Creating an Author Brand that Leaves a Lasting Impression
A strong author brand is super important if you’re an aspiring writer who wants to create a thriving writing career.
Remember that branding isn’t just about writing well or selling books. It’s about creating a unique, memorable identity that speaks to your ideal readers.
Your author brand brings together your writing style, values, and personality, all rolled into one perfect package. It’s what sets you apart from other writers in a crowded publishing market.
By crafting an unforgettable author brand, you can grow a loyal following of readers who are attracted to the stories only you can tell.
The emotional connection you establish with your readers with your brand is the secret sauce to building a lasting writing career.
And the sooner you start, the better because building an author brand takes time and patience.
So keep on reading to learn more about what an author brand is, why it’s important, and how you can create an unforgettable brand that leaves a lasting impression on your readers.
What is an Author Brand?
Your author brand is your unique identity as a writer that sets you apart from the rest of the writer pack. It’s what makes you stand out. It’s the image, voice, and personality that you use to promote your work.
It’s the sum of everything that makes you different as a writer, including your writing style, genre, and tone. It encompasses everything from how you write books to the typeface you use on your website, the colors and formatting style you choose, your social media posts, blog articles, podcast interviews, book covers, and the emotions you evoke in your readers.
Your brand evolves as you grow as a writer, so you don’t have to get it right from the start.
Heck, I’m still perfecting mine.
The important thing is that you start setting the foundation for how you will communicate who you are and everything that makes you an extraordinary writer.
Do Authors Really Need a Brand?
In a word, Yes!
In today’s publishing industry, authors need a brand more than ever. With millions of books being published every year, it’s getting harder for authors to get noticed.
It’s a competitive market regardless of whether you intend to go the traditionally published or self-published route.
Your author brand is how you cut through the noise and make a lasting impression on readers.
Not only does an author brand help you stand out in a crowded marketplace, but it also helps to establish trust and credibility with your readers. When readers see a consistent brand across your marketing materials, they know what to expect from your books. This leads to increased loyalty, positive reviews, and, ultimately, more sales.
How Do I Start an Author Brand?
Creating an author brand does take patience, effort, and a bit of creativity.
Don’t be afraid to take risks and think outside the box – after all, creativity knows no boundaries when building an author brand.
Here are some steps you can follow to create an unforgettable author brand:
Define How You Are Unique
To set yourself apart from other authors in your genre, ask yourself the following questions:
- What makes your writing different from others in your genre?
- What makes your stories unique?
- What values do you bring to your writing that other authors don’t?
Once you define what makes you unique, you can build your brand around it.
Create Your Visual Brand
By sticking to a visual identity, readers and followers easily recognize and connect with your brand.
Your visual brand includes your logo, color palette, and fonts. You will include these elements in all your marketing materials, like your website and social media.
Maintaining consistency is key to creating an experience that will leave a lasting impression on your readers.
The easiest way to get started is by putting together a brand board. You can grab a copy of my Canva template to start choosing a color palette, trying different fonts, and choosing images that speak to your brand.
All you need is a free Canva account and a copy of my brand board template, and you are ready to get started. To grab a copy of my brand board template, just request access to the Writer’s Library below.
Build Your Online Presence
Building an online presence means getting your brand out there through your website, social media, and content.
A website is a great way to build a following and get eyes on your brand. It’s a way to connect with your readers through blog posts, an email list, newsletters, and other helpful content.
Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are also great for connecting with readers and building a community around your brand. You can share updates about your upcoming projects and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your writing process and interact with fans through comments and direct messages.
By consistently delivering valuable content and connecting with your audience, you can establish yourself as a writer and create a loyal following of readers.
Be Consistent
I briefly mentioned this before. Consistency is key when it comes to building an author brand.
Your brand should be consistent across all marketing materials, from your website to social media profiles. This helps to establish trust and credibility with your readers, making it easier for them to remember you.
Your brand is the essence of who you are as a writer and should shine through in every aspect of your marketing materials. Everything should align with your unique author brand.
Imagine scrolling through social media and instantly recognizing a post as yours because of the consistent aesthetic and tone. That’s the power of a strong author brand.
It sets you apart from the crowd and makes you stand out in the minds of your audience.
So, take some time to think about the brand identity you want to create and choose elements that reflect your style.
Don’t Overthink Your Author Brand
The biggest mistake I see new writers make is to overthink their brand. Perfectionism leads to procrastination.
Your goal is to get started creating your brand. Don’t worry about finding the perfect fonts, colors, or images. I started with a simple website and a color palette that felt like me. Over time, I’ve made changes and will keep making more.
Also, don’t feel you need to spend much on branding or a website. Everything you see on my site, I did on my own.
I did pay a small setup fee for my website theme from Bluechic, but the cost was rather inexpensive for the time it saved me. I plan to reinvest in my website as my brand grows and I have more financial resources.
