Platform-Building Tip #1: Switch Writing Hats!Around eighty percent of nonfiction books today are written by “experts,” that is people who have a) earned credentials in field they’re writing about, b) germinated information via articles, live presentations or other media, or c) had extraordinary, unique or memorably told life experiences relevant to their topic.
For an autobiographical work, such as a memoir, an author needn’t have any special expertise—she is foremost authority on her own life. For a how-to or self-help book, however, first thing mainstream publishers want to know is, “Does author have a platform?”
Among multiple definitions of “platform” in Merriam Webster’s 10th edition are 1) a place from which to speak, 2) a set of principles, and 3) a vehicle for carrying things. All these are important to an author’s platform. The good news is, in six to eighteen months it will take most authors to write either their book proposal or their entire book, they can develop a platform.
Here are some things editors look for in a platform:
- publications in field demonstrating your expertise - a mailing list - pamphlets, tapes or other media carrying messages related to those in your book - teaching or leading experience on topic of your book - a column - a unique point of view with demonstrable appeal - regular speaking engagements - courses taught at a local venue - a well-designed website
The section of nonfiction proposal entitled Author’s Bio or Author’s Credentials details information about author’s platform. Many aspiring authors I work with, at least initially, grossly underrepresent themselves in this section.
SOLUTION 1: WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE—THEN SWITCH HATS! Assume that you probably already have more of a platform than you know. Instead of beginning by writing your bio in paragraph form, put on your Scribe hat and make a list—yes, that’s right, a long, tedious, unsexy list—of everything you’ve done that seems even remotely related to your book.
Once you’ve made your boring list, switch hats. You’re now a Publishing Consultant looking over your client’s resume. How are you going to make her shine? Simple—you’re going to take everything even remotely relevant to book and change into a language that will make publishers perk up their ears. How do you know what will make publishers perk up their ears?