tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post7963058644151455683..comments2024-03-27T05:29:26.481-07:00Comments on Shrinking Violet Promotions: Does Branding Make Sense?R.L. LaFevershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646274781361864901noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-55042220326517082962011-10-24T04:18:39.747-07:002011-10-24T04:18:39.747-07:00A professionally crafted logo bmp is one of the gr...A professionally crafted <a href="http://www.logodesignconsultant.com/logo-file-formats.html" rel="nofollow">logo bmp</a> is one of the greatest blessings for a company; whether it is big or small. It gives them an identity of their own and makes them different from others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-40665603956230926482010-07-13T16:57:23.307-07:002010-07-13T16:57:23.307-07:00Hi Violets, I'm finally commenting after findi...Hi Violets, I'm finally commenting after finding this post through Nathan Bransford's site . . . and then reading through pages of old posts. <br /><br />A) This info on branding is what I was looking to discover! I've been really curious about this whole author branding thing.... <br /><br />B) This whole blog really sings to me. I never considered myself an "introvert" in the past because I *gasp* enjoy public speaking and don't have any particular trouble talking to people. . . but I prefer to be alone, don't consider it a break from work unless I'm not talking to people, and travelled to Europe solo for 9 weeks (my answer to when people said "You must be so good at meeting people!" was, "No, I just enjoy my own company." If people decided to meet ME, it's just icing on the cake). <br /><br />- From your newest VioletJessica Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01719861048029304778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-11741615472182639682010-07-07T17:59:13.470-07:002010-07-07T17:59:13.470-07:00This was so interesting for me. I have a marketin...This was so interesting for me. I have a marketing background, so I jumped into branding myself via a blog before my first book was finished. And then I found it was draining the energy from my book. So I stopped the blog and focused on the book. Now I am so much more productive, and I'm confident the brand will emerge from a strong book, much more so than from a forgettable blog. Thanks. Love, Another Shrinking Violet named MimiMimi Hawthornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02437427310634463521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-697372542429904362010-07-06T08:02:31.187-07:002010-07-06T08:02:31.187-07:00I have three blogs and each has a different style....I have three blogs and each has a different style. One blog is a memoir, another is filled with interviews and photos, and my recent blog contains caption-driven cartoons.<br /><br />I cannot develop a brand because I am constantly evolving and trying to become more creative with each entry. <br /><br />I am having so much fun blogging with marjorie-cartoons.Marjoriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13323661411548419175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-12537221824403257172010-07-06T04:16:45.330-07:002010-07-06T04:16:45.330-07:00I think Blogger ate yesterday's comment on thi...I think Blogger ate yesterday's comment on this post, but my short recap is that I appreciate you going over this so in-depth. It's bewildering. I don't think I WANT to be branded, but I am -- my editor wants another few novels like Mare's War and has passed on a couple which are different. And I have to decide: do I want the branding to run me, or do I want to run the branding...?<br /><br />Choices, choices...tanita✿davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671822274852087499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-72263264034988305912010-07-05T22:25:59.101-07:002010-07-05T22:25:59.101-07:00Quite an interesting piece. I was just looking for...Quite an interesting piece. I was just looking for information about branding and out of the blue. Thanks, it is very helpful.Edgar Adrian Lopez Moya Valenzuelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02822488365120271634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-77114891190913081862010-07-04T23:54:04.902-07:002010-07-04T23:54:04.902-07:00Definitely great post. Your topic is very informat...Definitely great post. Your topic is very informative and very helpful. I am looking forward for your new post.bed frameshttp://www.erikorganic.com/bedroom/bed-frames.shtmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-60288938133334473202010-07-04T17:23:39.756-07:002010-07-04T17:23:39.756-07:00Welcome to all you new people!
