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One way to become a successful writer is to build a strong on-line following and then turn these followers into fans of your book (when it is published).

However, this is easy to say but a lot more difficult to actually do. But being the kind of blog that likes to offer practical advice, I would suggest that the key to building a following before you have a book deal is to Add Value.

Adding Value

So what do I mean by adding value?

To put it in its most simplistic terms – whenever anyone comes into contact with your on-line output they come away with ‘something’ that makes their life that little bit better/easier/happier. This might be a link to another site, a thought changing comment or a free ebook. The point is that by adding value you give your follows a reason to come back for more.

Value Depends On Channel

The way you add value depends on the channel you are using. For example, if you have recorded an in-depth ten minute long video giving writers advice on overcoming writer’s block, then You Tube would be a great place for this content to live. Alternatively, a free ebook that contains a collection of your short stories would be an ideal addition to your blog.

The key is to have a defined and deliberate strategy on how you will add value. My tip is to work out just how you are going to add value, and then dominate the channel in which this value lives most comfortably (is most easily spread and viewed).

Here’s two examples we use at BubbleCow, and one we don’t:

• Twitter (@bubblecow): Value here is in links to sites we feel writers will enjoy. So, each day we send out about ten high quality links to content located on other sites. We do this each and every work day without fail.
• Blog: Value here is in thought provoking and informative articles. These are written to inspire writers to write and get published. We try to fill the knowledge gap between the unpublished writers and the reality of the publishing world. Again, we blog every week day.
• Facebook: We don’t use Facebook! Why? Because we have no definable and repeatable strategy for adding value to writers, which is any different from what we are already offer on Twitter and our blog. Therefore, rather than have a crappy Facebook page, we just don’t try and add value in this channel.

Random Thoughts

This advice is for building a following. This assumes you are using social media for a purpose beyond personal satisfaction and development. Knowing why you are blogging etc. is important!

I often come into contact writers who say that they have nothing to blog/tweet about! This is rubbish. As an example, your writing process, the things you have learned about time management (juggling life) and your experiences of getting published are just three examples of things you know that contain valuable nuggets of information that will make great value adding content.

How are you adding value?