• Why writing contests matter for self-published authors

    Why Writing Contests Matter for Self-Published Authors

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    Writing contests are one of those hit or miss spots for authors. People either love and trust them fully or they question everything about them. Generally speaking, most require a fee. If not, you should probably be a bit skeptical of where the funds are coming from and how much said contest will actually benefit you. What is often overlooked is the value they hold for self-published authors. Even more so, if the writing contest is hosted by a decently sized self or traditional style publisher. The benefits Depending on the particular writing contest, prizes vary and can include a…

  • Personal Branding for Authors: Part 3

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    Making It Match If you have made it this far through the three-part series, you have likely spent some time thinking through how to begin creating or improving your branding efforts. The purpose of this final installment of the series is to circle back around to where you should start, and figure out where you should end. Without further ado, let’s talk a little more about you. It All Starts With A Name Perhaps the biggest takeaway here is that your personal brand should be a reflection of you. Maintaining your branding efforts will be a lot easier if it…

  • personal branding part three

    Personal Branding for Authors: Part 2

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    In the first part of this two series blog, I talked about the purpose of branding and where to begin. In this part, I am going to dig into some of the resources you can use to develop and maintain your brand. If you missed the first post, I recommend you check that one out first before you continue.  Visual Aesthetics People respond to visually appealing things. That being said, you should know what your audience wants to see—which means first and foremost, understanding them, and second, being able to create said visually appealing content. A common misconception is that…

  • personal branding part three

    Personal Branding for Authors: Part 1 of a 3-Part Series

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    What is Branding? Branding. What does that word mean to you? Five years ago I would have told you it was what made a company or a product stand out. It was consistent, unique, and fitting to their concept. These days I would say branding means all those same things. However, now we are peeling back the layers of a very flaky, buttery croissant (yum) to find that branding does not only apply to companies or products, it applies to individuals. Particularly, individuals who have a skill or asset that benefits others and can be marketed and sold. Be Consistent…