Build a Powerful Author Brand to Break Through the Noise By Kathy Meis

Happy Friday, peeps! And I mean that in the most loving way:) So, I feel like I’m having this weird, mystical, amazing season in my life where all the stars are aligned and my cup runneth over with meaningful connections. One such connection is Kathy Meis, who is founder and CEO of Bublish, the world’s first complete publishing solution with integrated brand-building and discoverability features. Kathy is the “ish” in the book publishing/marketing and promotion arena. Today, Kathy shares five simple steps to help craft an effective author brand.

Did you know that readers are fifteen times more likely to purchase a book from an author whose name they recognize? In a sea of content, readers flock to what they know. That’s why it has never been more important for writers to build an author brand.
What is an author brand? It is simply your promise to readers.
Authors are often uncomfortable with the idea of creating a brand around their writing. Yet, by being part of the social conversation, most are creating some type of brand whether they’re aware of it or not. Unfortunately, if they’re constantly asking readers to “buy their books” on social media, the brand they’re creating is that of a salesperson. Why not be more deliberate about the process and create an author brand that speaks to your audience and allows you to present yourself to the world as the talented creative writer that you are? In today’s crowded book marketplace, taking the time to craft an effective author brand will lead to a more engaged audience and ultimately more book sales.
If readers were asked to describe your author brand in a few words or phrases, what would they say? Do you know? If not, perhaps it’s worth taking some time to find out. Here are five simple steps to help craft an effective author brand:
1. Discover your brand. Explore and define your life-long aspirations, passions and goals as an author. When you start in a place of honesty, you will build a brand that is genuine and resonates with readers. Think of this part of the process like writing a mission statement for your writing career.
2. Ask hard questions. What makes your work compelling? What differentiates you and your writing in today’s book marketplace? How do readers perceive you and your work? Is that perception aligned with the perception you desire? Do the books you create and the way you market them help you cultivate your author brand and achieve your goals? How do you add value to your community of fans? This step needs to be interactive. Ask your readers for feedback. Figure out how your current readers see you. Then, decide if their feedback is aligned with the brand you want to build. If it is…awesome, the next steps are easier. If it is not, it’s time to stop and figure out why.
3. Create a plan. Map out a clear, long-term road map to help you reach your goals. This should include the types of books you will write (not necessarily just genre, specific qualities are important too), when you will release them, the way you will share them with the world, and the types of actions you will take on a regular basis to demonstrate the qualities and values for which you wish to be known. This step is all about creating a voice for your author brand. It’s about articulating what you’ve learned through steps 1 and 2. You’ve gathered information, now you need to put into a plan. One part of that plan is a road map for your career. The second part of that plan is a promotional content strategy that let’s the world know about your author brand.
4. Choose your platforms. Now that you’ve discovered and articulated your brand, it’s time to figure out the best places to communicate your brand’s message. Research social and real-world communication channels that target your audience. For example, if you write business books, you need to spend time in targeted LinkedIn group. If you write genre fiction, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are great places to explore. If you write young adult, you need to find a way to reach your audience on Instagram and YouTube. Execute your content plan, which you developed in Step 3, across the platforms that your audience uses. By the way, Bublish can help you share your stories and build your brand on all these platforms, so I hope you’ll check us out.
5. Commit to long-term execution of your plan. Building an effective author brand takes a long time. It requires commitment and consistency. Don’t give up on your road map just because you’re not seeing results quickly. In fact, let’s be clear, you will NOT see results quickly. However, if you craft a solid plan and commit to it, you will achieve your goals as an author.
I wish you the best of luck on the journey. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Being an author is hard work, but it’s an amazing gift.
Kathy Meis is the founder and CEO of Bublish, the world’s first complete publishing solution with integrated brand-building and discoverability features. With more than 25 years of experience in the media and publishing industries, she has served in a wide variety of editorial and management positions at some of the industry’s leading media companies, including CBS and Forbes, Inc. She is a founding partner of PubSmart, a publishing conference in Charleston, South Carolina, as well as a professional writer, editor, and ghostwriter. Kathy speaks and blogs regularly on the subject of book promotion, author branding, social marketing, and discoverability. She has appeared at many conferences, including Book Expo America, Women in Media, GrubSteet, PubSmart, and IndieRecon.

