Behind the Scenes: The Origin of Branding for Authorpreneurs
Branding for Authorpreneurs is a project close to my heart. It took me close to three years to bring the idea to life. Although the concept underwent several changes, the essence of this book marketing guide remained the same.
Over the past two decades, the publishing world has undergone significant changes. While traditional publishing still exists, self-publishing has significantly impacted the industry. With a wealth of freelance editors, cover designers, and digital services available, authors now have a simple and budget-friendly way to publish books that look professional. They no longer need agents, publishers, or bookstores.
Furthermore, no matter what you think about artificial intelligence, it is here to stay. And AI makes it easier than ever to write a book. As it becomes more advanced, even more people will jump on the bandwagon, and the number of self-published books will skyrocket. As a result, publishing a book is simple for anyone nowadays. All you need is an internet connection.
Publishing a book is easier than ever, which is great, but it's also become harder to earn money or build a business as an author because of the competition. While it’s great when a random person buys your book, that person might not be a reader. They certainly aren’t your fans (yet).
To really succeed, you need to stand out. You need fans who stick with you, recommend your work, and invest in everything you create. Ideally, this should happen even before you publish your book. When I started my author journey, I didn’t dive in headfirst. I took the time to think through what I wanted to write, who I was writing for, and how I would connect with my audience. In other words, I considered my branding.
Why I wrote Branding for Authorpreneurs
Branding has been a part of my professional life for decades. I knew that, while the fundamentals of branding apply across industries, each product has its own challenges. That’s why I assumed there would be plenty of branding resources tailored to self-published authors.
However, I found the books and blog posts I read to be equally disappointing. Some discussed the principles or mindset of branding, but they didn’t show how to apply them. Some resources focused on specific tasks, like how to build your website or how to design your covers. Others missed the mark entirely. What I was looking for, though, was a step-by-step guide covering the full scope of author branding. Since I couldn’t find one I liked, I wrote on Branding for Authorpreneurs.
After I finished the first draft in late 2023, I stumbled across a newly released book. After comparing the two, I realized there was about sixty percent overlap. That ticked me off. Don’t get me wrong—after decades of people writing about branding, it’s difficult, maybe even impossible, to come up with something completely new.
Still, I shelved the project. I struggled for some time, unsure of my next move. Finally, I decided I didn’t want my work to go to waste. So, I stripped the manuscript down to its core and released a short primer exclusively for my email subscribers.
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Branding for Authorpreneurs: How to Build a Brand Readers Remember
Building a personal author brand is an ongoing process that requires planning, engagement, and adaptation. As an authorpreneur, your success depends on how well you engage with your audience.
What you will learn in Branding for Authorpreneurs
Based on the booklet, I’ve rewritten this guide several times. Yet the objective never changed: My goal is to educate, empower, and inspire you to build your personal brand. You’ll learn how to develop your author persona, craft your brand story, and share it with the right audience. You’ll design your branding from the inside out, starting with who you are and why you do what you do. Then, you’ll define who you do it for and how to present yourself in an authentic and professional manner.
I’ll help you choose, design, or refine your brand assets along the way, but ultimately, you’ll have to decide what works for you. Because one of the core truths of branding is simple: no two authors should look the same. Your brand isn’t about algorithms or aesthetics. It’s about you. Your story. Your voice. Your audience.
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Branding for Authorpreneurs
Branding for Authorpreneurs is a practical and easy-to-follow guide that empowers both emerging and established authorpreneurs to craft your author persona and write a brand story that connects with your audience.
Go Brand Yourself!
Branding for Authorpreneurs guides you in developing your author persona and writing a meaningful brand story to connect with the hearts and minds of your audience.