But there’s no need to spend tons of money when you’re just getting started.
Author Brand Examples
I made a quick list of some of my favorite authors whose brands were so memorable it was love at first sight. Hopefully, by checking out their websites and social media accounts, you will get an idea of your brand and style. There’s no faster way to get inspired than to check out another author’s brand and visual style.
Jenny Han
Jenny Han is a great example of an author who has branded herself as the feel-good, romantic, coming-of-age stories queen. She’s the author of the Summer I Turned Pretty series. Enough said! Jenny Han’s brand as an author is truly one-of-a-kind.
Let’s start first with her writing. Her ability to capture the essence of young love and the challenges and triumphs that come with it is truly unique. With every page of her books, I’m transported into a world of love, growth, and self-discovery. She captures the essence of being young and in love. Her characters are relatable, her stories are captivating, and her writing style is magical.
One thing that sets Jenny Han’s visual brand apart is her brilliant use of colors. Just take a quick peek at her author website. The colors she chooses are bright, vibrant, and full of life. You immediately get a sense of joy and excitement clicking around her site.
But what’s truly amazing is how these colors also have a calming effect. They create a sense of comfort and tranquility that perfectly complements her stories’ feel-good and romantic nature. She carries this romantic coming-of-age feeling to her social media.
If you’re looking for a feel-good author who will leave you with a warm heart and a smile, look no further than Jenny Han. Her brand is like fresh air, filled with romance, coming-of-age moments, and beautiful storytelling.
Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo, the brilliant author behind the mesmerizing Shadow and Bone series, has created a brand that pulls you right in.
Her unique writing style combines elements of mystery and adventure, captivating readers from the very first page. With each new book, Leigh takes us on a thrilling journey through unknown worlds filled with magic, danger, and intrigue. Her brand is like a doorway to another realm, where anything is possible, and the imagination knows no bounds. Even Stephen King has been captivated by Leigh’s powerful storytelling.
What I love most about Leigh’s brand is her vivid visual imagery. Her website, social media, and book covers are filled with rich colors and enchanting details. The fonts she chooses are equally interesting, adding an extra layer of depth to your overall reading experience.
Every visual element of Bardugo’s brand is carefully picked to enhance her storytelling and create an escape for her readers. Even her author photo transports you to another realm.
When you visit Leigh’s website, you’re not just visiting another internet page – you’re embarking on an adventure. Her brand screams eerie excitement, anticipation, and a dangerous curiosity to discover the unknown.
With her dark fantasy stories filled with mystery, Leigh has created a unique niche in the literary world. So, if you’re craving a captivating read that will take you on an exhilarating and dangerous adventure, look no further than Leigh Bardugo’s extraordinary author brand.
Stephanie Garber
Stephanie Garber is a young adult author whose brand can only be described as pure whimsical magic. Her stories transport you to a world filled with curiosity, romance, and fantasy, where anything is possible.
As soon as you enter her world, you are immediately captivated by the enchanting atmosphere she creates. It’s like stepping into a fairytale, where every page promises an extraordinary adventure.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Stephanie Garber’s author brand is her ability to infuse her stories with a sense of wonder and beauty. Her words are like brushstrokes on a canvas, painting vivid scenes that come alive in your imagination.
Her colors are soft and pretty, reminiscent of a dreamy sunset or a blooming garden. And let’s not forget the glitter! It’s sprinkled throughout her visual brand, adding a touch of magic and sparkle. It’s impossible not to be mesmerized by the visual feast she creates.
But it’s not just the aesthetics that make Stephanie Garber’s brand so special. It’s the emotions it evokes in readers. Her stories overflow with romance, capturing the essence of falling in love. Whether it’s the tender moments between two characters or the epic love stories that unfold, her writing tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you yearning for more. It’s impossible not to get swept away in the emotions she weaves into her narratives.
Stephanie Garber’s author brand is a whimsy, romance, and fantasy masterpiece. With her captivating storytelling, enchanting visuals, and heartfelt emotions, she has created a world that readers can’t help but fall in love with.
So, if you’re seeking an escape into a fairytale adventure, look no further than Stephanie Garber. Prepare to be dazzled and swept away into a world where dreams come true and love conquers all.
Key Takeaways
Building an unforgettable author brand takes time and effort, but it’s well worth it. By crafting a brand that captures the essence of your writing, you can establish yourself as a trusted writer in your genre and bring together a devoted community of readers.
So, invest the time to define your unique style, develop an author brand board that showcases your style and vision, and create a compelling online presence that speaks to your readers.
Consistency is key! Every aspect of your brand should align seamlessly, from your logo and website design to your social media posts and author bio.
With some planning and a dash of creativity, you can create an author brand like Jenny Han, Leigh Bardugo, or Stephanie Garber that captures attention and leaves a lasting impression on your readers’ minds.