Irene, zen is good...Welcome to all you new people!<br /><br />Irene, zen is good. Tricky, but good.<br /><br />Interesting that you have not had good luck stretching past your own brand, April. I'm assuming you mean in terms of market acceptance. I'm guessing that's when publishers suggest authors take on a second pen name, to circumvent that reader expectation?<br /><br />Lisa, SO glad you found a revelation in the post!<br /><br />Blythe, I'm laughing at the 'fish with feathers'. What a great image. And maybe a fish with feathers will be great at both flying and swimming!<br /><br />Anon with ten books - I think you make a most excellent point about the possibility that we are chasing our tails and trying too much to define something that happens naturally. Because of course Dickens and Shakespeare both had distinctive brands. And yeah, I'm a BIG believer in a rockin' great story and word of mouth. <br /><br />Katharina, I love the comparison to a signature style for painters. Exactly! How devastating it would be to discover one had climbed the wrong d@mnded mountain!<br /><br />You're welcome, Yat Yee!R.L. LaFevershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14646274781361864901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-28481536937747326192010-07-03T12:36:00.931-07:002010-07-03T12:36:00.931-07:00Robin: thanks for synthesizing all the different i...Robin: thanks for synthesizing all the different ideas and opinions into one wise and thoughtful piece. I know I'll be re-reading this.Yat Yeehttp://yatyeechong.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-13465709425974138922010-07-02T23:42:34.144-07:002010-07-02T23:42:34.144-07:00Thank you for this excellent post!
"Branding...Thank you for this excellent post!<br /><br />"Branding" is to authors what "developing a signature style" is to painters. <br /><br />In both cases the objective is to gain market value and to improve sales numbers; in both cases forcing your brand or your style instead of letting it develop in its own time can dry out your most precious sources: your creativity and your enthusiasm.<br /><br />You might climb the mountain very fast - only to realise it's the wrong one. And unless you descend and start all over again you're stuck where you don't want to be.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15120917358021948488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-41996161315856615082010-07-02T21:18:44.799-07:002010-07-02T21:18:44.799-07:00Really interesting piece, thanks!
As an author wi...Really interesting piece, thanks!<br /><br />As an author with ten books out now, the first one well before people really started talking about 'branding' in publishing, I do sometimes wonder if we're chasing their tails (tales?!) and getting worried about something that's been going on for eons. I suppose my 'brand' evolved naturally (as you mentioned, from voice - such a great point). But isn't Dickens 'branded'? And Shakespeare?<br /><br />We can over-think these things. It always, always, always comes back to a rockin' great story and word of mouth, despite branding, despite platform etc..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-7197732702409509912010-07-02T17:34:50.610-07:002010-07-02T17:34:50.610-07:00First of all, thank you for this post and the one ...First of all, thank you for this post and the one with the questions about writing and publishing goals. I do sometimes feel like a fish with feathers. My work identity has been tied up in being a reader rather than a writer (I've been a writing teacher, a production coordinator at a press, an indexer...), but now I've got a book coming out, and I feel I owe it to that book to do my best to help it succeed. I enjoy writing. I guess I'll just wait and see what sort of things a fish with feathers can do.<br />Thanks again. Sincerely.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10147284664183496856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-37425801901440406102010-07-02T15:42:20.121-07:002010-07-02T15:42:20.121-07:00Really excellent post. Thank you. I've been ba...Really excellent post. Thank you. I've been battling with how to tie the memoir I've written to the YA I'm working on to all the other ideas swirling in my head. But I see clearly now the themes that run through all of them. Quite a revelation. <br /><br />And yes, I have also stopped hyperventilating. :-)Lisa Manterfieldhttp://www.lisamanterfield.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-86106778565201119192010-07-02T15:20:58.803-07:002010-07-02T15:20:58.803-07:00My books are definitely branded, for better or wor...My books are definitely branded, for better or worse. I write mysteries and thrillers for adults and teens. The times I have tried to stretch past that I have not succeeded. <br /><br />The first photo with this post looks just like the cover for my fall release, Girl, Stolen. <br /><br />As an adult, I tend to think of authors - even children's authors - as having brands. So when my kid loved Predicktions by John Halliday, I requested Shooting Monarchs for her from the library. She was in 3rd grade. Then she made kind of an offhand comment and I looked it up on Amazon. It got great reviews - but it was for grades 9 and up. It's about a teen serial killer.April Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01193292966301864407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-85268501048018724232010-07-02T15:00:16.420-07:002010-07-02T15:00:16.420-07:00Great post. Very informative and I good way to th...Great post. Very informative