Want to get your book published?

Are you looking for a company to publish your book or an agent to help you sell it? You'll be more successful if you've got a good platform.

No, a platform isn't a stage or a soapbox to stand on. It consists of:

• Who you are -- your credentials, affilations and expertise
• Who you know -- the people who'll endorse, vet and buy your book
• How you reach your market -- your website, blog and public speaking

This explanation came from Joelle Delbourgo, a literary agent. She was a panelist on "Build a Platform, Bank the Results: Branding Yourself with Website, Newsletter and More" at the annual conference of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA).

Fellow panelist Sandra Beckwith, a writer, speaker and coach, suggested some ways to build your platform:

• Start a blog and/or e-newsletter on your topic
• Offer something free and special, such as a booklet in .pdf format, when people sign up for your e-newsletter
• Send a press release about your booklet
• Use your booklet to create a tip sheet