Think big
The final step on your journey to making your publishing brand a household name is to think big. Be fearless in your pursuit of spreading your brand to the world. Have you ever thought about publishing a book? Speaking in front of audiences? Hosting a show on television? What are the dreams you have for yourself that you don't dare share with others? These dreams should become the goals for your brand because that is how all great things are accomplished. There are scores of publishers who have successfully bridged their publishing brands into all of these areas, and you can too by thinking big. No one ever learns to swim without getting in the water, right? So go ahead -- jump in!
My Modern Metropolis shared its "think big" goals for its brand, including custom mobile and iPad applications.
"We'd like to expand into different platforms," Yoo said. "We're launching My Modern Shop soon, where we'll be selling artwork and photographic prints from artists and photographers who've been featured on our site. By offering more functionality and a deeper experience, we'll be able to better group our followers and partnerships with items we curate."
Sit down and map out your dreams. Start with your ultimate goal and create smaller ones that build up to an end goal. Just the act of writing these down will motivate you to start accomplishing them. And remember: You are the only person who limits you from thinking big and going for it!
Conclusion
Reinforcing and fine-tuning your publishing brand can be an overwhelming feeling. It's like that nerve-wracking moment in a job interview when your possible future employer asks you to describe yourself using only three words, and your brain screams for mercy. However, in this case, you are your own employer, and there is no wrong answer as long as you stay true to who you are as a publisher. By using these practices as a blueprint for self-branding, you'll be amazed by what you can build.
Rosa Terrazas is director of publishers and communities at Federated Media Publishing.
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"A set of grunge stencil letters" image and "Revolution background" image via Shutterstock.
