Floundering (Stevie Libra guest post)

Okay, this guest post is from someone who represents many writers who've taken a stab at platform, felt overwhelmed, and are now floundering (a great title, btw, Stevie). If you have suggestions for time management or just words of encouragement, please include in the comments below. Personally, I try to budget my time, and editorial calendars have worked wonders for my various blogs.

Confession time: I’ve been ignoring my author platform. 

I worked so hard during the 30-day Platform Challenge last year, but I saw the end result as a monster that required daily feedings of intensifying proportions. It was too much for me, but I still felt the need to have a platform. So I decided to dedicate one weekend in March to figuring out what the problems were and how I might address them.

The Maven

Until last summer I had a thriving website/blog on health. I had lots of followers, lots of articles, lots of classes via e-mail, and lots of private consultations. It was lots of work.

I spent hours researching and writing. I was excited about posting twice weekly and my little idea book was bursting with subjects for more posts. I could answer just about any question about why your body wouldn’t do what you wanted it to do. I was the maven.

I dropped it so I would have more time to write fiction.

Not the Maven
I'm not the maven in fiction writing. I'm just now learning the difference between concept and idea, subplot and theme. It’s not the time to imitate my writerly friends and give advice. At this time I’m a sponge, sucking up all the information I can find.

So my first problem was that I didn’t know what to write about. 

If I were a fan of my novels, what would I want to find on my website? Maybe story progress, photos of settings, a bit about characters, some backstory. Funny stories about things that go bump in novel writing.

I’d love to do that in the future, but with my first novel in shambles due to the recent acquisition of plotting skills, I’m not ready to share that sort of thing. But I guess I can share what I’m learning. Hmmm, subject of the next post: plotting.

Finding the Time
Another problem is the horrendous amount of time some people spend writing/reading/commenting on blogs, tweeting, or otherwise cultivating their tribes. If I committed that much time to my platform, when would I have time to work on my novel?

I decided there was probably a place called “Platform Light” -- where I could keep it alive, post monthly so at least my family would keep reading, and then study some of those “Ten Ways to...” articles about increasing blog readership. So I dropped all but the three most useful: my Facebook author page, Twitter, and the website/blog.

Which leads me to those other problems I’m having...

I’ve spent more than a few hours pulling my hair out over services that collect e-mail addresses. They’re supposed to effortlessly disseminate my newsletters and blog posts using their mighty machines. I tried one free company, then another, and couldn't get either of them to work properly. The latest one delayed my posts by a full week. For my health website I used a fee service to do this and it worked brilliantly, but I paid them to be brilliant.

On a more basic level, I don’t like the entire idea of collecting e-mail addresses for a potential newsletter. Why can’t I just use my blog, Twitter, and Facebook to make announcements? Is everyone on Facebook yet?

And the most frustrating problem of all: spam comments on my posts. For every legitimate comment posted I would get ten invitations to do all sorts of things I would never want to do, thank you. My local television station now requires Facebook sign-in to comment on their news stories. I'm thinking that might work for me, too.

Less Hermit, More Platform
So... I think I can potentially solve the problems with e-mails and comments just by turning my life over to Facebook. And I’ve simplified enough in other areas to make me feel comfortable enough with the process so I can spend more time being social.

The last problem, what to write, will resolve in due time. I haven’t fully engaged in the process for several months but I have made the decision to continue with the platform. That’s a big step from where I was just last week when I was willing to dump the whole mess just to relieve myself of the guilt.

What to do to instill these changes into my life? My first action will be to add Facebook comments to my website. While I’m there I can post something about my wild ride into plotting. And then I’m going to sort my three-inch stack of note cards into little piles on the floor and enter the good stuff into Scrivener. 

Less hermit, more platform.

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Stevie Libra only recently began taking the craft of fiction seriously — acknowledging the existence of stories inside that wanted to find expression on paper. In 2011, at the age of 60, her first story came to be written. Now she has four to play with. She and her husband live in Columbia, SC, with the best of family nearby. Along with attempting to keep up a platform and plotting novels, Stevie is on staff to a ginger-colored feline. You can find her at www.StevieLibra.com, on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/StevieLibra.9), or twitter as StevieLibra.

