Comments on: The Importance of Building Your Platform http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html Intentional Leadership Sun, 27 May 2012 13:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: CommDigest » Social Media Tools That Will Save You Time | Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-136707 CommDigest » Social Media Tools That Will Save You Time | Michael Hyatt Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:05:48 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-136707 [...] you are serious about building a platform, you must be actively engaged in social media. Whether it is Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, [...] [...] you are serious about building a platform, you must be actively engaged in social media. Whether it is Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, [...]

]]> By: My Current Social Media Tools | Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-136517 My Current Social Media Tools | Michael Hyatt Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:06:03 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-136517 [...] Life Plan, just for subscribing! You may also want to follow me on Twitter.If you are serious about building a platform, you must be actively engaged in social media. Whether it is Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, [...] [...] Life Plan, just for subscribing! You may also want to follow me on Twitter.If you are serious about building a platform, you must be actively engaged in social media. Whether it is Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, [...]

]]> By: Why Real Creativity Requires Significant Work, Part 2 http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-96778 Why Real Creativity Requires Significant Work, Part 2 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:24:08 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-96778 [...] in it, then wouldn’t you want to get the work out to as many people as possible?Today, it is more important than ever to have a “platform.” A few authors can succeed without one, but it is rare. And the [...] [...] in it, then wouldn’t you want to get the work out to as many people as possible?Today, it is more important than ever to have a “platform.” A few authors can succeed without one, but it is rare. And the [...]

]]> By: Christian Bookstore Managers are Also Publishing Consultants « Christian Book Shop Talk http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-77752 Christian Bookstore Managers are Also Publishing Consultants « Christian Book Shop Talk Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:42:02 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-77752 [...] Michael Hyatt, president and CEO of Thomas Nelson terms what I call profile as platform, arguing that you don’t need to have the CV of the above mentioned John Scribe (or the trophy wife), and he writes about it in this article you should continue reading… [...] [...] Michael Hyatt, president and CEO of Thomas Nelson terms what I call profile as platform, arguing that you don’t need to have the CV of the above mentioned John Scribe (or the trophy wife), and he writes about it in this article you should continue reading… [...]

]]> By: car http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-63207 car Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:08:28 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-63207 Hello! Hello!

]]> By: The value of building an author platform « TrueNorth Publishing Services http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-58042 The value of building an author platform « TrueNorth Publishing Services Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:32:35 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-58042 [...] Michael Hyatt is the Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers.  He suggests four ways: [...] [...] Michael Hyatt is the Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers.  He suggests four ways: [...]

]]> By: The importance of building an author platform « TrueNorth Publishing Services http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-57591 The importance of building an author platform « TrueNorth Publishing Services Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:51:36 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-57591 [...] Michael Hyatt is the Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers.  He suggests four ways: [...] [...] Michael Hyatt is the Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers.  He suggests four ways: [...]

]]> By: barbl http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-43773 barbl Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:03:28 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-43773 I believe an independent hit would be the equivalent to new hits, in other words new people visiting your site instead of your usual followers. I believe an independent hit would be the equivalent to new hits, in other words new people visiting your site instead of your usual followers.

]]> By: barbl http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-43769 barbl Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:55:11 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-43769 Thanks for the blog posts on this topic. You gave me a little push in the right direction. You see, I'd started a blog sharing all my research on the topic of my book and I have a growing following but I had neglected to also work on a blog for the genre of my book and that's middle grade children. After reading your posts I realized I needed to work on that area and so I've got that going now too. Thanks for helping me see my oversight! Thanks for the blog posts on this topic. You gave me a little push in the right direction. You see, I'd started a blog sharing all my research on the topic of my book and I have a growing following but I had neglected to also work on a blog for the genre of my book and that's middle grade children. After reading your posts I realized I needed to work on that area and so I've got that going now too. Thanks for helping me see my oversight!

