I want to take this opportunity to welcome my dear friend and partner in writing Nonnie Jules. Nonnie is gracing us with her presence again to share with us what she knows about building a brand. She is a self-taught author who loves to write and learn new things. And so having said that here is the talented Nonnie Jules!!
Welcome to the 3rd day of my two week-long “JUST MY TWO CENTS” Blog Tour ! My good friend and fellow author, Shirley Slaughter, has agreed to let me stop by and hang out with you all today and I’m so grateful!
Next month will mark the anniversary of my burst onto the social media scene and during that time, I have published three REALLY GOOD books and have learned so very much about the industry. Although I’ve been a writer for most of my life (actually, I was born one), I only just became a published author in 2013. Some might say, “In that short amount of time, what does she know?” Well, I’m here to tell you that “SHE” has learned a lot! “SHE” has taken the time to hone her skills in the writing department as well as her knowledge. “SHE” has taken the bull by the horn and run full speed ahead in building her author platform and establishing herself in the writing industry. “SHE” is making her name KNOWN.
On each stop of my tour, I will give you my TWO-CENTS on a particular topic from the writing industry. I hope that what I am imparting, you will take, mull over, and then act on in the best interest of YOU. Please leave comments (as we Authors love those). For those of you who do, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card from me after my tour has ended!
With that being said, here is JUST MY TWO CENTS ON…
BUILDING YOUR BRAND AS AN AUTHOR
Although I had planned a different post for my stop here today, what I’m about to speak on has been weighing heavily on my mind so I decided, last minute, to switch directions. While processing membership applications for the Rave Reviews Book Club, I come across so many authors who don’t have consistency in their brands or, have given no thought to establishing a brand at all. If I have utilized their email address for some reason, and then I go back to try and find them based on that email address, I can’t because it’s different from their actual name! But the person whose name is “Lucy Lunchmeat” and her email is lucylunchmeat@meatmarket.com, she’s easily found and makes my job a whole lot easier. (By the way, thanks Lucy!)
In establishing your author brand, you have to be consistent across the board, no matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing, and no matter who you’re talking to.
This is a prime example of someone WITHOUT an established author brand:
Name: Lauren Pasat
Email: readabookgirl@yahoo.com
Twitter Handle: @DontBotherMe
Facebook: L. Psssst
Blog: Come On Over
Now, take notice as this is someone WITH an established author brand:
Name: Nonnie Jules
Email: NonnieJules@gmail.com
Twitter Handle: @NonnieJules
Facebook: Nonnie Jules – Author
Blog: WATCH NONNIE WRITE!
Did you pick up on the recurring theme in the example where the author has established her brand? My name (Nonnie Jules or Nonnie) is the glue that holds my brand together. Anytime someone is seeking me out, they can probably find me based on one factor: MY NAME!
The example WITHOUT an established brand is a person all over the place. The only way that you would ever be able to locate them or anything they’re doing, would be to pick up the phone whenever you needed to: follow them on Twitter, friend them on Facebook, read their blog or send them an email. And what if you don’t have their phone number (which you probably won’t)? Then what? Well, that author has missed out on a possible fan, follower or reader! So sad.
My two-cents for you today is that even if you’ve come onto the writing scene and your twitter handle is still @CharliesMoma, unless the name of your book is “CHARLIE’S MOMA,” (and unless you’re planning on being a one-book-author), I’d look towards creating a bit of consistency….as sometimes you people have handles and email addresses that no one can take seriously. I’m an author, and I pride myself on my professionalism in this industry, therefore, I want to be taken VERY SERIOUSLY at all times. It’s never too late to start working on establishing your author brand, so after you leave a comment below, I want you to run off and do just that!
Thanks for stopping by!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
NONNIE Jules grew up loving books and everything about them. She has traveled the world, jumped out of planes and climbed many mountains, all thanks to the wonderful world of literature. She lives with her husband and two daughters on a very quiet strip of land in Louisiana, where red dirt roads and pick-up trucks go hand in hand. She is the Author of three great reads at present: “THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS,” 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can’t Help But Love!; “Daydream’s Daughter, Nightmare’s Friend” (a novel); and “SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS!” Nonnie is also Founder and President of the widely-known Rave Reviews Book Club, as well as being a sought-after book reviewer with a strong “eye” for perfection.