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Follow Not Bob on Twitter @robertleebrewer

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Check out previous Not Bob posts below:

• Create an editorial calendar. 
• Helping other writers is key.
• Like an online writing conference.

Helping Other Writers Is Key (Amy Freeman guest post)

I joined the Platform Challenge late, but once I committed, I learned mucho. I began with the basic instruction. I created a Blog, made Facebook pages, and joined Twitter (which up until then I swore I would never do…didn’t see its value until Robert’s challenge). I also joined Google +, Tumblr and eventually LinkedIn.

I sent out messages and invites to friend and acquaintances. My stats grew--mostly friends and family. But I wasn’t getting the connection I wanted. After mulling it over a bit I asked myself “What would make me want to join or follow a website? What would grab my attention?”

The answer was--something that might give me exposure as well.

Back Scratching

I posted a thread to LinkedIn--a “you scratch my back I’ll scratch yours” invite. I immediately received responses, people wanting to swap blogs, pages and websites from all over the globe--from Australia to Russia, from the U.S. to the Middle East.

I then took it one step further creating “Write Addicts,” a page specifically designed to promote any writer’s work. Each person who connected with me received an offer to have their work promoted on this new writer’s page. Not a single person rejected this offer. Why would they? 

The upside for me? A global collection of writers knowing who I am. I am not just a nameless clicked “follow” button on Twitter, or a random checked “Like” on Facebook. These people know my name. Many have reciprocated, extending me guest blog opportunities and interview spots. I have made new friends in the writing world.

Great Karma

The best part is gaining exposure while helping other writers like myself. The literary world is tough. Reaching out and supporting one another in this flooded and competitive field is so crucial. If you can lift your own stats and help someone else at the same time--well that’s just great Karma, right?

These actions took only moments on my part and each participant was so grateful. I have learned that successful social networking is two-sided. I received back what I was willing to give, and so far it is a gift that keeps on giving!

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Amy Freeman lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and 10-year-old son. She has four other children and one grandchild--all of which live too far away! She's active in several writing and critique groups, has won some local awards, and recently published an article in a global religious magazine. Amy's first novel comes out this spring. Learn more at her blog http://vedunywriter.blogspot.com or send her an e-mail.


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Follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer

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Check out previous Not Bob posts below:

• Living Outside of Your Comfort Zone.
• Why I Give Back to Writers.
• Finding the Courage to Go For It.

Living Outside of Your Comfort Zone (guest post Kelly Williamson)

It is with the utmost clarity that I recall the moment my junior-year English teacher asked me to see her after class.  I was certain I had messed something up, missed a due date, failed miserably at reciting my memorized poem with any degree of style.  My heart was racing; I hate confrontation, still do to this day.  The words she uttered were not even close to what I expected.

"Do you have any idea how talented you are? This piece is one of the best I've read since I started teaching high school.  This could be your direction, your future."

Talk about being taken off guard.  I was flattered, though I didn't follow that path. I went into education, a decision I will never regret.  At times throughout my life, however, I have wondered what would have happened if I had taken her advice, had become a writer right off the bat. 

Reflecting on a Ship That Sailed
I assumed that, because I did not go to school for writing, that I was simply reflecting on a ship that had sailed for me.  That is, until I participated in last April's Platform Challenge, run by Robert Lee Brewer.  The challenge consisted of daily tasks, all of which would help writers build their platforms; get their author brand out into the world.

Just a few months before this challenge, I had started blogging about a difficult situation in my life, largely because it was helping me process the unimaginable.  That's when I started to think that perhaps, one day, I could write a book about all of it and somehow make a difference.  It seemed farfetched and lofty, but it was a thought.  

I don't even recall how I found Robert's challenge, but as I looked into it, I learned that an aspiring author is advised to build a platform to help readers to get to know you and your writing, and that it can help you sell a manuscript or land an agent.  A platform can help you to become a known entity in the world of writing.  I read more about the challenge, and I did hesitate.  I am really a quiet person by nature, and I have never believed my writing to be much more than really great for a high school junior; never expected to have an audience beyond my own friends and family. 

