Homework #2 - Branding
Homework For Thomas’ Talk
Step 1 - Look in the Mirror
What are your strengths?
● Technology, passion, good work ethic, and serving the Lord & others.
What are you the best in your world at?
● Technology
Why do readers pick other authors over you?
● Name brand. I’m a nobody at the moment.
Why do people read other similar stories rather than your story?
● Because they haven’t read my book. 😅 Joke aside, I haven’t published yet. I can venture to say familiarity with other brands.
What do you do that exhausts you?
● Wasting my time😡
What are your unfair advantages?
● Blend technology and art in my craft.
What gives you the authority to write on the subject you’re writing on?
● My son developed a neurological disorder as a result of an accident, which inspired me to write fiction for children with special needs.
What gives you the authority to explore the themes in your writing
● The experience I had as a parent of a child who experienced a neurological disorder. Uncle of a child with special needs.
Step 2 - Look at Your Readers
Who is your target reader?
● MG kids who like fantasy, with siblings, or are children with special needs.
What does your target reader read currently?
● Harry Potter, Dog Man
How is your target reader different from other readers?
● Physical condition or related to someone with special needs.
Why does your target reader read books?
● Entertain and escape
How can you thrill your target reader?
● See themselves in the protagonist of the stories.
Step 3 - Listen to Your Readers
What do readers like about you?
● N/A – not published yet.
What are the themes and topics that come up?
● N/A – not published yet.
What words do they mention in their reviews?
● N/A – not published yet.
What do people say about you when they talk to each other?
● N/A – not published yet.
Step 4 - Look in Your Reader’s Mirror
What does my brand let my readers say about themselves?
● My condition is not my demise.
What tribe does this brand give me access to?
● Special Needs community
Who are your outsiders?
● People that can’t relate to the special needs community
Homework For Jim’s Talk
What is the promise you are making your readers?
● Epic fantasy stories with special needs characters
What comes to mind when people think of you?
● Special heart for special kids
What is the empathy you have for your readers?
● I don’t want special needs kids to see themselves as less than.
What is the authority you have for your readers? What gives you the authority to write on the subject you’re writing on?
● My son developed a neurological disorder as a result of an accident, which inspired me to write fiction for children with special needs.
What gives you the authority to explore the themes in your writing
● My experience during the process that my family went through.
Find a website that makes it about them, and brainstorm how you would change that website to make it about the website visitor. What are two things you would change?
● https://www.joyandcompany.org/
1. Focus on what the writer will get by submitting their manuscript for the literary awards.
2. Include testimonials or references to prior winners who have risen in the industry as a result of the recognition they recived by this organization
Who is your target reader? Describe them in one sentence:
● MG kids who like fantasy, with siblings, or are children with special needs.
To stand out, we must shock/surprise/delight Broca on a regular basis. How have you, or how are you going to, shock/surprise/delight Broca during the next three days?
● I have no idea, yet this question is ruminating in my mind.🧐
You know your brand has to be organic. What is different, unique, quirky, surprising about you that can/does define you as a person? How are you organically compelling?
● Another tough question. 😬 I’m planning to blend technology (e.g. AI) and a visual experience on my digital presence. I would like to complement my book with practical merchandise for this targeted demographic.
In what areas do you need to give yourself permission to be you?
● Public speaking ?? This is promoting some deep soul searching.🤔
In what two areas are you going to focus on where you’ll make your content surprising/entertaining/provocative/engaging?
● My writing ✒️
● My digital presence 💻