Get Known Now: Ease Into the Spotlight

 

By Christina Katz

I've already established that I'm not going to let any writer off the platform-hook due to shyness or introversion.
 
Sorry, folks. If you want to become an author, you are going to need to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zones.
 
But I hope I've also established that it's possible to grow your visibility step-by-step over time until you look back one day and you are amazed at how far you've come.
 
The bottom line is even though we are living in the Information Age when the multiple benefits of e-everything are constantly being touted, you are STILL going to have to come out from behind your computer and become more visible all by your very own self.
 
So don't wait until your publication date to get on top of this. Why not start easing in front of people now instead? Then, by the time you have a book to promote, you will feel comfortable when everybody's eyeballs are focused on you.
 
Here's how to talk yourself into getting up and out in front of people, even when it's the last thing you want to do:
 
Show Up
Can you be a reader, speaker or performer of some kind? I was just reminiscing with my husband about my first theater performance at the age of thirty-two. I'm sure I was terrible by all critical standards but the experience was fun, memorable, and really made me stretch. Ever auditioned for a local play? What about arranging a free reading tied into a scheduled date or event where you live? Panels are pretty easy. You just show up, say who you are and offer insights when asked. Ever tried a local poetry slam or Karaoke night? Have fun making your first appearances. We can all stand practice in not taking ourselves too seriously.
 
Focus Elsewhere
The trick of successful public appearances when you are apt to feel self-conscious is to get your mind off yourself, while still letting your authenticity shine through. Easier said than done? Not necessarily. If you can forget yourself and focus on your audience and your service mission, you will become caught up in what you are doing and forget to be self-conscious. Create a checklist that factors you out and keeps the focus on your mission and your audience needs. Follow this plan and you likely won't even notice that you had to get up in front of people.
 
Produce Yourself
Remember that there is no one kind of author to fit all audiences. Television and radio of days gone by homogenized what audiences could see and hear. Well, guess what? TV and radio are still around, but now we have YouTube and podcasting offering more variety and audience participation than ever. So, don't compare yourself to famous folks on TV and radio. What would happen if you created your own show to suit your audience? Have fun thinking about what kind of host or guest you would be on your own show.
 
These are just a few ideas for getting yourself out of the house and into the public eye. I'm sure you can think of even more ways to coax yourself out of your shell. I'd love to hear what's worked for you.
 

Christina Katz is the author of Get Known Before the Book Deal, Use Your Personal Strengths to Build an Author Platform and Writer Mama, How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids (both for Writer's Digest Books). A platform development coach and consultant, she teaches writing career development, hosts the Northwest Author Series, and is the publisher of several e-zines including Writers on the Rise. Christina blogs at The Writer Mama Riffs and Get Known Before the Book Deal, and speaks at MFA programs, literary events, and conferences around the country.