Writing a book is a labor of love. Emphasis on labor. You’ve put so much time and energy into it! Of course you want it to be successful.
But success in publishing can be tricky. You need momentum—and that’s where your book’s brand comes in.
How does brand influence my book?
Brand is your reputation, and an essential tool for success. At Historic, we believe that brand is the sum total of your culture, story, customer experience, and identity.
Think of any huge corporation, from Starbucks to Apple to Walmart. Everyone has an opinion of these companies, whether good or bad, and those opinions can either help or hurt the company.
The same is true when you’re marketing your book.
Whether you self-publish or have a whole PR team behind you, the goal is the same. Make an audience care about what you have to say enough to buy what you write.
Your book’s brand will represent you everywhere and convey that you are relatable, trustworthy, and interesting to your audience.
How do I shape my book’s brand?
How about we answer this question with a question back to you. Four questions, actually, to prep your book for success.
1What makes you an expert?
Once you define what makes you an expert, your audience will trust your authority. Your convictions, knowledge, and experience are unique to you, and your book’s brand should reflect that.
A note on voice: Your book’s voice should mirror the voice you use on social media, your website, and emails. Give readers the chance to connect with you personally through these channels.
A note on visuals: Make sure you have an amazing catalogue of personal headshots and other imagery showcasing your personality and reinforcing what makes you an expert. This helps build what readers crave: a personal connection with you.
2Does your book’s visual style match your message everywhere?
We’re not just talking about the cover, though let’s start there. Good cover design boils down to this: stand out from the crowd AND be clear at the same time.
Your book’s design is your initial impression on readers, for better or worse. Your choice of colors, fonts, and images should match what the book is about.
Once that’s nailed down, let your unified visual style do the heavy lifting for you everywhere:
- The book jacket
- Social media cover images and posts
- Digital ads
- Your website
- Any printed materials
3Is your press kit ready?
As an author, you’ll need a press kit for anyone reviewing or talking about your book. Make it available online or as a downloadable PDF.
Your press kit should include information like:
- Your bio
- Your headshot
- A press release
- A short synopsis of your book
- Your contact information
- Optional sample questions
4Do you have a branded, multi-channel campaign ready to generate buzz?
You want your target audience to find your book no matter where they might be. A multi-channel campaign builds momentum and creates the widest reach.
We recommend marketing your book through:
- Emails
- Digital ads
- Social media
- Direct mail
- A dedicated website
A note for your website: Make this the place where readers feel connected and take action. Focus on clear action steps: pre-order your book, sign on for updates, join a launch team, and/or connect with you on social media.
Do yourself the favor
Don’t gloss over an effective branding strategy for your book…even if it seems complicated. Your book’s brand builds up your reputation as an author and can lead to the success you’re after—attracting those loyal readers.
