organized into a book.

Since the first book, I know the importance of incorporating SMART goals in the book writing process. Besides, I researched book marketing by reading, The Book Marketing Audit and learned about setting goals based on the costs associated with producing a book. The Book Marketing Audit outlined the following categories which I considered in writing my new book:
- Glory and fame – The satisfaction of seeing my book on bookshelves, read by book clubs, or honored by literary organizations.
- Build a fan base – Answering the call made by Time to Refresh readers to write something new and just as satisfying.
- Earn a certain amount of money per year – Catapult my new writing career into an annual salary.
- Building my brand for my business – Before finishing my book, I started my own writing business to help companies and people write better content.
- Break-even – Make enough money to cover the cost of writing, producing, distributing, and promoting my book.
Time to do the math

I decided on two goals: (1) Break-even; and (2) Earn a certain amount of money per year. Why two goals? First, my decision to choose break-even helps me take in the same amount of money to produce my second book. Second, once I reach my break-even goal, it would be nice to add any profits made from my book’s sale as part of my business income.

But first, I need to determine the costs to publish my next book. After doing research, my estimated expenses for book cover design, editing, formatting, printing, and book launch marketing and public relations will be between $3,650 and $7,750. Also, I plan to factor the royalty fees associated with print and ebooks on:

Amazon (printed and Kindle) and Ingram Spark

into my expenses.

Obstacle #2 – Finding time to write my next book

Despite being laid-off when I wrote my first book, I still had a full schedule with family, church, and community activities. During the book writing process for book #2, I have two new responsibilities: (1) business owner and (2) community college instructor.

So how do I find the time to write? Here’s my current formula:
- Use a writing journal: I’m using a journal this time to track both all writing and non-writing tasks needed to complete my book.
- Schedule writing sessions: I schedule time on my calendar to write for a minimum of two hours per day.
- Eliminate unnecessary distractions: Email and social media can wait until after I finish writing.
- Plan for other distractions: It’s hard to put your family on hold during the book writing process. My schedule has enough flexibility to take care of my commitments involving family and friends.
- Track my word count: I didn’t do this last time, but I plan to keep track of my daily word count as a motivator and gauge to monitor my progress.
Obstacle #3 — Creating a book production plan

As I mentioned before, my only goal with book #1 was to finish writing and publishing book #1. For my next book, I created a book production plan using Trello. One note about my plan: one size does not fit all. My project fits my needs and includes having a:
- To-do List – I like to keep track of tasks I am working on.
- Self-Publishing Checklist – I decided to follow a self-publishing checklist published by the Nonfiction Authors Association that reminds me to do everything from secure ISBNs to book design.
- Book Marketing Plan – This plan outlines my book launch plan, publicity, media, and marketing tactics.
- Word Count Tracker – Before each of my writing sessions, I determine how many words I want to write using a word count tracker.
Writer at work — Creating the perfect workspace.

I wrote my first book standing at my kitchen island. Every morning after my workout, I would spend two hours writing in my kitchen. I know most people think writing in the kitchen is a bad idea, but I could write during a time of day when everyone was out of the house. Sometimes I wrote more than two hours and in places other than the kitchen, but mostly all of my writing occurred while standing.

Since the first book, I have a new writing space equipped with a standing desk and all the supplies I need to get the job done. Here’s a list of supplies to consider for your writing space:

AboveTEK Compact Standing Desk

Writing journal

Notebooks

Folders

Pens, pencils, markers

Wall planner

Timer

Flash drive

Post-It Notes

Ready, set, write!

I have my plan in place, and now I am ready to start outlining and gathering research for book #2. Whether the plan works or not is yet to be seen. But I’m excited and ready to go.

If you are writing your next book or your first book and have questions, let me know if I can help.

Pin me, please!

If you found this post helpful, please share it with others. Thanks!
September 18, 2019