Comments on: Brands and Signatures

By: C.J. Redwine

C.J. Redwine — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:37:04 +0000

Hmm. I’ve never considered this before (and I’m not sure I fully understand it) but I believe my brand is edgy paranormal thrillers with a side of comedic relief.

Of course, that could be my signature and my brand is something else…

By: Karin

Karin — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:15:15 +0000

Great insight, Mike.

By: Edie

Edie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:54:10 +0000

Karin, I think Hot Cops, Hot Knights, Arresting Passion is great. The only thing missing is your heroines. You could have Hot Cops, Hot Knights, Passionate Women.

By: Mike Wagner

Mike Wagner — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 01:51:08 +0000

It’s always good to get another point of view on words and concepts.

When I work with organizations trying to understand their “brand” I tell them to think past the logo, colors and tagline to how their organization “performs”.

For me branding is about making a promise to a person or audience you want to connect with. Then the promise is followed by the keeping of that promise in a unique, remarkable or unpredictable way.

That is what I see you doing as an author.

You promise hot cops, hot knights and passion.

“My characters are passionate about who they love, who they hate, and what they stand for. You will never have to scratch your head and ask yourself where they stand.”

How you deliver that in one story to another is the unpredictable and unique element.

Thinking of brand as a matter of making and keeping a relevant promise helps my clients keep the customer at the center of their thinking.

Thinking of brand in much the same way is how I see authors keeping the reader fully in view as they write.

But that’s just me. Grin.

Keep creating…a story worth reading,
Mike

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:40:19 +0000

Karin, we are painting the entire inside of the house. We’re doing it in chunks and I’d say we have about 2/3s done.

Painting ain’t for weenies. Since I’m a card carrying weenie, I have no idea how my husband talked me into this.

Branding is beyond me.

By: Karin

Karin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:16:22 +0000

Actually, Jami I just received the final Jaded cover today. it looks pretty good. as soon as I can figure out how to get my Master of Torment cover up on the blog I will! I love it!

By: Karin

Karin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:14:33 +0000

It wasn’t italicized on my screen. but thanks for fixing it, nat.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:54:41 +0000

Karin turned the entire blog italic. LOLOLOL. I’ll go in and fix it, if I can remember the admin login.

Branding is so important, and so far, I’ve really tried to use it, but I don’t think I’ve been terribly successful. I have the “Mormon suspense novels” and the “Psycho Dance Mom Mysteries.” You all knew that, right? No? Then it hasn’t worked. But I will continue to try. Sooner or later it will catch on.

By: Jami Alden

Jami Alden — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:01:35 +0000

ummm, I’m seeing Italics too.

and your tagline: “Hot Knights. Big Swords.”

And I LOVE your Jaded cover – this is the first I’ve seen it (why is that? where have I been?)

By: Karin

Karin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:55:29 +0000

Oh, Lynne I like that first one. And as to your dilemma, hmm, how about Steamy alphas served with a side of danger?

Erin, isn’t Men in Heat the name of a boy band?

Jami, Love it. Hilary gave me the hot cops tag many moons ago. I kept it.

Allison, there are no italics, it’s you. and thank you! Maybe I am over thinking. I’m going to an all day branding seminar tomorrow, and I’ll see what i come up with. Watch it be exactly what I have. the good thing will be, I’m not a complete moron.