How to make your writer brand stand out.
Are you ready to take your writer brand to the next level and make stronger connections with your readers?
Building a memorable and cohesive brand as a writer is crucial for establishing stronger connections with readers. A consistent brand presence builds trust, reflects your authentic identity, evokes emotions, increases visibility, and supports long-term sustainability. By establishing guidelines, you’ll create a lasting impact and forge meaningful connections with your audience.
I’ll walk you through 5 ideas for showcasing your personality, values, and brand to your writers without having to rattle them off like a McDonald’s order.
So I tell a story… about my story?
“This is EXACTLY how I pictured it.” – your reader, probably.
There’s endless research about color (and shape) psychology, and using the wrong color palette for your genre can hurt the audience’s ability to connect with it. You’ve heard that people judge a book by the cover, right?
Choose imagery and illustrations that represent your brand values, aesthetic, and books to transport your readers into your fictional realms. Let your social media and website paint a literal picture in your reader’s mind. It’s not cheating, I promise.
The truth and nothing but the truth. Sorta.
Curating content is hard, but everybody loves a chance to see their favorite crushing it. Choose the image you want to convey to your audience, and create content that reflects who you are as a writer. Taking them into your writer life and sharing personal details (on your comfort level), exploring book themes and trends, or celebrating character development of their other favorite (your MC) engages your readers on a deeper level.
But listen, they know when you’re faking it. It’s one thing to guard your personal life, and it’s another to put on airs. Be authentic with your readers (again, on your comfort level) and avoid backlash. Plenty of writers use pen names and never reveal their faces, and that’s fine. You can figure out how to present your authentic self.
Set the tone with your design.Set the tone with your design.
You know that feeling bubbling in your stomach when you show up somewhere exciting or familiar? Sure, you do. Like jellyfish jumping on a trampoline—or chocolate melting on the stove.
And while we’re talking about you: you’re a creative badass, right? Your imagination runs wild with possibilities and rabbitholes. Channel that vision into your writer brand and site to elevate your writer life.
Explore unique layouts, typography that speaks volumes, and incorporate elements that fit your aesthetic. Nostalgia that tug at your readers’ heartstrings or an edge that kicks them in their teeth and leaves an unforgettable impression. Let your imagination run wild, and watch as your designs become a true reflection of your brand.
You already know your voice and words are your superpowers. If you’re not using that for your copywriting, you’re missing out on showing off. Here, where we’re creating your writer brand, showing off is a very good thing. Maintaining a consistent tone and message builds trust and deepens the connection with your readers. That’s how you work toward becoming an unforgettable voice in your genre.
But your words, too.
Create an experience for your readers that extend far beyond the words on the page. Let your audience peek behind the scenes and become a part of your narrative.
Whether you DIY your brand and site or hire a designer, start brainstorming how to craft a cohesive writer brand and presence. Stand out from the other authors in your genre and focus on what you really love doing: writing your stories.
Creating superfans in the comments.
Your readership connections should be about fostering a vibrant community through active engagement in whatever platform fits the aesthetic.
That’s a $2 sentence, I know, but my point is Every author can have a different approach and goal, so you decide on the space and manner that you can create for meaningful connections, and spearhead an attack plan.
Remember your own experiences with loving something bigger than you: a team, a fandom, a brand. Love for your stories has the power to create a sense of belonging with your readership. What can you do to create superfans?