]]> By: So You Can’t Seem to Land an Agent—Now What? http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-43158 So You Can’t Seem to Land an Agent—Now What? Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:17:25 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-43158 [...] Build your platform. By platform, I mean an audience—people who want to hear what you have to say. I can’t overemphasize how important this is. Getting your book into print will require a big investment on the part of your agent and publisher. Both will be looking for ways to insure their success and minimize their risk. If they know that you have already built an audience, they are much more likely to take you on. The good news is that it’s never been cheaper to build a platform. That’s not to say it’s easy. It’s not. But with blogs and other forms of social media, you can begin building a tribe of followers. Frankly, this is often as important as the book itself. You might want to start by reading two of my posts: How Can You Get Published If You Don’t Have a Platform? and The Importance of Building Your Platform. [...] [...] Build your platform. By platform, I mean an audience—people who want to hear what you have to say. I can’t overemphasize how important this is. Getting your book into print will require a big investment on the part of your agent and publisher. Both will be looking for ways to insure their success and minimize their risk. If they know that you have already built an audience, they are much more likely to take you on. The good news is that it’s never been cheaper to build a platform. That’s not to say it’s easy. It’s not. But with blogs and other forms of social media, you can begin building a tribe of followers. Frankly, this is often as important as the book itself. You might want to start by reading two of my posts: How Can You Get Published If You Don’t Have a Platform? and The Importance of Building Your Platform. [...]

]]> By: @BenjaminNeeley http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-41155 @BenjaminNeeley Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:37:25 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-41155 I googled, "how to build a platform," and only found carpentry instructions. This post was very helpful considering I have been wasting time building a deck. Live and learn. :) I googled, "how to build a platform," and only found carpentry instructions. This post was very helpful considering I have been wasting time building a deck. Live and learn. :)

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]]> By: Kevin Otter Scott http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30832 Kevin Otter Scott Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:00:46 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30832 I'm really questioning the effectiveness of Twitter for marketing. Yes, you can get 1,000 followers but do they read your tweets? If they do, will they act on your request = ultimately buy your book. I have 250+ followers (roughly half are good targets, the other half found me) and last week I had only three direct responses to about a dozen specific questions. Twitter is a venue for people to talk, not listen. I hope I'm wrong but that's my experience so far. I'm really questioning the effectiveness of Twitter for marketing. Yes, you can get 1,000 followers but do they read your tweets? If they do, will they act on your request = ultimately buy your book. I have 250+ followers (roughly half are good targets, the other half found me) and last week I had only three direct responses to about a dozen specific questions. Twitter is a venue for people to talk, not listen. I hope I'm wrong but that's my experience so far.

]]> By: sarah mae http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30314 sarah mae Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:01:40 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30314 Well, I have the platform...now I just need an agent... Oh, and well, a written book, not just the one in my head! @sarahmaeblogs Well, I have the platform…now I just need an agent…

Oh, and well, a written book, not just the one in my head!

@sarahmaeblogs

]]> By: Nicole Wick http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30311 Nicole Wick Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:53:05 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30311 Michael, This is a fantastic article. Thank you for putting such succinct, useful content on your blog. As for my platform, I am an avid user of twitter (I think we've exchanged a tweet or two) and facebook. In addition to social media I am also a blogger. Several times per week I post my original content and try to keep it as fresh as possible. I have also made an effort to expand my platform by including book reviews that include an author interview. I only select books I'm interested in reading from authors whose audience I believe would enjoy my work. These author features then draw new readers from that author's platform to my site. Finally, I also blog for two other sites in order to attract readers and build a tribe. The two blogs that I blog for (twice per week) are very, very well known and highly trafficked. Their readers have the shared passion that Seth writes about and are perfect fits for my growing platform. If anyone is interested in what blogs I'm referring to you can tweet me. Hope that helps someone! @nicolewick Michael, This is a fantastic article. Thank you for putting such succinct, useful content on your blog.