Awesome tips, Kathy! Thank you.

Are you focused on building your author’s brand? What tip/s from Kathy will you incorporate into your brand building?

 

Writer quote for today:

“All writing problems are psychological problems. Blocks usually stem from the fear of being judged. If you imagine the world listening, you’ll never write a line. That’s why privacy is so important. You should write first drafts as if they will never be shown to anyone.” — Erica Jong

 

 

 

Why Your Book Promotion Is Serious Business

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you all got out to enjoy the mild temperature today. It was windy but all good, wasn’t it? I haven’t been writing so much this week because I’m focused on researching resources that will help me promote and garner reader interest and sales for Unleash Your Pearls, my empowerment book for women. But, don’t think I’m keeping what I’ve learned to myself; I don’t operate that way, unless ice cream is involved, doncha know 🙂

It’s interesting to note that according to The United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or (UNESCO), there are currently 345,766 new book titles this year, a jump from the reported 328,259 titles in 2010. You might be asking yourself, what does this have to do with me? Well, everything, if you are a writer intent upon becoming a published author. Trust and believe when you transition from writer to author and now, business owner? You will want to know all stats pertaining to your book, including promotion and capacity for making sales amid the competitive onslaught of new authors in your genre.

I co-authored a relationship book, Essence of Romance, with a friend and colleague in 2015. We have been doing marketing and promotions for the book via different avenues, collectively and individually, depending upon where our strengths and weaknesses lie.  At intervals we do little comparison talk to share notes on how our collaboration is faring and also plan our next strategic move for the book’s exposure. Essence has a wealth of valuable information inside and reap increments of profit at times, but not nearly enough to cry “Eureka!”

The debate arises for all published authors on how and where topromote our books and possibly rack up enough sales to see us through to the next book or at least garner an honorable mention on that elusive bestsellers list.

Some of the obvious sites to promote your books includes social media… facebook, twitter, pinterest, good-reads and LinkedIn, where you can use your networking skills to ask for, and offer book reviews, blog tours and author interviews via writer/author interchange in a collaborative effort to promote your book.

Mark Coker, founder of Smash-words, wrote the 2015 Book Publishing Industry Predictions where he gave authors plenty of writing, book publishing and book promotion advice. This was the stand out gem for me, however, I feel that as a relatively new author,  and with an upcoming book to launch, my book promotion has to be serious business.

“Many authors spend too much time on marketing and social media when they should be spending more time writing. An author’s best marketing is a book that markets itself. If an author’s book isn’t sparking enthusiastic word of mouth without marketing, then no amount of marketing will make it a bestseller.” Mark Coker

There’s a wealth of book promotion advice by way of articles, bestselling author interviews, seminars, LinkedIn groups and publishing newsletters & periodicals. Here are four popular sites offering how to~ to promoting and marketing your book :

https://www.bublish.com/blog/

http://ariionkathleenbrindley.com/5books.shtml

http://www.yourwriterplatform.com/promote-and-market-your-book/

http://writetodone.com/10-ways-promote-your-book/

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/33825-how-to-promote-your-book-on-amazon

PS~

There will be more talking points in an upcoming post on how to rock your book promotion, along with guest insights on why new authors might not feel the book purchasing love from colleagues/cohorts and other writers in their tribe. If you want to weigh in on this enlightening conversation, send your thoughts to clarawriter@att.net with “book purchasing love” in subject.

For more of Mark Coker book publishing insights, follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter/com/mark coker. If you haven’t heard Evelyn Cogdell’s interview on RARE Woman, go here: http://www.ubnradio.com/

Next week, Clara’s Writers Blog will be participating in Joel Christian Gill’s Graphic Novel Blog Tour for Black History Month. Come on back for this awesome honor!

