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Last week, we had a great Hangout. You can still catch it here. We talked about building your platform starting with the basics: your website or blog. Today, you’ll find tips to make that website or blog look professional.
But first, let’s hear from Jeanie Jacobson about her progress building her platform from the ground up.

Jeanie is a fellow Wordsower and newly published author with a story appearing in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles Happen. Released February 4, 2014.

You can find at:

What are you working on this week? I’m learning how to put email sign up buttons on my blog and website. According to the video  tutorials, it’s a quick and easy task.

How is it going? Well…you’ll get a good idea from this piece of my last blog post: I started this blog last September by admitting I felt like Little Red Riding Hood wandering cyberspace with the Big Bad Blogging Wolf hot on my trail. I’ll be honest even though it’s embarrassing. That wolf is still breathing down my neck.
I need to set up an email sign-up form so nice people like you have access to my newsletters and fun insider stuff. It should be so easy to create, but I keep getting arrested by the techno-police.
At this moment I’m lost in cyber space on Planet MailChimp.
Danger Jeanie Jacobson! Danger!
MailChimp is owned by a conglomerate of out-of-work flying monkeys, bitter because the Wizard Of Oz was their last gig. To me their tutorials read something like:
“Link the snarfbladt with the poofathon utilizing the source code. However, if you plan to use a RSS feed, copy the 1st line of HTML into your rebakalator before dancing a jig in your pajamas. If that doesn’t work paste the last 3478 lines of code into the fizzmutter after pulling the flying giraffes from your doughnut maker.” Read Jeanie’s full post here.
What would you tell our readers who are reluctant to get started? Don’t let fear hold you back. Pursue the dreams God planted in your heart, no matter what your starting point is. I’m sharing my computer ineptitude publicly to encourage you. I’ll get better as I push forward. And so will you.
You’ll be hearing more from Jeanie as she shares her adventures in platform building.

As you build your platform, you want it all to look professional, starting with your blog/website. Remember, little things can add up to a great website experience. Here are 10 tips to keep you going in the right direction.
  1. Develop your tag line.This will help guide the direction of your website or blog. It’s that short sentence that tells the purpose of your content.
  2. Offer quality content. Be consistent, whether you post once a week or more. Start with what you know you can handle. You can always add extra posts.
  3. Make sure any links on your website open in new page, especially if these links are to another site away from your own. Check to make sure no links are broken.
  4. Add a picture to each post. Get permission to share and provide appropriate attribution when required. You don’t want people to randomly share your content that you worked so hard on, don’t share someone else’s even if it’s not the written word. There are lots of great places to find quality photos for free that are legal to use.
  5. If you have several pages, make sure tabs are easy to find so people can make their way around your website without frustration.
  6. Once you are on other social media sites, provide easy links to connect with you there.
  7. Have a professional photo to use for your publicity picture. The high resolution is important. What you start showing up on other places, they will ask for one. And you want to look professional.
  8. When you have books for sale, make it easy for people to find them for purchase. Also make a page about your writing, so people can decide whether they like your book right in the moment, before they leave your site and get distracted.
  9. Create an about/bio page. Readers want to know about you. Be authentic.
  10. Make your newsletter sign up easy to find. Best place, top right corner under your header.
Here are some great go-to websites with great information on building your online platform.
 Jeff Goines
Author Media
Michael Hyatt
Blogging Bistro
Next week, we’ll talk specifically about your newsletter. If you have a question you would like addressed leave a comment below.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it….make a goal of one  thing you can do to build your platform. And DO IT!
Now, do tell, what is your goal for the week?

If you want to connect with Jeanie, visit her website http://www.jeaniejacobson.com

Join us for our live hangout:
Pre-Published Author Platforms
February 6th at 10:15-11:15 am

 

~ ~ ~
Conference Sneak Peak
 Meet Gabriele Udele from Beacon Hill Press 
who will be presenting a workshop this year.

Gabriele Udele--Beacon Hill Press Editor

Wordsowers Writing Group is excited about Gabriele Udele presenting a workshop at our WordSowers Christian Writers Conference on March 1st. I first met Gabriele at the 2013 Heart of America Christian Writers Conference in Kansas City. She represented Beacon Hill Press, a publisher in business for over ninety years.

