What I hadn't realized until just yesterday, was that I hadn't really started thinking of my writing as a business and a career until a certain, leggy, African-American dynamo opened her big mouth and nailed my ass to the wall. Oh yeah, I'm talking about you Tivi. Uh huh. That's right, it's all your fault and I'm telling everyone about it!
But I guess I do realize I am a business and I better get started thinking that way. How do I know her lessons got through my thick, Tauran skull? Vista Print.
Yup.
They were having a sale on business cards. Now, me, I've used my own software to create my own business cards in the past. Very nice, simple, clean fonts with just a hint of decoration. And they're sitting gathering dust on my bookshelves, because I always forget to take them with me when I go to conferences. (Probably because they don't say "me" is what I'm guessing now that I've dealt with Ms. Jones.) So I was thinking, hey, if I get one of those snazzy colorful type of cards, maybe I'll be more inclined to pass them around.
Wrong.
Not to say Vista Print didn't have some awesome cards. They did. I was looking through the different ones in the various themes. And every single time I picked one and looked at it closely, I heard Tivi. "Is this your color scheme? Does this reflect your work? Does this reflect you? Is this representative of what your readers expect from you? How would this translate into a Website? Could it work on your MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter pages? Is this the only brand/image you want associated with your work?"
On and on she yammered until there was no fun left in looking at the pictures. Only a litany of "I need to..."s rolling through my head. Oh, what do I mean by the "I need to...."s? Here's part of the list:
1. I need to figure out which color best represent me as an author
2. I need to decide if I'm going to establish a brand based on my Clubs series (oh yeah, readers, I've got more than the Diablo Blanco Club spinning around in my brain--and yes, there are more Halseys out there...damn it!)
3. I need to decide if my author brand is going to be separate or part of my series brand(s)
4. I need to decide which font best suits me (the author) and my series
You get the picture, right? Even worse...it isn't isolated to the business cards. Oh no! Her little lessons kept popping up as I was looking at t-shirts and key chains and other swag I've been considering purchasing for give aways and such.
And you know what? I'm grateful for every irritating thought. I have a feeling, my tight budget isn't going to be tight for long. Not with Tivi helping me out and guiding me toward a successful marketing plan.
By the way, I'm willing to share the pain... Ms. Jones will be presenting an online class/workshop for Heart of Carolina Romance Writers (HCRW) June 15th through July 1st. The workshop is on Integrated Digital Marketing. You can still sign up for it -- only $15 for non-HCRW/Carolina Romance Writers members and $10 for HCRW/Carolina Romance Writers members.
You can also work with her directly by checking out her Creativity Loft website and contacting her. (Oops, guess she's in the process of moving, but hey, check her out on Facebook or Twitter) She's in the process of establishing prices for the various service packages she offers. Check her out. I swear you won't be sorry.
Rant over, I'm off to get Vince and Triss back into bed and off to Happily Ever After--For Now Land.
Have a great weekend.
Qwillia
Sounds like she had some really good advice for you, Qwillia! I'm having enough trouble figuring out if I have a "voice" and what that is...though my good friends tell me when they read my books it's like I'm sitting in the room with them, telling a story. I guess that's my voice.
ReplyDeleteKeep us apprized of how this works out for you. And good luck!
Thank you Fiona,
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of "voice". If you get an opportunity, check out Donald Maass book, The Fire In Fiction. He has some insights on voice.
As for Tivi and her marketing, I'll keep everyone apprised. I love to complain, even when it's something good for me. LOL
Have a great night!
Lots of great information, thank you Qwillia! Now you got me thinking. What is my color scheme?!! Awwww, I don't know!!
ReplyDeleteI'm supposed to be figuring all that out for my website overhall which is supposed to happen this year.
ReplyDeleteStill haven't started. Still can't figure out what I want. I write both Fantasy and Paranormal. And while they are similar, for marketing purposes. I'm still stuck with the simple red rose on a black background because it's simple. ;)
Simple is good.
Good luck finding your author brand. Oh and if you find any good tag lines laying around...pass them over. I still don't have one of those either. *sigh*
I had to have help with those color schemes. I hired a cool Aussie to create my website. Thing is, I knew I needed one early on.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel about writing, Qwillia. I retired early, took a cut in what I could have made on my pension so that I, too, could spend my days doing what I loved and living my dream.
I wish you every success, Qwillia.
Hildie,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I lean towards greens, the deep rich earthy greens, but how does that coordinate with my "brand". And what is my "brand". LOL That's where I've been having the biggest problem. Figuring out what my books represent to a reader.
Good luck on discovering your own color scheme.
Q
Beth, just the thought of working on a website that's more complex than this blog gives me the heebie jeebies.
ReplyDeleteI know it'll happen one day, and I'm very happy that I have Tivi and Tammy F. available to help me with it... not to mention a Elijana and my friend Cary.
Good luck with the overhaul.
Q
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had the guts to pursue your dream. I will admit, there are days I miss the kids. Then there are days I don't. But I think the fact that I'm making the effort to do what I've dreamed of doing with my life is well worth the sacrifices and I can only hope my students are inspired by my efforts.
Have a great day!
Q