Was this post helpful ?  When should you start promoting your book, before or after publication? Appreciate your comments.

Two New Book Releases To Kick Off Your New Year

Happy Friday, Creatives!

So, we’re in the middle of those dog days of winter and by the way, Happy New Year 2016! I hope you’re not letting the cold melancholy and sluggish weather keep you from your creative juices! If you can’t write at the moment, at least do a good deed for someone and read a book or two.

Dontcha know, some of my best friends are  readers. “Ruff”

Speaking of the latter, I have two new books by two different authors  that landed on my desk recently, that I think y’all might like.  Although, I’m not in the zone to do book reviews, right now, I keep receiving these amazing books. Never look a gift horse in the mouth!

I read The Vicious Cycle over the holidays and it is an awesome true life account of one woman’s mission to re-educate and prepare inmates about the reality of the real world, once they’re released from prison. This book is based upon the author’s real experiences coming from living that life.

For more information about the author, feel free to visit her social media sites:

TargetEvolution.org

www.facebook.com/targetevolution

www.twitter.com/targetevolution

www.instagram.com/crystalvictoria107

www.linkedin.com/crystalvictoria

The second book is one I hope to read when time allows because the subject matter seems more aligned to my purpose brand. Here’s a snippet from A Monk’s Way:

“Insightful and at times enlightening, “A Monk’s Way,” posits an alternative to blindly following the conventional dogma of organized religion and presents readers with the tools to ultimately cultivate a more meaningful relationship with a higher power.”

For more on this author visit www.clarkeide.com and follow him on Twitter @clark_eide.

I receive many books from public relations people, on behalf of their clients, either looking for a review or offering an author interview. In most cases, I will offer the author space on Clara’ writer’s blog to promote their work and also give y’all an opportunity to read these books. I know, sowing those seeds girl, sowing those seeds!

Are you a relative new author, having difficulty selling your books with folk in your inner circle? If you are, I invite you to join the conversation happening on Friday the 15th, where the topic asks the question:

“Are authors being supported by their friends and colleagues in their book sales? If not, why not? ” Seasoned authors we value your input and want to hear your take on the subject as well.

Send your responses to clarawriter@att.net to be included in the conversation.

Today’s writer quote:

“My urge to write is an urge not to self-expressionism but to self-transcendence. My work is both bigger and smaller than I am.” — Susan Sontag

Worldreader: Empowering Literacy Through Reading, Thinking and Growing

Hello readers and writers and those who are published authors!

So, I just got of the phone with my publisher and everything is going well. On our next session we’ll be discussing the book cover for Unleash Your Pearls. YAY! The book won’t be out until sometime in 2016, but I will keep everyone posted.

 

Speaking of books? I received this awesome email from Jennifer Jacobson, PR advocate for Worldreader and Jacobson communications. Jennifer wanted to share the story  about world famous author Paulo Coelho (The Alchemist) and his recent donation of three of his titles to Worldreader’s digital library.

Here’s more about their collaboration and links for you to visit to get better acquainted with this awesome pursuit of literacy.

http://www.worldreader.org/blog/paulo-coehlo-now-our-supporter/

About Worldreader

Worldreader is a global nonprofit bringing digital books children and their families, empowering them to read, think, and grow in order to improve their lives and their world. In its first five years, Worldreader has reached 5.6 million readers in 69 countries with a digital library of 28,500 local and international e-books via e-readers and mobile phones, and plans to reach 15 million readers by 2018. To read free books on your mobile phone, visit read.worldreader.org. For more information on Worldreader, visit www.worldreader.org

About Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho is considered one of the most influential authors of our times. His books have sold more than 195 million copies worldwide; have been released in 170 countries and translated into 80 languages. Born in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1947, Paulo Coelho is the author of some of the most read titles of our time, such as The Pilgrimage or The Alchemist, the book that made him internationally famous. Paulo Coelho has written many other books which have touched the hearts of people around the world, among them Brida, Veronika Decides to Die, Eleven Minutes, Aleph and Adultery.

