You cannot just write great stories and let them gather dust in your drawer. They deserve to be published and branded so that they reach the bibliophiles who will resonate with the narrative, treasure the characters and celebrate the creativity. So, stop waiting for the right moment. Pull these papers out now and become the indie publisher that you always wanted to be.
We see a few questioning glances though, so here is a complete guide of why you need to become one and why branding yourself as one will help you boost your sales. The blog will also include what NOT to do as a self-publishing author.
Branding as a Self-Publisher: From Unknown to Unforgettable
When you create a unique identity to set your product apart from that of the competitors – it is called Branding or Book Marketing. This concept is (not exactly but) like a homonym, where it means different things in different industries. So, for indie publishers it means developing a consistent and recognizable presence that resonates with their readers. It includes the management of a lot of things.
Here are some key elements of brand promotions for you to understand what makes an effective image of you in the public. Moreover, this list will show you how you can use these strategies to ensure your go from unknown to unforgettable as an author.
- The first is development of a unique logo. It is a symbol that you will be using like your signature everywhere. Pick a logo and a colour scheme and then use is regularly throughout the promotional efforts.
- Next is to choose a specific font style. It should reflect and embody the essence of your book brand. This is important because the right font can convey the tone and personality of your work.
- Then you must take your time and write down a compelling author bio. When you do it, you are actually providing an engaging and relatable text to the person visiting your profile. This text will only intrigue them but highlight your achievements, inspirations and personal story.
- After that, create a clean, easy-to-navigate website that showcases your work. This could include a blog. Moreover, you can add links to your social media profiles there.
- You must also design a visually appealing and cohesive book cover as a core element of book promotion. This will help you reflect the tone and genre of your book because people will judge a book by its cover.
- You can also start a newsletter or an email broadcasting to keep you reader updates on the new releases, events and other relevant news. In addition, try offering exclusive content or incentive to encourage sign-ups.
- Lastly, being the indie book publisher you need a brand voice if you want people to remember your indie publisher brand. Figure out what works for you and then maintain that voice and tone in your writing and fan interactions.
By having all the above mentioned book promotion must-haves, you can create a strong and recognizable brand that attracts and retains its customers.
Three Reasons Why Branding Matters to a Self-Publisher
So far, we discussed advertising yourself as a self-publisher however, now it is time that we look into the depth – Why does branding matter? Can an independent publishing author not be successful, without following the above mentioned strategies? The answers are simple but to understand them, you need to first stand in the shoes of an indie publisher.
The first reason is that strong promotional activities can boost book sales and reader engagement. For example, the attractive image and fonts on the book cover can lure bibliophiles into recognizing the author, trust his product, become customers and proceed to recommend to others.
Secondly, it helps you build the credibility of your book and publishing arrangement. It happens slowly thanks to the steady branding across all platforms but the professional image it creates for you is worth the wait. In addition, readers are more likely to follow and support an author who presents a polished and constant image.
Finally, in a crowded market like the literary one or the EBook publishing, differentiation is fundamental. You can never make your place if you do not set yourself apart from the competing authors. However, once you earn the trust of the target market with all these tips and tricks above, they will remember your name and choose your book themselves.
Start Today and Build Your Exclusive Author Brand
Developing your image is all about understanding your target market and making sure that ever part of your author’s presence speaks to them. You can start by figuring out who your audience is and what they love. This insight will shape how you put yourself out there.
Next, you must work on your author bio and then finish with making social media accounts. These will come in handy for sharing updates, interaction and building a community. Hence, as an indie publisher you are the one-man army!
Bonus Tips about Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake that the indie publishers usually make is being unsteady in their efforts for book promotions. For example, if you are choosing a font and theme then, make sure the same everything goes on your websites, social media and book covers. Adopt it like an identity or a costume like that of Spiderman. As a result, your audience will be intrigued, becoming curious to trust and buy the book.
Another mistake is ignoring the readers’ feedback and failing to adapt accordingly. You should listen to what you readers are saying and be willing to make changes or else you will lose your market share.
Apart from that, you need to keep your brand message simple and clear. Over complicating it unnecessarily is synonymous to self-harm as it can confuse your audience and weaken your brand’s impact. Therefore, stay authentic and straightforward to maintain a strong connection with your target audience.
The Final Words on the Importance of Branding for Self Publishers
The book promotion strategies do make a difference. They are key for the professional growth of self-publishers, who are aiming to stand out and connect with the readers. They need to make strong, consistent efforts for making the book brand recognizable and reliable.
Hence, first you must develop the elements like an exclusive logo, a cohesive book cover and a unique brand voice. By doing so you ensure that your products get enough attention, which is also the sole reason behind the marketing efforts.
Apart from that, many authors make the mistake of being inconsistent or simply overcomplicating the strategies. So, escape the pitfalls and you will be able to successfully market your book as an indie publisher.