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Break Outside Your Comfort Zone: Write Copy!

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Jumping Outside the Comfort Zone
I was driven by my topic, though, and I took a leap of faith, jumping into it with an open mind, even though doing so was entirely outside of my comfort zone.   Before the challenge, only family and friends were aware of and read my blog, and that felt safe.  Through the platform challenge, I was taking real-life steps to expose my writing to many more people, strangers and experienced writers.  I was on guard, and I was gearing up for constructive criticism in an area where I didn't have much confidence in the first place.

The opposite happened, however, and I gained amazing things as the challenge progressed.  I was connecting with new people and writing resources, getting positive feedback about my writing, and building enough confidence to provide feedback to others.  By the end of the challenge, I had grown by leaps and bounds, not only as a writer, but as a person.

As the challenge ended, I reflected a lot on the experiences and lessons of the month previous, and I was able to recognize my biggest take-away:  Living outside of my comfort zone, though scary, opens doors.  I started living a little more openly, with more confidence, and outside of what felt safe.  I had no idea how much it would change my life.

Living Outside That Zone
This past Christmas, one much better than our last sorrow-filled Christmas, my daughter bought me tickets to see Daughtry and 3 Doors Down.  I am a huge music fan, and Daughtry is one of my favorites.  I, in turn, bought us a VIP package to meet the bands.  As the concert approached, I started paying a little more attention to Chris Daughtry on Twitter, getting excited for the show, and I saw that he was just completing a fitness challenge with trainer Jen Hendershott.  This caught my interest.  One thing I had let go when tragedy struck my family was my health and fitness.

The concert came, we met the bands, and I actually struck up a little conversation with Chris about his challenge; another bold move on my part.  I followed that up with an e-mail to his trainer, asking about advice for getting back to a healthier fitness level.  I wanted to find a positive outlet to better heal on the inside, while also taking care of my body in a healthier way. We came up with a great plan, and my new fitness challenge blog was born.  It was a whirlwind, and I recall thinking "Is this really happening?  Did I just sign on to be trained by a fitness champion, and hold myself accountable on a blog?" 

Yes, that really happened, and then some.  Not only did I find a positive way to heal and a friend to guide me through it, but I also signed a publishing contract to write that memoir, the one I dreamed could maybe make a difference. 

My dreams have become my reality, and it never would have happened if I hadn't stepped outside of my comfort zone and followed Robert's advice.  I will forever be grateful for this experience and the lifelong affect it has had on my life.

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Kelly Williamson is an Assistant Principal and writer who lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children.  She has written short stories, personal essays, and is currently working on a memoir that depicts the tragic situation her family found itself in just over a year ago.  As she works to move on, Kelly has a strong will to use her writing as a way to help others in similarly difficult situations.   Digging deep to find strength, she has begun to redirect her focus on the many positive things in life, including her writing, her loving family, and her desire to live a healthier, more active lifestyle. You can connect with Kelly on Facebook, Twitter, and her two blogs: www.kellyannwilliamson.blogspot.com and www.journeywithjenh.blogspot.com.

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Follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer

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Also, check out other previous Not Bob posts:

• How to Build (or Improve) Your Writer Platform in 30 Days.
• Why I Give Back to Writers.
• The Importance of Word Play.

Like an Online Writing Conference (guest post Linda G. Hatton)

Before April 2012, I had reached a point in my writing path when I was considering attending a writing conference. A couple of factors changed my mind about going through with it. Mainly, my schedule was overloaded with my kids’ activities and I wanted to be sure my writing skills were advanced enough before spending the money.

Still, I craved a networking opportunity. I also wanted the knowledge I would gain from attending a conference: tips on publishing, platform building, and querying, to name a few.

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Attend the best writing conferences!

The best writing conferences on the east and west coast are hosted by Writer's Digest. They include boot camps, breakout panels, and the super popular pitch slam event. Learn more.

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Platform Challenge
So when April came around, hoping to gain some of this education, I decided to participate in Robert Lee Brewer’s Platform Challenge. I went places I never imagined, all from the comfort of my kid-activity-monopolized lifestyle.

