What’s Your Brand?

When I went to the Writer’s Conference I learned so much. The workshops were great. I especially found interesting the one on “Creating a Writing Brand” by Chip MacGregor. He was funny and informative at the same time – a great combination.

What’s a brand? In advertising this is a popular concept. When you need a tissue you usually think Kleenex. When you think about a Barbie doll you know exactly what type of doll you are getting. A brand is what a person thinks about when they hear your name. In writing when you have a brand you offer a promise to your readers – this is what my voice is going to be. A brand reveals who you are, what you write about and why you’re unique. Does this mean you can’t expand your brand – no.

What do you think of when you hear the following: Ted Dekker, Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway, Frank Peretti or Jane Austen? That’s their brand. You know what type of book you’re getting when you read their stories.

This got me to thinking about what’s my brand? Do I have one yet? If you go by my blog articles alone, what do you think of when you hear my name? I’ve only written one book and I’m working on a second one. Is that enough to develop a brand yet? All good questions and I welcome any thoughts.

Let me take this a step further - what does God think of when He hears my name? Does He think good and faithful servant. Will I be able to say that I’ve done everything He sent me to do? Will He be pleased with the amount of time I sat in His presence? Will I be known for someone who worshiped God with her whole heart? Will he think of me as a friend? I hope that when my time comes my Maker is pleased with who I am.

© Nadine Z. 2007