Brand Names Add Authenticity
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Jack Carr discusses his strategy of using specific brand names and products in his fiction writing to create authenticity and deeper character development.
Core Strategy Purpose
- Adds authenticity to storytelling
- Helps readers understand characters through their gear choices
- Creates deeper connection with knowledgeable readers (military, law enforcement)
- Tells story about character before they speak or are described
Implementation Approach
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Names specific brands and products used by characters
- Vehicles (Land Cruisers)
- Weapons and tactical gear
- Clothing and accessories
- Equipment and tools
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Authenticity Guidelines
- Only mentions brands/products author personally uses or knows well
- No paid product placement ($0 from companies)
- Must fit naturally within character and story
- Maintains credibility with expert readers
Business Impact
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Creates natural merchandising opportunities
- Website gear guides for each book
- Father's Day gear guides
- Holiday gear guides
- Amazon affiliate links (minimal monetization)
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Relationship Building
- Helps support smaller companies by featuring products
- Creates authentic connections with brands
- Maintains integrity by not accepting payment for mentions
- Focuses on quality over monetization
Reader Experience
- Helps readers visualize characters more clearly
- Provides technical accuracy for knowledgeable readers
- Creates additional engagement through gear research
- Maintains story immersion through authentic details
The strategy prioritizes storytelling authenticity over business opportunities, though it naturally creates merchandising potential that could be further monetized.
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.