As for my platform, I am an avid user of twitter (I think we've exchanged a tweet or two) and facebook. In addition to social media I am also a blogger. Several times per week I post my original content and try to keep it as fresh as possible. I have also made an effort to expand my platform by including book reviews that include an author interview. I only select books I'm interested in reading from authors whose audience I believe would enjoy my work. These author features then draw new readers from that author's platform to my site.

Finally, I also blog for two other sites in order to attract readers and build a tribe. The two blogs that I blog for (twice per week) are very, very well known and highly trafficked. Their readers have the shared passion that Seth writes about and are perfect fits for my growing platform. If anyone is interested in what blogs I'm referring to you can tweet me.

Hope that helps someone!
@nicolewick

]]> By: Christopher Ryan http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30092 Christopher Ryan Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:12:15 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30092 Michael: Thanks for putting out this content. I know how time consuming it is and please know it is appreciated. I agree with you that this is great advice for someone who wants to get their story out. I'm wondering what your point of view is on how publishers can use social media to help the process of selling books and supporting writers. You write, "Publishers are not in business to make you famous. They have a lot on their plate, too. " But much of the effort that comes out of publishing on the marketing side is interruption based marketing. Huge amounts of time and energy are spent with traditional advertising, building silo like web sites, and pitching for placements. Yes authors have to write remarkable content. That is a given. But the social media side is something that you are expecting artists and authors to build in their spare time in addition to their art. Do you envision a time when you would expect that editors and marketers (from ceo down the line) also start tribe building to meet authors halfway? Do you think that there will be a time when editors and marketers who deal with a particular genre or writer would start tribe building in their spare time - in support of books that are published? Thanks for your time and efforts! @chrismingryan Michael:

Thanks for putting out this content. I know how time consuming it is and please know it is appreciated.

I agree with you that this is great advice for someone who wants to get their story out.

I'm wondering what your point of view is on how publishers can use social media to help the process of selling books and supporting writers.

You write, "Publishers are not in business to make you famous. They have a lot on their plate, too. "

But much of the effort that comes out of publishing on the marketing side is interruption based marketing. Huge amounts of time and energy are spent with traditional advertising, building silo like web sites, and pitching for placements.

Yes authors have to write remarkable content. That is a given. But the social media side is something that you are expecting artists and authors to build in their spare time in addition to their art.

Do you envision a time when you would expect that editors and marketers (from ceo down the line) also start tribe building to meet authors halfway?

Do you think that there will be a time when editors and marketers who deal with a particular genre or writer would start tribe building in their spare time – in support of books that are published?

Thanks for your time and efforts!

@chrismingryan

]]> By: juliepb http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30057 juliepb Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:39:53 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30057 Tribe building: I'm on that like paint on a house. I read Tribes after completing a recent proposal and I laughed and jotted down "!!'s" in margin after margin, page after page. For those of us as writers who were tribal driven with a strong bent toward social media activism before either became popular culture catchphrases your insights only underscore the rightness of our peculiar bent. Thanks! Julie Barnhill Tribe building: I'm on that like paint on a house. I read Tribes after completing a recent proposal and I laughed and jotted down "!!'s" in margin after margin, page after page. For those of us as writers who were tribal driven with a strong bent toward social media activism before either became popular culture catchphrases your insights only underscore the rightness of our peculiar bent. Thanks!

Julie Barnhill

]]> By: patriciazell http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30058 patriciazell Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:39:12 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30058 With so many voices in the world, I think patience is vital in building a platform, especially one that endures. Right now, I am learning to work the social media. For example, I've started using appropriate Twitter trending topics to link to my blog. I've also come to the realization that I may never have a book published, but that what I have to share can flourish online if I give it time. I love the fact that I don't have to have someone else's approval to write content that becomes available to an unlimited audience the minute I post it. Yeah, I won't necessarily gain fame and fortune, but I can honestly say I don't care. And, Michael, your blog has helped me so much--I would not be where I am today without what you have written here. Thanks! With so many voices in the world, I think patience is vital in building a platform, especially one that endures. Right now, I am learning to work the social media. For example, I've started using appropriate Twitter trending topics to link to my blog. I've also come to the realization that I may never have a book published, but that what I have to share can flourish online if I give it time. I love the fact that I don't have to have someone else's approval to write content that becomes available to an unlimited audience the minute I post it. Yeah, I won't necessarily gain fame and fortune, but I can honestly say I don't care. And, Michael, your blog has helped me so much–I would not be where I am today without what you have written here. Thanks!

