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As we develop our Personal Brand as authors, we do so generally with some far-off goal in mind: positioning ourselves to our future readers, or giving an interview about our New York Times Bestselling status. But if we're wise, our Writing and Industry Brands can receive a workout in the far more immediate future: this year's Conference season.

The Power Of Your Brand

If you're still reading, you're here to learn about branding -- specifically, personal branding. Of course, I'm not talking about burning your own skin, but it's interesting to note that the word 'brand' actually comes from a Middle English term meaning a 'torch or sword' that lights the way or leaves a mark. And to this day, the purpose of a brand is to leave your mark on others. Ideally without the painful, burning part.

The Elements of Your Brand

Personal Branding can seem quite involved -- and as with anything, you can raise it to the level of obsession. (Not that I've ever done that). However, the easiest brands to maintain are those that reflect your true self and your core beliefs. I'll discuss the 'how' of determining your brand in a later article, but for now, we'll focus on the 'what' of personal branding -- or the elements of your personal brand.

Your Brand Promise: Step 2

Part 2 of Jenn Stark's awesome series on personal branding for writers.

Your Brand Promise: Step 1

With this article, we begin to explore the 'meat' of your personal brand and for that we have to look inward -- far inward. Because to achieve the greatest degree of success with your personal brand, it must reflect your innermost beliefs and values.

Seven Steps to Personal Branding

In talking to my friends, associates and random strangers, I've noticed that while many seem intrigued by the concept of Personal Branding, the most popular reaction after hearing about it is an intense need to lay down and take a nap. Branding seems so...overwhelming. So comprehensive and involved and faintly worrisome. After all, what if I choose the wrong brand? What if I can't keep it going? What if I choose a brand that dooms me to immortal mediocrity??

Creating Your Own Name Brand

What's in a logo? In the world of branding, everything. A logo is the identifying symbol for a company that serves as a snapshot for what that company - stands for - or represents. It's important for you as a writer, too.

The Personally Branded Pitch

Branding/Promotion/Marketing , Pitching Your Novel

As any basic marketing class will tell you, there are 5 - P - s of Marketing to keep in mind as you consider offering a product or service for others to buy. Those P's are:

Putting Your Personal Brand To Work For You As A Writer

Whether you've gone through a Personal Branding exercise or not at this point, it's relevant to discuss what you're now going to DO with your Brand. How can having a Personal Brand really impact your efforts as a writer, and what are some techniques for "showing off" your Brand?

But I Could Write That, Too: The Promises and Perils of Changing Your Writing Brand

For writers, the grass can often seem greener on the other side of the genre fence. Maybe you've been toiling away at your Regencies’ but you hear that Paranormal Romance is hot, and you think, ‘Hey, I've got a great idea for a paranormal!’ Or, perhaps you've been making good sales on your contemporaries, but you long to sink your teeth into a sweeping historical.

Making the jump to writing a new type of book, however, requires more than just firing up your word processor and playing different music on your iPod. You have your audience to consider -- an audience that can include your readers, your agent, your editor and your publicist.