and I good way to think about this topic. Found your blog through Nathan Bransford's--happy to be following along!Stasiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415483299971270025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-4719559290738194542010-07-02T14:20:54.878-07:002010-07-02T14:20:54.878-07:00Fantasic post on branding. And more evidence that...Fantasic post on branding. And more evidence that I'd be terrible at it. :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-29537390742371098642010-06-29T20:16:19.718-07:002010-06-29T20:16:19.718-07:00Great info.! Thanks for putting it together!Great info.! Thanks for putting it together!Wendy S Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590562856819593365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-77545625095649082432010-06-29T19:49:10.199-07:002010-06-29T19:49:10.199-07:00I love the reminder that brands are evolutionary, ...I love the reminder that brands are evolutionary, in flux, not something to imprison a writer, but something to grow through. <br />Trying to be all zen,<br />Irene<br />:)Irene Lathamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04905936104127707762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-74368540006163103392010-06-29T17:14:54.263-07:002010-06-29T17:14:54.263-07:00I love this, Kimberley, that you've identified...I love this, Kimberley, that you've identified such a strong core issue in such a hugely varied body of work! Thank you for proving my point so elegantly for me. :-)<br /><br />And that's what I wish for all writers: a cessation to the worry so they can just WRITE.R.L. LaFevershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14646274781361864901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-67818491818225457452010-06-29T10:11:03.560-07:002010-06-29T10:11:03.560-07:00Wow, what a wonderful post, Robin. So much to thin...Wow, what a wonderful post, Robin. So much to think about, but in a calm, un-stressful way, so thank you!!! I've been reading a lot of those branding blog posts and thinking about it off an on and was starting to do the panic thing about not having a brand because I'm writing MG and YA and historical and now I have 90 pages of a YA paranormal set in a castle in the Victorian era!<br /><br />Under contract though, I have the two southern/bayou MG novels, one coming out Thursday and the second I'm currently writing, but then Scholastic also bought my edgy YA about belly dance set in the Middle East that will be out maybe late 2011. A whole different audience and my editor says that they are so different you'd think the MG and the YA were written by two completely different authors!<br /><br />BUT what is also interesting - and which speaks to your thoughts about taking a look at your themes that will emerge the longer you write - is that I'm realizing my books have mother/daughter, family and faith themes to them. So maybe I do have a brand within a wide range of books. <br /><br />Time will tell as they begin to be published, I guess . . . for now I'm going to stop worrying about it and just worry about writing the best book I can. That's hard enough!Kimberley Griffiths Littlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03269829969442171522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-71119474890040285092010-06-28T12:26:00.818-07:002010-06-28T12:26:00.818-07:00Oh Katy, that was exactly what I was hoping some p...Oh Katy, that was exactly what I was hoping some people would take away from this--a sense of unclenching. :-)<br /><br />Well that's quite a compliment, Tricia, considering just how much there is on branding out there. I think you'll find the exercises eye-opening. I know I did.<br /><br />myletterstoemily, I agree that recognize is the key word. Good luck finding a minute!<br /><br />Thank YOU, Alexis! :-)R.L. LaFevershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14646274781361864901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-57198846284913848472010-06-28T12:08:37.430-07:002010-06-28T12:08:37.430-07:00Reallyinsightfu, and helpful post. Thanks, Robin!...Reallyinsightfu, and helpful post. Thanks, Robin!AlexisInCAhttp://www.alexisoneill.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-22910271012005540462010-06-28T11:02:34.191-07:002010-06-28T11:02:34.191-07:00an excellent novella on branding and so
perceptive...an excellent novella on branding and so<br />perceptive.<br /><br />i think it is better to recognize one's<br />brand rather than to try to develop one.<br />it is so much easier on us.<br /><br />i will try to figure out mine. . . as soon<br />as i have a minute!myletterstoemilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17555607498974287844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-19015611894872470612010-06-28T10:11:31.328-07:002010-06-28T10:11:31.328-07:00Oh my. This is the best thing I've read on bra...Oh my. This is the best thing I've read on branding. I need to bookmark it and do the exercises. Thank you so much!Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2411759600837193508.post-88761641229316278782010-06-28T10:09:53.648-07:002010-06-28T10:09:53.648-07:00What a wise, thoughtful, thought-provoking post! I...What a wise, thoughtful, thought-provoking post! I didn't realize how I was not-quite-consciously stressing about branding until I read it... (because I relaxed while I was reading it--that was the sign).<br /><br />And now I need to revisit my goals...Katy Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10631346527514599876noreply@blogger.com