DIY Author 101

Last time I checked, America was still a capitalist society. Want something done right? Do it yourself, of course. After all, commissions and incentives only go so far.

It amazes me when people suddenly realize something that has been around since the founding of this nation. In a word, "Capitalism." What's wrong with that anyway? What's so bad, so evil and so deviant about being a capitalist? Isn't that how America was born over 200 years ago and still thrives today? These are rhetorical questions, folks. Don't bother trying to formulate an answer for each and every one.

The answers are quite simple. YES, to all the above.

Okay, but what does capitalism have to do with writing books? Yes, another annoying rhetorical question.

Want to build your author platform? Sure you do, but what does that mean? Well, you know, you want to become a well-known writer who has something interesting and important to share with the world.

You want to be known in social circles as an authority in your field. You want to be top dog because people believe, follow and buy from the top tier, and more importantly, they want to associate with them, on their level, which makes them feel and appear just as relevant and important. They want to belong to and be part of the best because that kind of status could bring them fame and fortune when their Amazon ranking skyrockets due to a spike in book sales.

Got all that?

If you don't and you'd like an in depth, professional take on author platforms, I'll defer to Alan Rinzler, who offers an insiders scoop. Unless you want to take my word for it, here's all you need to know: Get the most attention, be controversial, witty, be attractive, and for the love of God, write a damn good book. Leave any one of those elements out, and you're SOL.

http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/