A Little Nudge on Branding for the Recession

It seems the term "branding" is moving from marketing jargon into the nation's general vocabulary. An article in Time (April 14th issue, 2008) looks at the Pope's "long fascination with America and how it is shaping his vision for the world." It refers to "the democratic, pluralistic values that constitute (on our good days) the American brand."

An article on Pope Benedict seems a rather odd place to be seeing this marketing term, don't you think? The thing is, minds everywhere are turning to branding as we move into recession (whether it is an actual economic guru-sanctioned recession or one that many of us are feeling in the gut and pocketbook is really immaterial).

Speaking of branding and recessions, I might mention that in bad times it is often a product's or business's successful branding that helps carry them across the dangerous economic times to even greater loyalty when better days return. YOU, the author, are what you brand. Your book is only a sub-brand for you may write many books in many different genres -- if not now, then eventually. So, now is not the time to let down your branding efforts. Luckily, we have the Internet now so we can continue to brand ourselves very inexpensively.

This is your nudge to go for it! Don't just read The Frugal Book Promoter. Read lots of book. Add John Kremer's 1001 Ways to Market Your Book to your library. Add one of Peter Bowerman's Well-Fed Writer books to your purchase. The Frugal Editor is also about marketing for editing -- especially the editing of your query letter, is an author's first marketing offense, their introduction to gatekeepers who can make or break their writing careers. and when you're buying these books, do it frugally. Buy second hand or group your purchases on Amazon to avoid shipping costs and taxes. (-:
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author THIS IS THE PLACE; HARKENING: A COLLECTION OF STORIES REMEMBERED; TRACINGS, a chapbook of poetry; and two how to books, THE FRUGAL BOOK PROMOTER: HOW TO DO WHAT YOUR PUBLISHER WON'T; and THE FRUGAL EDITOR: PUT YOUR BEST BOOK FORWARD TO AVOID HUMILIATION AND ENSURE SUCCESS.
Her other blogs include TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com and AuthorsCoalition.blogspot.com, a blog that helps writers and publishers turn a ho-hum book fair booth into a sizzler.