]]> By: Martin Richardson http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30044 Martin Richardson Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:24:44 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30044 Tribe building right now for me relies on online social networking and my actual neighborhood community. I saw "Tribes" in the store though and will probably be picking up soon and learning, learning, learning. I pretty much plan on learning something everyday and trying to write as frequently as possible to improve on it. I never really thought of building a platform, I just want people to be interested in and impacted by my writing. Thanks for teaching me all these things I had no clue about. I really appreciate your posts! Tribe building right now for me relies on online social networking and my actual neighborhood community. I saw "Tribes" in the store though and will probably be picking up soon and learning, learning, learning. I pretty much plan on learning something everyday and trying to write as frequently as possible to improve on it. I never really thought of building a platform, I just want people to be interested in and impacted by my writing. Thanks for teaching me all these things I had no clue about. I really appreciate your posts!

]]> By: Pam Hogeweide http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30031 Pam Hogeweide Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:51:33 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30031 my platform is i have no platform. most people most of the time for most of their lives have no platform, but maybe a soapbox in the barn where a few friends gather to hear a story or two. i have a great soapbox. but nope. no platform. my little soapbox blog attracts 55 unique visitors a day. My readership adores me. Sometimes the barn gets a bit more crowded when I tell a really good story. And sometimes I get invited to other barns to share other people's soapboxes. I wonder if me and my friends put our soapboxes together if that would build a platform? In my tribe, collaborative creativity is the sweet spot. I love how you have such a public platform and interact with your readership. This is the day and age of digital tribes being born as the internet is one great big barn with one great big platform for anybody. I LOVE IT! my platform is i have no platform.
most people most of the time for most of their lives have no platform, but maybe a soapbox in the barn where a few friends gather to hear a story or two.

i have a great soapbox.

but nope. no platform. my little soapbox blog attracts 55 unique visitors a day. My readership adores me. Sometimes the barn gets a bit more crowded when I tell a really good story. And sometimes I get invited to other barns to share other people's soapboxes.

I wonder if me and my friends put our soapboxes together if that would build a platform? In my tribe, collaborative creativity is the sweet spot.

I love how you have such a public platform and interact with your readership. This is the day and age of digital tribes being born as the internet is one great big barn with one great big platform for anybody. I LOVE IT!

]]> By: DGShrock http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30021 DGShrock Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:09:08 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30021 The Bowker data shows traditional books down last year competing for same shelf space in traditional shelves but the big increase in short-run and e-books means more overall competition. Interesting time for the publishing industry, perhaps more important than ever to build a platform. Thanks for sharing the tips. The Bowker data shows traditional books down last year competing for same shelf space in traditional shelves but the big increase in short-run and e-books means more overall competition. Interesting time for the publishing industry, perhaps more important than ever to build a platform. Thanks for sharing the tips.

]]> By: Peter_P http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30008 Peter_P Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:02:52 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30008 Thanks - and you're welcome. :D Thanks – and you're welcome.

:D

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30005 Michael Hyatt Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:56:10 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30005 That sounds like a great book. I will have to order a copy today. Thanks. That sounds like a great book. I will have to order a copy today. Thanks.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30007 Michael Hyatt Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:55:27 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30007 That made me smile. That made me smile.

]]> By: Thomas Lee http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30006 Thomas Lee Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:55:27 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30006 Thank you. This is terrific information. Thank you. This is terrific information.

]]> By: Peter_P http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-30002 Peter_P Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:49:38 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-30002 Oh bother. I thought 'building a platform' was about constructing a wooden stage to stand on. So you're telling me all those hours of hard work in my back yard were for nothing? Great! How am I going to explain THAT to my wife?. Oh bother.

