Build Your Brand

Step 4

Your Brand

Whether you like it or not, you are now a brand and your book (or books) is now the foundation of that brand. You are not here to legitimize your book but rather your book is here to legitimize you as a brand. The hard truth of indie publishing is that books rarely make much money on their own. Think in a holistic way about what you can bring to your book through your brand. The potential is exponential once you include YOU. Consider book events, lectures, readings, and your knowledge as the sole EXPERT on the book you just wrote.

Step 5

Social Media

Some writers don’t want to hear it but you (your brand) HAVE to be on social media. You don’t have to be on all the socials, but pick maybe 2 or 3 that you enjoy yourself and create a handle or page to highlight your writing. Focus on your writer persona or the brand that represents your book and make it so. Post about the area where you are now the expert YOUR BOOK and occasionally throw in some personal content, cat videos, hiking, whatever (about every 5th post) to build your audience. Most of all, be AUTHENTIC!

Step 6

Website

You don’t need an entire website. The trend now is just a simple landing page. Think of it as an online business card to share your bio and links to your book. These are easy to set up yourself or can be done by online freelancers quickly.