Hello everybody and welcome to the Turndog Tales, a round up of the week’s best news. I’ve been on an off with my Blog Posts in the last week or so, and I’m afraid this will continue in the coming weeks. I have some news to tell you all, but I’ll leave that for another day.
For now we can concentrate on the week’s best news and open up the weekend in style. So if you’re all ready, let’s look at the first article?
The Need Of Acceptance
Rachel Gardner knows the publishing industry well, and in my opinion one of the best agents for communicating online. In this particular post she discusses why so many people yearn for traditional publishing, even if it makes sense for them to self-publish.
She raises some very good points, but for me the most important is the last one…Emotional Payoff.
We all want that dream to come true, right?
Self-Pub Folk Are Happy Folk
We may all yearn for the traditional model, but apparently self-published authors are happier. At least that’s the case put forward by Alison Braverstock. I really enjoyed this read, as I do with most articles on The Creative Penn, and I certainly think most of the points make sense.
As creative people, writers yearn to move forward and make things happen. The old model stifles this freedom, so can self-publishing really bring more happiness?
I’ll leave you to decide.
Passive Can Be Good
As a writer who is quite a novice when it comes to technical writing, Passive Sentences have been a thorn in my side. I’m slowly getting there however, so it was interesting for me to come across this article.
In general Passive is bad, but it’s always important to remember there are exceptions to every single rule. We shouldn’t always conform, not all the time anyway. Sometimes you need to write what you write and be damn proud.
Take a look for yourself and be happy in the knowledge you’re not always wrong to write a passive piece of content
How To Tweet Like A Pro
Chances are you’re on Twitter, but have you ever wondered why?
The Digital Writer goes on an epic quest to answer why you should, and when you shouldn’t (the keyword here is epic. It’s very long, so be warned). There are some great points though, so suggest you suck it up and read all the way until the end.
It’s worth your while, I can assure you of that.
Naivety Is Fine…Trust Me
As a Strategic Marketer I’m all about strategy and planning, and making sure everything’s just right. It’s hard work, and sometimes you can let fear get in the way of things. It’s great to be on top of everything, but from time to time you simply need to dive on in.
Nick Thacker describes how he dove in head first without too much thinking. If he had, well, he would have more than likely not done it. But should you let fear and preparation stop you from achieving your dreams?
Hell no!
Be prepared, create a plan, but also be brave. A very inspiring read I thoroughly recommend.
Brand Matters
I love Branding, and I love a good old Brand Manual (or Corporate Identity Manual). This article from David Langton is spot on and shows just how vital such a resource can be.
It’s great for staff, and for investors, and even customers. Yet its most valuable fan base is the marketing team as it acts as a go to guide whenever you’re in doubt.
This may be a post for the corporate man, but a writer can look at their author platform in the same manner.
The ‘Bloody Hell, Are You Kidding Me’ Article
I’ve been a little riled about the anti Amazon craze recently, especially the notion from Big Publishers and how they’re ‘worried’ for Indie Publishers.
Hmmm, since when exactly?
David Gaughran is always on the ball and this article sums it up perfectly. There are two sides to every story, and I certainly see both. I do feel the hypocrisy gets too much at times though, and looking forward to everything coming to an anticlimactic end.
That’s everything for this week ladies and gents; thanks for stopping by. I hope the weekend treats you well, and if you would like some reading to do may I suggest my Post from earlier this week?
It’s on Newspapers and how Authors can still use the old school method to get their author platform to sparkle. If you have yet to read it you can do so Here.
I have some grand news soon, so please keep an eye out for that.
Matt (Turndog Millionaire)
