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Tag: Michael Hyatt

Writing a book before creating a platform is like cooking a banquet before we’ve created a guest list.
Photo courtesy of tiramisustudio @freedigitalphotos.net
We prepare the feast, throw open the doors to welcome everyone in, but nobody’s there.

We call into the void, “This is delicious. Come try a bite.”

Silence answers.
It’s the same with growing a following.
First we create a platform, then we can share the goodies…in this case, our work.

But how do we get our message heard in the midst of so many others

Micheal Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, addresses that in his book Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.
His statistics are so impressive they’d make Babe Ruth hang his head in shame. If he were still alive.
Michael’s stats include
  • One of the top three business blogs on the Internet with
  • 300,000+ monthly visitors and
  • 70,000 subscribers
  • 145,000 Twitter followers
  • 21,000 Facebook fans
  • A weekly podcast, This Is Your Life, consistently ranking in iTunes top ten
  • Approximately 278.4 kazillion book sale.

Since his platform started at zilch, it’s worth listening to his wisdom.

Disclaimer: These 5 steps are straight from Micheal Hyatt’s site. I am crediting Michael Hyatt. Mr. Hyatt, please hold back your legal people. Again, this is Michael Hyatt’s info. Highly abbreviated.

1. Start with wow.
2. Prepare to launch.
3. Build your home base.
4. Expand your reach.
5. Engage your tribe.


Obviously, he expands on and explains each step. But since I don’t want his legal team stalking me, head over to one of Michael’s sites to feast at his banquet.

Since I’m all about freebees, here’s a tasty one: Sign up to get his blog posts via e-mail and receive a FREE copy of his new e-book   Shave 10 Hours off Your Workweek.

Now on to

Jeanie’s Super-Secret Newbie No-No’s

man working laptop quiet whisper finger
Photo courtesy of graur razvan ionut @ freedigitalphotos.net


To recap what we’ve learned so far:

Week 1- Exclamation marks scream, “Newbie!”
Week 2- Annihilate Adverbs
Week 3- Eradicate empty words. Really just skip them. I’m very serious
Week 4- Use “Invisible” Words: said, ask, answer, and reply
Week 5- Run off Run-On Sentences
Week 6- Clear out Clichés
Week 7- Pass on Passive Voice
Week 8- Eliminate Empty Adjectives
Week 9- Reduce Redundancy
This week-
There, They’re, Their

Here’s one way for non-grammar nerds to subdue this potentially tricky trio.

  • “There” rhymes with “Where.” Where’s the dog? Over THERE.  OR Substitute “Here” for “There” and see if the sentence makes sense.
  • “They’re” is two words, THEY and ARE jammed together. Am I the only one working? No, THEY’RE going to help.
  • “Their” = Possession. The IRS (THE/IRS) thinks everything is THEIRS. THEIR bank accounts. THEIR car. THEIR houses…

Most new writers don’t realize incorrect use of these trouble triplets will send editors out of there minds. If they’re is a problem with your manuscript, their is a way to fix it. They’re is spell-check, but it won’t help you their. Try Grammar-girl. If there busy, look at Grammarly. There always willing to help folks out they’re.

Since we all need to move forward, my Current Lofty Goal (AKA something I need to do, but want to put off) Continue rewrites of my novel’s first draft.

What challenges do you face in your writing life? We at Wordsowers want to help. Connect with us here or on our Facebook page.

Great news: sign up for our free monthly newsletter to get help delivered straight to your inbox. It’s easy–the button is on the right side of this page, near the top.

 

www.angeladmeyer.com

Platform/Marketing Tip

Start now to work on your platform. Don’t wait until you “need” it. A platform takes a while to build. Start early so you don’t feel pressured to do it all at once. Find a pace that fits you and your life so you won’t burn out.

Building an author platform must be sustainable 
to avoid burnout. (Click to Tweet)

Writing Prompt

photo credit: Angela D. Meyer
  • Set your timer for 10 minutes.
  • Write as much of a story/scene as you can.
  • Do not edit.
Suggested Resource: Michael Hyatt
Do you have a question you would like answered?
Give more than you take from your readers.
Before you flag down people cruising the internet highway and redirect them to your website, Facebook page or some other social media, make sure you do have something to give your readers once they get there. And make sure it is worth their time.
In his new book Platform, Get Noticed in a Noisy World,Michael Hyatt emphasizes the importance of the wow factor.
You get one chance to make a first impression. You want to make that impression memorable. You want them to go out and tell all their friends to come.
Have you taken the time to develop the product (whether it’s a book, blog or something else) you are offering or are you settling for “good enough”?
It’s better and less costly in the long run to make it the best now rather than to go back and try and recapture those people who passed by and said it wasn’t valuable enough for them to stay. At the same time, don’t use this as an excuse to not start.
My lesson this week:
My main product is my book, but on my website, Facebook, and other social media I need more to offer  than my book to attract an audience(especially since this is a debut novel). 
 
While at times I may feel anxious about building my platform, I can’t rush to a place I’m not ready to be. I’ll be making some noise to wave down more traffic soon enough.
I highly recommend Michael Hyatt’s book. He has the proof that he knows what he’s doing. His audience is huge and it’s loyal. Me? I can only share what I am learning and point you to those who have gone before me.