There's a compnay that makes really cute purses but everytime I buy one, within a month I'm sewing it back together. This has happened with several different styles so it's company wide poor workmanship. Mo matter how cute, I just can't buy that brand anymore. Their quality has killed my brand loyalty.
As a writer, you are your brand. No author will please eveyrone but you need to make sure you don't alienate your readers by sloppy or lazy writing. Or they'll stop buying your brand.
At the end of the day, and despite all you promotional efforts, your product must stand on its own--or they won't come back.
ReplyDeleteVery well said. People tend to have long memories especially when it comes to parting with cash, which is why you shouldn't rush to release anything.
ReplyDeleteYes. Well said. The story should match the advertising, and what's inside the cover needs to be a quality product.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Sara. We do have to be sure of our finished product. Great topic for B.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're very loyal. You gave that company another try and another. I fear readers won't be that gracious.
ReplyDeleteI have never been overly brand loyal or conscious of how others perceive an image, so the advertising rarely works with me. It's a different matter about how I market myself as a writer. However,I want quality and connection to be my "brand". I want readers-- of my blogs or articles-- to feel an engagement and connection to me, to themselves and to my writing. Good post.
ReplyDeleteGreat point! Sorry about the crappy purse. :(
ReplyDeleteWell said! You are so right. Readers will only give you so many chances to get it right.
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy for B. I'm so glad to have found your blog. New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z challenge" and I look forward to visiting again!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
I have a low tolerance for consumer products that reveal themselves to be sub par. Problem is, there seems to be enough people willing to buy crap that it diminishes the incentives to produce a higher quality product. But you're right, as a writer we are our brands and should always strive to produce good quality writing. (:
ReplyDeleteI subscribe!
Deletebranding is important! no matters the field!
ReplyDeleteThat is so true! I am always talking to my students about their 'branding' on social media, etc as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy A-Z :)
AJ Lauer
#atozchallenge helper minion
Twitter: @ayjaylauer
Very true! It's so important to remember that anything you do or say reflects on your brand--years of work can be undone with one careless comment.
ReplyDeleteVery true.
ReplyDeletepopping in from a-z. Like your writing. Love that you adopted! Children are the best! I'm happy to follow. Come visit me if you'd like:
ReplyDeletefrom The Dugout
Go for a Miche bag. Love them.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, especially in writing. Something to definitely keep in mind as the journey towards publication plods on (as in my case) :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post and advice. Branding is a must with proper author name for every author.
ReplyDelete~Nas~
Sara, I'd be curious to know which brand of handbags you're referring to, as I'm in the market for a new bag. You can just email me your response if you don't want to make your revelation public.
ReplyDeleteThe times that my blogging has slowed down, it has been because I don't like to put out slop. I save the post for when I have something.
ReplyDeleteDropping by from A to Z. First year participating.
Brett Minor
Transformed Nonconformist
Good point there, Sara.
ReplyDeleteShort- to the point- and true. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDelete~Summer
My A-Z
Sometimes the most fundamental of lessons are the last learned.
ReplyDeleteI was thinkin about this just the other day. It's a bit of a tightrope really, working out how much you write for others versus how much you write for yourself, and therefore tring to work out how consistant you have to be.
ReplyDeleteI could write a weeks's worth of posts on how I've screwed my author brand, lol
ReplyDeleteReally great point! I don't know what my brand is yet, but I think I've got some time to figure it out :)
ReplyDeletelazy writing is a killer
ReplyDeleteAmen, Sister Bowers, amen
ReplyDelete(Sorry, I would have written sooner, but I just woke up in front of the keyboard (with a crick in my neck and a small, nay, tiny pool of drool on my T-shirt :)
What a visual.. sorry :)