The 1%

I read an interesting article about blogging this weekend. In a nutshell, the things you shouldn't have on your blog. I agreed with 9 out of 10 of them, so guess what this post is going to be about. Yep. The one percent.

Lifehack had this to say about Blogrolls and Link Exchanges:

"If you must have a list of links of other blogs, move them to a separate page. Your sidebar should be reserved for the things you absolutely need your readers to see or do (and having them click away to someone else's site shouldn't be your priority)."

I'm thinking...Nah, not so much. I LOVE blogrolls on other peoples sites and here's why:

1. It opens up a world of new blogs for me to check out.

2. If I respect the blog I'm reading and they recommend another blog to me, I'm pretty sure I'm going to learn something new and valuable by checking them out.

3. It tells me information and helps me to get to know the author of the blog I'm reading by seeing what kind of tastes they have outside their own blog.
4. It's a great way for me to recommend sites I love to my readers.

5. Building a platform is oh-so-much-easier when you've got blogger buddies who advertise your site on theirs via a blogroll entry.

So, what about you? Agree or disagree? Are blogrolls a valuable tool or not?

One Plank At A Time

I've been asked to write for yet another blog. If I say yes, that will be my fifth. Which begs the question...how many blogs can she juggle, folks?

And that, once again, brings me back to platform. There's this whole numbers game that you must get your name in front of a prospective reader at least 7 times before they'll be familiar enough with you to buy your book.

But putting all your eggs in the blog basket probably isn't the best marketing strategy.

So I researched out some other platform ideas. Besides blogging/vlogging, here are alternate opportunities for you to consider...

ONLINE PLATFORMS

- Twitter

- Facebook

- Flickr

- Tumblr

- Goodreads

- Forums

IN-YOUR-FACE PLATFORMS

- Book Clubs

- Librarians (get to know them)

- Book store managers (get to know them, too)

- Women's groups

- Teach a community ed class

I'm not saying you have to do all these things. You'd never have time to write if you did. The point is to get yourself out there. Somewhere. And consistently. It's not like you have to win a popularity contest. You just need to be visible. Being visible sets you apart from the masses...which is a good thing when you're waving your latest release over your head.

But don't wait until you've got a new release, a contract in hand, or even finished your manuscript. It's never too soon to start. Authentic platforms take time.

Unless of course you're buddy buddy with Oprah.

APTAT

How many times have you heard writers need a platform? Just the thought of platform makes me throw up in my mouth a little...or maybe that gag reaction is because in effort to increase my platform, I've agreed to a speaking engagement.

I'm a lot of things. Mom. Author. Tutor. Wife. Daughter of a King. Not necessarily in that order, mind you. But one thing I'm not is a speaker. So why did I agree to talk for an entire weekend at a women's retreat?

Platform.

I figured it would increase my visibility and/or, more importantly, God's visibility...which is a tall order for someone who'd rather be shut in a room with a computer all day than rubbing elbows with the masses. And, quite frankly, I'm scared to death about it.

So last Sunday's sermon was a Godsend. Literally. I'm pretty sure someone whispered my dilemma to my pastor and he developed a message to deal with my fear. It's a great concept that can apply to any anxiety causing dilemma like finishing a manuscript, querying an agent, or meeting with a publisher.

Simply put, it's APTAT.

No, I'm not speaking in tongues or even in Klingon. It's an acronym. Feel free to use this handy-dandy bit of gibberish next time you're anxious about writing...or anything else, for that matter.

A = Admit

Admit to God that you're not up to the task. In fact, if left up to you, you'd fail at whatever you set your hands to. In my case, I need to admit to God that unless he goes to the podium with me, I'll probably pee my pants.

P = Pray

Ask God to help you. He is, after all, master of the universe. He's overqualified and willing to help you with any of your 'little' troubles. In my situation, I'm asking him to give me loads of creativity to help encourage the women I'll be speaking to.

T = Trust

Dig into the Bible and find a rock to plant your feet on. The whole book is full of promises to you. Do you believe them? Personally, I'm going with "Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

A = Act

This is where the rubber meets the road. I'll have to force my feet to cross over from audience member to the spotlight. What is it you need to act on? Parking your rear in a chair to finish that story? Stashing your pennies in a jar so you can attend a conference? Unless you act, you'll be stuck in limbo.

T = Thanks

Yes, you will have something to thank God for. He will act. He is faithful. Disclaimer: He might not act in the way you think He will. There's not always fireworks. In fact, on the outside, you might see nothing at all, or worse, disaster...as defined by you. God's always up to a gazillion things. He will use your actions for His purposes, and that's something to be thankful about.