iPod. iMac. iWork. The list goes on. Add that little "i" to something and you know exactly who made the product and what technologies it works with.
It should be something similar with our brand that we develop as authors. With each book we build that brand. Every interview furthers the idea that is our brand.
I'm still not sure that I'm developing the right kind of brand. I don't know that my blog is really fitting with my vision that I had when I began. Scratch that, I know it doesn't. I didn't have a vision for the blog when I started out. I never thought the blog would be read by anyone. I had no reason to think it would. And yet, here I sit with an audience.
And that audience expects something. What have they come to expect? What will our readers come to expect from us?
It's something to think about.
Q4U: What do you think readers think about when they think about your blog? What do you expect to find when you come to my blog? How well do you think you're doing at keeping a consistent brand?
What?! My audience has expectations? There's a scary thought! :)
ReplyDeleteI keep my blog expectations pretty general. I assume my readers expect me to post during the week and that somehow most of my post should be related to writing. So long as I deliver on those two things I don't feel like I'm letting anyone down.
Don't worry about us. Just post something and I think you make most of us happy!
Hmmm, something to think about indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I used to hate my name, now I've kind of tried to make it my "thing" you know? That's why the title of my blog is "Like the Weather" but on top of referring to my name, I hope it's been a good little catchphrase to think about in application to life too, because, like the weather (especially in Utah), it can be 85 and sunny today and then blizzard tomorrow, followed by 2 weeks of perfect autumn weather. You just never know what life is going to throw at ya!
Brace yourself!
Another great post, Stephanie. Thanks!
Um, I dunno, shoes maybe. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I come to your blog, I expect to find an honest post about your experiences as an aspiring novelist. It never fails to give me just that.
Susan? Shoes? Really? That's what you're going for?
ReplyDeleteAnd all this time I thought it was chocolate *sniff*
Just kidding. I love your shoe pics. And Stephanie, your blog is always, as Susan said, honest and about your experience writing. It's ok to let real life slip in every now and then (or at least I do, if something is really affecting me) so as long as I have something to read I'm good :)
As for my own, I hope so. I think I tend to share more about what's going on with my journey because that's a theme of my blog (or at least that's my title/ subtext), but I do try to share more general content too. I don't know. I think I'm confused, haha. Sometimes I feel bad posting "informative" or "instructive" posts because I'm not an expert; far from it, in fact. So I try to do more of a group-think with all of my followers.
This got really long. I'm going to cut myself off here. :)
Hmm, good question. I actually had this talk with my Mum the other day. I have no idea why people read my blog.
ReplyDeleteI read yours because it's always well-written and insightful, even if it's just an update on life =]
LOL, Stephanie. It's a weird thought sometimes, I know. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWindy, I think it's great that you've created a slogan for your brand! I think most people go through phases where they dislike their own name.
LOL, Susan and L.T. You guys crack me up.
Susan, thanks!
L.T., I feel the same way, a lot of times. I'm not an expert either, at all, so it's weird sometimes to start going off about writing stuff.
Natalie, thanks! I enjoy your blog. It's always honest and forthright.
I started blogging to interact with other writers and find insight into this journey to publication.
ReplyDeleteI hope that my audience finds my honest and real road to publication in each post. That I can share my writing experinces and helpful tidbits I've gleaned along the way.
That's what I find everytime I come here. Go ahead call me a copycat!
I think your brand should be "you." So for me, when you come to my blog, you're going to get ME. Who I am. What I write. What I'm thinking about, etc. Because I am my brand.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Tamika. I would never do that! Everyone's blog is fabulous for its uniqueness.
ReplyDeleteElana, very true.
Good point about branding. Our blog is one of our first "brands" when it comes to our internet presence.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what my blog says about me. You've given me something to think about here. Great post!
Thanks, Katie! It's one of those things that we have to think about but that we run the risk of obsessing over. Try not to worry about it too much.
ReplyDelete