Monday, November 12, 2012

Develop a Slogan to Help Your Author Platform

Over at Ad Age, Al Ries wrote a great piece on slogans in relation to political campaigns. Whether you voted for Obama or Romney, Ries shines the light on who had the better slogan--and why. (Click here to read the full article.)

The two main nuggets I got out of the article were:
  1. A good slogan cuts both ways. That is, a good slogan builds up an identity (person, company, etc.) while also defining how you're different than the competition. Using Obama's "Forward" slogan as the example, it implies that Obama wants to move forward while his competition wants to go backward. Politics aside (and whether you agree or disagree), that's what the slogan communicates.
  2. A good slogan communicates value. If you write cookbooks, your slogan should NOT be: Jane Doe, Cookbook Author. A more powerful slogan might be: Jane Doe, Helping the World Cook Better. Instead of Joe Smith, Thriller Author, try Joe Smith, Keeping Readers on the Edge of Their Seat.
Robert Lee Brewer, Helping Writers Succeed

 

Why Do Slogans Matter?


Writers have so much to worry about that I totally understand if they're wondering, "Why the heck should I care about slogans? Aren't those just for companies?"

Those are fair questions, but here's the thing: Once writers hang their shingles as freelance writers, that makes them businesses. Maybe just one employee. Maybe not super successful...just yet. But a business nonetheless. Still, why does a slogan matter?

For one, a slogan defines who writers are to their target audience--to literary agents, editors, book buyers, and ultimately readers. That's pretty important stuff.

Second, a slogan defines who writers are to themselves. It might seem like common sense, but most writers can't define themselves--especially in a way that explains their value--in fewer than 10 words. That's why developing a slogan is a super important exercise.

Incorporate Into Your Author Platform


Once you have a slogan that communicates value and cuts both ways, begin incorporating it into your platform building.
  • Use it--or something very similar--as the tagline on your blog and/or website.
  • Include it in the About Me sections of your social media profiles.
  • Put it on your business cards.
  • Include it in your e-mail signature.
  • Work the slogan into any other messaging you can, whether an e-newsletter or print stationery.

Use it and use it some more. Remember: Consistency is key in brand building, and that's exactly what an author platform: It's building your brand as an author. Now, get to work on your slogan.
 
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Check out these other helpful Not Bob posts:
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And if you want a way to improve make a super investment in your author platform, check out the latest offering from Writer's Digest: Author Platform Consultations. There are three different levels--from a basic package (that is anything but basic) to an 8-week program that involves 30-minute consultations each week. Click here to learn more.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

2012 November PAD Chapbook Challenge!

There are things I love and things I detest about November. One thing I detest is Daylight Savings Time. Blech! However, something I love (in addition to Thanksgiving) is the November PAD (Poem-A-Day) Chapbook Challenge that's run on my Poetic Asides blog.

Here's how it works: Each day of November, there is a new prompt posted. Each day, poets from around the world respond to that prompt with their poems. At the end of November, poets should have 30+ poems written which they can turn into a 10-20 chapbook manuscript to submit to me by early January.

The challenge is meant to be fun and productive. Anyway, I thought I'd link to the prompts here to make it easy for Not Bob readers to play along and get caught up (if they want to break a line or two).

Here are the November 2012 poetry prompts:



The prompts will fill in throughout the month. Click on the links above to view the full explanation of the prompt, read my own attempt at the prompt, and read plenty of examples by other poets.

No matter the challenge you're taking on in November (if you're taking one on), please have an excellent time doing so.

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By the way, if you're into challenges (and haven't done so yet), you might be interested in taking on my 30-day Platform Building Challenge. It's free, easy, and has been very helpful for scores of writers already. Click: How to Build (or Improve) Your Writer Platform in 30 Days.

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Also, I don't think I've mentioned it on here yet, but I was called out in the November issue of O, The Oprah Magazine for my Poetic Asides blog. In fact, a direct quote: "I have a poet crush on Robert Lee Brewer." Now that's something cool! Click here to check out the piece, which includes three other important poetry resources.

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Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Plus, sign up for free e-mail updates from this blog in the top right-hand corner of the page.


*****

Check out these other helpful Not Bob posts:
*****

And if you want a way to improve make a super investment in your author platform, check out the latest offering from Writer's Digest: Author Platform Consultations. There are three different levels--from a basic package (that is anything but basic) to an 8-week program that involves 30-minute consultations each week. Click here to learn more.