You’ve decided you want to do what it takes to succeed as a nonfiction author. No hiding behind the computer for you. You are going to show up and play big!
Good for you! It takes courage to move beyond the “writers’ garret” and out into the “real world.” You have to give your work and yourself to the world—warts and all.
Now comes the time when you choose how best to accomplish this scary task. Which paths are the best ones for you?
Nonfiction Writing Prompt #25: Create a Play-Big Game Plan
To complete this prompt, determine how you will show up and play big as an author or aspiring author, and then create action steps to help you achieve this goal.
Will you:
- Create an author website and/or blog?
- Join and get involved on social networks?
- Become a speaker?
- Write under your own name rather than a pen name?
- Seek out media appearances, such as on traditional and internet radio shows?
- Contact organizations and potential joint-venture partners to help you promote your book?
- Plan a book tour—physical or virtual?
- Get head shots taken—and place them on your website and social networking sites?
- Write your bio and put it on your website?
- Create your own radio show or podcast?
- Create a YouTube channel or television show of your own?
Choose at least one way in which you will “play-big”—something you haven’t done before now. Next, write down three action steps you need to take. This becomes your “game plan.”
For example, if you chose to play big by creating an author website with a blog, you might:
- Contact a WordPress.org developer.
- Write content for your site and blog.
- Purchase a URL.
If you chose to play big by getting involve in social networking, you might:
- Join Twitter.
- Google tips on how to use Twitter effectively.
- Start tweeting.
Now you have a play-big game plan. Create one each month in a new area and here’s what you’ll discover: You’re author platform will grow in a BIG way! Why? Because you create an author platform by showing up and playing big. You have to be visible! That’s step number one in promoting yourself and your book. And building author platform involves pre-promotion of you and your book idea.
So go out and play big!
If you have other ideas for how to play big, or if you want to share how you have started playing big as an author, please leave a comment below.
For more information on how to create nonfiction book ideas that are marketable and that support your writing goals, join the NFWU. When you do, you’ll receive this month’s Nonfiction Writers’ University (NFWU) homework assignment, which contains more exercises and information on this topic. Plus, you’ll have access to the growing archive of past homework assignments and NFWU teleseminars as well as some introductory gifts worth more than the membership! Join here at the low introductory rate!
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles | freedigitalphotos.net
Your article is really helpful and effective in helping me to write my own non-fiction book. I got a lot of tips from your article. I will definitely follow all of the tips mentioned by you. I am sure many other people like me will benefit from this article. Thank you.
Hello. Thank you for this really informative article. But I have got a question about non-fiction works. Presuming I want to publish a non-fiction book and that it includes secondary sources. What is the process when citing external materials? Like, say a link from Wikipedia. Is there some protocol that I have to follow since I am self-publishing the book? Thanks.