He has received numerous prestigious international awards. He is member of the Academy of Letters of Brazil since 2002 and a Messenger of Peace by the United Nations since 2007. In 2009 he received the 2009 Guinness World Record for the most translated Author for The Alchemist. Also, he is the writer with the highest number of followers on social media. To learn more about Paulo Coelho, visit his blog: http://paulocoelhoblog.com/.

 

Wasn’t this great news to share in the fight against illiteracy?  And not to mention we have a  direct link to Paulo Coelho’s blog and awesome web videos. I’m a fan who should have purchased The Alchemist years ago:)

Thanks Jennifer.

Quote for today:

“When its positive she’s all for it”. Clara Freeman

Happy reading all!

Kudos, Complimentary Tickets And Print Book News

Good Morning Creatives!  I want you to join me in sending kudos out to my two granddaughters and their dance troupe-Dancers Be Like. They have auditions Saturday for America’s Got Talent. Break a record,  my dancers!

If you are an author looking for agents for your manuscripts, I happened upon  a great article over at womenfictionwriters here:

https://womensfictionwriters.wordpress.com/2015/09/29/10-literary-agents-seeking-womens-fiction-now-8-query-tips-by-chuck-sambuchino/

Here’s a treat for those of you in the Chicago-land area. Tomorrow, (November 7th from 6pm),”The Transformation Showcase” headed by C. Street, one of my LinkedIn connects, is offering two complimentary tickets to see their Performance. I’m not able to attend because my great-granddaughter is celebrating her two-year old milestone:)  Anyhow, I was given permission to pass the invite on to other women.

It’s all about sharing the love over here, y’all 🙂

The showcase focuses on fighting body shaming and building self-esteem by celebrating, primarily women of color, who set out to become their own SuperMe, regardless of size, shape or body type. If you’re free this Saturday (November 7th from 1-6pm), and would be interested in attending,  you can e-mail info@transformationshowcase.com, and let them know you were offered two complimentary tickets by  C. Street and they’ll leave them at roll call.

This news from the pages of The Web Writers Spotlight should bring a smile: Despite earlier predictions that e-books would overtake print by 2015, digital sales have instead slowed sharply and the tune has changed. Now analysts predict the print industry will “thrive” over the coming five years.

Bamidele Onibalusi  of writersincharge just published 50 websites that pay $50 + for Articles:

http://www.writersincharge.com/sites-that-pay-writers-50-per-article/

My book update~ the first  book coaching session went well. Linda Ellis Eastman (publisher) took on coaching yours truly and I’m totally blown away by how down to earth she is. Her affirming voice and real coaching expertise, immediately put me at ease.. She truly walks the talk and I have my fingers crossed that the next session goes well.

Your writer’s quote for today:

“A writer, I think, is someone who pays attention to the world.“

– Susan Sontag

Anything you’d like to share with u today, please speak on that!

My lesson learned from social media interactions this week~ Stand in your truths and never waver under intimidation. Shine a  ‘kindness’ light onto yourself and heal from within when faced with harsh critics and acts of hate filled rhetoric. And continue the journey. . . C.F.

 

 

More Awesome Book News!

Happy Friday, Creatives!

I’m in my season of allowing, and although,I have lots more to accomplish within the space of this awesome writing realm, I don’t feel intimidated or pressured to get stuff done. And yet, when my work comes together, I feel empowered and so grateful to have this wonderful gift .

First up, guys, I’ve sort of put memoir on hold. After forty thousand words, it started to wreck havoc on my emotions. I have to rethink the “deep introspection” required of the memoir writing process.