His challenge included such activities as joining a handful of social networking sites, some of which I had previously avoided: Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Participants were also asked to start a blog or spruce it up if they already had one. Other exercises included creating an editorial calendar, commenting on other blogs, pitching at least one guest post blog to another blog owner, and contacting an expert for an interview post.

I was more successful at some of the assignments than others. For instance, I still haven’t perfected the art of my own editorial calendar, though I am determined to eventually find a method that works best for my style of writing (“seat of my pants”).

Since I had already signed up for Facebook, I could breathe on that day.

I fumbled around on Twitter during the challenge and can say that, one year later, I am actually beginning to enjoy it and I now regularly participate in Twitter chats.

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Make Money With Twitter

Learn how Twitter can lead to more than just followers...it can lead to an extra source of income. In the OnDemand webinar, Using Twitter to Boost Your Writing Income, Tim Beyers explains the importance of building community, engaging your audience, building sources of income, and more. Click to continue.

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Take the Challenge
If you haven’t yet participated in the challenge, pick a month to commit to working through the assignments on a daily basis. At the end of the month, focus on your “weaker” areas or tasks you haven’t completed, easing your way in if you have to. As an example, it’s easier to pitch a guest blog post to a friend, but once you’ve accomplished that, move on to pitching to blog owners you don’t know personally.

One of the best parts about participating is the group of supportive and helpful writer friends I have made, most of whom now congregate as a community under the name Wordsmith Studio. I can’t imagine I would have gained such a supportive system from networking over just a few days.

Overall, participating in Robert’s challenge was the best thing for me. It not only helped me to build my confidence as a writer, but also taught me some very handy skills in marketing myself. Most importantly, it helped me to come out of my shell of shyness, so that when I do actually make it to a writing conference, I think I will be better prepared to network in person

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Linda G. Hatton spends her days writing—poetry, novels, screenplays, web codes, or notes to her children. Otherwise she gets a little cranky. Read more about Linda at her writer website. Also, check out her online literary publication, Mouse Tales Press.

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Follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer

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Also, check out previous Not Bob posts:

• 3 SEO Myths That Scare Writers. 
• Best Blogs for Writers to Read in 2013.
• 3 Ways to Make Your Own Luck.

 

3 SEO Myths That Scare Writers (And How You Can Use Them to Your Advantage)

This guest post is by Alexis Grant, an entrepreneurial writer and digital strategist. To learn more SEO tactics, check out her upcoming free webinar, Easy SEO Tips for Bloggers.

Creative writers often avoid search engine optimization, for two reasons:

1. We’re intimidated by SEO because we don’t really understand it 
2. We think using SEO in our writing forces us to be Iess creative

But the truth is, SEO can only help your career as a writer. By adding this tool to your arsenal, you’ll get more search traffic to your work -- which means more eyes, more opportunities and even more money. In other words, there are a lot of reasons why writers should care about SEO.

Here are three myths about SEO that scare writers into not optimizing their work:

Myth #1: SEO is complicated

Sure, if you wanted to learn every little detail about how SEO works, you’d have a lot to learn. But the truth is, there’s no need to dig down into the nitty-gritty tactics that will make your brain explode. Instead, you can benefit in a big way just from understanding and implementing a few simple strategies.

While SEO might sound like a daunting acronym, it actually favors the laymans’ language. Think about which of these terms you’re more likely to type into Google:

• How to write a press release
• Components of media package for maximum exposure

You chose the top one, right? That’s how most other people use search, too. And the terms those people are typing into Google are the ones you want to use in your writing.

Writing in layman’s terms benefits you two-fold, because if you’re writing for online readers you don’t want your voice to be stiff and formal anyhow. Writing in a conversational voice helps readers relate to you and helps Google showcase your work at the same time.

Myth #2: You have to write with SEO in mind

Yack. I can hear you sighing already. Who wants to think about SEO while writing? Doesn’t it ruin the creative process?

But you actually shouldn’t write with SEO in mind. Music to your ears, right?

