Being an aspiring author, I’m constantly looking for the best advice I can find on how to get published.
Apart from the obvious advice of writing a great book, the three things that I hear over and over again from people in the publishing industry are:
- Start a blog
- Use Twitter / Facebook etc
- Build a platform ( using #’s 1 & 2 above)
Many of you will know Billy Coffey through blogs and Twitter and he is the perfect example of how good this advice is.
Billy did what he had to do, even if he didn’t like it all that much at first.
He started a blog, jumped on the old Twitter bandwagon and he worked at building a platform. He didn’t just use these tools for pure marketing, he socialized and built friendships and relationships.
Billy’s platform is growing and he has been rewarded for his efforts with a book contract from FaithWords.
Today is the great day when he is announcing this exciting news to the world and showing off his brand new website for the first time.
Why not head over to his new site and check it out, it’s: BillyCoffey.com
His big announcement post can be found at: http://www.billycoffey.com/2009/10/long-winding-road/
Billy is an inspiration to me in many ways but this one in particular is really hitting me at the heart level.
This day of celebration has come about because Billy did what needed to be done, worked hard, followed the wise advice he was given and, most importantly, placed it all in God’s hands.
Thank you, Billy, for pressing ahead and demonstrating to us that we must labor if we want to see ‘the fruits of our labor’!
Pingback: Tweets that mention All change for Billy Coffey -- Topsy.com
Don't forget "and wrote really well"! Cause that helps too. His site looks awesome!
Ah, yes… good point.
I guess I was thinking 'and wrote really well' went without saying with Billy
Thanks for the compliment on his site, btw
Someone might not have read his stuff… so, you know. Aspiring authors out there, it's not JUST about socializing, it's also about honing your skillz. (And yes, that's TOTALLY the proper way to spell that). Haha.
Come on Peter, you've got to lay down some reality.
(That's for you katdish!)
OK, duly chastised… I'll lay down some reality next week, just for you!
Oh, actually, talking of laying down reality, check out May DeMuth's post on Michael Hyatt's site today: http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/10/what-it-takes-to-…
Peter, Thanks for this post. I love Billy's site and if possible his book looks even better. I posted it to my facebook today.
Thank you so much for all your hard work and for putting up with my demanding self. I gotta say, I think Billy's is one of the best author websites I've seen. And trust me, I've look at a BUNCH of them! I know I kid around with you a lot, but from the bottom of my heart – Thank you so much. You took a concept and a vision and made it reality. That's just awesome.
Similarly, I know I kid around with you a lot but it was actually a really pleasant experience building the site with you.
It took the stress of design of of my shoulders and you were great to work with!
Great job on the site, I've been building one all day so I understand the frustration of getting some things into place. I'm very excited for Billy and one of these days I want to push myself towards writing, but not right now. When I am ready I'll let you and katdish know so I can be propelled into the spotlight at light speed.
Billy, of course, has mad skillz which helps immensely.
You'll have to talk to Katdish about that, I think she's a one man woman at the moment!
Peter, you did a beautiful, beautiful job!
Actually, before you'd ever done Billy's new site, I was sending people over to your site as an example of a good site.
)
Thanks, Sarah.
The beauty is all down to Katdish, I just did a little bit of behind the scenes work.
You really think this is a good looking site? It's just a free theme with a couple of sidebar modifications, but thanks!
wow, i've been to his site and it looks real good.