tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post2533063924159523560..comments2024-03-25T05:49:46.932-04:00Comments on My Name Is Not Bob: Platform Building 101 for Writers: PlanningRobert Lee Brewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-35825568230343343982013-06-04T18:30:11.189-04:002013-06-04T18:30:11.189-04:00This gave me a few more tasks for my Master List. ...This gave me a few more tasks for my Master List. Thank you!Pennie Reesehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09662943036330774864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-40227090131821835642011-12-09T10:06:15.132-05:002011-12-09T10:06:15.132-05:00Hi Not-Bob,
What a perfect title for a blog. OMG. ...Hi Not-Bob,<br />What a perfect title for a blog. OMG. The worst piece of software ever written was named Bob (Microsoft). My brother's name is Bob. It's just sad.<br />Great article as well. thanks much for your efforts.<br />dawn<br />www.yourproductivitysucks.comdark side of the moonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14271912538703146331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-50001265924963397182011-05-20T13:15:31.096-04:002011-05-20T13:15:31.096-04:00Great overview Robert! I would love to hear your o...Great overview Robert! I would love to hear your opinion on something that seems to be happening to writers who are building platforms. I have been approached my several large websites in my niche who want to "use" my blog content. What are they offering? Exposure, links, free products. It really hits me the wrong way but I also understand the lure of exposure. Big content websites seem to be gobbling up the little guys as fast as they can offering empty promises. The monetary gain is the websites alone, not the writer. One contract I looked at today even went so far as to say that although I will continue to "own" my content, they have the write to repackage and sell it. Even the best writers struggle to make ends meet and it seems an insult to the craft. What do you think? Is there any value to the writer in this kind of exchange?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-81274286046414717652011-05-20T09:33:02.288-04:002011-05-20T09:33:02.288-04:00It's funny you use that term, Jenny. I often d...It's funny you use that term, Jenny. I often describe the whole process as connecting, because I think the word marketing often makes people think of advertising and sell-sell-sell.Robert Lee Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-40538874985476394732011-05-13T21:28:03.095-04:002011-05-13T21:28:03.095-04:00Thanks for the tips, Robert. I like the practical,...Thanks for the tips, Robert. I like the practical, slow build angle you recommend. Sometimes I think that a better (less intimidating) term than marketing for writers would be connecting. The more we connect with other writers' work, and with readers desires' from a story, the more interest we inadvertently build in our own work.Jenny Milchmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04410805792044518458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-83956470507368996752011-05-13T17:30:37.978-04:002011-05-13T17:30:37.978-04:00Thanks for the post. Thanks for the 'don't...Thanks for the post. Thanks for the 'don't get frustrated' advice. I still do sometimes, but I keep plugging away.Stephen L. Braytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14575880529198211433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-7794298744583079602011-05-13T13:12:47.616-04:002011-05-13T13:12:47.616-04:00Fantastic information here, so well presented. Ev...Fantastic information here, so well presented. Everything the aspiring best-seller needs to know. I had already realized I would need three different platforms, at least, as I currently have three different lines of books: my Resort to Murder series, a 12-Step Recovery Reflections series and a creative non-fiction book on eating disorders, titled In Search of Size Two. There are so many platform lines that intersect and criss-cross, I am going to feel like the NYC subway system or the London tube! <br /><br />Thank you again, Marta Chauséemarta chauséehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03220377163454979720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-10886523737939692832011-01-30T13:09:18.981-05:002011-01-30T13:09:18.981-05:00Hi, I just found this blog by streaming through yo...Hi, I just found this blog by streaming through your list and found it extrememly helpful. I'm an aspiring writer/editor, although the editor part isn't going too well for me at present. Is there any advice you can offer me as to how to gain clientele or get on with a magazine or website? <br /><br />Anything at this point would be acceptable. I know I have to start small and work my way up. I'm currently awaiting response from Lyrcial Press regarding a freelance position with them. <br /><br />Thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge with all of us eager readers. And congratulations on finding your wife. I love the story of how you two met. It's so modern day romantic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-2038012778463392892011-01-03T09:09:57.629-05:002011-01-03T09:09:57.629-05:00Definitely, Julie!
