Comments on: What is a Writer’s Platform? 10 Tips for a Writing Portfolio

By: Marketing a Book Before the Launch | Gary Gauthier

Marketing a Book Before the Launch | Gary Gauthier — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:15:47 +0000

[...] your talent in a work that few will ever know about. A writer should develop a brand and build a platform way ahead of publishing their first book. As a guest on J. A. Bennnett’s blog, I explain how [...]

By: I #Tweet Therefore I Am « Life is Bipolar

I #Tweet Therefore I Am « Life is Bipolar — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 07:46:22 +0000

[...] in every session, something about: Blogging, Tweeting, Facebook, Technorati, and the ever popular, Platform. Because apparently, if you’re not social networking, you don’t [...]

By: The Frustration of Good Advice (Part II) | Y's Words

The Frustration of Good Advice (Part II) | Y's Words — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:14:44 +0000

[...] about the actual writing of your novel. If you ever hope to sell it, you need to establish a platform, network with others in the industry, make a name for yourself, yada yada [...]

By: How to Find a Literary Agent for Writers - 12 Steps

How to Find a Literary Agent for Writers - 12 Steps — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:22:55 +0000

[...] 1. Hammer out your idea. It should go without saying that you need a great hook, a well-thought-out idea, and strong writing skills to catch an agent’s attention…but I have to say it anyway. I know that writers rush in where fools fear to go (no offense, fellow scribes! I’m one of the quickest writers out of the starting gate, which often backfires). Also important; make sure you’re building your writer’s platform. [...]

By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:44:25 +0000

Thanks for your feedback, Kylie!

Actually, I think professional writers earn at least $50 per hour, not necessarily per word (that’s what I charge, anyway).

I’ve been writing for Suite101 since Oct, 2006. Sure, there are lots of hobby writers there. And, there are lots of professional writers and bloggers, like me!

In fact, I have an email from the editor of an architectural magazine sitting in my in-box right now, waiting to be answered……she likes my Suite writing style (she found me through my Suite articles) and wants to know how much I charge. I’m debating whether to say $50 per hour or $1 a word…..either way, it’s sweet!

By: kylie

kylie — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:30:22 +0000

Are you aware that Suite 101, like About.com, are content mills? That’s very different from a legit website or media outlet, and writing for them can actually damage one’s credibility as a writer. It separates the hobbyists from professionals. Professionals earn money per word, not by hit.

By: What is the writer’s platform? « jessiemac.com

What is the writer’s platform? « jessiemac.com — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:48:11 +0000

[...] found this post on ‘How to Build your Writing Platform‘ by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen outlining 1o ways to build your writing platform according to [...]

By: Writing Product Reviews – A New Slant for Freelance Writers

Writing Product Reviews – A New Slant for Freelance Writers — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:30:48 +0000

[...] to give people useful information and add to my writing portfolio (which is another way to create a strong writer’s platform!). It isn’t about getting free stuff, it is about communicating how products fit certain [...]

By: Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 16:13:09 +0000

Hi John,

lol, cute joke about the agent and the inventor

Congratulations on your blockbuster book idea! Books on finance/investing are always popular, so you’re on the right track right off the bat.

If you DON’T put your book idea out there, how will it get published? I’m not quite sure what you mean by “put the idea out there”, but I’m assuming you mean approach literary agents, publishers, editors? That’s the only way you’ll get it off the ground, unless of course you decide to self-publish.

OHHH — if by “put it out there”, you mean talking about it before you’ve sold it to a publisher, I’d say it depends on the idea and how you put it out there. Many people blog about their blockbuster book ideas for months or years before they actually sell it to a publisher. They build their platform, get lots of followers, and land a book deal based on all the excitement (platform, platform, platform).

Leverage also depends on your level of expertise or celebrity. That is, if you’re a famous successful plastic surgeon who has a blockbuster book idea, then you don’t necessarily need to build a platform — you have your expertise or celebrity to thrust you into the limelight.

I suggest sending your idea to a few literary agents in your field. Find out if there’s a market for your idea, and if you should be blogging about it.

And, find out if someone else is already exploring your idea in their own money or finance blog….since there’s “nothing new under the sun”, you never know if it’s already been done….

Good luck with it!

Laurie

By: John

John — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 16:04:52 +0000

I’ve got a blockbuster of an idea for a book on finance/investing, and I seem to be in a catch-22.

Supposing that an inventor trying to solve the energy/environmental crisis slaved away in his garage every night and every weekend for years and one night by accident discovered that fermented watermelon juice was the perfect clean fuel for our cars.

What should he do with this idea? If he handles it the wrong way, either he or his idea could be ignored. I read one story about an inventor at a conference who asked a patent agent how the former could be sure the latter would not steal his idea. The agent hitched up his pants, legend goes, and said, “Young man, steal it? I doubt you could give it away.”

I want a fair shake for me and my idea. Would it be better to put the idea I have out there? If I give it away, am I losing my leverage or gaining more leverage by causing a stir?