A writer’s brand, from soup to nuts
Just when I get to the point of knowing exactly who the hell I am, I go and find out I should also be a brand. When I think brand, for some reason, I think of Campbell’s soup. The red and white label, the cute Campbell’s kids who aren’t chubby anymore, the time my son said the soup he made was really thick because he didn’t know he was supposed to add water (i.e. he didn’t read the directions).
I don’t really want to be a can of soup.
But branding makes sense if you want an identity in the bookstore, in the public eye or on the internet. One wiggly thread that weaves through what you do, who you are, what you write. I’m thinking it’s more like being a variety of soups on the shelf, not just one. Like being Chicken with stars, rice, o’s and alphabets. It’s all chicken soup with a different twist. But in the end, it’s chicken soup.
It’s the consistent taste and quality is what keeps people coming back for more. You know what they say…
Mmm, mmm, good!
OK, too much soup talk.
So I have thought about what noodles (couldn’t help it, sorry) its way through all of my writing. For the most part my non-fiction articles and essays are parenting-life related in some way. Not necessary about parenting, but about life as it revolves around the world of parenting. Perhaps we could go further and say nontraditional parenting since I’m not in a traditional family. Not too many people are these days, but if you read parenting crap, I mean articles, you’d never know that. I think most of my pieces also put a positive spin on things, because frankly any other option is relatively ridiculous to me. I think that complaining is a waste of time, so you better just make the best of it all, make it work. If you waste a day, don’t spend another one crying over it. Harsh? No, economical. Time is something you can’t make more of or get back.
Are you branded as an author/writer and if so… what’s your brand? What is the piece that makes it undeniably you and what in your writing holds onto readers through various media, books, magazines, journals? Is it just darn good writin’ that keeps people coming back for more of your fiction or creative non-fiction or straight non-fiction. Meaning, could you write about a glass of water and make it interesting or do you need that thread that goes through it that links it to your work. Water for a family because you’re a mom or a dad. Water for horses because you write about ranches and animals. Water for swimming because you write about athletes?
See? It’s not really about soup.
Author Allison Winn Scotch has recently adopted a brand for her work, and that’s working for her. I tend to think along those lines, of making headway with many different stories that all emerge from one small place.
I think that may be key in these tight publishing times, to position oneself as an expert or a damn good writer of a certain type of story or book. Anything that helps is worth exploring, right? Or am I nuts?
No, maybe I’m just hungry.
Nope, you ain’t soup or nuts. You da cupcake!
I like to think I have a certain “flavor” with my writing that’s conversational, humorous and accessible. If that’s a brand, I guess I’d call it “Downhome.”
Branding and Platform — seem to be intertwined to me. Amy, you have a platform in several parenting blogs. But how to distinguish yourself from all the other mombloggers? Your writing is better, for sure. But also — you have a sharp eye. I’m not a Mom, but I always take something away from your posts. And while I agree that rant writing gets tired fast and has little outlets in print these days — a too-positive spin can turn people off.
For example — if Allison Winn Scotch is branding herself as a wish fulfillment author — I’m keeping away. I like realistic fiction — yes, it can have an upbeat ending, but seldom does life provide us with the kind of tied up endings sold in romantic fiction or even suspense novels. I feel cheated after reading them. Not that I like misery lit — but I like both fiction and non-fiction that gives a more accurate reflection of life. So branding can drive people away as well as invite them in.
I’m trying to give a reality check in all my writing — against Cinderella endings, unrealistic advice, the whole plethora of women’s media that turns a blind eye to the real challenges we face, and therefore fails to offer real support. So my blog is Reality Chick. And my platform is to reach out to the disillusioned.
As for branding my web designer and I did this together — I’m image oriented so I have a glamorous picture of myself up on my site (but I’m getting sick of it, so imagine how others feel.) From the amount of marriage proposals I’m getting from the far east, I can see this picture goes over well with men, probably much less so with women, unless of a similar mind-set. I have Wall Street in my banner, because I write about my life as a financial chick, and am pushing to sell on novel in that vein.
What happens when our branding category changes? We’re specialists on marriage — and then we get divorced?
Angie: Downhome. I like that because it is branding, yet, as Tina mentions, it doesn’t pigeonhole.
Tina: I always wonder about the Single Mom blogs because most of them are all about dating as a single mom and finding a ma’an. What happens when these women settle down with someone either in a relationship or marriage? So much for all the blogging, I guess! I also agree on the rosy outlook for everything, don’t like it…but whether or not the “wish fulfillment” novels appeal to you, they are setting this author on her path, which is my point.
What is it that sets us on our path to a recognizable brand?
I think you’ve hit it with your own writing.
Maybe you should recommend your web designer to some of the single moms who want husbands!!
Thanks for the comments,
Amy
I think this makes sense. The danger with branding is if you stray from your “area” you risk alienating readers, but that’s why they invented pseudonyms, right? I’m nowhere near this point in my career (gah, even career doesn’t apply) but I’d like to think I can find a brand that suits me.
Yeah, I did, but then I couldn’t write a spy novel. What was my tag line? Oh right! It was: “Where the women wear the guns.”
Pseudo doesn’t really. She just writes. She needs to market more.
Melanie,
You’re right, that’s exactly what pseudos are for. But I also think that perhaps a brand can be a broad stroke…like Angie mentioned when stating she is “downhome.”
Amy
My brand seems to have created itself as I’ve written more and more. People who come to me for online writing or blogging love my “getting the info from your best friend over a cup of tea” feel to my style.
My fiction is most appreciated when I stick to a “real people, real feelings” style. It would appear I have a knack for description and dialogue and I’m great at creating very realistic and compelling scenes.
None of this was something I set out to create, I just wrote what I loved and people pointed out that it was what came out best!
Great post!
Jessica,
Wow, you’re very fortunate to have a niche or a knack – or maybe it’s both. I think I’ve got the knack down and am working hard on the niche part.
Where have you been published? I’d love to read something!
Thanks for chiming in!
Amy
Can’t I just complain a teeeeeny bit? Please?
Branding….I’m working very hard on that. I feel that once you discover it and you have the talent to back it up, nothing can stop you, so to speak. It’s even harder when you have to look at yourself and try and think what it is about yourself that makes you “different”. I pray for the day I find “it”.
It’s interesting to think of writing in this way, brand vs. genre. The genre we write in is easy enough to classify, but it seems like brand is more of the “voice” we bring to the genre/s, as well as the angle, and even the packaging . I’m not sure what I’d classify myself, but like having this framework to consider in marketing myself and my work. Great idea.
Hi Amy,
You can find my friendly words of parenting wisdom at http://www.typeamom.net/babies and at http://www.svmoms.com where I write as Rose, and of course on both my blogs http://www.roseslife.blogspot.com and http://www.roselemonade.blogspot.com!
Thanks for asking, I really appreciate it!
Great now my stomach is growling.