Tools for Writers: Creating your brand
A number of Submission Guidelines that I have read recently ask for social media information, and marketing information to be included in the pitch. This means it is becoming increasingly essential for a writer to have an online presence.
The tools below will help you to do this for free, and also include ways to save time, so you don't get distracted from writing.
In 2015 I entered a writing competition, where we had to submit a marketing proposal along with our writing. While I didn't win, what I learned has stayed with me, and I wrote about it in a previous blog post.
There are a range of tools available to help you develop your online presence:
Websites:
There are a range of sites that offer free pages, although be aware that if you don't pay for website hosting, your URL (Web address) may not be easy to remember, and you will have the site's advertising on your page.
You don't have to be a tech genius or designer to create your own site, because most sites have templates that you can adapt and personalize.
I like using Webnode and it is easy to navigate. Although, I find it is slow to load, and sometimes changing the site can be tricky. it is free to use, but there is an option to purchase a site. (Note: I have recently switched from Wix to Webnode, which is simpler, and easier to use, but doesn't have as much functionality)
Wordpress allows you to create a free blog or personal website, but you need to pay for a professional website. it is easy to navigate and use, and is very popular among the academic community for creating sites.
Other sites which provide free websites include:
https://www.yola.com/
https://www.simplesite.com/
I've used Squarespace for commercial sites. It is not free, but is a great platform to use.
Logos
A logo is an important part of visual identity, and should be instantly recognizable. If you can't draw one, there are sites that will provide you with a free logo:
https://www.freelogodesign.org/index.html
I like the logos generated by Free Logo Services, but while they create the logo for free, you can not use it without paying for the logo.
Blogs
Webnode includes a free blog facility, and many other sites offer Blog hosting as part of the website. A blog allows you the opportunity to present your views, and again create an online profile. It's a great way to practise your writing skills too! Try to be original, and work on building followers.
More options for blog hosting can be found here.
Social Media
I have previously written about social media for writers. If you have accounts on LinkedIn; Twitter; Google Plus; Facebook; Pinterest; Instagram etc, you may find that you are spending a great deal of time managing your profiles. however, there are a number of sites which will allow you to send the same post to all of your profiles, and can be used to schedule posts for you.
I've recently been playing with Buffer, which has a free facility for managing your social media posts, and setting up regular posts. Basically, you create a range of posts, and it posts them at the times you schedule. I've been impressed with the functionality, and will see if it nets me more followers.
Hootsuite is a service which performs the same function.
Fund raising
Crowd funding is starting to cater for creative industries, and is a way of raising financial support to free you to write. Patreon is one service that caters for the creative industries, and while I don't yet have a profile with them, I will be setting one up shortly.
With any marketing, you need to consider the image you want to project whether it be wacky and weird to classical. Your choice of sites; images, colors should all reflect this image.