I'd be honored.Definitely, Julie!<br /><br />I'd be honored.Robert Lee Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-2809654391846673832011-01-02T20:07:15.201-05:002011-01-02T20:07:15.201-05:00Hi Robert I too would like to link to this post fr...Hi Robert I too would like to link to this post from my site with your permission of course?!!!<br /><br />Thank you! <br /><br />Julie :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-69476967647018372532011-01-01T12:48:09.106-05:002011-01-01T12:48:09.106-05:00John-That is a good idea for a follow-up topic.
@...John-That is a good idea for a follow-up topic.<br /><br />@wizardofwords-That chocolate and travel blog sounds like a good combo.<br /><br />JodeeLuna-I'd be honored if you'd link to this post from your site.Robert Lee Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-91031691878052578412010-12-31T17:37:20.253-05:002010-12-31T17:37:20.253-05:00Robert, excellent post. Your inviting and easy-to-...Robert, excellent post. Your inviting and easy-to-follow approach makes building a platform doable instead of overwhelming. I enjoyed going through your checklist and noting what I had already accomplished and what I still needed to do. Like Kells, I would love to post this link on my author's website http://jodeeluna.com with your permission of course.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-72265827949364711322010-12-31T11:30:53.670-05:002010-12-31T11:30:53.670-05:00Great, tips, Robert! I've spent the entire yea...Great, tips, Robert! I've spent the entire year building my platform, as my current book (on volunteerism and non-profit boards) is a completely different subject area than my upcoming book on chocolate and travel - although the audiences will certainly overlap. <br /><br />I now had a professionally-designed website (which serves as my hub), 2 blogs (one on the writing life and the other on chocolate & travel), a FB fan page for my current book, LI profile and Twitter account (I'm @wizardofwords.) It sure takes a lot of work, but I'm hoping it will all be worthwhile.<br /><br />Happy New Year, and may we all find 2011 to be a happy, healthy and prosperous one.Doreen Pendgracshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07034373301858091444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-8879065582865469082010-12-31T08:53:47.646-05:002010-12-31T08:53:47.646-05:00Robert,
May I suggest a follow-up topic: how to k...Robert,<br /><br />May I suggest a follow-up topic: how to know when your platform (or an element thereof) isn't working for you--and what to do about it. What if you're trying to reach an audience of, say, 10,000, but your Twitter account never has more than 200 followers? What if your blog gets a steady 200 hits/month for three years? I know there are no one-size-fits-all answers, but I'd love to hear your reflections on this.John Backmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03581872176017067563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-21868036503795495512010-12-15T21:22:01.529-05:002010-12-15T21:22:01.529-05:00I know (or think I do anyway) exactly what you'...I know (or think I do anyway) exactly what you're trying to say, Kelli.<br /><br />The writing should always come first, but the platform helps connect the writing with the world.Robert Lee Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03733003865003484352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4693401219959272564.post-2298140949168389602010-12-15T12:35:07.012-05:002010-12-15T12:35:07.012-05:00Hi Robert,
I'm going to link this post up to...Hi Robert, <br /><br />I'm going to link this post up to my blog (Book of Kells) as I just wrote a post a couple weeks ago about how I'm concerned with the word "branding" and "platform" for writers.<br /><br />This was the first post I've read about building a platform that didn't come off as sleazy (and I mean that as a compliment!) I think my concern with the idea of "platform" is it puts the writer before the writing, a *huge* red flag for me. But your post felt more like different ways to make sure writers can get ahold of you and to have a presence in the online world. <br /><br />You have a much more of an informative touch than a sell-your-soul-and-your-art-for-your-brand mentality.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm not sure this is sounding like a compliment, but thank you for sharing this info in a way that didn't give me the heebie-jeebies. ;-)<br /><br />best, KelliKelli Russell Agodon - Book of Kellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798460634708905783noreply@blogger.com