I think I’ve been in this mood several times since I started writing and publishing books. Confused must be a necessary part of this business.
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| THWWWW! |
Marketing people are saying you must BRAND yourself if you want to sell books. Authors either embrace this idea or they give it the old ➥➥➥➥➥➥
So what is a Brand and how do you get yourself one of those, just in case you decide it’s a worthwhile strategy.
It’s been said before, but it needs restating: BE YOURSELF. You’re unique and there’s nobody else who can be YOU. Here are some writers I think have been very successful at creating their brand. I visit them a lot because I want to read what they write and share the time in their special place. I have others, but these have been on my “must visit” list a long time.
Bish Denham
Carrie Butler
Lisa Gail Green
Old Kitty
Kelly Pollark
Lynn Kelly
Fairday Morrow
CREATE A CATEGORY OF ONE. (For this term I must credit Lethia Owens.)
This category is very different than a category that lumps you under a file that includes a lot of other writers. I love how Ms. Owens shows the difference. If you say you’re a YA or MG author, the person will file you under YA/MG along with all the other writers s/he likes in that category. If you say you’re the writer who captures the pulse of adolescent confusion in your book XXXXX. You get a special file that’s all your own. I like that.
I’m still looking for more about marketing, so hope you’ll pop back next Monday. I’ll try to have a few more tips. Oh, and please add to whatever I’ve said. I’d love a good collection Marketing Strategies.
I think "be yourself" is the best branding advice there is. That and reach out to others and build relationships online, rather than expecting people to just come to your blog. Those you mentioned (that I know) do both of these things very well.
Thanks for joining the Aloha Nation 🙂
Confused is my normal state of mind. I'm still searching for branding, but if I get it I might feel like a cow. It might be kind of cool to live on a ranch.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Hi, Lee, I came to your blog via Dawn Malone's block i like your website, and thanks for the links here in this post. I'm a bit like Journaling Woman; it might be hard to brand me, because I write stories and poems for adults, and MG novels and PBs for children. But for the past few years my emphasis has been on MG. Can a combination be a brand? 🙂
Aloha Lee (If I'm saying your name correctly 🙂
Thanks for your kind comments and oh my, it's been crazy getting back to peeps, but I'm a true believer in "if it's worth their time to write, it's worth my time to reply."
And, having read some of your recent marketing posts, it was worth my time 🙂 I'm a new follower 🙂
Since I haven't started publishing much yet I try not to think about marketing too often. I prefer to focus on what I love about writing and and the things I like to write about in hope that it will draw people who are interested in the same things to one day read my books. Not a major strategy but maybe it will work 🙂
I push the wormhole as my brand. I hope that when people hear the word wormhole or see something on TV, they'll think of me and my books.
Aww, thanks for the shout-out, Lee! I'm so lucky to have a friend like you in the blogosphere. 🙂
That quote was fantastic, by the way. What great advice!
I'm so eclectic in my wriitng that I'm doomed. My voice will be known as the no voice.
It's hard for me to brand me. If I were a cow, I'd be asking for a new brand every week. Yikes.
I love writing everything.
Teresa
Thanks for the unique perspective.
I know a few of these names! Kelly Polark and Old Kitty do have specific personalities that come across in their blog.
Thanks for sharing an informative post today on Marketing and Branding. It was insightful.
Riya
Thank so much for mentioning our blog on your wonderful post! I was reading along with what you wrote and found myself nodding. Everyone does tell you to brand- but no one explains to you what exactly to do. Hopefully it is something that evolves naturally. I have popped by all of the author's that you listed so I can check out their blogs. What a treat! I have been enjoying your posts on marketing. It is something we all need to think about. Can't wait to see what you write about next week!
~Jess
I like the idea of having a category all for myself. Hope I don't get too lonely. 🙂
I consider myself primarily a YA writer is kind of funny since I also write MG and PBs. But I think there are certain things about an author that carry over to whatever they write. Look at James Patterson. He started with adult and then moved to YA. For the books he actually writes–not the ones he has a writer for and just comes up with the plot–you know what to expect from him regardless of the age level. He has certain things about his style that remain the same. I guess that's what I'm striving for.
That kind of surprises me, Kelly. I thought you were first a PB writer. Interesting. Thanks for writing this about yourself.
Hi Lee, yes, I like the Special Category type of branding as opposed to the "I'm a YA writer (or middle grade writer) category.
I do like that, Catherine. It really makes sense. Glad you agree.
This is a great post, Lee. You've really got me thinking. Love the "category of one" idea. Thanks for sharing.
First – thanks for that!! That made my day. 😀 I just try to be myself and write about what I learned to look at in a new way. I think that's the key – don't force it. Do what you enjoy and be yourself. If I didn't like it, I would have quite the online stuff long ago. Oh and love that pic!!
I think she's confused enough, don't you? Thanks for stopping by. Always nice to hear from you.
Lee: Thanks for posting on my blog. Your blog is inspiring. I enjoy writing plays, scripts, short stories and flash fiction mostly, but I want to expand my horizons and actually write a novel. I'm also partial to comedy and horror.
*Like Alex, I'm good with the category, but the brand? No clue…I'm visiting the blogs you mentioned in hopes I find the answer!
They're great blogs, so hope you enjoy your visits.
Oh Lee! I'm honored to be on your list. Thanks BUNCHES! It means a lot to me and I'm so ignorant about marketing. Just not my forte.
I believe you're a natural!
You're absolutely right! This definitely has me thinking…
Thanks for the great post!
My brand is my speaker name, Spunk on a Stick.
As for my books, I do write in several genres, but the category of my YA series is clean and uplifting.
Thanks for the mention, Lee!
I like that. A category of one.
Have a great week!
I think I have the category down but no idea on the branding.