 
Lionhearted Kat: When did you begin work at Beacon Hill Press and what is your role there?
 
Gabriele:  I have worked at Beacon Hill two different times—from 1999-2004, and from 2013-present.  My title is Consumer Product Line Editor.  I am a content and acquisitions editor for Christian Living books.
 
Lionhearted Kat: What do you wish you’d known when you first started in your position?
 
Gabriele: I wish I’d learned the Chicago Manual of Style when I was in college! We used a different documentation style when I was in school.

Lionhearted Kat: See more of the interview and what Gabriele will share at the conference by reading LIONHEARTED KAT INTERVIEW 

You’re writing your first book and you want to be ahead in marketing when you approach a publisher or agent. You’re willing to jump in to social media, but it feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to start. I have a few suggestions to keep in mind as you start.

1. From the beginning, use the name you are writing under to name EVERYTHING to give it a streamlined look. Once you have an online identity, then every time you leave a comment, on a blog or on FB or Twitter, that comment will lead people back to you. Other bloggers will begin to recognize your name. You’re leaving breadcrumbs for people to follow right back to where you hang out.

2. Remember: you cannot do everything. You simply don’t have enough time. Don’t spread the time you have too thin. It’s better to be great at 2 or 3 than mediocre at a dozen or to start something and leave it unattended. Choose wisely. But do keep a list of all the ideas and links you run across – for possible use later.

3. Remember: one size does not fit all. Not everything works for everybody. And even if you are determined to use what another author uses, you need to MAKE IT YOUR OWN. Put your own twist and personality into it. Ask the questions in #5 to help you determine which ones will fit you best.

4. Start with JUST the basics: Facebook (I think google+ is also a great basic) and a website. By limiting how many you start with, you allow yourself plenty of time to become proficient at one thing before moving on to others.

5. Ask critical questions to help determine other social media involvement:

  • Where are you active already as a consumer or an
    author?
  • What are you comfortable with? If twitter  isn’t your thing – it can wait till later – see if you really need the headache of learning it. If you don’t do photography, then Flickr may not be for you.
  • Who is your target audience (genre/age)?
  • How much time do you have?
  • What is your brand/purpose/message?
Give yourself an edge as you head toward publication. Whether traditionally or indie published, you need an audience to read your book. Get ahead of the marketing by starting early. Avoid being overwhelmed by keeping it simple.
Action:
If you have a blog, leave the address in the comments below. Then visit someone else’s blog listed in the comments below or on the members page tab.
Are you already active in social media?

If not, what is your greatest deterrent?

Next week-Thursday, January 30 at 10:15am- we are hosting a panel discussion all about blogging and websites for beginners on a Google+ hangout. You can join us live or we will be recording for those who can’t join us. If you have a question you would like answered, leave it in the comments section below.
photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net //isophere
I have a confession. I don’t usually buy fiction at full price. I go to the library, look at garage sales, or borrow from a friend. If it touches my life in some way or I know the author I might invest in a brand new copy.
The other day, however, when I was in the mood for a good book I visited the bookstore. After reading a ton of book blurbs, they all started sounding alike. I defaulted to an author I was familiar with and whom I knew wrote quality stories.
Familiarity with your name influences the purchase of your book. The more places you get you and your writing in front of people, the more likely people will pause when they see a book with your name on it. And buy it.

Getting in front of potential readers is something you can do now. Well before the contract. Here are 5 ideas for building familiarity:

