I just read a great article on Lady Gaga that applies to every writer. The major takeaway from Lady Gaga is that, in today’s crowded marketplace, to really be successful you must have two things:
1) a brand
2) articulate that brand every chance you get
As a writer, you should have a brand as well. It is not just for super stars!
Are you the funny comedy writer? Are you the thriller writer? Does your writing support that message? Your brand should be clear, distinct, easy to articulate, and everything that you do should express that brand message.
In other words, everything you write — emails, submission letters, Twitter updates, etc. — should support that brand.
If you are a comedy writer, your emails should be funny! If you are a thriller writer you should be tweeting about weird happenings in the world. Get your brand across every way you can.
Often we will get submissions from writers who say they have 11 scripts — each in a different genre. Now when I read a letter like that I have no idea what type of writer that person is. Is he/she a comedy writer? Drama writer? Thriller writer? What is his/her brand and how does it come across?
A great example of a writer with a brand is our client Spencer Walker and his book “Cook to Bang” (cooktobang.com). The book comes out May 11th from St Martin’s Press. Everything that Spencer does – whether it is his website, tweet updates, Facebook group or emails — supports his brand.
Understanding who you are and what is your brand are vital to being successful in today’s marketplace.
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