I thought 'building a platform' was about constructing a wooden stage to stand on.

So you're telling me all those hours of hard work in my back yard were for nothing?

Great! How am I going to explain THAT to my wife?.

]]> By: Indie_Business http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29992 Indie_Business Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:31:59 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29992 I love this post for its truth and succinctness. It makes an otherwise mysterious part of the process easier to embrace. My tribe is the Indie Beauty Network, a trade organization. It's the hardest thing I've ever created, but the connection to people worldwide who love natural personal care products as I do has enhanced my life tremendously. Whether or not you want to write a book, forming some type of organizational structure around your passion is fun and gives rise to countless opportunities to expand your horizons! I love this post for its truth and succinctness. It makes an otherwise mysterious part of the process easier to embrace. My tribe is the Indie Beauty Network, a trade organization. It's the hardest thing I've ever created, but the connection to people worldwide who love natural personal care products as I do has enhanced my life tremendously. Whether or not you want to write a book, forming some type of organizational structure around your passion is fun and gives rise to countless opportunities to expand your horizons!

]]> By: Jamey Stegmaier http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29983 Jamey Stegmaier Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:08:57 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29983 The confluence of the idea of tribes and publishing is something I've been particularly interested in recently. I'm currently developing a website called TypeTribe that merges the two. It provides writers a way to create customizable critique groups for their work. In theory, this should help writers improve their work, particularly in specific areas that they mention to their readers, but it also provides writers a way to start building a vast fanbase of strangers before their book is even published. Blogging and using other social networking help, but the TypeTribe model guarantees that hundreds of people--people who otherwise may have never heard of the author--feel invested in that author's work early in the process and are therefore much more likely to look for it on the bookshelves when it comes out (and tell their friends about the experience). The confluence of the idea of tribes and publishing is something I've been particularly interested in recently. I'm currently developing a website called TypeTribe that merges the two. It provides writers a way to create customizable critique groups for their work. In theory, this should help writers improve their work, particularly in specific areas that they mention to their readers, but it also provides writers a way to start building a vast fanbase of strangers before their book is even published. Blogging and using other social networking help, but the TypeTribe model guarantees that hundreds of people–people who otherwise may have never heard of the author–feel invested in that author's work early in the process and are therefore much more likely to look for it on the bookshelves when it comes out (and tell their friends about the experience).

]]> By: Forrest long http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29982 Forrest long Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:08:51 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29982 We are in a different world today and platform is vital. I'm working at building one for my next book. Never saw the importance of it for the first one and sales give evidence of that. Live and learn. Thanks for the good advice! We are in a different world today and platform is vital. I'm working at building one for my next book. Never saw the importance of it for the first one and sales give evidence of that. Live and learn. Thanks for the good advice!

]]> By: christinakatz http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29972 christinakatz Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:47:54 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29972 Thanks, Michael. This echoes a lot of the advice in my book, "Get Known Before the Book Deal," from Writer's Digest. I think you set a good example of work/social networking balance that any author should study to see how to juggle real life and online life. The everyday habits are so important. Thanks for your thoughtfulness. Thanks, Michael. This echoes a lot of the advice in my book, "Get Known Before the Book Deal," from Writer's Digest. I think you set a good example of work/social networking balance that any author should study to see how to juggle real life and online life. The everyday habits are so important. Thanks for your thoughtfulness.

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29963 Michael Hyatt Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:16:04 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29963 1,000 "unique visitors" is the correct language. This means 1,000 separate unique visitors, as opposed to 500 people who each visit twice. As I said in my comment above, I think Google Analytics is a terrific tool in this regard. It will measure this—and many, many other things—for free. 1,000 "unique visitors" is the correct language. This means 1,000 separate unique visitors, as opposed to 500 people who each visit twice. As I said in my comment above, I think Google Analytics is a terrific tool in this regard. It will measure this—and many, many other things—for free.