Instead, write like you always write, and then go back later and look for ways to optimize for search traffic. The easiest way to do this is by scanning your work to make sure you’ve included smart keywords in these places:

• Your headline
• Your first paragraph
• Your subheads (also make sure you have subheads -- not only does Google like them, they also make it easier for readers to quickly scan your work)
• Anchor text for keywords (rather than making click here your link, link keywords that relate to the link)

This might seem like a lot of effort, but once you get it down, you’ll be able to look at something you’ve written and spend only a few minutes optimizing for SEO. For my own work and blogs I edit, I spend the most time on headlines. Why? Because not only are keywords in your headline important for SEO, headlines are also your way of enticing people to click on the post. That phrase is your one chance to reel in each reader, so it’d better be good.

Myth #3: You have to put a ton of effort into identifying the right keywords

Who has time for that? What we want to be doing is writing, right?

While you can spend a lot of time on keyword research, using tools like Google Trends to help you figure the best keywords for your topic, it’s absolutely not necessary. Instead, take five minutes and just use your brain. (You could also read this post Robert wrote on keywords for writers.)

What would YOU type into Google if you were trying to find the article you just wrote? How would you describe whatever you’re looking for in layman’s terms? Who, exactly, is your target audience?

Try to look at your post like the reader would. For example, if you’re writing for writers, make sure the word “writers” is in your headline. But if you’re writing a post about dogs that you’re hoping pet owners will read, don’t include “pet owners” in your headline because most people wouldn’t type that into Google. Instead, include the keyword your target audience would use to search for that information on Google; in this case, that’s probably something like “dogs” or “pets.”

Using the right keywords in your headline won’t only help you rank high in Google results, it will also help readers find your post, quickly understand what it’s about and, most importantly, click on it.

Yes, it will help humans find and click on your work. Because that’s what this is really about. Sure, you’re optimizing for Google, but you’re really optimizing for people. You’re helping people find you. And the more people who find and read your writing, the better.

This guest post is by Alexis Grant, an entrepreneurial writer and digital strategist. To learn more SEO tactics, check out her upcoming free webinar, Easy SEO Tips for Bloggers.

Ignoring One's Calling (Part 2)

Here's the conclusion of the story started by Amanda M. Socci, the Creative Idea Gal, last week. Click here to read the earlier post.

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Age 29: Finding Success with another Career Change

Amanda M. Socci

I struggled finding a suitable career, until magic happened in July 2001.  Out of the blue, with no discernible trail, I received a call from a headhunter who had picked out my resume after seeing the words “law” and “marketing.”  To say that I was floored is an understatement.  That afternoon, pretty much in a drunken haze of disbelief, I went to the interview and got the job.

For 5 ½ years, I worked as a technical writer supporting the United States Patent and Trademark Office solely based on my credentials as a law school graduate and for having self-published “Consumers Everywhere.”  Despite not having a stitch of experience in information technology, I worked hard and earned myself a reputation as a strong and thorough worker.

Those 5 ½ years were heaven, but they still didn’t fulfill my soul creatively.  I basically ignored my calling to write, again, by focusing on my new career in information technology while building upon two original ideas that I came up with: Amanda’s Ideas, LLC and Amanda’s Charities, LLC. 

I founded two businesses to sell two distinct services: creative services including story-writing, sewing quilts, and making diaper creations, and charity services: to be hired by businesses that wanted me to execute small-scale charitable programs.

After devoting thousands of dollars and tireless energy to those efforts, can you guess what type of success I enjoyed for being a business owner with an original concept? You guessed it - - goose egg success.  Thankfully, God already had other plans lined up for me, so I ended up drowning my business sorrows in my next calling as a mother, but still not a writer.

Age 34: Motherhood and Leadership Stints

I had my oldest daughter in 2006 and rightfully began focusing all efforts on her.  During this time, I became domestic, turning moments of free time into cleaning, cooking, and shopping time.  On a lark, I found a perfect telecommuting job doing freelance writing of hotel descriptions, but that lasted only a short time.

