Day Two: Building the Brand
There is a truth I learned over the last few years as I came to understand the usefulness of blogs. I am a nobody online. My ripple in this gigantically massive pool would mimic an air bubble from a fish expelling a bit of oxygen. I realize that in order to be noticed I need to accomplish at least two major things:(1) I must build a brand and (2) Once the brand is established I must expand it in every possible way.
So, what is my strategy for doing this? First of all it was to find a great blogging site that allowed me to interact with like-minded folks. I found Word Press to be such a space. Writers are a special lot. We take the germ of an idea and build it into a work of love that we offer out to readers with the hopes it will spark such interest that we can make it into a building block for our career.
Some writers have the extreme fortune of having their debut work skyrocket to fame and land on some best seller list. The most of us will not see the same result as we stare up at the proverbial ladder of success. But we writers are a determined lot. We have to be since there is so many who share our dream.
Another way to build the brand is to enter writing contests. So far I have made a splash in a couple of contests that have widened my exposure. This allows me to meet other authors who have experience I eagerly want to understand. Contests also help to buoy the confidence. You know your work is being read and in some cases critiqued so you receive pertinent feedback. With the contests that take your entry and publish them in their respective anthologies or publications you have a publication credit to add to your portfolio Being published is something we all strive for and this counts.
I use social media to try to spread my work around to those who know me personally. SOme know I write as a serious hobby and some do not. You never know where you will find a fan. Or perhaps another writer. Recently I found out one of my friends was part of a recently published book of short stories. If I was not connected through Facebook this information would still be a mystery.
I am still learning other ways to build and expand my brand. I theorize that joining blog challenges is another great way, as I am exposed to bloggers other than the ones I follow. This A to Z blog is giving me the chance to interact with 1,500 new contacts that can only help to improve my blogging prowess. I look forward to seeing various styles and perspectives in the blogging process.
So this is my thoughts about Building the Brand. Do you have a different strategy? If so, i am always open to learn from others. I an also happy to share about anything you see of interest within my slowly expanding footprint.
SPECIAL NOTE : I would like to use this space to offer a heartfelt thank you to Arlee Byrd, the founder of this challenge. I am happy to see his vision become such a great success. Leaders always step out of the pack to create something special. We want Arlee to know how much we appreciate his genius.
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Joe's Musings 
I did leave a comment on your E blog but my computer didn’t like it. It was niice I swear. I was on my space before wordpress and got my writing buddies from there. And in another writing group as well. My brand is you never know what you’ll get with my blogs 😀
I have the same experience at times leaving comments. When i see it freeze I copt the comment, close the post and open it again.
My thoughts are that your brand becomes your own specific writing style. While you can/will/should learn as you go along, you have to find your own writing voice. This becomes your brand together with your blog. You seem to be taking lots of opportunities to learn and expand who reads your work which gives you a chance to see what aspects speak to others. Happy writing.
I found you! Nice work! I’ll definitely be back as part of my daily blog tour through A-Z Blog Challenge.
Blessings,
Dana
Waiter, drink please!
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I agree there is no formula, but you must have a strategy. Who is your target audience? What is your theme? Are you a lone blogger or a site full of contributing writers (are you the editor of that bunch)? Building a brand is somewhat like building a reputation. How do you want to be known?
I agree with Ellen. However you step forward to build your platform, you must enjoy it. If you don’t, you will not succeed. Your lack of enthusiasm will be apparent to everyone and you may as well throw your time and money into the wind.
Passion is the first ingredient in building a solid brand.
I see the truth in these words. i want my enthusiasm to show in my writing and in the way i go about building my identity.
The good news is, there’s no perfect formula for building a brand. The bad news is, there’s no perfect formula for building a brand. I think, first and foremost, it has to be enjoyable for the brand-builder, because if it’s enjoyable for them, it’s going to ripple out and be that way for the tribe that accumulates, too. I’m still seeking by sweet spot, and I’m having fun doing it. 🙂
*my 😉
Oh my you are just like me, the misspellings drive me berserk