30 Ways to Build Your Writer Platform

By on January 25th, 2010

We already talked about what a writer platform is, but what does (or can) a platform actually consist of?

Your writing platform probably won’t look exactly like mine, and it won’t look like those of your colleagues necessarily. There are no tools or tactics that you must use, although there are some that are used more commonly than others. It’s up to you to choose the things you’re most comfortable with, which will also appeal to your own target market.

Here are some things that may work for you in building a writer platform:

  1. Setup a professional website and public portfolio
  2. Start a blog where you can demonstrate your authority in your niche or industry
  3. Conduct original research and publish the results (to again convey authority status)
  4. Give speeches at industry events or organizations
  5. Conduct seminars and / or webinars
  6. Offer a course or e-course (free or paid)
  7. Get published in trade or niche publications read by members of your target market
  8. Write and release e-books and / or reports
  9. Write a book (again related to your specialty area)
  10. Have op-eds or letters to the editor published in newspapers, magazines, or Web publications
  11. Take part in article marketing
  12. Comment on blogs or websites in your niche or industry
  13. Write guest posts for other blogs in your niche or industry (the more visibility the better)
  14. Setup your own virtual publicity tour (combining reviews, guest posts, interviews, etc. over a week or so)
  15. Write for a larger site, blog, or network regularly within your niche (by-lined work, and often paid)
  16. Solicit or make yourself available for interviews
  17. Release a white paper
  18. Start your own podcast series
  19. Create a video series or video blog (can be good for tutorials)
  20. Guest lecture at an educational institution
  21. Send pitch letters to targeted journalists, pitching a story concept and offering yourself as a source
  22. Actively take part in forums, social networks, or other online communities in your niche or industry
  23. Take part in joint promotions with others
  24. Publish (or allow others to publish) excerpts of longer books or e-books you’ve written
  25. Join professional organizations
  26. Create your own networking group or professional organization
  27. Build a following on microblogging services like Twitter
  28. Offer a print or email newsletter
  29. Offer related products (if you’re a health and fitness writer, for example, you may publish and sell–or give away–your own fitness calendar or training plan)
  30. Give away free stuff (freebies are a great way to give people a taste of your expertise and style, and they attract links and buzz)

Like I said, you don’t have to do all of these things. Everything in the list isn’t appropriate for every freelance writer out there. But there sure are a lot of options, aren’t there? How many do you currently use to your advantage? I find that even experienced freelance writers often don’t make use of many of the tools available to them. Are you doing enough? At a bare minimum, pick one thing from the list this week and start pursuing it. Yes, there’s some market planning to do (which we’ll cover also), but for now just narrow down your options and lay the framework (always keeping your target client base in mind of course).

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About Jennifer Mattern

Jenn is a professional blogger and freelance business writer. She has worked as a writer since 1999, and began blogging in 2004. She owns All Freelance Writing as well as several other sites and blogs covering indie publishing, social media, and small business. She expects to release her first book for freelance writers, The Query-Free Freelancer, in 2012 and she is the author of the Web Writer's Guide e-book series.

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17 Responses to 30 Ways to Build Your Writer Platform

  1. » Get Free Stuff and Build a Writer Platform : All Freelance Writing

  2. Stephen Morgan says:

    Awesome post. Big fan of allfreelancewriting.com. I can’t wait to read more of your tips. Also, kudos to your web designer. I like the look.

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  4. Tim Burns says:

    Found you via Twitter. Thanks for your presence and resources.

    Tim

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  7. I love this list (bookmarked it)! I’m doing some of these things currently and intend to do many others. Plus, you have some ideas that I haven’t even considered yet. Thanks!

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  10. Veronica says:

    Great tips. I sure wish I could find time to get a blog going. I have a file on my desktop that I throw ideas into for everything from the design to content. I just don’t have time to do it right now. The guest blogging is very nice. I contacted someone for that and actually ended up as a contributor there now (http://www.noobpreneur.com)

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  12. Terez Howard says:

    This is one of my favorite posts. It has helped me to get on track and stay focused. This entire blog is such a valuable resource!

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  16. Jennifer Mattern says:

    I actually do my own designs when I go unique – just hire a coder. So thanks. :) And I’m glad you enjoy AFW!