It was hard finding telecommuting writing jobs, so I gave up. Once again, I turned to new career choices to prove to myself that I could easily get a job that paid quick money and didn’t have the uncertainties of writing. To support this bright theory, I turned to a leadership role in charge of a group of ladies with a religious organization as well as a sales representative gig with AVON.

If you could peek into my life and see how many hours of training, learning, and dedicated work I logged into both of these projects, you would officially dismiss me as stupid, and I would have to agree.  I was so enthusiastic to do everything else that didn’t involve writing, thinking naively that I could propel my career to new heights selling $2.99 lipgloss.  Fortunately, that treadmill of doom ended abruptly in the summer of 2010, when I learned I was expecting my second daughter.

I experienced the worst morning sickness I could possibly endure. Yet, miraculously, I found a telecommuting job writing high school sports features.  Once again, that stint was short-lived.  Right after my second daughter was born in 2011, my oldest was suddenly getting ready for kindergarten, so all gears shifted towards school preparation while now trying to balance two squirmy girls.

My daughter’s kindergarten school year began beautifully. I put my over-achiever hat on while volunteering to be the troop leader for my daughter’s Girl Scout troop.  I also helped my husband chair the chess student group.  I was very busy, even overwhelmed. I was working non-stop and sick all the time from exhaustion.

Little did I know my break-neck pace was catching up to me and preparing me for the big reveal.

Age 40: WTF are you doing?

I continued working hard as a Girl Scout leader right up until February 2012. I had already planned so many activities for the girls, but I was annoyed because the parents were not responding in a way that I wanted them to.  I got mad.  Really mad.  The pressure had been building up for a while and I was fed up with having sacrificed quality time with my family for a bunch of unappreciative people.

It seemed that God had made these circumstances so unbearable for me, that I would have no choice but to quit.  In February 2012 I abruptly quit my leadership role with the Girl Scouts. The way that things happened was so violent, that I felt as if a strong arm had grabbed me by the shirt with brute force and pushed me backwards. I crashed into a brick wall, and like the silly cartoons we watch with our kids, I saw a little circle of stars and birds flying around my head.  What just happened?

That day, God spoke to me, but it wasn’t the gentle calling I had experienced for most of my life. These were words and actions spoofed by the dude with the floppy hair in Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” video, where he scolds the boy and asks “what are you gonna do with your life?”  Except, it wasn’t the dude, but God himself telling me in his own way what I should be doing with my life.

If that experience didn’t cut through my thick head that I should stop playing around with fly-by-night career choices and buckle down to what I was meant to do, then nothing would.  From that moment forward, I quit my nonsensical thinking cold turkey and opened up the curtains to a bright future as a freelance writer.

Not Going to Take It
I knew immediately what my first project would be.  I was going to start writing a book on faith hoping to inspire people with torrid tales of my embarrassing life dramas and uplifting endings couched in faith.  And I did, except I started off slowly by blogging my book on a local news site.

I also started hanging out on Twitter again, hoping to connect with writers.  Eventually, I found Robert Lee Brewer’s April Platform challenge for writers. My personal success within Robert’s challenge went beyond my expectations, as I never expected I’d make so many new wonderful supportive writer friends.

Today, I am no longer hearing that familiar calling in my life because I am living it. Because I have such an open mind about the possibilities of writing, I have improved my blogging, furthered my social media goals, made some pretty good connections, and have achieved the very thing I ran away from so many years ago - - the act of writing consistently.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned through all of this is to pay closer attention when I get that familiar feeling that I should be doing something.  God is not the same to all of us; he is what we make him out to be.  He will talk to all of us and drop hints about our calling in ways that are custom-tailored in our lives. 

For me, that calling happens to be writing. Although I felt that urge back when I was 10, I voluntarily ignored the urge and chased the mirage of success through non-writing work that only paid the bills, but left a void in my satisfaction thermometer.

After having sustained head injuries from being body slammed against the metaphoric brick wall and answering my life’s wake-up call in the positive, I am living proof that it is never too late to answer God’s calling.

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If you have something important you'd like to share on the Not Bob blog, please don't hesitate to contact me by e-mail at robertleebrewer@gmail.com with the subject line: Not Bob Guest Post. Please include an idea or two you have for a guest post, your credentials, and how you think it fits in with this blog. The more specific you can be the better.

