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Tag: personal branding

  • Quick Social Media Tips for Writers: Build a Writing Brand That Rocks (Part 2)

    Quick Social Media Tips for Writers: Build a Writing Brand That Rocks (Part 2)

    As CEO of your personal brand — yep, you’re not just a writer anymore — you’re in charge of finding new assignments, writing, editing your work, promoting your pieces and seeking out opportunities to continually develop a strong personal brand that sets you up for future success.

    If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities, we get it. Social media tools can feel daunting, but there are quick things you can do every day to slowly grow a brand that rocks.

    Hop over to Part One for tips on using Facebook and Twitter to develop your platform. Then, meet us back here for Part Two on LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat.

    socialmediatipsforwriters

    LinkedIn

    If you thought LinkedIn was just another career site to repurpose your resume, think again. LinkedIn has emerged as a publishing powerhouse over the past few years. Time to dust off your profile!

    Publish a post on LinkedIn

    It’s a game-changer: LinkedIn now allows users to publish long-form content on the site.

    If you don’t have your own website or blog, use LinkedIn to write content and share your expertise. If you do have your own blog, republish some of your posts on LinkedIn, sharing a link back to the original post on your site.

    LinkedIn shares your post on your profile as well as on the main news feed, allowing your words to be viewed by those who follow you and the greater LinkedIn community.

    Update your profile with documents, images and presentations

    Gone are the days of copy and pasting resume bullets into LinkedIn and calling it a day. LinkedIn is fancy now!

    Now you can add all kinds of media to different positions listed, including presentations, videos, documents and photos. Set yourself apart by making your LinkedIn profile an interesting and visual place to get to know you and your work.

    One of the best ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to check out this Freelance Writers Den program. They have numerous case studies on how freelance writers are using LinkedIn to get INBOUND leads and land clients.

    LINKEDIN-MARKETING-FOR-FREELANCE-WRITERS

    Instagram

    Who doesn’t love scrolling through Instagram? It’s meant to be a beautiful place for creativity, inspiration and eye candy. And it can also help you build a strong writing brand and community.

    You get one link

    Instagram is notorious for only giving users one link in their profile and not allowing clickable URLs within a post. The truth of the matter is that Instagram doesn’t really want to be a place that sends traffic to your website; instead, it wants to be the place you build your brand and community through compelling images.

    However, you do get one link, so use it wisely. Your link appears underneath your bio on your main profile. Most people include their website’s homepage in this space, but don’t be afraid to change the link every so often when you have something specific (an article, blog post, etc.) you want to give a little extra love.

    To draw attention to that link, post a relevant image, write a clever caption and then include somewhere in the post the phrase “Link in profile” so folks know to click over to your Instagram homepage if they want more details.

    Use Insta-stories

    The best way to get your content discovered on Instagram is by using their stories and reels features. Just like Snapchat (which we’ll cover in a minute), Instagram allows you to create short-form stories called Insta-stories.

    What are Insta-stories?

    They are typically made in 15-second increments of video but can be strung together for as long as you want to record. They can also be photos, music, or text, depending on what you want to post. The trick is that they expire in 24 hours, creating a border-line addictive need for your audience to know what you’re up to.

    What are Reels?

    Reels are similar to Insta-stories in that they are short-form content, but they are slightly different in that they can last for longer than 24 hours on the platform. They are currently limited to 60 seconds of video, but you can overlay the video with plenty of other features.

    If you’re asking yourself, “What would I ever use an Insta-story or Reel to do?” let me challenge you to get creative!

    Writers and bestselling authors are using Insta-stories and Reels to show behind the scenes of their days and lifestyles, like Donald Miller. They are using it for podcast and speaking clips and promotion of upcoming events, like Jon Acuff. And they are even using it for audiobook previews, like Rob Bell.

    There are plenty of other ways to utilize these powerful aspects of the Instagram platform, including promotional giveaways, announcements, and more. The possibilities are endless if you think creatively.

    Use relevant hashtags

    Another great way to get your content discovered on Instagram is by using relevant hashtags.

