It’s been two weeks since I’ve posted anything on this site and I can’t promise another two weeks will not go by without posting either.
I’ve started to accept that I don’t have magical powers – not even close, although my children believe I have eyes at the back of my head.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve decided to implement some of the knowledge learned in my marketing class. At first, I was going to wait, but then decided, skills learned are skills practiced.I also picked up a couple of books I thought might help, Creating Your Author Brand by Kristine Kathryn Rush and Platform: Get noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt – although I haven’t dived into them yet – because not everything in my class will apply to the business of writing.I’m also one of those learn-and-do-as-much-as-you-can type of person. Which probably adds to me being overwhelmed and tired half the time (also, managing my CF is a damn fulltime job).
Christine, a contributor and author on colorfulpen, has been patient while I tinker, and I’m eternally grateful.
Okay, back to why I’ve been slacking, the changes started with giving this site a business feel, after all, it hosts my writing thoughts and news. I chose a new theme, Pena,and for the life of me can’t get it to look the way it should. If any one of you lovely readers have any suggestions as to why, or what the heck has gone wrong, please let me know.
Simplifying the site also had to be done. I separated my fiction writing from this blog which is non-fiction. When I created this site, branding was in mind – to an extent. I knew I was going to publish. Well, it would have saved me a world of trouble if I had separated my writing from the onset. It would have saved me the hassle of separating it now.
I also discovered that once a name has been assigned to a site through WordPress it cannot be reused. That’s great… if I’d done it correctly. So, if you’re creating your first blog, be sure your free WordPress assigned name resembles your domain name (if possible) that way, if they are any hiccups, visitors will know they are in the right place and won’t be confused. This site assigned name is my author name and I wouldn’t have minded until I decided to separate my fiction, and realized (too late), I couldn’t change or reuse it elsewhere.
Then a simple change grew into an explosion. I should have known, personal branding is no simple task.
So now, I’m tinkering with a bunch of other aspects which, sad to say has interrupted writing.
robeccaaustin.com 
Great commentary. Some aspects of business are more challenging than others. Some we have natural abilities for; others remain confusing and limiting. Writing is a very personal craft. I think a business needs products and / or services. We can occupy roles in business, including the role of writer. The act of writing, creating, exposing one’s self, trying not to be artificial is not a role, it’s interesting labor. I will write something on http://www.shanessimplybest.com now.
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I agree Shane. The act of writing, putting pen to paper which will lead (hopefully) to products and services is moving from personal writing to business. Our aspirations and mission guides us.
Can’t wait to pick up the words you put down.
Happy writing.
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Always food for thought. Think I will talk about my mission on my under active New google site website shanessimplybest. I put off far too much for an old guy. Thanks
P.S. Clair, proud member of WordSilly.
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That’s a great idea. Sometimes talking about your intentions keeps them from drifting too far away.
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Oh you sound just like me! I always come back to my blog, full of great intentions, then a week goes by, then another…. here’s hoping I stick at it longer this time round lol. I’ve had a few problems with my branding too. My name is a nickname, so I used to spell it ‘Millie’ in professional circles and at work – but decided to go with ‘Milly’ at one point as my writing name, which is also what I go with in the social media world. Unfortunately, I made this change between using a free wordpress account and getting a domain name – so now they don’t match! Nothing I can do about it.
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I think it’s the silliest thing, especially if both sites are under your name and the domains are available.
A few years ago, I blogged under literaryhub, I didn’t know whether blogging was for me. When I did decide to purchase, the name was gone, when 2 mths earlier it was available.
Blogging is such a business now that sites, logos, social media, domain etc should be bought from day one. (Pitfalls of my blogging life, sigh)
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