Defining Your Brand

Open Book StampThis week on Open Book Blog Hop, we’re discussing defining our brands and what that means.

I admit, I’ve struggled with this as time has moved on, but I finally understand it and have it under control.  I think.

Authors and entrepreneurs misunderstand what a brand is and what they are branding.  I write steamy romance novels featuring bikers and veterans.  I’ll probably venture off one day and write about other things. (I have a paranormal series running through my head that wants to get out, but I have too many other projects ahead of it.)  That means, I don’t want to brand bikers and veterans.  I want/need to brand ME.  I am my brand.  I am a biker, so that helps.  My sons, brother, father, grandfathers and a daughter-in-law, are all veterans, that helps too.  But, when I venture off those topics for books, I don’t want to rebrand and start over.  This is essential.  My Facebook page, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest and the plethora of other pages and profiles I have are ME.   What do I like? What do I do in my spare time?  Who is Patti (PJ) Fiala the person, not the Rolling Thunder series or any other books I’ve written or will write.

wordcloudMy blog is named Romance on Wheels, because of PJ Fiala the person.  I am a biker, so is my husband, and we are on the road when the weather is warm.  If we’re not biking we might be 4-wheeling, or traveling by car or truck to parts unknown and therefore – I write romance while/in-spite of/or because, I am on wheels.  See?

So, in defining a brand, we need to look at what we’d like to be associated with or thought of as people.  Our books may or may not be associated with that hobby, or past-time, but when people think of me, they should be thinking that I’m writing a book somewhere while also exploring our country and doing things that are fun to me.  Then, make your brand consistent in all marketing and posts that you do.  This further defines your brand.

Then, the rest of the puzzle comes in your marketing materials, books, etc.

Kim Killion of The Killion Group has designed many of my book covers and has helped me to understand branding.  I asked her how she explained branding and she said, “Show this gif I made up for a class I recently did.”

the-killion-group

That sums it up pretty nice, don’t you think?
Let’s hop on over and see what my fellow blog hoppers think of branding.

4 thoughts on “Defining Your Brand”

  1. I think I would find just writing one type of genre limiting, so I don’t really have a brand. However, it’s easier if you do, as I can see from your excellent website. None of my stories fit one particular mould – oh dear…

  2. I write in multiple genres too, so had to just decide on a brand. The series I think will take me the longest ended up defining my blog content, which also has a lot to do with who I am as a person.

    • Yes, I think it works that way sometimes. My first series is the one I identify most with, which is why it was first, and is also closest to who I am as a person.

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