    Hashtags are super useful, but can also quickly muck up a post if you use too many or don’t place them properly. If you only plan to use a few hashtags and they make sense within the text of your caption, sprinkle them there.

    If there are other hashtags you’d like to use that don’t fit in the post itself, add them in the comments section. This way, when others comment on your post, the hashtags comment is hidden, but they still lead others to find your post.

    More is not always better! Don’t pepper your post with dozens of hashtags, although Instagram does allow up to 30 hashtags on a given post. Consider using between five and 10 relevant hashtags on a given Instagram post.

    Some favorite and popular hashtags for writers, according to Iconosquare? Try #writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #instawriting and #writinglife.

    Pinterest

    Pinterest may be best known for tasty recipes and some serious closet inspiration, but it’s also a great place to display your portfolio — and find additional writing inspiration and resources.

    Create a living resume or portfolio

    Looking for another beautiful and creative way to showcase your work? Turn your writing portfolio into a Pinterest board.

    Pin articles and blog posts you’ve written, as well as any type of press you’ve received. Let this living resume Pinterest board be a place where you truly shine. (Here’s mine!)

    Build your board over time rather than pinning everything at once to give your followers a chance to see the content in their feed as you pin. As you’re pinning archived content, consider posting three to five pins a day; once you’re up to date, pin new articles and posts are they’re published.

    Find inspiration and be a resource to other writers

    You know all those awesome articles and resources you find and want to save for to read later? Before you know it, you’ve got 25 tabs open in your online browser.

    Nope? Just me?

    Pin those articles to a Pinterest board about writing, marketing, entrepreneurship or whatever it is you’re hoping to build your brand and expertise in. This type of board not only keeps you organized, but also positions you as a resource for others who may be interested in similar topics.

    While you’re at it, find other inspirational writing boards to follow to build relationships with other writers and find new content to pin.

    Make your writing pinnable

    Pinterest can serve as a great source of referral traffic to your website if you put processes in place to make your writing Pinterest-friendly.

    You may not have much control over the images selected to go with your post on external websites, but for your own blog or site, use a free tool like Canva or PicMonkey to create fun graphics. These visual cues will entice viewers to repin your pin and click out of Pinterest to read your content.

    Snapchat

    If you’ve been ignoring Snapchat because you think it’s just for teens, grab your phone, download the app and prepare to be amazed. With 100 million daily users, Snapchat is nothing to sneeze at.

    Create (or simply watch) a Snapchat story

    Flex your creativity in a new way by creating a Snapchat story. Perhaps one of the app’s best features, Snapchat stories allow users to create a narrative through photo and video.

    Within a story, a Snapchatter can write text, draw pictures, insert emojis, and add filters to mark their location, time, weather, speed and more. Speed videos up, slow ‘em down, put them in reverse; Snapchat allows you to share stories in a unique, fun and unfiltered way.

    Consider documenting a day in your writing life using Snapchat. Don’t be afraid to flip the camera and turn it on yourself; Snapchat audiences love to see the person behind the phone. Talk to the camera about your latest writing project or what inspires you to write.

    Remember: Snap stories disappear after 24 hours, so you have a limited window of time to share your message.

    If you’re not ready to create your own story yet, watch stories of those you follow, or enjoy one from any of the “Live” stories featured that day.

    Conclusion

    If you’re neglecting social media as a writer, you’re doing yourself a disservice. You’ve invested so much time in creating great written content, don’t click publish and hope people magically find it. With social media, you can now get your written content in front of more eyeballs than ever!

    You don’t have to use every social platform available. If you try, you’ll burn yourself out. But you can choose 1 or 2 that appeal to your audience, where your readers are already hanging out, and go for it!

    What do you think? What is your favorite social media site? If you have any social media tips for writers, leave a comment and let us know!

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    This is an updated version of a story that was previously published in 2016. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

  • Quick Social Media Tips for Writers: Build a Writing Brand That Rocks (Part 1)

    Quick Social Media Tips for Writers: Build a Writing Brand That Rocks (Part 1)

    It’s no secret that we’re expected to do much more these days than simply write.

