Today I am talking about the B word, Branding. This is a HUGE insecurity to me as a published author. I don't really know how to do this, yet, the pressure keeps mounting for me to brand myself. My crit partners, some of my other fellow writers, they're all after me to have a tag, an image. I know that it is good for marketing purposes, but what does it even mean? Do I have to stick to one genre? And what about my non-fiction? As it stands I write everything under my own name. Just how do I incorporate all my different types of writing? And if I don't do this, how am I supposed to market my stories and myself?
Was I wrong to write everything under my own name? I mean all the advice I've seen talks about authors being genre specific. You see how confused I am? This post has been nothing but questions. Man, I feel like banging my head on my desk til it bleeds...Anybody got any good advice to share? I appreciate anything you might offer up. I am completely clueless.
Yeah,I sadly don't have any advice. But I do have a new set of worries...
ReplyDeleteI hope someone else comes along who can answer your questions!
Hmm, I don't know the answers, either. Branding isn't something I worry about too much, I guess. I figure all I can really do is be myself and write what makes me happy - and so far - it works. :)
ReplyDeleteNo words of wisdom from me, but there are authors that write with several names. Stephen King confused me big time when he did that. I can't even remember that other name now....I think it was Richard Bachman. When you think about branding it is all about how you market yourself as a writer, kind of like your logo, right? I don't see why you couldn't do that and write different genres at the same time. Your focus is mainly on one kind though isn't it? Is sexy stuff a genre of it's own?....lol, just kidding :)
ReplyDeleteI just don't want a brand name of generic!
ReplyDeleteIs branding like one's platform? Or are they different? Crap, I'm not helping, am I?
As for writing it all under your own name, why not? You want the world to know it's you!
You were give your name, and you should wear it like a badge... with pride! I have no advice, so I'm not going to be any help, but I do think you're brave :) I hope someone does answer your questions!
ReplyDeleteNo answers here either. But I can tell you that in my mind you are branded - as an author whose writings are stories well told.
ReplyDeleteI think branding can start with the visual aspect. For example the old black and red layout of your blog was a good brand since it combined all you do in your writing and was screaming SEX, SEDUCTION, PASSION, SECRETS... all the things that are part of your brand in writing :)
ReplyDeleteGreat questions, Melissa. I don't have any answers either. My writing is all on my blog so far, and it covers all kinds of things, mainly photography, non-fiction/history/and flash fiction. My blog name is odd and ("too long", according to my husband), so I have tried to use Kathy Matthews on everything that I do. I'll keep checking back to see what happens on here, because this is a very interesting topic.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
I had this same conversation with Karen G. and she gave me some terrific advice. SInce I write MG and YA but at different levels of edginess, she helped me come up with a brand that works for both.
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on where your writing is mostly focused. An author can brand for cross-genres if there is some similarities in the writing.
We can talk more about it tomorrow.... I can't wait!
Branding is pretty important, but you have to be resigned to be a one-man show. You can never make someone else Melissa Bradley to take the load off. Although more than one would be cool.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about what to do in this situation. Sorry. :(
ReplyDeleteBranding can be difficult. I always teach to either brand your books or brand yourself. I've done both, although my speaker title (which is in my blog's title) is what has stuck. I've been at conventions and had people run up and ask me if I was Spunk on a Stick.
ReplyDeleteThe concept's simple enough. What do you want people to think when they hear your name? Now make sure they see that every time they hear that name. And if there are things that don't fit with that, those are the ones that go under other names.
ReplyDeleteI'm far from being an author, Melissa, but I feel like joining you in banging our heads against a desk 'til we turn it red together. Branding sounds, well, stupid. Why should you have to pigeonhole yourself? Seems that would be too limiting. So, I'm sorry I can't advise, but I understand your frustrations.
ReplyDeleteKeep doing what you're doing. It works, and it works well!
xoRobyn
What Dezmond said (about the "look" of your brand - on your blog/Web site/book covers and fonts, etc.), and L. Diane Wolfe said (about either branding your books or yourself), and stu said (about what you want folks to think about when they hear your name) are all great comments about branding.
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
I'm still struggling with the concept of branding too. Mybe I'm just fighting against being labeled just one thing. Gritty and Crass come to mind most often when I look at myself for a "brand".
ReplyDelete......dhole
Even if you're writing everything under one name, something as subtle as changing your author photo can show the different aspects to your work. You're not stuck by any means :)
ReplyDeleteThe questions lead us to formulate hypotheses, and assumptions we bring new ideas. Whenever you want to develop the questions and uncertainties are needed.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually not sure what branding means either. I think it may be a reference to James Patterson and his fiction factory. Or to Nora Roberts and her fiction factory. Or to James Frey and his fiction factory.
ReplyDeleteHOLY COW! There are a lot of fiction factories out there!
But I want to be a real writer. I don't want to just own a fiction factory and put my name on unknown grad student work. Sure, that's how the big guys make millions, but it seems so cheesy. Why even bother to write?
Is it different than platform? Wow, seems many of us are confused by this ...
ReplyDeleteI came up with a tag long ago ... The stars are the beginning ... And I do a lot of spacey things ... lol But I envision branching out at some point, too.
I'll probably always have an aspect of far-fetchedness in my writing, because that's what I like to do, so I think my tag line works no matter what.
Maybe come up with something more generic ... Movies on the page, or you can probably think of something sassier.
If you're not going after the big 6, I don't think it's as important to image yourself in one genre. If you are, then they expect the branding.
Wish I could be of more help. I know the way you write your name on your book and the font you use falls under branding. Being consistent with it helps. But other than that, I really don't know. I used a similar background for my series so the readers can recognize it as the same books.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a theme? I think that's the best I can do. I'm fairly new to this too. Hope it helps.
Like you I don't want to be stuck in a box with a label slapped across me. I'm too eclectic and free-minded. I guess I'd rather be like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. Heck, it's hard to go wrong with chocolates.
ReplyDeleteLee
A Faraway View
Branding and marketing is what I'm trying to figure out now to get my name out there and generate interest and excitement (hopefully!) about my work. It's tough because I'd rather write than sell, to focus on the art rather than the business.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand branding - and I've decided I don't care. It's too much of a headache. I write in several different genres, all under my own name. Deal with it. I tried a different version of my name with my first racy novel and it's been a bitch ever since to point to my other work. People say, "Haven't you written anything else?" Yes! Look harder! :) Ok, rant done.
ReplyDeleteYou can always brand other stories under a different pen name.
ReplyDeleteI have decided to do just that. I know other writers who have a different pen name for each of their different genres.
Good luck.
Happy IWSG, Melissa. Sorry I'm late. Branding is about communicating your intent as an author to your reader. Think Rowling and wizardry, David vs Goliath, magic. Think Grisham and courtroom dramas around David vs Goliath. Branding is what you want to do so that when your reader sees your blog, your covers, your guest articles, they know it's you. Your POV comes through distinguishing you from the rest. It's about being familiar and recognizable, yet unique and original.
ReplyDeleteI know that's vague, but M.D. has a point. Talk to someone you trust and brainstorm. What are M. Bradley's books about that make them different from other books in this genre? Answer that and you have begun to brand your name.