The WHAT – Part 1: What tactics will you use?

What you’re creating is one of the early pitfalls writers worry about. Before answering the questions of “Why am I making an author platform?” or “How will I make an impact?” they ask the question “What am I making?” One of the most important things to remember is that without understanding why or how you’ll

The WHY – Part 4: Why are you creating content?

The final element of “The Why” in your marketing approach has arrived. This goes back again to more social media and conventions, the interactions you have that may not be direct sales, but creates a community. Why are you creating content? If you are blogging, why? If you are creating handouts or promotional materials, why?

The WHY – Part 3: Why are you trying to reach out?

We’ve answered why your brand has to exist and why you are writing. Now let’s focus in on social media interactions and appearances in the world. We do that by asking the question, “Why are you trying to reach out?” Why are you on Tumblr and not Facebook? Why are you interacting with fans? Why

The WHY – Part 2: Why are you writing?

We’ve answered why your brand has to exist, but why are you writing? Part 2 of 12 in the most important questions you have to ask yourself in marketing your author brand as we take on the Writer’s Conquest together.

The WHY – Part 1: Why does your brand have to exist?

As you create your author brand, there are several questions that need to be asked, thus a twelve week series starting today that looks at the three most important questions to ask, and the sub-categories needed for you to understand what you are creating, how you’ll be executing it all, but first we have to

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s Specialty Presentation – YouTube Video Preview

Gearing up for this Saturday in which I’ll be bringing The Writer’s Conquest to life at the Sam Gary Branch Library from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. for this month’s free program. Big thanks to Aaron Michael Ritchey for the introduction that lead to me doing this. Special thanks to Angie Hodapp and Marc Stevens

SWOT and PEST ANALYSIS: PART TWO: OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS

You’ve identified your Strengths and Weaknesses, that’s half of a SWOT Marketing Analysis for writers. Now it’s time to look for Opportunities and Threats. Now before you get all cutthroat and say “Steven, Steven is a threat! That guy’s a jerk!” please realize that’s not what I’m talking about. With the current climate and your

SWOT and PEST Analysis: Part One – Strengths and Weaknesses

In any marketing plan, it will become absolutely essential to understand the market you are entering, the competition, target demographics, and where you fit into said market. While a SWOT and PEST analysis won’t provide every answer, it will help you understand more about what you can, and shouldn’t, do in today’s marketplace. As we

Creating a Marketing Plan for Your Writing Career, Part Three: Measurable Steps for Success

One major aspect of any marketing plan requires measurable data. If you’re self publishing, how many books do you want to sell per month? Per quarter? Per year? If you’re just starting out and seeking representation and wanting to create awareness of your author platform, how many new Twitter followers do you want to gain

Four Questions that Bring Value Innovation to Your Writing

As you create your own uncontested market space, per Blue Ocean Strategy encouragement in your marketing approach, you’ll need to analyze your results and analyze the results. This is one of the cornerstones of the Blue Ocean Strategy called Value Innovation. As quoted on the official site, “…is the simultaneous pursuit of differentiation and low cost,