]]> By: Laurinda http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29962 Laurinda Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:13:27 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29962 Great post! I read some of your previous posts on this topic, read Seth's book "Tribes" and began this social media journey about 4 months ago. I just launched a blog on July 13th. I started on Twitter April 29th and Facebook last month. I'm still overwhelmed by it all. I can't wait to find a good rhythm with everything, because I still have my day job. In one of your posts, I believe you said that once a site gets 1000 independent hits per day that would be worthy of publisher or agent's time. What exactly is an independent hit? Is it versus something else? Great post! I read some of your previous posts on this topic, read Seth's book "Tribes" and began this social media journey about 4 months ago. I just launched a blog on July 13th. I started on Twitter April 29th and Facebook last month. I'm still overwhelmed by it all. I can't wait to find a good rhythm with everything, because I still have my day job.

In one of your posts, I believe you said that once a site gets 1000 independent hits per day that would be worthy of publisher or agent's time. What exactly is an independent hit? Is it versus something else?

]]> By: Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29961 Michael Hyatt Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:12:42 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29961 I don't know if there is a magic number. You have to factor in the session times (how long a user stays on your site) and the page views. However, I would initially shoot for getting 700-1,000 readers a day. I think an even better metric is the number of unique visitors per month. That will show you the size of your audience. Google Analytics, which is free, is an important tool. I don't know if there is a magic number. You have to factor in the session times (how long a user stays on your site) and the page views. However, I would initially shoot for getting 700-1,000 readers a day.

I think an even better metric is the number of unique visitors per month. That will show you the size of your audience. Google Analytics, which is free, is an important tool.

]]> By: Angie http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29960 Angie Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:09:17 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29960 We're all about tribe-ing in the deep south. Great post -- thanks for tweeting it. (I can't believe I even know what that means now.) We're all about tribe-ing in the deep south. Great post — thanks for tweeting it. (I can't believe I even know what that means now.)

]]> By: Thomas Lee http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29958 Thomas Lee Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:05:31 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29958 Question: If a first-time author is citing his/her blog following as evidence of a platform, what is a reasonable range of daily visitors that would do the trick? Thanks so much; your blog is terrific. Question: If a first-time author is citing his/her blog following as evidence of a platform, what is a reasonable range of daily visitors that would do the trick? Thanks so much; your blog is terrific.

]]> By: ScottWilliams http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29952 ScottWilliams Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:44:34 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29952 This is so true and when someone like Michael Hyatt or Seth Godin says it, "It's Golden" if someone else were to say it, it would simply be "Cocky!" Thanks for saying it... and saying it well! I agree that Seth nailed it with Tribes. This is so true and when someone like Michael Hyatt or Seth Godin says it, "It's Golden" if someone else were to say it, it would simply be "Cocky!" Thanks for saying it… and saying it well!

I agree that Seth nailed it with Tribes.

]]> By: Rick Smith http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29950 Rick Smith Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:34:26 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29950 Excellent point. I am an author with my second book, The Leap, being released in September. My first book came out in 2003, and it is amazing how the landscape has changed for authors. Back then, it was all about "the event" of a book release. Now, the platform is what matters, and that is ongoing. The book launch is just one piece of a campaign that never ends. The benefit of this is that if you can do it well, you dont need to rely on the hit or miss of a particular book being successful. But the downside is that it takes dramatically more time and resources to succeed. We had a simple PR campaign back then. For this book, i had to start blogging (Michael, used your web guy - he was great), build an assessment tool (4 years and more than $50k+), and significant book site. I have also invested heavily in creating a speaker reel and other assets for the speaking world. it is all dramatically more complicated, taking nearly all of my time in 2009 (after the book was already written), and more than $100k beyond the amount of the advance. And none of it is guaranteed to work! I am fortunate, having sold my previous company (<a href="http://www.w50.com)," target="_blank">www.w50.com),</a> giving me extra dough and no need to work full time. But who knows where this new world is taking us. And who will be able to hang on. Rick Smith For anyone interested: Blog: <a href="http://www.ricksmith.me" target="_blank">www.ricksmith.me</a> Book: <a href="http://www.leapbuilder.com" target="_blank">www.leapbuilder.com</a> Assessment: <a href="http://www.primarycolorassessment.com" target="_blank">www.primarycolorassessment.com</a> Ps, Michael, happy to send a galley (not for PR purposes). been following you for awhile, and really think you would dig it. Excellent point. I am an author with my second book, The Leap, being released in September. My first book came out in 2003, and it is amazing how the landscape has changed for authors. Back then, it was all about "the event" of a book release. Now, the platform is what matters, and that is ongoing. The book launch is just one piece of a campaign that never ends.