    Congratulations! You are now the CEO of your personal brand.

    In addition to writing, it’s also your job to create a strong online platform to share your work, reach new readers and discover opportunities.

    One of the most effective ways to build your personal brand is through social media. And these quick social media tips will help you confidently navigate those murky waters and build a writing brand that rocks.

    Just like the writing world is always changing, the social media world moves at a ridiculously fast pace. It’s easy to get overwhelmed or even lost by all of the possibilities.

    If the thought of adding another social media site to your already long list of things to do as a writer leaves you feeling frazzled, take a deep breath and settle in.

    We’ve rounded up some quick tips and ideas for using Facebook and Twitter to develop your platform. Stay tuned for Part Two detailing how to build your personal brand using LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat!

    socialmediatipsforwriters

    Facebook

    While Facebook may be the place Aunt Sally comments on all of your photos and status updates (Thanks, Aunt Sally), it’s also emerged as a bustling social network to build community and meet fellow writers.

    Join and participate in relevant Facebook groups for writers

    One of the best ways to use Facebook as a writer is by joining relevant groups and communities. Participating in Facebook groups is a great way to meet and network with fellow writers, share resources, gather inspiration and even find new assignments and writing projects.

    I highly recommend joining the Freelance to Freedom Project community and of course, our Write Life community.

    Looking for more Facebook groups for writers? We’ve rounded up 16 of them for you!

    Use Facebook to help find inspiration and sources

    Your Facebook experience can be as pleasant and interesting as you choose to make it. By unfollowing people who no longer interest you and instead following publications and brands you love, your Facebook newsfeed can become a hotbed for writing inspiration.

    Similarly, your Facebook network can help out when you’re in a bind. On deadline and need a last-minute source to interview or a quick quote for a piece? Facebook to the rescue!

    Consider posting your sourcing needs in one of the active Facebook groups you’re part of and be amazed at the speed in which you’ll discover potential sources or interviewees.

    Let your personal network in on what you’re doing

    We tend to associate Facebook with being the social media site we use to share personal photos and stories and to keep in touch with family and friends. However, you never know when your personal life and professional life may have some crossover.

    When I quit my job to take my business full time, I began sharing my “Becoming CEO” blog posts on my personal Facebook page. I left the privacy setting for those specific posts open to the public and was amazed at the reach of the posts and the number of people who weren’t my friends who began “following” my personal page.

    Several interesting business opportunities have popped up after choosing to share my professional life with my personal network.

    Twitter

    This fast-paced social media site is the place to share your work, commiserate with fellow writers in real time and find inspiration for future writing projects.

    Schedule your tweets ahead of time

    An easy way to stay active on Twitter without spending all day online is to pre-schedule your tweets using a social media tool like Hootsuite, Buffer or Edgar.

    Every time you craft a new tweet promoting a blog post or article you’ve written, create two or three different versions of that tweet and save them to a spreadsheet or Word document. Before you know it, you’ll have a master list of all the tweets you’ve written to promote your work.

    One day each week, sit down with that document and schedule out at least three tweets a day for the next week. Be sure to share both your new content, as well as re-sharing older evergreen content; consider the fact that Twitter moves at a fast clip and just because you tweeted a post three months ago doesn’t mean your following necessarily saw it then.

    Make friends and share the love using a “Notice Me” list

    Promoting your own work on Twitter is important, but so is being an active part of the Twitter community. In between those tweets sharing your latest blog post or article, be sure to interact with those you follow and share their work, as well.

    My favorite way to find great content to share is by monitoring my “Notice Me” list. It’s a curated list of bloggers, writers and entrepreneurs I admire who create great content and who I’d like to make part of my network.

    I add these folks to a private Twitter list and check that feed regularly to find interesting content to share and people to chat with on Twitter. Twitter moves quickly and can be daunting, so curating a list of the people you actually want to hear from can help you save time and be more effective.

