Monday, July 18, 2011

Putting on Our Platform Shoes Part 2

Last week I mentioned two obvious ways to build your platform - create a website and maintain a blog. There really are endless ways to get your name out there and start connecting with potential readers. Just trying one or two of these seemingly simple suggestions will probably not be enough. Implement as many of them as possible to maximize your exposure. Here are a couple more things you may want to consider.

Write online articles. You're a writer, right? Start posting articles with your name on them. There are plenty of sites where you can contribute content. Will you get paid for them? Maybe, maybe not. But it will give you exposure, not to mention experience, as you work toward your ultimate goal as a writer - whatever that may be. Most sites allow some type of bio, or at least a link to your blog or website. Some sites require submitting an online application before they'll publish your articles, but others do not. One thing I do not recommend is paying to post your articles. Sites that require you to pay are usually scams and there are plenty of free sites out there. Regardless of where you post your work, you never know where you might impress someone, which may lead to work, which may lead to a successful writing career.

Some sites to check out:
www.ezinearticles.com
www.constantcontent.com
www.associatedcontent.com
www.articlesbase.com
www.articlecity.com
www.faithwriters.com
www.writing.com
www.writeforcash.com
www.ehow.com
www.demandstudios.com
www.helium.com
www.reviewstream.com

Become an Expert. If you know a alot about a particular subject, consider a website where you can showcase your knowledge, provide helpful information to readers, and establish yourself as an expert and a writer. There are several legitimate sites that hire experts to blog or write articles about specific topics. You will get paid a flat rate per article or a certain amount per click, based on the traffic driven to your page. You will need to apply for these positions, but if hired, this can be a great way to not only get your name out there, but also connect with an audience and start generating "fans."

I hold two positions as an Examiner for www.examiner.com. I am the Grand Rapids Christian Fiction Examiner and the National Christian Writing Examiner. I don't earn a ton of money, but it does provide me with an established audience. Plus, it gives me a chance to write about something I'm passionate about: Christian fiction. They have oodles of topics to choose from. Some of the categories are: Arts & Entertainment, Autos and Motorcycles, Education, Food & Drink, Family & Parenting, Gadgets and Tech, Games, Health & Fitness, Home & Living, News, Pets, Politics, Recreation, Relationships, Religion, Spa & Beauty, Sports, Style & Fashion, and Travel. The topics within these categories are endless.

Here are links to a few "Expert" sites you may want to check out:

www.examiner.com (if you apply, please put my name down as the refferer. The referral program is awesome!)
www.about.com
www.suite101
www.lovetoknow.com
www.hubpages.com

There are still more ways to build your platform. Stay tuned...

PUTTING ON OUR PLATFORM SHOES PART 1

6 comments:

Katie Ganshert said...

Great advice! I've only ever written on article in my life - but you are right. It does lead to exposure. It's a great way to be proactive about building a platform.

Joanne Sher said...

I KNEW about this - but haven't done it. May have to :) Thanks, Lynda!

Dara said...

Wonderful advice! I write for Demand Studios and though some of the articles can be a bit random, they do pay a little for each and it gets your name out there :)

Caroline said...

Great points. Thanks for bringing these marketing tips to our minds again.

cb
http://sunnebnkwtr.blogspot.com/

Cheryl Linn Martin said...

Great information, Lynda! Thanks for sharing--I'm keeping it in my "Marketing Notebook" for future reference. Blessings!

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Thanks for stopping by, ladies. Dara...I was accepted as a Demand Studios writer but haven't tried it yet. I may have to give it a go.

Yes, any nice exposure is an added plank to your platform. :-)