Frank McKinley is a published author, writing coach, idea guy, and entrepreneur. His mission is to help writers engage readers, sell their ideas, and build their tribes. His website is www.frankmckinleyauthor.com.

 

More than that, he is also one of the founders of Network Tribe builder, group where we help each other thrive, and I learned a great deal from the members and Frank himself.

 

I wrote an article on what you it takes to write a blog, and today Frank discusses the importance of having a Tribe as a writer, but also as a blogger.

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Do you dream of writing a bestseller? Would you like to make a living with your writing?

Great! All you need is a tribe.

 

What is a Tribe?

 

A tribe is a group of people united behind a single idea.

 

What will your tribe look like? Do you need to start a club called Me, Inc? Do you need to build a city somewhere and become its mayor? You don’t have to go that far. All you need is a compelling idea that will appeal to a mass of people.

 

When you have this, you’ll find it much easier to accomplish your goal of writing bestselling books and making a full-time income from your work.

 

 

Now let’s look at how a writer can build a tribe!

 

Find Friends Who Are Fans

 

You may think you have to go out into the world to find followers. You do – eventually. But why not start in your own neighborhood?

You’ve probably told your closest friends and acquaintances you’re a writer. If you ask, some of these people will subscribe to your mailing list. They’ll read your blog posts, like them, and make comments. They’ll even share your work if you ask them!

So start asking around. Don’t assume anyone will say no. Ask and let people decide for themselves.

 

Use Your Blog to Have a Conversation

 

Do you have a blog?

If you don’t, start one now!

 

Your blog is a great way for you to connect with your fans, your readers, and your public. It’s also a great place to get backlinks from other places you write.

If the word “backlink” gave you pause, let me explain. As a writer who wants attention, you should write for other bloggers. You’ll reach a new and bigger audience. Some will visit your blog to read more. Others will subscribe to your list. Think of it as free advertising!

 

When should you start guest posting? Once you’ve written three posts for your own blog. Does that sound too early? Well, how much is enough? Three posts is plenty to show you’re serious. Besides, as time goes by, you’ll add more content, won’t you?

So, what’s a backlink? It’s the link back to your site you include at the end of a guest post. The more of those you have, the more Google likes you.

 

Start a conversation with every post. Encourage people to comment – then answer every one. You’ll create a place where people can connect with you and see you care.

 

Solve Problems With Your Blog Posts

 

People do everything because they want something.

• You watch TV for entertainment, relaxation, and as an escape from your everyday life.
• You eat because you’re hungry, bored, or lonely.
• You go to the doctor because you hurt and you want him to make the pain go away.

 

If you’re a creative writer, people read your work for two basic reasons:

• They want to get rid of pain.

• They want to experience pleasure.

 

Does your writing help them do this?

Here an easy way to do it. Tell a story where the main character has a conflict that challenges him or her. Then show her using whatever she has at hand to deal with the problem she faces. Let her get frustrated, but have her make progress of some sort.

Maybe your reader is going through something similar and needs hope she can make it through to the other side.

 

Of course, no writing is exciting without a few teasers. Always give her a reason to keep reading – or she won’t. When she does read to the end, reward her with a surprise. When you do that, your readers will think you’re brilliant!

 

Start a Group Based on Your Passion or Calling

 

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]One way to build a tribe is to give them a place to gather.[/tweet_box]

 

I did this recently with the Tribe Builder’s Network. Every Friday in my writing groups we share our work. Member after member would post her latest for all the others to see.

Then we’d wait for the likes and shares to roll in.

 

[tweet_dis_img url=”https://www.facebook.com/groups/tribebuildersnetwork/”][/tweet_dis_img]

 

 

This got me thinking. What is it that makes people like your work? When your post is one among dozens, why should anyone care?

First, you’ve got to sell it. Do you have a tantalizing title? Have you given the reader a reason to care about what’s on the other side of that click?

If you haven’t, they won’t.

 

Want a quick and easy way to get people to care?

[tweet_dis]Answer the one question that’s on everybody’s mind all the time.[/tweet_dis] It’s what motivates anybody to do anything – ever.

That question is, “What’s in it for me?”

Answer it with your headline, your first sentence, and your entire body copy. Do that and you’ll get likes, shares, and comments.

 

After a few Fridays of posting and waiting, I saw an opportunity. What if we had a place where we could share our work and promote each other every day? Wouldn’t that be a great way to expand our reach faster?

The Tribe Builder’s Network began on Facebook the next morning – and has been rocking ever since!

 

[tweet_dis]A group is the perfect place for your tribe to lift one another, ask and answer questions, and set their passion on fire![/tweet_dis]

 

Give Away Your Best Content

 

This sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it?

Trust me, it’s not like you think.

 

When you give your best content away, you accomplish two things:

• You’ll be generous. People trust and want to repay those who do them favors.
• You’ll show you’re an expert instead of telling people you are. Solve a nagging problem they’re experiencing, and they’ll come back for more!

 

Having a valuable giveaway can also help you build your email list. Your list positions you as a leader in your niche.

 

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Engage your subscribers every time you write, and they’ll follow you wherever you go.[/tweet_box]

 

Create Products For Your Tribe

 

When you’re a writer, you want to write and publish a book.

I was able to sell over 25,000 eBooks with no tribe at all. It wasn’t easy, but it’s possible. I had to hustle, write a dynamite sales page, and test, test, test.

 

If you build your tribe first, all this will be a lot easier. Why? You can ask your readers what they want – and then put it in the book.

Again, an easy way to build a team is to organize a group online. It enhances the team atmosphere. It allows the tribe to talk to one another. And it can create a lot of excitement for people to participate in something bigger than themselves.

 

Be Consistent

 

People have short memories on social media. When you follow someone, you feel like you get to know them.

Friendships are forged by regular contact. You talk every day or every week. You ask how your friends are doing. You help out when you can. It’s what friends do!

 

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Social media shares and likes are like fireworks. They’re nice for a moment.[/tweet_box]

 

Sometimes there’s a lot of them. But after the moment passes, you’ve got to do more to light the next set. When you show up online consistently, inertia kicks in. You start a movement. And like a train, as it picks up steam, it moves forward with a force that can move mountains for you!

 

Now Go Build Your Tribe

 

You’ve just learned 7 solid, doable tactics to build a following. Do some of them and you’ll see a difference in your social media impact. Do them all and you’ll lay the foundation for your new career as a thriving artist.

Isn’t that what you dreamed of when you decided you wanted to be a writer?

[tweet_dis]Now go build your tribe and make all your creative dreams come true[/tweet_dis].

 

 

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Thanks for reading! I’m a YA Fantasy writer who loves books beyond words. I’d love to hear about you. Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

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