    Share your writing progress with your community on a regular basis

    If you’re not interested in live broadcasting your writing sessions (Let’s be honest: No one needs to see my signature PJs-and-messy-hair writing look), consider Periscoping weekly or monthly to update your community on your latest projects and progress.

    The good news? Periscope is connected to Twitter, so when you start a broadcast, it sends a tweet to your followers that you’re live, giving your video more reach.

    Periscope broadcasts don’t need to be super long to be effective; jumping on for five or 10 minutes is a great way to give your network a visual peek behind the scenes of you and your latest projects.

    Stay tuned for Part Two on LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat!

    Chime in! What’s your favorite social media site? Do you have any social media tips for writers looking to develop a personal brand online?

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    This is an updated version of a story that was previously published in 2016. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.


  • How to Build a Personal Brand While Staying Authentic to Your Craft

    How to Build a Personal Brand While Staying Authentic to Your Craft

    You’re a writer, a change-maker, someone who influences culture — not a boring old corporate brand. You roll your eyes when it comes time to talk about working on your personal brand.

    I get it; It goes against your anarchist, artist nature.

    A few years ago after nearly two decades as an entrepreneur, I came back to my love: Writing.

    About a year into my time at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, a classmate and I attended an all-day marketing for writers seminar. Somewhere around the second or third presenter, I was totally overwhelmed. I thought the hardest work I’d do as a writer would be the writing. I had no idea just how much the publishing industry had tightened its belt, and how much promotion was now in writer’s hands.

    I wanted to create art, not be a one-woman marketing show.

    The van Gogh effect

    Writers are often overwhelmed or even repulsed by the idea of self-promotion and having a personal brand. Heck, a lot of us don’t even know what that really means. We’ve been conditioned to think it means buying into a commercial system rigged to churn out saleable wears, but not true art.

    Vincent van Gogh is often brought up as the poster child of this ideology. He’s the ultimate artist martyr. He eschewed commercial pursuits and is widely accepted as a true artist.

    I wonder though, isn’t it possible to have both?

    In her bestselling book, You’re a Badass at Making Money, Jen Sincero says, “Your gifts, talents and desires were given to you because you are meant to thrive and share your youness with the world as only you can.”

    The ability to create true art and have a successful career do not have to be mutually exclusive ideals.

    Celebritizing artists

    One of the ways we’ve painted ourselves into a corner is evident in our cultural obsession with celebrity. Wildly successful writers are held up high while we admire and think, I’m not outgoing like that, or I don’t have that talent, or I don’t have those connections. In each of those comparisons we doom ourselves to mediocrity or even obscurity. Success seems impossible or random.

    We forget that there is so much room in the chasm between starving artist and mega-bestseller.

    Meanwhile our society is starved for authentic connection, which is key to a successful personal brand.

    Think about the last time a book, article, podcast or TV show moved you. Chances are there was something genuine about it that grabbed ahold of you.

    I believe the most artistically contrarian thing you can do nowadays is to be totally rooted in exactly who you are.

    build a personal brand Stop waiting to be chosen

    There’s virtue in writing for writing’s sake. Don’t get me wrong, but most of us still need to make a living.

    The writing world is one of the few industries built on a precedent where people are expected to work for years on a project in the hopes that someone will buy and promote it.

    As our industry changes now there’s a massive opportunity, if we shift our mindsets.

    Imagine if we started treating ourselves like the valuable brands we actually are, looking at our work not as just art, but as valuable assets. We might just create better ways to make a living while preserving the quality of our art.

    Instead of waiting for someone to choose us, it’s time to buy in to our own value and build our own audience.

    It may take some mental reprogramming to effectively switch from the legacy we’ve been taught. Like me, you may have been told to shut up, sit down, or fall in line or that you’d never make it as an artist.

    It’s time to let that all go. If we as writers don’t understand what value or beauty we bring to the world, no one else will.

    More than ever, we need truth tellers and artistic leaders who can give us the insights into humanity and culture that just isn’t present in mass-produced pop culture.

