Get Known FIRST – Then Write Your Book!

Did you know that one of the best ways to build your business is by writing a book?

Just look at Martha Stewart.

She started out as a caterer in a small town in Connecticut. Then one day she got the bright idea to write a book that offered recipes and tips for entertaining and party planning.

Her husband knew an important editor at a major publishing house in New York City and invited this editor to dinner so Martha could pitch her book.

It worked. The publisher loved the idea and bought the manuscript.

Once Martha Stewart became a published author, she was no longer “just” a caterer. Now she was a recognized expert in her field. Now she was a sought after speaker at book signings and other events.
The rest, as they say, is history.

Things have changed since Martha Stewart wrote and published that first book. Back then, a person like Martha could write a book and the book (and the publisher) would help catapault them to celebrity status. Nowadays, publishers tend to want someone to become a celebrity FIRST, then they can write a book. If people already know, like, and trust the author (a.k.a the celebrity) even BEFORE the book comes out, the publisher is taking less of a chance on this author/celebrity because many people will buy the book simply because this particular person wrote it. This is the reason so many celebrities (like Madonna) have turned to writing. They known publishers will be more than happy to buy their manuscripts.

So what can you do to make sure your book sells if your name is NOT Madonna or Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray, or any number of other people who became celebrities FIRST and then turned to writing?

Well, you can work at creating your own celebrity status of sorts.

This is called building “platform.”

Here are a dozen ways to start building platform even BEFORE you start writing your book:

1. Create a professional website and/or blog for your business.

2. Write articles for article directories.

3. Speak at professional events.

4. Write for other websites and blogs in your area(s) of expertise.

5. Create your own information products centered around your area(s) of expertise.

6. Teach workshops or classes in your area(s) of expertise.

7. Create joint ventures with other professionals who are more widely known that you are right now.

8. Write press releases to announce your new business ventures and distribute this releases through online distribution services and directly to local publications.

9. Write articles for professional publications that relate to your area of expertise. Try to get a regular column in at least one of these publications.

10. Start your own Internet Radio Show.

11. Create a press kit.

12. Develop a large mailing list with the names of people who are interested in buying your book.

Take the time to build platform even BEFORE you start writing your book, and even though your name may never be as widely recognized as Madonna’s or Martha Stewart’s, you will still be able to write your way to business success!