You Need an Audience

You Need an Audience Some of you will frown reading that headline, because in every aspect of your writing life, to be considered successful, you need an audience. And we hate that part of our profession: Platform. That doesnt mean you need 10,000 Twitter fans, 15,000 Facebook followers, 40,000 newsletter readers or 50,000 unique visitors to your blog, so dont get all bothered If you think a hundred or a thousand is out of your reach, then ponder what and who youre writing for. If its friends and family, then dont bother with all the hoopla of a publisher, Amazon, ISBNs or any professional needs of a book. Write your blog for loved ones only and quit looking at the statistics. Write for free in magazines that pay in copies. Otherwise, you need a fan base. One thousand people who would walk through hell for you and drag others along with them. How do you do that? 1) Show up to work each and every day. Fans dont want helter-skelter idols. They want the person to be there when THEY show up. If you skip days, you lose ground, and your fans will find someone more reliable. Post somewhere. Write something. Dont let the gears get rusty. 2) Produce each and every day. Whatever you write, tap into it daily. If you are writing a long project, then work at social media, write short pieces, or freelance in periodicals. But write like you eat, brush your teeth, and change your underwear. Make it that ingrained in your mental and physical existence. 3) Respond without exception. When a reader messages you on Facebook, sends a Tweet, emails or comments on your blog, respond. Put effort into the reply. Respect that person for taking the time. A well-worded reply can buy a fan for years, and if youre attentive enough, that fan will tell the story to dozens. 4) Avoid confrontation. You are writing for these people. You have messages to deliver and stories to tell. Dont pick a fight. Let others have their opinions. Be attentive to their needs, and theyll be attentive to yours.