Writer? Gather Followers...

Learning the writing biz challenges the best of us. So many routes, paths, forks to take, so few to guide. In fact, when it comes to guidance, in writing you need to follow your instincts as much as the advice of successful writers. When something works for one writer, that fact does not always transfer to another.

In fact, unless the writers share deep rooted similarities in their personality and approach to life and writing, I would venture to say what works for one probably won't work for the other. That being said, writing possesses at least one aspect I feel is universal - a willingness to expose yourself through a platform or defining stance on life.

My observations of people who 'make it', whether it be writing or other entrepreneurial adventures, shows they all take strong stands in some area of life or send strong messages on topics of interest. Without fail, these writers and business people alienate someone, somewhere.

Too many writers fear stepping on someone's toes or ticking people off. Too many of us feel constrained to not make waves when waves are the tickets we need to ride. Writers must gather a following. Just writing those words carry an undercurrent of negativity that pushes me away. Yet I know, and I surely hope any other writers out there know, a following is a must if you expect/hope/aspire to be a successful writer.

So how do we go about the business of gathering a following? Remember, these are my observations and who am I? I am a writer looking to gain a following. What am I doing? I am writing. Not only am I writing, I am tackling subjects that vex/perplex/frustrate/baffle me. I cannot be the only writer who struggles to find a following.

First, a writer must possess a voice. Few people follow silence. Hence - write. I know of no way to find your voice as a writer other than writing. You must sit down and key. You must also expose your writing to others. These statements appear elementary but in my experience, few writers get to this point. In the twenty first century, I can fathom no good excuse as valid for not at least getting out and blogging on a regular basis.

The idea of a 'platform' made a lot of noise a couple years ago and this concept remains powerful and true today. In fact, 'platform' is the trigger-word for this article. I know I need a platform - something I stand for, something people will associate with my name - in order to gather a following. Disjointed ramblings without plan and purpose make it difficult for masses to gather around and talk about your work.

Yes, I am sure there are exceptions to this, but a writer should work at establishing an identifiable theme or message in his/her writing. You do not have to limit yourself solely to this platform you create, but you must consistently address it to gather and keep a following. Your platform will be a 'long-haul' concept, something you can write about for years to come. Some position that is not vanilla, not passive and not attempting to please everyone.

Writers tend to lean toward introspection and self-conscious thinking patterns. Writers tend to be timid socially. Then there are the writers who stand out and make noise. The writers who develop a platform and promote. Oops. I said it. "Promote." Writers must promote themselves to be successful. Writers must promote themselves to be successful.

Yes, I repeated that sentence. Why do we struggle so with promotion? Why do we appear to feel promotion is wrong? Let's identify this further with one word - self-promotion. Our issue is with that unspoken part of the hyphenation isn't it? If a writer MUST promote his writing, he must promote himself. We must toot our own horn. What's more, we must get others to do the same.

What egotists we are! Well... yes. Examine your motivations writers. You write because you have something to say and you feel others will identify with your words. I'm doing it at this moment. I know without doubt there are millions of writers who know what I'm speaking about here. I know there is a connectivity of thought and feelings. I know this because I have networked, spoken with hundreds of writers and found a strong vein of trepidation in this area of self-promotion.

My theory on why we (note I include myself...) struggle to promote ourselves while others are all over the Internet and magazines and bookshelves is that we lack 1) focus and 2) guts. The focus thing can be fixed with a solid platform and an action plan to launch this platform to the world. The guts grow from the development of this framework if you are not already in possession of the nerve to follow through.

Oh my God. There I went and did it. I revealed that writers must WORK at DEVELOPING a platform AND a delivery plan. If we don't fear self-promotion then often we don't desire the work aspect. I cannot tell you how many writers have told me all they want to do is write. Hell, me too! If a voice whispers in the forest and no one's around, does it make a sound? A splash? Anything?

Writers. Find your voice - write. Develop your platform - what is the touchstone subject you desire to write for years to come. Come up with an action plan and commit to it - work. Self-promote - get out there right now and expose the world to your writing, your mind, your heart, your passion. There has never been, in the history of mankind, a better, more opportune moment to be a writer than now. The entire world is accessible to everyone who wishes to take advantage. The only person who stops you sits behind the keyboard or pen and balks at taking the necessary steps.

Come on. Do it now. Step out, develop your platform, write online every day, submit work everywhere, write your book and self-promote. Toot your horn. Live the writing life. You can do it. Will you?