Branding…

I know, some of you are saying, “Why should I care about building an author brand?” or “How on earth should I go about building one?”

Today, I hope to answer that question with the vast (har har har) knowledge I have gleaned from various sources and explain why it’s important that you, as an aspiring author, start working on your brand NOW instead of waiting until your book is complete. Because it all starts BEFORE the book even goes out to the agents.

First part of branding is the utmost important… You MUST have a fabulously awesome product. That is it. This comes first, and foremost… so work hard on your manuscript. Use all the blood, sweat, and tears you can handle to make it beautiful.

Next, you need to figure out what you want to communicate to your reader and what makes your brand unique.. then plow forward with it. Stick to your guns, never deviate from this path!

Never give up! Never surrender!

*ahem*

If you feel you have something new to offer the market, then create a new category for yourself. If you aren’t the first (which most of us aren’t) then set yourself apart by doing something different. Find a phrase or word that defines who you are and what you do that is unique. Then OWN IT! For example, I have chosen Ellipses… for now. I don’t know that I will continue with this brand, but because this is WHO I am, this is where I have gone.

The third idea is to grab their heart with your message. If you can get an emotional reaction from your readers, then you have them for life. They will remember the way you made them feel.

Next, you need to create and perfect your website, letterhead, profesional photos and other visual elements… and do this with equal importance! DO NOT forget physical senses of this… how you physically act around customers during a book signing. A good example for me is Lisa Mantchev (Follow her on Twitter). She has really done a great job with her branding. While I have NOT been to a book signing, her brand is VERY apparent… with cupcakes, IZZEs and sparkles. Love it! If she didn’t do this on purpose, then she is a very WISE individual, because people know this about her cupcakes, her tweets, site and book signings. All aspects of her brand communicate one solid core of message… Fun, theatre, and fairies! Her image and how she acts back those messages up.

Sixth idea is to STAND AND DELIVER! Ahem, yes… well consumers in general are pieces of work. I am one, I know this. I get disappointed and walk away from things… ALL.THE.TIME. There are too many things in this world to waste my time with something that is going to disappoint me. So when you pick your brand image… stick to it (I need to use that advice don’t I? LOL I will decide soon, I promise.) Note: If you write two different genres, you may have to take on more then one brand (along with a pseudonym). Cuzz if you write a harlequin and a YA… they don’t want you to be in the same social circle. Capisce?

The last idea is to always evaluate and make adjustments to hone your brand. And unfortunately all signs point to the fact that you won’t know you have archived the desired branding until success is evident.

Look at other people and how they brand. Almost every author (who is successful) has a brand and you can watch them and take notes. Your brand will constantly change as society changes, but if you pay close attention to how the readers are changing, you can keep your brand moving with the flow of traffic. It’s an ongoing process… not one you can be done with… ever!

And once people get wind of your brand, it will be THAT BRAND that sells your book, not the book itself.

So I challenge you to begin a branding journey.

If you have a blog… get a domain.
If you have a domain/blog… make it professional on the domain.
If you don’t have a blog… get one ASAP (then get the domain and professional appearance).

The most heart breaking thing for me to see… a great person with some great words flowing from their pen (keyboard) and then go to their website and scream in horror at the disorganized mess. I am not sure how to tell them how unprofessional their blog/site is and I don’t necessarily think its up to me to tell them. I know mine isn’t all that and a bad of chips, but it is a work in progress, I am trying to make changes to make it more professional every day.

Branding is hard… but it is rewarding when people know you by your brand and want “That new Eisley Jacobs Book”.

SIDE NOTE: Did you know that it is 100% more pleasant to look at a site with a light background and dark text? It is scientifically proven that it is easier the for the eye to read and enjoy when its dark text against a light background. And having negative space is actually complementary, your blog/site doesn’t need to be packed full of stuff. Check a few of these BIG NAMED sites and see if you agree with me…

Apple |Microsoft | Google | Michael Hyatt | St Martins Press

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