Think of your favorite stores and restaurants. What image pops in your head? Most likely, the first is your favorite things about the location, IE product. But a close second is probably the store’s logo.
Logos and product combine into business branding. By having those two items be consistent, those companies are able to keep their brands at the forefront of customer’s minds, leading to more product sales.
By making and maintaining a personal brand, authors too, can increase sales. A brand helps potential and returning readers know, like and trust you. And establishing your author brand isn’t as difficult as you may think. Here’s how to get started:
Identify what you Represent
What emotions, moods, and feelings would you like readers to identify with you and your book (aka, brand!)? Magic? Mystery? Relaxation? Suspense? If you’re not sure where to start, list your strengths, passions, and goals. Revisit some of your old social media posts. Odds are, you’re already talking about what matters most to you. Need more ideas? Visit the social media of other authors you admire. How are they branding themselves? Be sure to focus on how you are different from other authors selling similar products.
Once you’ve compiled your list, try to narrow it down to three key concepts. You can’t be everyone’s favorite author. Instead, focus on attracting the type of reader you know will love your book. Then, you can pick color themes, and even a tagline to theme your brand around.
Identify your Genre
Do you write fantasy? Sci-fi? Non-fiction? If you can focus on one genre, you’re more likely to have repeat customers who enjoy your genre and your writing. For example, many people who read Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga also read her novel The Host. The reason? Both sets of books fall under one collective genre: Paranormal Romance. Compare that to J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, and her novel The Casual Vacancy. Though nearly everyone has read Harry Potter, the same cannot be said for her stand alone novel. Why? Harry Potter is a fantasy series written for the age categories of middle grade through young adult. However, The Casual Vacancy is much more realistic, and aimed for adults. These books were marketed to different audiences, which meant less returning readers.
This doesn’t mean you must limit yourself to only writing one thing! However, if you can brand your stories by age category, genre, or some other repeating theme, your readers are more likely to return.
Incorporate on Social Media!
You can firmly establish your brand by being consistent. Use the same profile photo and bio across all avenues of social media so that your audience can easily identify your different accounts. Similarly, try to use the same color themes. Doing so will strengthen your brand. Be sure to include links to other social media channels, and ways your readers can contact you and learn more about your books (and you!).
Additionally, post and share content that matches your brand. For example, if you’re trying to present yourself as a friendly author who writes children’s books about cats, posting about building deck furniture won’t appeal to your audience.
Be Authentic
At the same time, keep in mind an author brand isn’t meant to act as a mask. It should be a part of you, and it should easily allow your personality to shine through. If you really want to post about that deck furniture, find a way to relate it back to your intended audience by taking a picture of that furniture with your cat on it.
Remember, you are your brand. More likely than not, the things you love to post already relate to your brand identity.
Stay Consistent in Marketing!
Keep your consistency going on your marketing materials outside of social media as well. When printing business cards, bookmarks, or other marketing materials, use the same fonts, colors, author photo, bio, etc. This will connect everyone back to your brand, making you easily identifiable on or off line.
Need a Printer?
Alexander’s Print Advantage provides authors with short run book prints, meaning you have the amount you need, when you need it. We can also print your marketing materials. Contact us in the form below to get your free estimate.
