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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Writing Craft » Book Business » Page 20

Book Business

Your Brand is Not a Limitation

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 19, 2012
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brand

It is All About Expectations

What if you bought a recording from a music group expecting their usual collection of ballads, only to hear guitar anthems? Or what if you picked up a book with a pink cover that promised a love story but ended up reading a novel where hapless and nameless victims suffered gunshot wounds on every page? You’d be disappointed, right? I would be. You don’t want to disappoint readers, so branding has become a consistent topic.

Your Best Friend

Some writers find the concept of branding to be limiting. When they think of branding the TV show “Rawhide” and cattle comes to mind.  And despite the awesomeness of such a theme song, they want to keep their options open.

While freedom to explore new avenues is desirable for growth, the fact is, writers need to first establish an audience. And to do that, their work has to be consistent in quality and content. The idea is to become a friend to readers, one they can rely on for certain reading value, whether it is fiction or non-fiction. Think about it — what if you had formed a relationship with a friend who consistently gave great advice from the context of her loving family and marriage. Over the years, you come to rely on her for Wednesday afternoon chats over tea in her cozy breakfast nook, watching birds from a bay window. In return, you might bring over some sugar cookies. You find comfort in her usual appearance — a white t-shirt and jeans, blonde ponytail and cotton-candy-pink lip gloss.

What Happened?

How would you feel if one week you kept your Wednesday appointment but were greeted by a stranger with cropped hair dyed the color of onyx, coal-black lipstick, a newly-pierced eyebrow, wearing black leather? Only this isn’t a stranger. It’s your friend. “How do you like my new look?” she asks. “I was tired of the old look and thought I’d spread my wings. And my husband? I threw him out and he took the kids with him. Oh, and I changed brands of tea. But come on in!” Would you trust her not to have spiked the tea as well as her hair?

Double Identity?

This isn’t a comment on fashion, it is a comment about expectations. This is akin to what happens to readers looking for a certain type of story associated with your name. Sure, you might be a cotton-candy-pink writer with a vampire novel sitting in your files. What with self-publishing, shouldn’t the vampire come out and play? Probably not a good idea. The idea of giving blood is not going to appeal to your audience looking for a sugar fix. If they happen upon the vampire novel, your readers devoted to light romance will be confused and disappointed. They will be looking for their friend. Granted, a very, very select few writers are able to write across genres and be successful at several. And others are skilled at using pen names and creating dual marketing identities. But that takes work and an intentional strategy to market to divergent audiences. For most writers, concentrating on a quality and valued friendship with a devoted audience is reward enough.

Your turn

Who are your favorite writers? And if you had to identify their brand, what would you say it is? (Remember a brand is not a slogan, that is a topic for another day.)

 

 

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Category: Book Business, Book Business, Branding, Career, Get Published, TamelaTag: Book Business, Branding, Marketing, Tamela, Writing Craft

The Perils of Social Media

By Steve Laubeon January 9, 2012
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Facebook. Twitter. Shoutlife. LinkedIn. Dopplr. Google+. Plaxo. Blogger. WordPress. Shelfari. Goodreads. Writer's loops. Conference loops. Endless loops.

By the time I finish updating my status, writing my blogs, tweeting, pasting my bulletins, my newest pictures, my URLs and YouTube links, recruiting friends, recommending friends, sharing reads, rating reads, ranking reads, ranking friends, …

Read moreThe Perils of Social Media
Category: Book Business, Get Published, Guest Post, Humor, Marketing, Social Media, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Facebook, Marketing, Social Media, Time Management, Writing Craft

2011 – The Year in Review

By Steve Laubeon January 2, 2012
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It is a good exercise to reflect on the past year. Count the blessings, reflect on the hard lessons, and remember the good times.

The highlight was bringing both Tamela Hancock Murray and Karen Ball into the agency in late May. I was and continue to be very excited about the talent and work these two are doing on behalf of our clients.