She continues to write from many different genres and hopes to teach and touch minds and hearts alike with her very unique style of writing. She loves positive feedback on her writing and personally responds to each and every email. Nonnie can be reached at nonniewrites@yahoo.com, on Twitter @nonniejules, and do follow her blogs WATCH NONNIE WRITE! {nonniewrites.wordpress.com} and ASK THE GOOD MOMMY {askthegoodmommy.wordpress.com}.
Nonnie’s feet are firmly planted in her two most important platforms: Parenting & Support, where she continually invites the masses to join her.
BUY LINKS:
“THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS,” 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can’t Help But Love! – amazon.com/dp/B00CP62O56; createspace.com/4355124
“Daydream’s Daughter, Nightmare’s Friend” – amazon.com/dp/B00GLM2VVM; createspace.com/4386308
“SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS!” – amazon.com/dp/B00IRIA0I4
Nonnie thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your words of wisdom. It is always a pleasure to host you and pick your brain. And readers again feel free to post a comment and win that gift card!
Shirley Harris-Slaughter
Author and Rave Reviews Book Club Member
Book Title: Our Lady of Victory: the Saga of an African-American Catholic Community
A Five Star RRBC Review: http://wp.me/P49Fi9-c
Ebook: Amazon.com
http://Twitter.com/motorcityauthor
https://www.facebook.com/ShirleyHarrisSlaughterAuthor?ref=hl
Shirley Harris-Slaughter 
Pingback: You need to be true to who? | Be My Guest
Right! So what should I change? My links are not identical, but similar.
cicampbellblog.wordpress.com
cicampbell@btinternet.com
@Campbama
If I change my Twitter handle, how will my followers know where to find me?
My Facebook Author Page presents more of a problem. I formed it as Christine Campbell, Author. WriteWhereYouAre but I notice Fb link it just as WriteWhereYouAre
Same question: if I change it, how will old friends find me.
Bigger problem….I’ve just taken delivery of business cards with all the old links printed on them!
Timing! Timing! Timing! Ah me….
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The key is making sure you can make a change on twitter because they hold up to 16 letters. That and your email address could be problematic. In my case I needed to change my gmail address and twitter account to be identical. Both only take up to 16 letters. From there its not too much a problem to change anything else. Your twitter handle will not take you from your followers. I have the same picture so my followers could quickly identify me even though my handle had completely changed. Your followers will stay connected to you. You do have a few challenges and timing is everything. So use up your cards and change everything over gradually. I have a challenge with linkedin trying to change my user name to reflect my new brand. I also have to alert my contacts to my new gmail address. Any mail you have will have to change over. So its a lot to do and think about.
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A great and insightful post. My problem is a long name, therefore…
@ErnSanGiacomo for twitter
Blog = San Giacomo’s Corner http://ernsangia.wordpress.com/
Facebook = San Giacomo’s Bookshelf https://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Giacomos-Bookshelf/392495507519670?ref=hl
Thanks Shirley for hosting 🙂
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Ernesto I got your post in my inbox on March 26. Don’t know why its so late. Anyway you have to get those letters numbered correctly and you’re good to go. Thanks for visiting this site.
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Reblogged this on Cultural Cocktails.
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I see what I’m going to be doing…building my brand! Thanks for the tips!
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Clarissa thanks for visiting and commenting on this topic. Its got everybody thinking including me. I am working on mine right now.Good luck to you.
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Thank you for making me feel welcome!
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Another great post with excellent tips!!
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This is such excellent advice. Thanks, Nonnie!!! xoxo
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And thats why my handle has changed. Good advice. Now I have to finish the rest.
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Thats makes a lot of sense, hope the word spreads.I have lost authors because I cannot remember all their different names, for their sites. Thank you. Love RRBC.
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I agree. Even twitter handles are harder to match when they are not the same including mine. So I will have to fix that. Nonnie just reminded me of something I instinctively knew about but failed to implement again as time marched on and my goals changed.
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Kathryn thanks for stopping by and reblogging this wonderful post. There is some tweeting and other sharing of this blog. Should get lots of exposure.
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Reblogged this on Be My Guest.
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Great tips, Nonnie. Thank you for sharing Nonnie with us.
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