My poetry chapbook entry to Casey Shay Chapbook Contest had a good run, landing my Lil book,  A Southern Woman’s Confessional,Poems from the soul, on their Quarter-finalist and Semi-finalist lists. Unfortunately, my lil darlings failed to make the top three finalists list. Oh, C’est la vie 🙂

 Don’t cry for me Argentina! I’m just looking in my rear-view at that slight pang of rejection, as I’m preparing to re-edit the book for another chapbook competition. If anyone knows of traditional publishers in the market for a chapbook of poems from a southern woman’s perspective, have their people call my people:)

In a prior post, I introduced y’all to the African-American Woman Book Publishing Scholarship, where the CEO of Professional Woman Publishing ,  LLC,  offered $2500 book publishing scholarships to 4 women of color.

Well, I’m excited to announce that I am one of their scholarship recipients. Yea Buddy!!

African-American Women $2,500 book scholarship

 

I’m preparing for the 5 conference calls in mid October with the CEO, Linda Ellis Eastman, where we’ll discuss my vision for my new book, which will receive all the benefits that the scholarship covers and then some. Did I mention how thrilled I am?!

My new book project, tentatively titled, Unleash Your Pearls, A Woman’s Guide To Empowering Her Authentic Truths, supersedes any anticipated vision for my work that I’ve ever imagined in 4 decades of scratches and scribbles, hits and misses, confirmations and surprises. My passion for writing is a gift that continues to give and I love that my purpose platform remains solid.

Y’all already know (she says in her authentic voice )I’m gonna be like a sponge in our private coaching sessions, soaking up awesome pearls of book writing/publishing knowledge, to aid my purpose mission that offers every woman, one of the very best resource guides available for living a life of purpose and authenticity.  I’m going to be busy like a happily buzzing bee, preparing to introduce Unleash Your Pearls to the world.

Of course, I will keep everyone informed of the book’s progress.

Today’s author quote clearly had me in mind, because, initially I was hesitant to inquire about the  scholarship information.  But, that’s a  whole ‘nother post, people:)

“Stepping outside your comfort zone to reach out can have tremendous payoffs. Whether you are building your network of media contacts, writing an opinion piece for a newspaper or blog, arranging a meeting with your local Congressman, or engaged in a media blitz around your latest paper, you’ll generate ripples that can lead to surprising and gratifying results.” — Nancy Baron, author of Escape from the Ivory Tower

How To Get Better At Your Craft

This week, I received rejection letters in my email for two short story submissions. I thought, Okay, back to the drawing board, people.

I could have used those competition winnings,for sure, but I learned early on in this business, you don’t cry over cryptic rejections. Trust and believe, those fiction pieces will be proofed and re-edited for submission in due time.

Get this: You can become better at your craft!

Those of us in the business of using our creative gifts, in hopes of making a sustainable living , understand this process. It takes time to create something great! Success will not be a walk in the park. But, every writer,  poet, author, entrepreneur business owner and artist, can become a winner if they keep practicing their craft.

The late comedian Bernie Mac learned the lesson of rejection and practice the hard way. He started doing standup in various venues and really won over the crowd . When he got an offer to appear on stage with Arsenio Hall, at a famous comedy club, Bernie knew he had finally made it.

His wife remembers asking him if he was going to write his monologue for the gig, but Bernie reportedly told her that he didn’t have to write any jokes because they were all in his head.

Needless to say, Bernie Mac bombed. He was mortified and it took him four months to regain his confidence and get back to what he loved doing most.

This time the comedian came prepared. He took notes on some of the biggest names in comedy. He studied their movements, mannerisms, timed their improve; took note of their deliverance and zingers. When The Kings of Comedy came knocking, Bernie Mac answered and became a rising star in comedy, film and television.

A participant in the creative arts have to develop a thick skin and persist. Rejection comes with the territory and are mere stepping-stones to seeing that return on your investment. You have to keep going; take classes in your area of expertise and study the experts.

(Study the experts,creative; don’t try to emulate them. Be yourself)

I can’t guarantee continued practice will make your work perfect, but I do know you will become better at your craft.

Today’s quote sort of put things in perspective for me. I hope it brings a smile.

Enjoy!