That hard work had visible results as we secured …

Read more2011 – The Year in Review
Category: Agency, Book Business, Contracts, Get Published, SteveTag: Agents, Book Business, Contracts, Get Published, Year in Review

What Role Do Influencers Play?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 15, 2011
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One of the services a traditional publisher provides is working with authors in regard to getting publicity about books through word of mouth. This piece of the publicity puzzle is more important for trade books than for mass market books because they fit into an established line and are less author-focused than trade books. Trade books rely more on author identity and brand recognition to be …

Read moreWhat Role Do Influencers Play?
Category: Book Business, Book Business, Tamela, The Publishing Life, Writing CraftTag: Book Business, Contracts, Get Published

News You Can Use – Nov. 15, 2011

By Steve Laubeon November 15, 2011
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The End of Borders and The Future of Bookselling - BusinessWeek article shows why Borders failed and why it doesn't mean the demise of bookstores. Every writer should read this.

Another Change in How We Read Books? - Cloud-based book rentals...is it the future?

You Don't Have to Accept Rejection - Copyblogger makes the case for the Indie route

Does Your Web Site Use Flash? - If so, then …

Read moreNews You Can Use – Nov. 15, 2011
Category: Book Business, E-Books, News You Can Use, SteveTag: News, Publishing News

A Matter of Taste

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 3, 2011
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I always enjoy reading comments on our blog posts. Recently a reader posted a provocative question:
In this time of great emotional upheaval, instability, and unrest, aren't we ready for something more solid and inspiring than just different types of romance novels?
Those of you familiar with my career know that I am the author of many romance novels and stories -- and Bible trivia books!

And …

Read moreA Matter of Taste
Category: Book Business, Genre, Marketing, Romance, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Get Published, Marketing, Romance, Tamela, Traditional Publishing

Any Regulatory Issues with the Purchase of Thomas Nelson by HarperCollins?

By Steve Laubeon November 2, 2011
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By most accounts the purchase of Nelson by HarperCollins will put the #1 largest Christian Publishing house under the same ownership as the #2 largest Christian Publishing House (Zondervan). The press release mentions that the sale "is subject to customary regulatory clearance."

It will be interesting to see if the Department of Justice cares about Christian publishing, or even understands it.  …

Read moreAny Regulatory Issues with the Purchase of Thomas Nelson by HarperCollins?
Category: Book Business, Steve, TrendsTag: Book Business, News, Trends

Perspective on the Sale of Thomas Nelson Publishers

By Steve Laubeon November 1, 2011
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In light of yesterday's announcement of the sale of Thomas Nelson Publishers to HarperCollins I thought I would write a few thoughts.

Without question this is the biggest news story in the Christian publishing industry this year, if not the last few years. Most of us have been caught flat-footed. Partly because Thomas Nelson is such a large company. And partly because they were just purchased …

Read morePerspective on the Sale of Thomas Nelson Publishers
Category: Book Business, News You Can Use, Steve, TrendsTag: Book Business, News, Traditional Publishing, Trends

More on the Purchase of Thomas Nelson by HarperCollins

By Steve Laubeon October 31, 2011
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One bit of speculation about the sale of Thomas Nelson to HarperCollins comes from PaidContent.org written by Laura Hazard Owen: “Thomas Nelson has been on the forefront of experimentation with digital publishing, and HarperCollins is buying not just the company but also that digital experience….Thomas Nelson has done a bunch of cool things in the digital space. The company’s chairman …

Read moreMore on the Purchase of Thomas Nelson by HarperCollins
Category: Book Business, News You Can Use, Steve, TrendsTag: News, Publishing News, Trends

HarperCollins Buys Thomas Nelson Publishers

By Steve Laubeon October 31, 2011
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BREAKING NEWS! Startling industry news. HarperCollins will purchase Thomas Nelson by the end of this calendar year. HarperCollins already owns Zondervan (which they purchased in 1988). The combination will create the largest and most dominant Christian publishing company in the world. Wow. Here is the official press release.

Read moreHarperCollins Buys Thomas Nelson Publishers
Category: Book Business, News You Can Use, Steve, TrendsTag: News, Publishing News
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