by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Writers create worlds out of words, and yet updating our profile can paralyze us. A professional writer creates a profile that demonstrates ingenuity and imagination. It reflects the writer’s voice and genre in fresh uniqueness. Writers long for their profiles to never be forgotten—it’s our brand, an unforgettable silhouette, and our presence in the publishing industry.
Often writers define a profile as their headshot, but the reader needs more than a face. Who is this writer? What does he/she write? Where does he/she live? Why is the writer inspired to create in a particular genre? How can the writer be contacted? Is the writer approachable? Special interests? Extra info? Every detail needs a regular review.
If our bio, brand, photo, tagline, website, and social media platforms are solid, why do we want to tamper with perfection?
Places to Update Your Writer Profile
Bio
A writer’s bio is a summary of the person’s expertise, knowledge, personal information, and professional standing. Don’t forget an additive that shows we are approachable, fun, or a little quirky. This endears the reader to us.
Create bios of different lengths for different audiences/placement: one sentence, one paragraph, two paragraphs, and no more than one page single-spaced.
Brand
A writer’s brand is who we are in the publishing industry. Through our profile, a reader knows our style or genre. We are known by our brand, and if the writer doesn’t establish how he/she wants to be known, the publishing world will do it for us, and the result might not be what we value.
A bestselling writer’s name is often the brand: Jerry Jenkins, John Grisham, or David Baldacci.
Photo
A professional photographer is best. Some writers change their photos every six months or less. That habit can be expensive. Yet photos taken at special events are a perk for our readers. Some writers use the same photo for ten years. The problem with the length of time between photographs is we no longer looks the same. That could be embarrassing.
A recommendation is to replace photos every three to four years unless significant changes in appearance warrant replacing sooner. If the writer chooses a different pose for social media platforms, make sure the photo has similarities. That way there is no doubt about who is represented.
Tagline
A writer’s tagline exemplifies the writer’s focus, not an individual book or series. This represents and is part of a writer’s brand. At times the brand and the tagline are the same. I’ve had the same tagline for years and have no intentions of changing. But a writer who switches to a new genre or nonfiction may find it necessary to create a new tagline.
Website
A website is the writer’s calling card. Ensure it is professional. Websites need a refresh or redo every three to max four years. A good rule is when a photo is updated, that’s a clue to take a hard look at the website. Is it antiquated? Is the website magnetic or a deterrent?
Website updates are constant: new book releases, removal of old events, and interesting updates that keep the reader returning.
Social Media
Each social media platform has a personality geared to attract readers with unique and branded content. The bio for each social media platform is worded differently to reflect the specific interest. Additional information targets the social media platform’s focus.
Writers want to share their passion with others, and the best way is to keep our info current.
What are you doing to keep your writing profile updated?
TWEETABLE
She is the former director of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Retreat, and Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson. Connect here: DiAnnMills.com
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When you only review books, write an occasional Christian essay or lesson, or post an article on writing or reading every two months on a joint blog as I do, do you really need all of the above that you mention?
ReplyDeleteI think if a writer longs to expand their career, then I believe it's necessary. Only you can make that decision.
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