Tag: Pinterest

Walking The Runway

Mr. Pish for President

A new feature offered at Indies Unlimited is “You Asked For It.” Elina Castro asked, “What are the latest ideas/techniques in platform building?”

Our own K. S. Brooks recently discussed the importance of social media in platform building, and you can read Kat’s article here. There are, however, many additional pieces to the platform puzzle. In order for us to be on the same page I will quote from a book I really like, Get Known Before The Book Deal by Christina Katz. Just because we are part of the exciting Indie movement doesn’t mean we can’t appropriate ideas from traditionally published authors and their support team. Continue reading “Walking The Runway”

A Blog of Your Own

I am a huge fan of personal blogs and their not so subtle messages. Personal blogs are fascinating, both in their success or failure to transmit the image their owner desires. This is another installment of “Your style According to Lois.” Here are the questions I want you to ponder without being overly sensitive and defensive: what does your blog say about you? Do you even know what you want it to say? This is an intervention and help is on the way.

In order to know what you want your blog to look like, you need to do some research.This is what I tell my husband when I am on Net-A-Porter or Sonja Morgan’s blog. The phrase, “I’m doing research, dear”, can get you out of a lot of conversations. Why would I take the time to Google a Real Housewife of New York? Because these women understand self-promotion to a level never before seen by man. To visit a celebrities’ blog, especially a reality TV star, is to see the culture of narcissism in a pure and perfect state. We shy and promotionally challenged writers need to study these experts at work. Continue reading “A Blog of Your Own”

The Sincerest Form of Flattery

Have you ever been intellectually robbed? Have you ever shared an idea with friends, only to see your inspiration copied with no credit given? I wanted to chastise you for feeling sorry for yourself, but a couple of my colleagues have already taken you to task. Are you awake and ready for a bit of ego building? I am happy to do it. Sip your cocktail of choice and relax. Here is my question: Why is it a good thing if people want to borrow your ideas or copy your style?

It is a hot and humid afternoon in Manhattan. Babe Paley exits La Grenouille, the luncheon appointment concluded and she exchanges parting pleasantries with a few ‘ladies who lunch’. The city air is completely still, and the heat that rises from the pavement is stifling.  She casually removes the scarf knotted loosely around her neck, and so as not to lose it, ties it around the handle of her handbag in a soft, elegant bow. That effortless gesture is copied within weeks by stylish women across the country.

It is a windy day in Germany as Jacqueline Kennedy sits on the podium listening to speech after speech, smiling her now famously enigmatic smile. A gust of wind threatens to lift her pillbox hat from her head, and in an attempt to secure it, she dents it. The style catches on like wildfire, an accident soon copied by women all over the world. Continue reading “The Sincerest Form of Flattery”

Promoting Your Brand With Pinterest

Tim Ferriss, the Sensei of self-promotion.

As a writer you are your brand. Everything you post on-line, the picture you choose as your avatar, and every interaction you have with other bloggers defines you. If you didn’t realize that before, consider it now. You can look at branding as a chore, or you can use the myriad of social networking tools available and have fun showing your readers why you’re the author they want to follow.

Go ahead and Google personal branding articles – you can read these posts for days. Most of these articles will tell you, basically, the same crucial steps you need to take to successfully brand yourself. Take some time and peruse them. It is time well spent. Continue reading “Promoting Your Brand With Pinterest”