Crafting Your Author Brand: First Steps to Visibility
By Lauren Hathaway, Founder of Grace Taylor PR
At Grace Taylor PR, we talk to a lot of authors who feel completely confident writing a book, but not so confident when it comes to marketing it. That is completely normal. One of the best places to begin is with your author brand. It is your foundation for building visibility, creating consistency, and helping readers feel connected to your work.
Whether you are preparing for your debut or growing your platform between books, your brand is the thread that ties it all together. The good news is that you do not have to start from scratch. You already have everything you need.
Your brand is already taking shape
Your author brand is not a logo or a tagline. It is the feeling people get when they hear your name or visit your website. It shows up in your tone, your values, your visuals, and your voice. If you are not sure what your brand is yet, think about the common threads that run through your work. Are your books funny and heartfelt? Are they introspective and voice-driven? Do you write characters that challenge expectations or explore identity?
These themes and tones are already shaping your brand. At Grace Taylor PR, we help you pull those pieces forward and use them to guide everything from your website to your social media presence.
A good brand feels like you
The most powerful author brands are not flashy or overdone. They are clear, thoughtful, and rooted in personality. You do not need to turn yourself into a content machine. You just need to show up with intention.
That might mean choosing a visual style that reflects your genre. It might mean writing Instagram captions in the same voice you use in your books. It might mean keeping things simple and letting your message speak for itself.
If your work is warm and character-driven, your brand can feel cozy and welcoming. If your writing is bold and contemporary, your visuals might be clean and striking. The important thing is that it feels consistent and true to you.
Your website is your home base
We always encourage authors to have a website, even if it is just a few simple pages. Your website is where readers, media, bookstores, and librarians go to learn more about you. It is also one of the best places to reinforce your author brand.
At a minimum, your website should include your author bio, your book details, links to purchase, a contact form, and any upcoming events. From there, you can build it out with blog posts, a newsletter signup, downloadable materials, or a media kit.
We always look at websites through the lens of a first-time visitor. Can they tell what kind of books you write? Can they hear your voice in your bio? Do your visuals support the kind of experience you want readers to have? These small details help readers feel like they are in the right place.
Social media builds connection
Social media does not have to be overwhelming. When used intentionally, it can be one of the most effective ways to grow your visibility and connect with your audience.
You do not need to be everywhere. Choose one or two platforms that feel natural to you and that align with where your readers spend time. Instagram works well for visual storytelling and behind-the-scenes content. TikTok can help fiction authors tap into vibrant reading communities. LinkedIn is great for nonfiction writers and industry conversations.
Whatever platform you choose, let it support your brand. Your tone, visuals, and content should feel like they belong to the same person readers meet on your website or in your book. Share your writing process, your inspiration, your favorite bookstore finds, or even your challenges. You do not have to be perfect. You just have to be present and consistent.
Your brand will grow with you
Author brands are not meant to stay frozen in time. As you write new books, explore new genres, or evolve your message, your brand can shift with you. That is a good thing.
What matters is staying aligned with your core values and the kind of experience you want to offer readers. Your brand should grow as you grow. It should give people a way to follow your journey and feel a sense of connection along the way.
You are already on your way
If you are just beginning to think about your author brand, take a deep breath. You do not need to figure it all out at once. You are already making choices every day that shape your presence as a writer. All you need now is a little clarity, a little consistency, and a little help pulling it all together.
That is where we come in. At Grace Taylor PR, we love helping authors tell their stories in a way that feels honest, intentional, and genuinely exciting. Whether you are building your brand for the first time or refining it for your next release, we are here to help make the process feel approachable and fun.
Let your words lead the way. We will help you make sure people know where to find them.