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Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Plus, sign up for free e-mail updates from this blog in the top right-hand corner of the page.

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Check out these other helpful Not Bob posts:

• Develop a Slogan to Help Your Author Platform.
• How to Build (or Improve) Your Writer Platform in 30 Days.
• Best Blogs for Writers to Read in 2013.

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Create Your Writer Platform: The Key to Building an Audience, Selling More Books, and Finding Success as an Author
by Chuck Sambuchino

If you want a book that covers platform in all its variations, this is the title for you. Chuck Sambuchino is the author of humor titles such as How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack and Red Dog Blue Dog, but he's also behind Guide to Literary Agents and Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript. In other words, he's been there, done that, and lived to tell about it. Chuck covers social media, blogs, newsletters, public speaking, and more. Click the link above to check it out today.

What's Working for Your Platform? (Call for Submissions)

Last April, I led a challenge for writers interested in kick-starting their writer platforms. Each day, there was a new task to be done that day. After 30 days, writers had a better handle on their platform-building efforts (or at least that was the plan--and what I've been told). If you haven't yet, please start taking the platform challenge today as an independent study.

If you have taken the challenge (whether in April or later on independently), I'd love to hear from you about what's been working or not working over the past year for you. In April, I plan to share guest posts from Platform Challenge veterans about their specific accomplishments and obstacles.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I'd love to hear everything. And the posts don't have to specifically call out the challenge. Rather, I (and I have a feeling Not Bob readers) want to know specifically what's working for you, why you think that is, and how others might be able to duplicate it. Or what's not working for you, why you think that is, and then maybe we can get comments from readers.

My hope is that as a group we'll gain a few things from this exercise:

1. Learn something new. We should never quit trying to learn new things, and the best way to accomplish that is by sharing our collective knowledge.
2. Find inspiration. I've found over the years that the best way to spark new ideas is to look outward and then spin what I see around in my head. I'm inspired by the work of others.
3. Build community. Last April, community sprouted in various ways, including the very cool Wordsmith Studio. While it's great to continue strengthening that community, I'm sure this project will bring in new faces as well.
4. Increase traffic. Guest posting is a great way to increase traffic and find new readers. This is a great opportunity to attract new readership.
5. Strengthen our platforms. Every small step forward, every post, every new connection, every bridge built--it all helps strengthen our writing careers. Here's a mantra: Don't burn bridges, build them.

How to Participate
This is the easy part. To participate, please just send me an e-mail at robertleebrewer@gmail.com with the subject line: Lessons Learned Guest Post. In your message, include the following information:

• One or two ideas for what you might share or cover in your guest post. Don't be afraid to throw out some crazy ideas. Relate it to your personal experience but remember that your experience should help others (that is, not just a self-serving post).
• Your name, e-mail, URL to website and/or blog. This information often goes missing when I make these requests. Crazy, I know, but true.
• Brief note about yourself. Don't worry if you have very little experience and don't try to over-inflate. I won't reject guest posts based on this note, but it does help me understand who you are and where you're coming from. Try to keep these notes down to 3 or 4 sentences in one paragraph--after your guest post idea(s).

What I Expect
I'm not sure how many people will participate, so I'm not sure how the posts will be distributed through the month (and/or if they'll continue into May and beyond). However, I do expect the posts to run around 300-800 words in length with an image or two (even if just a head shot of you).

Based off how many pitches I receive and when I receive them, we'll figure out deadlines. Some folks will surely be ready to go at the beginning of the month, while others will need more time. I'm flexible, and we'll shoot to have everything spread appropriately throughout the month.

This is a volunteer effort (on my end and yours), so don't put too much pressure on yourself (or others). The main thing is to be helpful, encouraging, and have fun with the process.

I hope you'll consider joining the effort!

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Check out these other Not Bob posts for writers:

• How to Build (or Improve) Your Writer Platform in 30 Days.
• How to Brand Yourself (and Take Over the World).
• The Newest Way to Make Money as a Writer: How to Make Digital Products That Sell.