    Crafting your personal brand is not selling out. It is about getting clear and buying in to who you truly are. Amid the increasing cacophony of messages, we must not only have a strong voice, but one that comes from being deeply rooted in who we are.

    Start being your own advocate

    Six months after van Gogh’s death, his brother’s widow, Jo van Gogh-Bonger inherited his huge collection of paintings, drawings and letters. Understanding the intrinsic value of his work, she made it her mission to promote it by telling his life’s story through the art and letters he’d left behind.

    Imagine if she had thrown his paintings out, or sold them just to earn some quick money for her and her son. Instead, she gifted the world with an irreplaceable artist’s work.

    I wonder how many times the world has missed out on important art because it followed the artist to the grave, simply because they didn’t have an advocate like Jo.

    The world needs your voice and it’s time to become your own advocate.

    Begin here

    Take a few minutes and grab a notebook or open a blank Word doc.

    Think about what you really want. Give yourself permission to imagine a life and a career unbound by old ideologies.

    What makes you feel most alive? Do some stream of consciousness writing; let whatever comes to mind flow without judgment.

    Next, write down five characteristics that make your creative work unique and valuable. If you need help, ask some friends to tell you why they love your work.

    If you ground yourself in what’s possible rather than shackling yourself to a set of outmoded beliefs, you may begin to see opportunities you were once blind to.

    Our personal brand exists whether you are consciously creating it or not.

    Go ahead and be an anarchist, but understand why your version of anarchy is so valuable. And position yourself in a way that those who will appreciate it can find you.

  • Want to Speak at Writing Conventions? How to Write a Great Pitch

    Want to Speak at Writing Conventions? How to Write a Great Pitch

    As publisher-backed press tours dwindle in an uncertain publishing age, authors are asked to do more to sell their books.

    But whether you’ve penned the latest undiscovered bestseller or dabble in more academic fare, writers and book professionals of all stripes can find new audiences for their work through an often-overlooked venue.

    Literary festivals and conferences are a wonderful way to target market your writing while networking with other writers, publishers, and agents — especially for authors promoting a first book, freelance journalists looking for exposure or academics searching for exposure outside the classroom. Plus, most festivals and conferences are tremendous fun, with author parties and free access to other events.

    “As an editor and writing mentor, I’m grateful for literary festivals as places I’ve connected with brave writers in need of support, which means the opportunity to do more of the work I love,” says author, developmental editor and writing coach Jen Violi.

    As Violi points out, literary events are a wonderful way to find your tribe and garner more business.

    So how do aspiring presenters get started?

    Many festivals and conferences are open to unsolicited proposals, and writers of every genre and type can find a way to get on the dais as part of a panel if they know what steps to take.

    Some conferences, like The Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP), have a strictly structured submission process that even has its own handbook. But there are dozens of literary festivals in the North America alone, many of which are programmed by understaffed nonprofits who welcome a well-crafted proposal.

    As the former Associate Director of the The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival and an executive director of an arts center, I’ve seen firsthand how unknown-to-me authors who understand the process of programming a festival can persuade me to give them a chance.

    The problem is that many writers don’t know how to present themselves in a way that makes it easy for festival or conference staff to say yes. Below are a few tips for those who want to make the most of their marketing opportunities at literary events.

    1. Do your research

    Of course, it’s best if you can attend a festival first to get an idea of the atmosphere and make in-person connections with the organizers — but doing so isn’t always possible.

    If you haven’t attended before, make sure to research the event guidelines. Many organizations offer an FAQ or author page that provides guidelines for submitting ideas for their upcoming events.

    Be certain to look for these before you craft a proposal. If you don’t see anything, you can email program staff to see if they have a preferred method and format.

    Browse past years’ offerings to get a sense of the focus of the the festival or conference. If you’d like to talk about your latest memoir but see that the previous year offered a similar panel, develop another angle. If all the events are aimed at an edgy, younger crowd, don’t spin yourself as a boring fuddy-duddy.

    Some festivals are genre specific, like Travel Classics, which only deals with travel writers who have an established reputation. Knowing the event and its audience assures not only that you might get a green light to take part, but also that your appearance will be well-received by attendees.

