You Are a Writer Read Online Free PDF Page B

Every email you respond to. Every fan you meet.
    This is what branding is about: promises delivered.
    You have a choice in this. Don’t waste the opportunity and inherit a reputation you didn’t choose. Make your brand count.
    Making Yourself Memorable
    How do you build a brand? How do you put all of these elements together and create a reputation people can trust? You make yourself unforgettable. As Seth Godin says, you make yourself remarkable in the most literal way — so that people will remark about you.
    The point in all of this is not to turn into a marketing machine, but to get people to not forget you. It’s about making yourself memorable. About standing out in all the noise. This won’t just happen. You will have to work. Here’s how to build a brand from scratch in three, simple (but not easy) steps:
     
Choose a name.
Design your look.
Find your voice.
    Let’s unpack those.
    Choose a Name
    A good brand name can be as simple as your first and last name. In many cases, that will be just fine.
    For others, a more creative route will be appropriate. You may have to go with a pseudonym, like Mark Twain or Mary Shelley. For bloggers, a brand name can also be a sort of “call sign” like Problogger or Tall Skinny Kiwi. It can even be something iconic like Madonna or Avi.
    Before choosing a name, take some time to carefully weigh the pros and cons of your options. Once you have a published name, it will be hard (and confusing) to change it, so don’t take this lightly.
    Make your name memorable. Make it work for you. Make it consistent with the rest of your brand.
    Your brand needs to serve the purpose of your writing. Don’t stick with something that doesn’t work. Also, don’t rush into the first idea that comes to mind. This is important; treat it as such.
    Design Your Look
    Designing your look takes intentionality. Again, this is something you want to have a say in, not something you completely delegate or defer.
    Your look may be an icon or logotype. It may be a photo of you. It may even be a creative combination of all three. It can be a symbol like Prince had (or whatever name he goes by these days — talk about brand confusion!).
    Designing your look is a great example of how a brand is a representation of you, but not your whole self.
    For instance, you don’t want your headshots to be of you right after you get out of bed. At the same time, you don’t want an image that looks nothing like you. Your image needs to represent you. The whole point is so it causes people to recognize you.
    When designing your look, remember these tips:
     
Be recognizable, inviting, and interesting.
Use a professional photographer or designer to help you. Outsource what you can’t do yourself, but make sure you speak into the process.
Be certain people will notice you and your work by your logo, headshots, etc.
Get feedback from friends, fans, and followers throughout the branding process.
    Finding Your Voice
    Finding your voice is the hardest, most important task a writer will undertake. Some authors say it takes years. Others say it’s a matter of writing hundreds of thousands of words.
    The one non-negotiable is this: You will have to work to find your voice. It will not come to you in a daydream or revelation. It’s not just how you talk or act. It’s a product of elbow grease.
    A writer’s voice is the combination of passion, personality, and people. It’s communication in a way that is both personally fulfilling and relevant to your audience. It’s meaningful and marketable.
    If your writing only moves you, then you haven’t found your voice.
    Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
     
Describe yourself in a few adjectives. What do you and others come up with?
Take note of your interests: favorite books, movies, music, etc. What do they have in common?
Imagine your ideal reader. Describe him or her. Write a letter to this person (including a name).
    As you take note of your unique style of writing and