A post about establishing your "brand" on social media

[coneycat]

Courtesy of the Friday list of jongibbs, Here is author Maureen Johnson explaining that she is not a brand, dammit! She is a person! And so are you! Even on the Internet!This is a delightful post, and if nothing else it reassures me on a point I once wondered if I should worry about: if I ever get published, should I actually create an "author blog" or

Comments

[sagitare]

And yes, authors sometimes have these “brands.” Nicholas Sparks is going to sell you a roman . . . love story, excuse me . . .where someone dies of cancer/similar disease at the end.

Ha! I loved that little swipe, heh.

[coneycat]

I also snerked. *snerk*

[sagitare]

Also:

The difference was, when I stepped down off the stage, I was greeted by a row of readers who had brought me snacks and just wanted to hang out. I was happy to see them. And I’m not saying the other woman IMMEDAITELY went off and clubbed a baby seal, but I have no evidence to the contrary, so let’s say no more about it.

HA!

[sagitare]

Oops, that one was from me - thought I was logged in when I sent it!

[secritcrush]

Because I am curious is the fellow who love to sell self-published or properly-published?

I'm always baffled by people who think this is an effective technique - seriously, if I don't know you, I'm not going to buy your book if you spam me. This goes double for people I do know. (Assuming I believe they have crossed into spam territory and not misguided book enthusiasm/desperation to succeed.)

[coneycat]

I honestly can't remember--I think he was properly published (you know what I mean) but I think I've blocked all memory of his stupid books.

People need to realize the adage "there's so such thing as bad publicity" only applies if you're a reality show star desperate for any attention at all. If you are trying to get me to buy something from me? Boring and irritating me isn't going to work.

[green_knight]

I think that there's a point where 'thinking about your brand' is useful - when you consider which face you want to present to someone who is new to your twitterstream or blog. In-depth discussions of your genital warts? Txtspeak? (I cringed at writing _arent_ in a tweet the other day, but honest, it was the only way

[jongibbs]

It was a great post. There are more than 12 million blogs and communities on LJ alone. That's a lot of voices to compete with.