Have you heard the term “brand”? As an author, you’ll need one. This episode addresses what a brand is, what you need to think about to develop one and steps to take to create an author brand that is unique to you.SHOW NOTES:How is the brand of an author defined?

• Aesthetics
• Message

Aesthetics: What is the “look” you want to achieve to represent your essence?

• Color scheme
• Fonts
• Logo
• Symbols
• Headshot

Message: What is the unifying message in your work?

• Tagline
• Mission Statement
• Genre
• Unique characteristics
• Recurring themes/motifs

AudienceHow do you implement your brand?Look for apps like Canva, Fotor, Adobe, PhotoshopWhere do you implement your brand?SOURCES & LINKS:Launch Pad: Countdown to Marketing Your Book, Grace Sammon & Mary Helen Sheriff“Your Guide to Branding Yourself as an Author,” NY Book Editorshttps://nybookeditors.com/2016/09/guide-branding-author/“Seven Author Branding Tips,” Mark Coker, Publishers Weeklyhttps://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/78616-seven-author-branding-tips.htmlAuthor Marketing Coach, Mary Helen Sheriff, https://maryhelensheriff.com/marketing/Follow Mary on Instagram @maryhelensheriff We Grow Media, Dan Blank https://wegrowmedia.com/Follow Dan on Instagram @danblank Examples of Instagram Accounts: Look for the consistencies throughout the following feeds.@authorhopegibbs@donnanormancarbone@zibbyowens@bradeighgodfrey@realbethweg@joannamonahanauthor@bestofwomensfiction@pieladybooks@rozierreadsandwineDO NOW: Create a brainstorm list addressing the characteristics above you want to embody as an author and present to your audience. What are common messages in your work? How will you present these visually? Use the (FREE download) Episode 005- Branding Brainstorm.pdf Study the brands of others on social media. Begin creating your brand.Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.comHope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred https://www.donnanormancarbone.com