Do I Brand Myself or My Books? Here’s Why You Should Focus on You, the Author
This week alone, at least three people have asked me the same question: Do I brand myself as the author, or do I focus on branding my book(s)? What happens when I release my next book?
To build on Lori’s fantastic article, “Why You DON’T Need a Website for Each Book” (seriously, read it if you haven’t!), the same principles apply to your overall author platform. If you focus solely on marketing your book instead of branding yourself as the author, you risk creating unnecessary work and diluting your branding. Let’s break this down step by step.
Your Platform: Why “You” Are the Brand
Website/Blog: The Case for an Author Website
Maintaining a single website is challenging enough—imagine creating one for every book you write! By branding yourself from the start, you create a flexible platform that can grow with your career. Whether you publish one book or twenty, a centralized author website lets you feature your latest release without starting from scratch.
Pro Tip: Secure a domain name using your name whenever possible (e.g., YourName.com). If your name is already taken, try adding “Author” to the beginning or end. Avoid random or overly creative names that don’t resonate with your audience—they’ll make you harder to find and less consistent across platforms.
Social Media: Simplify and Be Consistent
One Name, One Identity
Use the same name across all your social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. For example, “JaneDoeAuthor” works consistently across the board. This simplifies your branding and ensures readers can easily find you, no matter where they look.
Some authors make the mistake of creating social media accounts tied to specific book titles. While this might work temporarily, it quickly becomes overwhelming when you release more books. Instead, focus on branding yourself.
When a Book-Specific Account Makes Sense
There are exceptions. If a particular book addresses a niche topic—like sexual abuse recovery, parenting multiples, or women in business—it might make sense to create a discussion forum or private Facebook group around the subject. These platforms can foster meaningful conversations and build community, but they should complement your author branding, not replace it.
Pro Tip: If you need to choose a Twitter handle and want to remain private (e.g., for personal reasons or writing under a pseudonym), choose something simple and easy to recognize. Avoid random numbers or symbols. Twitter handles are limited to 15 characters, so pick something short and memorable, like “@JaneDoeWrites.”
Avoid the Handle-Change Headache
Changing your social media handle later can confuse followers. While Twitter allows you to update your username without losing followers, there’s no “forwarding” system. If you switch from @JaneDoeBooks to @AuthorJaneDoe, anyone searching for your old handle will hit a dead end. Choose wisely from the start to save yourself this hassle.
Branding: What If You Write in Different Genres?
If you write in vastly different genres—say, Young Adult and Erotica—your branding may need to reflect those distinctions. Here’s how to approach it:
- For Pen Names: Use separate pen names and branding for each genre. YA and Erotica have different audiences, tones, and marketing strategies, so separate author accounts make sense.
- For One Name Across Genres: If you write under the same name, focus on branding yourself while being mindful of audience expectations. Use targeted messaging and content to appeal to each demographic without diluting your overall brand.
Pro Tip: Regardless of genre, your branding should always center on you as the author. Use your platform to talk about your books, share sneak peeks, and highlight your interests—but keep the focus on you as the creative force behind the work.
The Big Picture: Why Branding “You” Works Best
Focusing on you as the brand accomplishes three key goals:
- Visibility and Consistency: A unified author platform makes it easier for readers to find and follow you across multiple books and platforms.
- Audience Connection: Readers invest in authors, not just individual books. Branding yourself helps you build a loyal fanbase.
- Flexibility for Growth: As your career evolves, you won’t have to start over with each new release—you’ll already have an established platform to build on.
Final Thoughts
Creating a successful author brand means thinking long-term. While it might seem tempting to pour energy into promoting a single book, focusing on you as the author is a smarter investment. By building a strong, consistent platform, you’ll be ready for whatever comes next—whether it’s your second book, a new genre, or even a whole series.
Have questions? Let me know—I’m here to help. And remember: the best time to start branding yourself as an author is right now. Happy writing!
