Author branding: Why your values are the heart of your brand
When building your brand, one of the most important elements to understand is your values. These are the fundamental principles that define who you are and how you act as an author. Without a solid understanding of who you are, your efforts risk feeling superficial or disconnected.
The first step in crafting your brand story is identifying what truly matters to you. What do you stand for? What principles guide your work? These core values are the deeply held beliefs that guide your actions and decisions. They shape how you present yourself to the world and influence every piece of content you create.
For example, if honesty is a value you hold dear, your storytelling will emphasize transparency and integrity. If creativity is paramount, your brand message will highlight innovation and originality. If you care about justice, your stories might be about fighting injustice. If creativity fuels you, then innovation and imagination could be central themes.
Discovering your brand values
Identifying your values isn’t as straightforward at first glance. It requires reflection and honest exploration. Here are some brainstorming exercises.
- Identify Moments of pride: Recall times when you’ve felt truly proud of something you’ve done related to writing or life choices. What qualities were present? Perhaps resilience during setbacks? Compassion towards others?
- List influences: Think about authors whose work resonates deeply with you. What qualities do they embody? What themes appear often in their work?
- Ask trusted peers: Sometimes others see qualities in us, we might overlook. Ask friends or mentors what they think motivates you as a writer or person.
Once you have a list of values that are important to you (e.g., authenticity, empathy, education, diversity, inclusion, social responsibility), select three to five values that best fit your artistic and corporate vision. These should be specific principles you stand behind wholeheartedly, not vague ideals. Then write brief statements that define each value.
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Communicating your brand values
As authors, our words are powerful tools not only within the pages of our books but also in how we present ourselves to the world. One of the most vital aspects of building a meaningful brand is effectively communicating your values. Your values shape your stories, influence your interactions, and determine how readers perceive and connect with you. As such, every touchpoint—whether it’s your book description, author bio, or social media posts—is an opportunity to showcase these principles.
Instead of simply stating your values, such as “I value creativity,” weave them into your content. If environmental sustainability influences both your life and writing choices (such as eco-friendly packaging), share related tips or insights. If your writing focuses on community engagement, such as promoting literacy, share your participation in relevant projects to show your readers the practical application of your ideals.
Here are other ways to incorporate your values into your content:
- Book descriptions: Your book description should do more than summarize the plot. It should hint at the underlying values embedded within your work. For example, if themes of perseverance or compassion are central to your narrative because they reflect personal beliefs or experiences, weave these ideas into the description. Instead of generic phrases like “a story about love,” consider describing how characters embody resilience or hope in ways that mirror larger life philosophies you hold dear.
- Author bios: When drafting bios for websites or social media profiles, consider including brief anecdotes or statements that reveal core beliefs without sounding preachy. Rather than simply listing accomplishments or credentials, incorporate insights into what drives you—your passions, motivations, or guiding philosophies.
- Interviews/podcasts: Interviews let you explain your values more personally than in writing. Prepare thoughtful responses and anecdotes that illustrate why you act a certain way. Use these moments to highlight principles that are important to you.
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Brand values takeaways
Understanding what matters to you establishes a solid foundation for your career. We, as authorpreneurs, create strong brands by fostering genuine relationships built on shared values. What you value shows in your writing and how you interact with your audience.
Keep in mind that your values may shift as you grow as an author, which is natural and perfectly acceptable. So, take time to reflect on what inspires you—whether it’s personal experiences, cultural influences, or philosophical beliefs.
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