If there is one thing that I’ve noticed newer authors undervalue, it is branding. Perhaps they believe in myths about branding that hold them back from achieving their goals. Let’s face it, there are a lot of misconceptions about what a brand is and does, especially in the publishing space. Therefore, in this post, I’ll debunk some of the most common author branding myths and show you how to leverage personal branding can help you sell more books.

Author Branding Myth #1: Your Name or Logo is Your Brand

Your name and logo are only expressions of your overall brand. Although these two facets may be the most visible elements of your author brand, they scratch the surface. Brand is the experience your readers have every time they read one of your books, attend one of your events, visit your website or interact with your business in some way. It is the emotional resonance they feel when they think of you and your work.

Author Branding Myth #2: Authors Don’t Need Branding

Whether you like it or not, you have a brand. Your books create a brand. Your website expresses your brand. Therefore, it is important to be conscious of the creation of that brand. Otherwise, it might communicate a message that you don’t intend.

Author Branding Myth #3: Branding Is Something Marketers and Advertisers Do

Marketing and advertising flow out from branding, not the other way around. Without branding, marketing and advertising become inconsistent and ineffective. However, branding isn’t limited to the marketing and advertising functions of a business. It is expressed through customer service, public relations, product development, sales, and more. As an author, you wear all those hats and therefore are continuously expressing your brand in everything you do in your business (and in your life).

Author Branding Myth #4: Author Branding Is for Big Name Authors

If you wait until you are a big name to develop and nurture your brand, you’ll have a hot mess of a brand on your hands. It is much better to mindfully create your brand from the very beginning. It helps you write better books and develop an author journey that takes you where you want to go, rather than buffets you about from book to book. Trust me on this one!

Author Branding Myth #5: Branding Is About Smoke and Mirrors

Some authors avoid branding because they think it is just a fancy story about who they are and what they do. However, a truly effective author brand springs from the writer and is in lockstep with their personal brand (yep, you’ve got one of those, too!) It’s about authentically communicating who you are as an author. If an author creates a “smoke and mirrors” brand, they set themselves up for failure. Author brands need to be authentic, as well as strategic.

Embrace Your Author Brand

In conclusion, I’ve debunked five of the most common myths about author branding. The truth is, if you want to sell books, you need to brand yourself. And contrary to popular belief, author branding isn’t just for big-name authors – it’s for anyone who wants to build a successful writing career.

So how do you go about branding yourself as an author? It all starts with understanding what your brand is and embracing it wholeheartedly. Start by identifying who you are as an author, what makes you unique, and what values drive your writing. Once you have that foundation in place, start putting your brand out there in the world. Let people know what sets you apart from other authors and why they should read your books. Be consistent in your messaging, and make sure everything you do – from your website to your social media platforms – supports and promotes your brand.

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