1.      Interact with potential readers and influencers on social media
2.      Write (articles, devotionals and stories) in offline markets
3.      Guest post on other blogs
4.      Write an ebook/PDF download to offer as free content
5.      Do reviews for others and post them
Action: Visit the social media sights of 3 of your favorite authors. Take note of what they are doing. Which of these things look like they would fit with your purpose?
When you go to the bookstore or library to find a good book, how much do each of the following affect your choice? Book cover? Back blurb? Author familiarity?
McConaughey lost 40 pounds to play the role of a man with AIDS.
Probably I won’t see many of the films up for the Golden Globe Awards, but I kinda watched the presentations on Sunday evening.
Several of the stars I wanted to win, like Tom Hanks for “Captain Phillips,” were left sitting on their chairs, instead of racing to the platform. But when Matthew McConaughey’s name rang out, I watched him.
Wow, his first major award. He looked like a little kid receiving his first bicycle. But what stood out to me the most is the opening of his acceptance speech.
Of the film McConaughey said “This film took 20 years to get made. People declined to make it 86 times. We got together with a group of people who laid skin on the ground. That was one thing. A year later, it’s living. It’s very present. And I’m standing up here with a Golden Globe. That’s incredibly rewarding.”
When any of our writers talk about rejection, we need to read McConaughey’s statement again.
THIS FILM TOOK TWENTY YEARS TO GET MADE.
PEOPLE DECLINED TO MAKE IT 86 TIMES.
 I’m printing the above and pasting it to my desk. I know we are looking at the years to produce a film, but what about our years in publishing a book—I’m glad McConaughey shared that information, it’s a great reminder of the dedication of writers, producers and the actors, too.
Why start now?I don’t even have a book written.

Whether you self-publish or publish traditionally, you need an audience to read your book. That’s what building a platform is all about. For the most effective book launch, you want that audience built ahead of time.

When approaching publishers and agents, that is one key element they will look for.

For myself, involvement with social media was limited prior to my contract and the learning curve for building a platform took away from actual connection time with people as well as creative time to write my content.

How do I start without getting overwhelmed?
  • Keep it simple.Choose one social media venue at a time. Take time to learn the ins and outs before you add more.
  • Supply quality content, one blog post at a time. Don’t worry about offering the same amount of content as an established blogger. But keep your promises. If you promise to blog once a month or once a week, do so. People don’t like to follow links to dead ends. They want to discover what you do. Show them.
  • Focus on making connections. How would you connect face to face? Keep it real in your interactions. Be helpful, not just self-promotional. Visit other blogs and Facebook pages and comment. Join online writing groups and participate.
Think of everything you do online as a piece of the puzzle. You are building your reputation or brand as a writer. Your brand is what people come to expect from you. What you write about, how you write about it and what you do with it.
Action: Do you have a FB fan page? If not, start one (link back to previous FB article). This is a great place to learn how to interact with your audience. And if you’re not ready to start posting on a regular basis to a blog or feel overwhelmed at the thought, this is perfect. You can still share content – in bit size pieces.

Here are two previous posts about using Facebook to help you get started: Building a Platform Part 1  and  Building a Platform Part 2

I first met Troy Griepentrog two years ago at the Heart of America Christian Writers Conference (HACWN) in Overland Park, Kansas where he represented Focus on the Family.

In a ten minute interview we talked about a story I’d written. Troy listened intently. Smiled often. Commented on a few ideas of mine—I left the interview feeling I’d met a new friend. Later at lunch we talked a bit about Colorado Springs.
This year Troy again represented Focus at the HACWN conference. He told me he doesn’t have a facebook—but he does browse there once in awhile to check out what is happening around him. Several things I learned about Troy in our short meetings. He has a great sense of humor, he constantly encourages writers, and he loves the Lord. He looks young—in reality he is Grandpa Troy.
Lionhearted Kat: You work for Focus on the Family publications, what is your position?

Troy: I’m a senior associate editor of Thriving Family magazine, and I edit marriage topics primarily.

