by Vincent B. Davis @vbdavisII

As writers, we must wear many hats. We know this by now. For many of us, some of these roles may be uncomfortable. If you’re anything like me, you may be “social media averse”, and find it difficult to engage online and build a “platform” (that ethereal, all encompassing word that is hard to define). Others might have a great book but continue to struggle trying to find the right “pitch” to land a publishing deal.

And by all means, we must persevere. Whether you are self-publishing or going the traditional route, you’ll be forced to chart the waters outside of your comfort zone. When the time comes, you’ll be required to endure difficult tasks to ensure your book reaches the world.

That being said, don’t forget who you are. You might wear many hats, but at heart you are a writer.

Let me say it a different way: you are not primarily a platform builder, you are not a social media expert or a marketing guru. Perhaps you can become one, but that should never usurp your role as a writer.

You are a writer first.

Build your platform, sure. Study the fundamentals of visibility marketing, as I do. But don’t do these things first. Do these things only when you have time, and when you’ve completed your writerly tasks beforehand.

Think of everything in terms of “return on investment”. Creating an audience for your work is important, but if your writing is subpar (or worse yet, incomplete), there is nothing for you to gain from that audience.

I’m not trying to downplay having a website, a blog, perfecting your pitch, or growing your online presence. That being said, we all know what a time-drain all of these things can become (social media in particular), so always be thinking about whether it is truly setting you up for success in the future, or whether you are simply avoiding your true task (writing) under the guise of progress.

You are a writer first. That’s why, if possible, I advocate that you write first thing in the morning. Everyone has different routines and different priorities, but tackling your most important tasks first is important to sustaining growth and momentum.

Build your platform. Grow your social media, market your book, and expand your blog. But do it second. Write first.

Vincent B. Davis II is an entrepreneur, soldier, and freelance writer. In December 2016, he founded Thirteenth Press, LLC. His first novel, “The Man with Two Names” is available on Amazon now. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or on his website at vincentbdavisii.com. He loves hearing from other authors!