    That success leads to sales and other opportunities.

    2. Plan ahead

    Many literary festivals and conferences set their schedules up to a year in advance. If you’ve got a session topic that you think might be perfect, you can always try to submit in the hopes of a last-minute cancellation; but you’ll have far more success if you start early.

    Some organizations have specific proposal submission periods, so again, research and tailoring are key. Timely submissions are another way of showing programming staff that you respect the hard work it takes to pull off events like these.

    3. Craft a pitch that persuades

    Don’t say, “I’m a great writer with a new book coming out and I’d like to come to your event.”

    Instead, provide a brief bio (really, one paragraph should suffice) and then suggest a panel you think fits well with the organization’s programs.

    Think like a journalist: Create a succinct pitch that compels organizers to see how your topic might work at their event. The more complete your proposal, the more likely you are to advance in the process.

    Many literary festivals look for a wide variety of content, so if you don’t write mainstream fiction, don’t be dissuaded from pitching a great idea.

    Some of The Tennessee Williams Festival’s most fascinating panels have come from academics exploring leprosy or literary theory. Remember, festival staff want smart, new ideas that come fully formed.

    Cookbook author? Propose a session where you tell the stories behind a few choice recipes, offer tastes to the audience, and share tips on getting a cookbook published. Such an event appeals to foodies and aspiring Ina Gartens alike.

    Think about what you would like to see at a literary event or conference and move beyond the staid and well-worn topics to offer fresh insight.

    4. Be specific, but flexible

    Sometimes, even if you have a terrific idea, the staff simply has no more room on the schedule grid.

    Most festivals and conferences take place at venues with strictly limited space and time. As part of your pitch, let staff know what other topics you can speak to. They may not have room for your particular idea, but have an extra seat on a panel that’s already committed.

    Alternately, you may become more attractive if staff can place you in several events. So if you’re an academic that wrote a book about feminist theory, but you also edit a literary magazine, let them know about your versatility.

    5. Be upfront about your financial needs

    Many nonprofit literary festivals operate on tremendously tight budgets with top honoraria reserved for big-name draws. If you need airfare and hotel in order to come and expect an honorarium of a certain dollar level, then be upfront about it.

    If organizers pay $100 for a panel appearance but you want $2,000, it’s not worth it for anyone to proceed. But if you’re flexible, mention that — and keep in mind that many festivals and conferences pay nothing or offer only small travel reimbursements.

    “The key is to estimate ROI,” says Matt Peters, writer and founder of Beating Windward Press. “Will you make more from the exposure than it will cost you to get to and participate in the [event]?”

    Peters says that even some unpaid conference appearances have ended up as wins and have helped him make contact with new authors, publishers and agents.

    Some writers can look outside the festival or conference for funding. Many universities offer travel grants or stipends for academics to attend events. Perhaps you have another partnership in mind that would share in the costs.

    Writing is a business, so think like a businessperson and present yourself as a smart buy.

    6. Build your portfolio

    All writers need to be comfortable with rejection, and you may not get into to every festival to which you apply.

    Don’t take it personally.

    While many organizations have some wiggle room in the number of new voices they can feature, it may not be your year. However, you can still gain exposure by going local. Before jumping into the bigger waters of major literary events, get comfortable on smaller stages.

    Reach out to your local library to ask if they’d like you to do a talk or a discussion. Inquire at your area arts center to see if they offer workshops or events from writers, and pitch a program there.

    Doing smaller-scale events will help you be more at ease once you get to the most prestigious stages, and if you have a friend film them, you can offer a quick clip to the bigger festivals when you pitch (just make sure you have participants sign a waiver so you can use the footage).

    So get going, writers. By taking the time to create a well-tailored idea, you may just get the chance to go interesting places, meet fascinating people and sell more of your own work.

    To get you started, here are some links to a few great literary festivals:

    And some international biggies:

    Have you spoken at a literary event? What tips would you add for aspiring conference speakers?