For the full story see:  Interview and Reviews

A new interview on the interview and reviews page. 
Unfortunately, I didn’t meet Gloria Penwell at the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference when her husband Dan encouraged me to publish my book. But because of mutual friendships and Lee Warren working with her at CLASSeminars, we’ve now connected.
I’ve posted an interview with Gloria—take time to read it. She has been around the CBA market for a number of years and is full of wisdom.
Still Lionhearted, Kat
 
 
Continued notes from Kat from the Q and A panel:
When our Q and A panel received questions from those attending WordSowers meeting in November, most people didn’t put their name on them. Jeanie added her name, and even if she didn’t, we know about her contract with “Chicken Soup” and applaud her tenacity—
The sign on my desk says,
If you don’t submit, you can’t sell.
Jeanie’note-question:
 “My story will be in an upcoming Chicken Soup book.
Is there a protocol for promoting that without being pushy?
I currently have a (new) website, (new) blog, (new) author’s
facebook page, and (new) twitter account.”
We need to do more than applaud Jeanie’s sale—she’s moved ahead in building the blog, getting her facebook up and going and is on twitter. Yahoo, Jeanie. Great job.
Is there a non-pushy way to promote your book? Any book?
With “Chicken Soup books” you are paid for the manuscript and given 10 free books. What you do with the book from there is up to you. Of course, the publisher hopes that every author will sell books for them, but how?
In my case, I waited years to be accepted by “Chicken Soup Finding Your Faith.” I might not have promoted the book, but when I spoke in the northwest this summer, offering books after my presentation worked well.
How would I share a compilation if I didn’t speak? In the beginning—maybe 2005, I held book events at Parables, Divine Truth, Borders and Barnes and Nobles. Did I make any more money? No, but I connected with managers in each bookstore. When I did self-publish my book, those same managers allowed me to hold more book events and even carried my book in their stores.
When I sold any compilation in a church setting or to family and friends, I bought the books at half price—sold them for list price.
I didn’t quit my day job. This isn’t a huge money maker, but you begin to build your platform and your portfolio.
Angela Meyer held a book launch party when her book “Hope Starts Here” published. Why not hold a book launch party with “Chicken Soup?” Yes, it’s lots of work, but if your book is published in January or February, everyone needs a reason to celebrate and you will start building your audience for the future. Invite family, friends and ask them to invite more people. Most of them want to celebrate a new publication—get the word out, Jeanie Jacobsen, you are an author.

Check out the Book Reviews and Author interviews. This is the latest release by author, Karen Kingsbury.

Review by Kat Crawford
Fifteen Minutes is available to purchase from Amazon.com. 
Note: I received this book as part of the Fifteen Minutes blog tour from Fiction Addict. I received no compensation for this review and only received a copy of the book for review purposes.  
Review copy provided by the publisher.
When I read John Kings’ description of finding names for book characters, I flipped in my Bible to the Genesis passage where God gave Adam the “naming” task.
“There were around 70 main characters in Centennial, and to find names that sounded appropriate for the parts they played, as well as being in keeping with their family origins and their time in history, was an important and pleasurable part of our research, rather like a game of literary Scrabble.”
“Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.” Genesis 2:19 (niv)
The Bible doesn’t say Adam whined. There is nothing recorded that says, “But God, I’ve never named anyone before.” No, Adam named every living creature and we know God continually said, “And it is good.”
Those helping Michener name the characters for Centennial didn’t whine, sometimes in their discussions they argued over what they believed a character might say or do, but mostly they enjoyed building the cast on paper.
What task has God given you? Maybe not naming animals or people, but if you complete the task without complaint will you hear the Lord say, “And it is good.”
Prayer: Our gracious father in heaven, help us to welcome with open arms whatever you call us to do for you. Amen
Here’s an exercise to get your creative juices flowing. Whether it turns into something you use or whether it’s simply stirring the pot, have some fun.
 Look at these pictures below (don’t think too hard). For each one, set your timer for five minutes and write fast and furious. No editing allowed as you go. Don’t correct yourself. Just write. ANYTHING that comes to mind.
For those of you who need a little prodding, there are a few questions below each picture that might help you get started.
Who is this man? Is he poor? Why?
What is he doing?
Is he hiding something?
 When is this picture?
Where is this train going?
Who is on the train?
 
 Where is this house?
Whose house is it?
What is going on inside this house?

After you have written you’re allotted time, go back and look at what you have written. Are there any nuggets there you can use – a short story, the start of a new novel or a scene you want to use somewhere?
If there is something worth keeping, you are now allowed to edit and “fix” your writing.

I would love to hear if any of you found a nugget worth keeping.

Writing prompt from the blog of Angela D. Meyer