Branding is Everything

How to Build Your Brand/Image as an Author

Branding is what you show to the world and what people perceive you as. A brand or image can make you a magnet: you end up either attracting or repelling. As an author, building your brand is key to helping you sell that book.

It is essential to create a personal brand that makes you professional and helps others identify with you. For the sustainability of a brand, it is important to remain consistent and focused, as these traits will define your success as an author. Other than defining yourself as an author, work towards being at the forefront of your business growth.  

Can branding really help you sell your books? Yes, Here’s an analysis of how you can achieve this.

1. Know your area of expertise

You have to identify a niche that you can flow with and are passionate about. Working on something you enjoy and cherish will push you beyond your limits and will be phenomenal, as opposed to something you are unsure about. People will be interested in interacting with you, hence defining yourself and your niche beforehand will be worth it.

2. Target audience

Ask yourself:

  • Who do you want to pass the message to?
  • Who do you want to reach out to?
  • Are you able to understand your audience?

The answer to these questions will go a long way in establishing your brand as an author.

3. Carry out research on your area of interest

What’s your area of interest? How much do you know about it? You need to be knowledgeable. This will give you a groundbreaking since it equips you with updated information in your field. You will also have a clear picture on how to meet the demands of your audience. Updating yourself on current trends and the needs of your target market, in the long run, will help you produce interesting content.

4. Market yourself

People cannot buy what they don’t know and what they cannot familiarize themselves with. Get yourself out there for your brand to be projected. Are you engaging with the public via Social Media? Are you seeking honest reviews? Are you running a podcast? Do you have eye-catching graphics?  Are you active and participating in events? Do you have a mail list? Have you tried speaking to live audiences? Ensure your books are in proximity whenever you attend a book launch. Keep your social media handles active by sharing relevant posts as an author and inspiring them. You have got to engage your audience and network with them. As an author, you need to be at the same tempo as your followers. Do not forget to use your mail list and keep your webpage active/updated to make yourself credible and enhances your visibility.

5. Standing out

You need to be unique and outstanding. You can achieve this by being true to yourself and getting your creative juices flowing. Be genuine and be you, everyone else is already taken. Find out:

  • What is your brand voice?
  • What makes you tick?
  • How different is your content?
  • What will make people prefer your book to other authors
  • Are you inspiring people?
6. Establish an online presence

Ensure your website is up, running, and updated. Your author bio should be clear and concise. Let the website have all the work you have done and what you are currently working on. Inspire your readers with your quality blog posts and organize book sales periodically. Have some free online mentoring classes or snippets of your book for your audience and links where your readers can post their reviews on your books. This will build a strong, lasting relationship with your readers. You can even go a notch higher by contracting a social media manager to be responding to your audience on your behalf if you do not have the time on your hands.

7. Learn from other Authors

Enroll for online coaching classes. There is always something new to add to your content and to hone your skills as an author. Watch inspirational podcasts and be on the lookout for what is being offered in the market.        

Building an image is not an overnight success. You need to invest your time and energy to reap the benefits. You need to keep growing for you to level up as an author.

I’d love to hear your feedback on what pointers appealed the most to you in this article that you can incorporate for your branding.

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