The benefit of this is that if you can do it well, you dont need to rely on the hit or miss of a particular book being successful. But the downside is that it takes dramatically more time and resources to succeed. We had a simple PR campaign back then. For this book, i had to start blogging (Michael, used your web guy – he was great), build an assessment tool (4 years and more than $50k+), and significant book site. I have also invested heavily in creating a speaker reel and other assets for the speaking world. it is all dramatically more complicated, taking nearly all of my time in 2009 (after the book was already written), and more than $100k beyond the amount of the advance.

And none of it is guaranteed to work!

I am fortunate, having sold my previous company (http://www.w50.com), giving me extra dough and no need to work full time. But who knows where this new world is taking us. And who will be able to hang on.

Rick Smith

For anyone interested:
Blog: http://www.ricksmith.me
Book: http://www.leapbuilder.com
Assessment: http://www.primarycolorassessment.com

Ps, Michael, happy to send a galley (not for PR purposes). been following you for awhile, and really think you would dig it.

]]> By: Joyce Dierschke http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29947 Joyce Dierschke Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:28:09 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29947 Hi Michael, Thanks for this great post. I work with a small publisher here in Nashville and sent this over to them to share with their authors. This will help them understand how to promote themselves and their books. Hi Michael,

Thanks for this great post. I work with a small publisher here in Nashville and sent this over to them to share with their authors. This will help them understand how to promote themselves and their books.

]]> By: Internet Marketing Email » Blog Archive » The Importance of Building Your Platform | Michael Hyatt http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29946 Internet Marketing Email » Blog Archive » The Importance of Building Your Platform | Michael Hyatt Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:27:19 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29946 [...] Michael Hyatt added an interesting post on The Importance of Building Your Platform | Michael HyattHere’s a small excerptI’ve been meaning to check out “Tribes” & will add it to my must read book list. As far as social media goes, I’ve been utilizing my web site / blog & twitter to build my platform, but have tended to shy away from facebook, myspace, … [...] [...] Michael Hyatt added an interesting post on The Importance of Building Your Platform | Michael HyattHere’s a small excerptI’ve been meaning to check out “Tribes” & will add it to my must read book list. As far as social media goes, I’ve been utilizing my web site / blog & twitter to build my platform, but have tended to shy away from facebook, myspace, … [...]

]]> By: Shaun Tabatt http://michaelhyatt.com/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html/comment-page-1#comment-29933 Shaun Tabatt Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:30:17 +0000 http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/07/the-importance-of-building-your-platform.html#comment-29933 Michael, Thanks for sharing this advice. I've been meaning to check out "Tribes" & will add it to my must read book list. As far as social media goes, I've been utilizing my web site / blog & twitter to build my platform, but have tended to shy away from facebook, myspace, etc. Which social networking sites / tools would you consider essential for today's up and coming authors? Shaun Tabatt Bible Geek Gone Wild Michael,
Thanks for sharing this advice. I've been meaning to check out "Tribes" & will add it to my must read book list. As far as social media goes, I've been utilizing my web site / blog & twitter to build my platform, but have tended to shy away from facebook, myspace, etc. Which social networking sites / tools would you consider essential for today's up and coming authors?

Shaun Tabatt
Bible Geek Gone Wild

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