“Most of the writers I know work every day, in obscurity and close to poverty, trying to say one thing well and true. Day in, day out, they labor to find their voice, to learn their trade, to understand nuance and pace. And then, facing a sea of rejections, they hear about something like Barbara Bush’s dog getting a book deal.” — Timothy Egan

What’s Your Blog Purpose?

Everyone have a happy & thankful 4th of July weekend!

“Thx a bunch. Ur blog helped me reach many poetry lovers and newbies! Couldn’t hv done that w/o ur site. Appreciate u”

This comment came from a well established artist and poet. It not only let me know that I’m providing an important service with Clara Writers Blog, it also made me appreciative of my followers and readers!

So, my question today is, What’s the purpose of your blog? If it’s solely to make money or to connect to “important” folks of influence? That’s perfectly fine, as long as you are transparent in your dealings with your readers/prospective clients.

By being transparent and authentic in your platform/brand approach and actually providing something of value to others, your blessings will flow from every cornerstone of living a life of integrity and authenticity.

And, get this, those influential people will seek you out:)

Here’s the writer’s quote for today:

“The most important trait of a writer is an authentic voice. Writers have to have faith in their own voice, and their own way of doing things. Originality is the gem that every writer possesses. Originality also brings on the most merciless attacks. The world resents originality in the beginning writer, and then rewards it abundantly once that writer has been successfully published. Cherish your own voice. Don’t try to sound like anybody else. Sound like yourself and take the slings and arrows and keep going.” — Anne Rice

Exposing Sonya’s Book Secret!

Hello Authors! I’m so thrilled and amazed to introduce the latest works from my friend and Marketing mentor, Sonya Carmichael Jones. You see, Sonya’s been keeping a secret, but now I have her permission to expose her book secret to the masses:)

After being off the grid for some time, Ms (newly Mrs) Sonya sent me all of the goings on via e-card. It so happens that Sonya has been busy writing a series of “murder & mayhem” books that have hit the market! This is such good news.

This is just one title in the series. Sonya’s (RODEO CARLSON) books are in full display at her online book club blog. The book-club, for all mystery lovers and writers is here: and introduces Rodeo Carlson author of murder and mayhem stories.

Sonya’s blog is here:http://rodeocarlson.com/blog/ Please visit and support..

My friend, the Marketingbuddha was off social media for a chunk of time, while she quietly went about her business to produce and introduce murder & mayhem to the world. I’m considering taking cues from her on this’silence but golden’ method writing.

What’s your writing method?  Curious to know.

This is my last post for the next two weeks. It’s no secret that my family’s/family reunion is held during the month of June. I’m not taking the laptop:)

My Experience As A Beta Reader

Are you in the market for a Beta Reader? Let’s discuss terms.

Good morning! When a writer and new author asked me to be a beta reader for her memoir recently, first of all I was honored and second of all, I wondered what the heck had I gotten myself into for agreeing to do such an important task.

Needless to say, the experience was a win/win for both parties. A Beta Reader is a person who brings a clear set of eyes to the manuscript to look for typos, grammatical errors,  confusion, cohesive mishaps and overall reader likability , before the author sends it off to an editor for final proofing, or places it in the hands of a publisher.

My experience led me to read a great slice of authentic storytelling, offer my unbiased opinion and help out a colleague who needed an honest evaluation of her memoir.

As a book reviewer with over a decade of writing reviews under my belt, I didn’t feel like l was heading for uncharted waters, however, the temptation to avoid book reviewer “critique” mode was hard to suppress. Luckily for me, the author didn’t chastise me for suggesting areas where she might want to tweak a phrase or two:)

Anyone can read a finished manuscript to give honest feedback to its author. Your family members and friends might not be your best choices as they most likely wouldn’t want to hurt your feelings. However, other writers, colleagues and people from your online connections would make good beta readers. Becoming a Beta Reader can also be a lucrative career move for the savvy freelance writer.

  What are your thoughts on beta readers and would you recommend this route for authors with completed manuscripts, before publication? If you have served in this capacity, feel free to share your experiences with us.