"The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other. Showing your fans 'what your name stands for' (your platform-statement) helps them brag about you with ease," says Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- photo by poet & novelist Joan Gelfand

When I heard dear friend Kim McMillon’s voice on July 16, 2012 asking if I would like to be a guest on CBS 5′s Bay Sunday show, I thought . . . I’d love to, but, I’m exhausted. . .  Just that day, artist Chandra Garsson (another dear friend) had filmed me reading my ten-minute monologue Answer Me Now.  Two days before that, I was on the “Writers on Writing” panel at Oakland Library, Rockridge Branch, that Kim had orchestrated for Stephanie Dale, Judith Cody, Yolande Barial, Joan Gelfand, and yours truly Teresa LeYung-Ryan.

writers' platform-building coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: "Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams!"

Saying “yes” would mean spending at least two full days preparing for the appearance and doing pre-event publicity and then calendaring another two days to do post-event follow-ups and publicity.

Carol Sheldon (author of Mother Lode) interviewed by Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan at Book Passage Ferry Building SF -- photo by Jim Weiland

You see . . . a week before that, I had interviewed award-winning author Carol Sheldon (Mother Lode) at Book Passage at the Ferry Building in San Francisco.  Two days before that event, I had attended a planning meeting at Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter. Before that, I was away for the 3-day Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival at 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa. Before that, I was having fun with California Writers Club friends showcasing our works at the San Mateo County Fair (June 12 and June 16 for me).

All the while . . .  I was helping clients create their platform-statements and identify themes in their manuscripts.

Yes, I was exhausted . . . But, I knew I would say “Yes!” to my dear friend Kim McMillon.  Kim was helping Bay Sunday Producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa by providing a list of authors with public-speaking experience.  I was one of the fortunate chosen ones. I needed to say “Yes! Thank you!”

I am so glad I did . . .  Angela Pang, Community Relations Manager at AsianWeek Foundation (who is also my pal Margie Yee Webb’s beloved niece), saw the group photo posted by Bay Sunday’s super team on their facebook album “Bay Sunday 7/23 Taping” and tagged me.  Now, I’m getting all kinds of fun messages from my other friends.

Writers’ Platform-Building Coach  Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other.  Outfitting your  fans (old ones and new ones) with your platform-statement helps them brags about you with ease. I cheer for writers, friends, fans!  Thank you, 3 time Emmy Award winner Frank!  Thank you, producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa! Thank you to the four wonderful interns, especially Jennifer and Chelsea! Thank you Bay Sunday Team (including audio expert Francisco Gomez and the gurus behind stage!)

“I had so much fun this morning being a guest on Bay Sunday at CBS 5 with fellow authors Joan Gelfand, Ishmael Reed, and Pireeni Sundaralingam . Everyone extended kind energy. I was happy to see Tennessee Reed!  Thank you, Kim McMillon, for pitching us to Akilah!

Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

authors Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Joan Gelfand, Pireeni Sundaralingam are fans of Bay Sunday host Frank Mallicoat--photo by Jennifer

Here and Abroad by Joan Gelfand

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Love Made of Heart by Teresa LeYung-Ryan

A Dreamer’s Guide to Cities and Streams by Joan Gelfand

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Build Your Writer's Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days by Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Juice by Ishmael Reed

Indivisible an Anthology of Contemporary South Asian American Poetry - Edited by Neelanjana Banerjee, Summi Kaipa, and Pireeni Sundaralingam

Seeking Center A Collection of Poems by Joan Gelfand

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Jennifer helps Bay Sunday guests Joan Gelfand, Tennessee Reed and Ishmael Reed get comfortable before taping of show--photo by Coach Teresa

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"The way Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat cheers for his friend who is writing a book is a beautiful example of friends turning into fans for each other. Showing your fans 'what your name stands for' (your platform-statement) helps them brag about you with ease," says Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan -- photo by poet & novelist Joan Gelfand

Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

authors Joan Gelfand, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, Pireeni Sundaralingam cheer for Bay Sunday producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa and host Frank Mallicoat--photo by Jennifer

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Wonderful Interns Jennifer and Chelsea flank Bay Sunday Super Producer Akilah Bolden-Monifa (yes, that is Host Frank Mallicoat walking by)-- photo by Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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CBS-5 Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat asks poet & novelist Joan Gelfand about her writing process--photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

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CBS-5 Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat asks Poet Pireeni Sundaralingam about her co-editing Indivisible: an Anthology of Contemporary South Asian American Poetry --photo by Writers' Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan answers Bay Sunday Host Frank Mallicoat's question "What is branding?" --photo by Jennifer

Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

Of the 10 talking-points that I was prepared to cover, we had time to answer most of these in the five-minute interview:

•    What is Coach Teresa’s definition of a writer’s platform?

“Making your name stand for something—to attract targeted consumers—who are likely to buy what you have to sell.”  

“What I care about leads to my writing about those themes/subject matters/issues; what I write about attracts my fans because they also care about what I care about.  Help your fans find you.”

Start with:  “I care about . . . ”

Example: (as a writer of fiction, narrative nonfiction, including memoirs )

I am Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Love Made of Heart.  I care about helping adult-children (of mentally-ill parents) speak openly about the stigmas and find resources for their loved ones.

Example: (as a writer of prescriptive nonfiction  a.k.a. “how to” )

I am Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days.  I care about helping writers thrive in today’s publishing arena.

Where to “show” your platform-statement? 

Your email signature block!  Your letterhead!  Your website and blog slogan/tagline/description!  Your bio!  Your business cards!

“Even when I’m emailing my loved ones (my biggest fans), I show them my platform-statement in my signature block.  Help your fans brag about you with ease.”

•    Why does a writer need to promote?

“To compete in the publishing arena where celebrity authors and best-selling authors have huge fanbases. “

•    How much does it cost to build my writer’s platform?

“Might not require money.  The writer does need to invest time and energy.   22 minutes a day for 22 days to start.”

•    What is branding?

“Your name is your brand.  Making your name synonymous with the issues you write about in order to attract fans (a.k.a. targeted consumers)”

•    Which is the “better” route – find an agent who will find the publisher OR find the publisher myself OR be my own publisher?

“A writer’s journey is magical.  Your fans could be the ones to lead you to your route. Take a look at my website, page entitled “Writers’ Resources,” and my blog.”

•    Coach Teresa, your workbook is Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days .    Why 22 days?

“When we stick to something for 21 consecutive days, we develop a new habit. Why not gain the wonderful habit of building our platform/name?  On the 22nd day, we celebrate. Everyday is a good day to build your name / fanbase / platform!”

The workbook:  Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW

Please click here to get the post after the show was aired on September 9, 2012, 5:30am and the link to view the segment posted on Bay Sunday’s YouTube channel.

I care about helping writers thrive in the publishing arena.  Coaching writers before and after publication is what I enjoy doing.  Some clients prefer my coaching them 5 to 15 minutes a day for 22 consecutive days ( in-person, via Skype or phone calls); some prefer an hour or two hours at a time.  Start with my workbook — You can sneak preview the 2 exercises for Day 1 in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days by going to Amazon and take advantage of their “Look Inside” feature.

How to contact me?  Click here please.

http://www.facebook.com/Teresa.LeYung.Ryan
http://www.youtube.com/teresaleyung

I cheer for all writers!

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

“Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

“My platform is not something I stand on, it is what my name stands for.”
http://writingcoachteresa.com