Author Branding Services

I’ve spent more than two decades creating compelling brands for marketing and branding agencies, businesses, government agencies, and creative professionals. All of that experience goes into creating an effective author brand for you. But I can hear you asking two questions… “Do I really need an author brand? Can’t I just make a website?”

You’ve finally committed to writing the book you’ve been dreaming of all of these years. You’ve attended writing conferences and learned the craft of writing. You’ve edited and revised. Writing is a labor of love and totally lives up to the phrase of “birthing a book.” Still, the joy of delivering that book to readers will make all your efforts so much sweeter, right? Yes, well…

As soon as they hear about the book. As soon as they hear about you.

What is Author Branding and How Would it Benefit You?

Books need someone to speak for them. And that someone has to be you. Your brand is the mouthpiece, the calling card.

An author brand is your unique collection of fonts, colors, words, and imagery consistently applied to your platform tools to convey your message to your readers authentically. Unique. Consistent. Authentic. Working with a professional who has specific experience developing brands for authors and writers can benefit you by:

  • Creating a professional visual identity to convey your key messages
  • Improving the effectiveness of your marketing and platform tools
  • Building author websites and platform tools to reach your best target readership
  • Unifying your messaging no matter how and where you are promoted
  • Adding consistency and improving your communication with the public
  • Making it easier to handle marketing and introduce new books and writing
  • Improving and growing reader loyalty

Why having an author brand matters now more than ever.

Publishing has changed. Is changing. Constantly. Publishers expect authors to handle ongoing marketing for every book. Self-published authors handle all the marketing. However, we must brand the author, not the book. If readers love you, they will return to read more. So we must build author platform tools wisely so readers can easily find you. 

Regardless of whether you are about to self-publish your debut novel independently or you have half a dozen traditionally published books, you’re more likely to succeed—to write more—if you have a plan for marketing yourself as an author. That means writing and launching your own author brand plan and platform tools.

You have to be your own best advocate and marketer in the highly-competitive, what-have-you-written-lately world. Building an authentic and strategic author brand is at the heart of all your marketing endeavors. It will enable you to say…

I AM THE BOSS OF MY AUTHOR BUSINESS!

Let’s chat about your goals, brand, and books

As a new author at age 66, I was overwhelmed with the business side of writing. Luckily I contacted Karen… we have forged a wonderful business relationship. She gives honest feedback that helps you grow both as an artist and a business proprietor. The image she has helped me craft has gotten me places I never thought possible.

– Bradley Harper MD, Author of 2019 Edgar Finalist A Knife in the Fog
and Queen’s Gambit, 2020 Silver Falchion Best Mystery & Book of the Year

What to Expect When You Work with Me.

Beautifully designed brands are important, but effective author branding strategies begin with thoughtful intention and planning. When you work with me, authors should expect a fiercely personal approach. Author brands are as unique and varied as books. To determine what an author’s brand is I love to get to know you… the writer, the goals, and your readership. Be prepared to answer questions like:

  • What past experience makes you truly different from other authors?
  • If you could hand-pick the ideal reader, where do they hang out?
  • When you give a presentation, what do you wear?
  • Is this the only genre or topic you’ll ever write?

After you’ve provided answers to these and many other questions, I do my own investigation about your genre, your readers, and how we can make you fit in with your audience AND stand out. I present you with a comprehensive analysis and recommended brand positioning. From there, I build a platform tools plan (digital, social, print marketing) that includes only the tools best suited to support your initiatives. After getting up close and personal, you will have an author brand that is unique to you.

A Few Happy Clients

Read Author Brand Case Studies in my Portfolio Here

Author Branding Services at Affordable Rates

As an author, designer, and branding professional, my goal is simple: to build an author brand that is unique and authentic to each writer at a fair price. I create easy-to-understand author branding strategies that empower authors to connect with their readership so they become loyal fans. I have spent nearly three decades developing brands, and I am also an author and Author Entrepreneur. My books—published by my own press, 224Pages—have reached thousands within my target audiences. I specialize in personal branding for authors and writers. I have worked with more than a dozen authors and other artists, including best-selling writers and debut self-published authors.

With my author brand strategies, clients see a 25-70% increase in readership, but they also find they have less to manage because their marketing is strategic and not willy nilly. It’s a do less, get more plan.

Contact me for an estimate for a brand analysis

Are You More of a Do-It-Yourselfer?

If you’re interested in building your own author brand and looking for practical tips (and empowering anecdotes) to help you navigate author publishing and marketing?

Then, I have a book for you. I’ve published a build your brand workbook specifically for writers and authors. Using an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process, you’ll structure your own written author brand plan in this book.  This workbook will help you:

  • Structure Realistic Hours For Writing Versus Marketing
  • Craft Your Particular Author Message
  • Outline How To Connect With Your Targeted Readers
  • Select your platform tools and prioritize a development plan
  • Establishing brand standards for author graphics materials
  • And more!

Ready to become the boss of your author business?  Learn how to brand yourself as a writer and author. Visit my book page to learn more.

Brand the Author (Not the Book)

Order Brand the Author (Not the Book)