If you decide to build a platform — to create a brand and connect with others, you'll see breakthroughs with your writing you never would have imagined.
After six years of slaving away, I finally decided to quit my old blog and start a new one. When I did that, things really started to take off. Part of it was luck. Part of it was, I'm sure, God's grace. And another part was a lot of hustle.
But in eight short months, my writing was reaching more people than it ever had before. I don't share this to brag, but to illustrate the power of a platform. Every writer, artist, and communicator should do this. It's essential to your message getting heard.
The best time to be a writer
This is an amazing time to pursue your passion and live your dream. Think about it: You, the writer, can now create a destiny for yourself that was never before possible. Amazing, right? Here are some of the opportunities that await you:
- Landing a book deal without writing a proposal
- Getting your work published in magazines (without worrying about query letters)
- The chance to earn money for your work
- Free stuff (yep, free!)
- Opportunities to meet influential people
I used to be afraid of rejection. So I waited for the gatekeepers to pick me, to choose my work. Now, fear is no longer something that controls me. Why? Because I stopped waiting and started creating.
Sure, I still struggle with fear (don't we all?). But I've finally picked myself, and it's fun to see the gatekeepers come to me — instead of me continuing to wait and plead to be published.
Change your mind
All of this began with a pledge, a simple understanding: I am a writer. I just need to write.
Of course, there’s no formula to becoming a writer, but believing in yourself is essential. It's what makes a writer, a writer. Anne Lamott illustrated this the other day in a tweet:
If you're writing, you're a writer. Ignore your narcissism and bad self-esteem.
Being a writer just means that you write, not that you're any good. The real trick is sticking with it long enough to show the world something.
You can follow a similar process as I did, or you can try something completely different. Find what works for you, but make no mistake. It all begins with a core belief in you.
Maybe you’ll see success sooner than those who came before you. Maybe it will take longer. But the bottom line is this: If you do the work, you’ll see the results.
This is a time of incredible opportunities for writers. It’s the Age of No Excuse — where anything is possible and the only person holding you back is you. Your opportunity is here. Don’t let it pass you by. And remember: It all begins with a change of mind.
Start here
- Declare yourself a writer. (My new eBook can help with this.)
- Start writing. Stop doubting. Live into your identity.
- Get better. Just because you're a writer doesn't mean you're a good one. So start practicing.
What has building a platform for your writing gotten you? What do you hope it will give you? Share in the comments.
