As an author, you are your brand. 

Whether you self-publish or are traditionally published, you are the magic key that unlocks the floodgate of readers to buy your book. Your brand as an author is where the fortune lies. And fortune favors the bold. 

An agile author will understand that prior to their book launch (I MEAN MONTHS BEFORE), it is crucial to start building out the scaffolding of your marketing plan. The skeletal underpinnings of this roadmap cannot be sustained simply on social media. The algorithms of social media prevent your potential audience from finding you. While social media adds cache to your overall brand, it is akin to the sign hanging in front of a bookshop. Social media creates awareness.  However, you first must understand your audience, your brand and figure out how to maneuver your brand into audiences who are hungry for your story. 

When I refer to story, I do not mean your book. As an author, you are not your book. You are a human being, driven by a creative expression who understands the power of word smithing. Many authors I interact with have a false impression of how to market themselves. When I jump on Instagram or Twitter, I find supportive communities of authors talking about their books and why they are amazing.  However, I ask you, are these communities your superfans? Are they standing in line for your next release?

Think outside of the box. How can you get in front of other people’s audiences. A simple way is to pitch yourself to podcasters, local radio and tv stations, and journalists. But beware, these media agents do not want to hear about just your book. They want to know who and what you are about.  

For example, a new author who just launched her first steamy romance novel is super eager to promote and sell her book. Her release is a work of art, but there is a story behind this book.  She is a single mother, whose dream deviated from romance writing, to working a 9-5 job. This author was on the precipice of financial ruin, suffered from anxiety, yet found solace by the twilight of her computer as she crafted an unforgettable novel. This brought her joy and inspired everyone around her. This is her story, and she can connect with different people on so many levels.  She can inspire single parents, those who struggle with mental illness, and those who are searching for their purpose. This will open up opportunity to talk on different topics and promote your book as a sidenote.

To truly savor the fruits of success, one must first navigate the trials, tribulations, and occasional setbacks. Authentic success emerges from a series of challenges, hurdles, and hardships. These challenges are a universal experience, irrespective of one’s chosen field or personal passions. People dedicate their best efforts, often encountering repeated disappointments, yet they persist, continually pushing forward in pursuit of the success they know lies within their grasp.

Understanding your story behind your book is a powerful way to leverage your expertise. 

Ask yourself:

What is your story behind your book?

Who would be your ideal audience?

What platforms would be best suited to support your story?

TAKE ACTION:

Taking action is everything. 

I love the medium of podcasting because it is a robust platform to speak on so many topics. Start by researching various podcasts. I love ListenNotes.com. Listen Notes is an excellent resource to research different topics and shows and understand how they rank globally. Once you have narrowed down a few podcasts, pitch the host!

I also recommend creating profiles on different podcast matching sites like Pod Match and Pod Booker. You simply create a profile and wait to be matched by podcasters. 

If you are hesitant to dip your toe in the podcast guesting pond, become a resource for journalists. I love HARO.com. HARO (or Help A Reporter Out) is a go-to source for journalists looking for experts to quote. Create a memorable profile, season it with your expertise, and wait for journalists to reach out and ask for help. This is a fantastic way to build a dimensional brand that readers will find. 

And finally, do not dismiss the power of your voice. Speak everywhere you can about your book. Network like a rockstar. Offer to host book clubs. Join Meet Ups. The world is your oyster. All you have to do is nudge yourself a little bit and take the leap.

Grow as an author and join The Wild Rose Press and some of the experts speaking at the upcoming Cre8tive Con conference on December 2nd for a FREE ONLINE MASTERCLASS on how to create a brand that is memorable and reaches mass audiences!