By DiAnn Mills, @DiAnnMills

Developing a writer’s brand can sound like scaling a cliff unless the writer has sound footing. Unfortunately if a writer fails to take distinct steps to establish a brand, the publishing industry will do the job themselves, and you might not like their choice.

A professional writer seizes control of her career and develops a brand that is an asset not a liability. This begins by assessing what a writer knows about herself and her readers.

Our readers have definite requirements:

The reader must know the writer’s specialty.

The reader must be able to access the writer’s works.

The reader must recognize a writer’s unique voice.

The reader must fulfill his/her needs through our writing.

The following 5 tips will help the writer brand her writing style.

1. Define what you want to write. Writing contemporary one day, fantasy the next, and horror after that confuses the reader. When a writer establishes a writing niche, she can build on readership.
2. Know your audience. A writer understands her readers. She takes the time to explore their lifestyles, problems, dreams, and problems. Writers who fail to address the needs of readers soon don’t have any readers.
3. Develop a distinct writer’s voice. A writer’s voice is perfected by studying the craft and writing. The more we create, the more our voice is deepened.
4. Encourage others through your area of expertise.
5. Spread the word through social media.

How can you brand your writing style in the world of publishing?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at http://www.diannmills.com