✨Build Your Brand Before the Book: What I Wish I Knew Sooner
When I Published My First Two Books, I Made One Crucial Mistake: I Didn’t Have a Brand
Let’s get real:
When I published my first two books, I made a mistake that slowed down my entire writing career.
I didn’t have a brand.
No social media presence.
No mailing list.
No clear identity as an author.
I was writing in a bubble, assuming that once I hit “publish,” readers would magically appear.
Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
Not right away, anyway.
Why You Need an Author Brand Before You Publish
It wasn’t until I started working on my third book that it hit me just how far behind I’d set myself—not in my writing, but in my visibility.
I had no foundation to stand on.
My audience didn’t know me.
My platform was empty.
I had no “signature” that readers could recognize.
Launching my books felt like shouting into the void.
It was slower. Harder. And far more frustrating than it needed to be.
If you’re working on a book—or several—here’s my advice:
Start building your brand now. Long before you’re ready to publish.
What Is an Author Brand, Anyway?
Your author brand isn’t just a logo or a fancy color palette.
It’s the feel your name gives people when they hear it.
It’s the promise you make to readers about the kind of stories you tell and the experience they can expect.
It’s the trust, consistency, and connection that makes someone say,
"Oh, that’s a Makitia Thompson book. I want to read that."
Having a brand gives you credibility before you have a book to sell.
It builds trust.
It builds anticipation.
And anticipation = attention.
The Good News: Your Brand Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect
Here’s the secret I wish I’d known earlier:
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
I’m still tweaking mine every week—changing bios, refining logos, adjusting color palettes.
Nothing needs to be permanent.
But something needs to be in motion.
✅ 5 Simple Ways to Build Your Author Brand Early
Here are practical steps you can take right now to start growing your brand, even if your manuscript isn’t finished yet:
1. Claim Your Space
Create accounts on social platforms you enjoy and can manage consistently.
Instagram? TikTok? Twitter/X? Threads?
Pick what feels right and dive in. Don’t spread yourself thin trying to be everywhere. It’s better to do one or two well than ten half-heartedly.
2. Join Writing Communities
Connect with fellow authors and readers through forums, Discord servers, Facebook groups, or critique circles.
These places aren’t just good for networking—they’re where you learn, grow, and find your people.
3. Develop a Visual Identity
Pick colors, fonts, and an overall vibe that reflect your writing style and personality.
You don’t need fancy design skills. Consistency is the key.
Even simple, cohesive branding across your website, socials, and book covers builds recognition.
4. Choose a Signature Element
This could be a logo, a tagline, a catchphrase, or even a recurring storytelling theme.
Something that readers can associate specifically with you.
It makes your work memorable and gives you a unique edge.
5. Think Like a Business
Your stories are your art.
But your author brand? That’s your storefront.
Treat it like something you’re proud to display.
Show up consistently. Engage honestly. Deliver value.
What I Wish I’d Known Before Publishing
Looking back, I boxed myself in by thinking the book alone would sell itself.
That someone would just find it and fall in love.
But readers can’t discover you if you’re hiding behind a finished draft.
Your book is a product, yes—but your brand is the bridge between that product and your audience.
Maybe You Can Skip It — But Why Risk It?
Of course, maybe launching without a brand will work for you.
Some authors do catch lightning in a bottle without prior marketing.
But those moments are rare.
If I could rewind time, I’d build buzz before there was anything to buzz about.
Even a small audience eager to read your first book can change everything about your launch experience.
So Take a Break (Yes, Really)
Take a break from your draft—just for a moment—and give future-you a head start.
Set up the stage for your stories to shine.
Create something, however small, that people can follow and connect with.
Share insights. Post about your writing process. Drop sneak peeks.
Trust me:
It makes publishing feel a whole lot less like shouting into the void—
and a lot more like coming home to an audience that’s been waiting for you.
Final Thought
Building your author brand isn’t about faking it till you make it.
It’s about being you—authentically—and sharing that with the world.
You don’t need a million followers or viral content.
You just need a genuine connection.
And that starts long before you click “publish.”
Are you ready to start building your author brand?
Let me know what platforms you’re using or thinking about! Or ask me for help crafting your signature brand element.
Your story deserves to be seen. And the world deserves to read it.
Until next time, keep writing—and keep showing up.
— Makitia Thompson
#Mindsindesign #Makitiathompson #themiduniverse
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