Karen Brown Tyson

Tag: #authorpreneur

How to Build Your Author Brand: A Complete Guide + Free Template
Do you have an author brand? In this post, I’ll share what I learned about the importance of building an author brand.

As a writer, I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in the writing process daily. For months, I focused solely on writing my first book. Then, when I came up for air, not only did I have to start thinking about marketing my work, but I soon learned that I had to build an author brand.

Photo by Pocstock

And before you object, yes, you need an author brand.

Why? Because a brand is anything that separates one product from another. So, your brand as a writer lets people know who you are, what you like to write, what you stand for, and any other products you offer. Bottom line: The public should recognize your brand and distinguish you from other writers.

Before I finished writing my first book, I started introducing myself and my book to the world.

Below are seven strategies that you can use to build your author brand. A few things to remember:

1) There is no one way to build an author brand. What works for one writer may not work for another writer. So, focus on what works for you. Be authentic and stay true to yourself.

2) You DO NOT have to do EVERYTHING listed here to be successful. Instead, try one or two things and build as you go.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost, if you purchase using the links.

Start with a plan to build your author brand.

Planning has been an essential part of my journey. Start with a business plan before writing your book or launching your new writing project. This will help you get a clearer idea of your goals and how best to achieve them. The more detailed the plan, the better your chance of succeeding. Ask yourself questions like:
- What do I want to accomplish? What are my goals?
- Who is my ideal reader? Or target audience?
- When will I be ready to launch my writing project or book?
- How will my writing business grow? Will I write a series of books?
- How much will I charge for my work?
- How will I let reporters and the public know about me?
As you answer these questions, you can create a business plan. In addition to your business plan, here are seven additional tools and strategies you can use to help you build your author brand. As you move forward, I encourage you to try new things and not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.

Also, check out 3 Great Ways to Promote Yourself as a Writer.

#1. Content marketing plan

Next, create a content marketing plan to launch your book. Content marketing is a powerful tool for any business, whether you’re an individual or a corporation. The critical factor in its success lies in the consistency with which content can be developed and distributed across various channels.

What is content marketing? Content marketing is creating and distributing relevant content to attract an audience and drive profitable customer action.

Content marketing is a way to provide solutions for your customers’ or readers’ pain points and challenges. It allows you to tap into what readers care about by focusing on value propositions. When done correctly, content marketing helps create a relationship with your audience, which leads them to trust you. When you build trust with your audience, they’re more willing to buy from you when it comes.

The content you create to promote your author brand should be engaging, informative, and entertaining. It’s also essential to engage your customers in ways that will help them promote your brand.

#2. Media kit

A media or press kit is an essential public relations promotional tool to help you present yourself to the media and potential sponsors. Media kits provide journalists with the information they need to write about you, generating coverage for your book and brand. A typical author media kit, which I recommend that you refresh and keep updated, includes:
- A 100 to 200-word biography
- Press release
- A tip sheet that offers the media various topics they can discuss with you for potential stories.
- Photographs
- An excerpt from your book’s first few pages or the opening chapter.
- Sell sheet which offers retailers and book bloggers details about your book (see an example of my sell sheet on the right)
- Contact information
To create my sell sheet (and all of my content), I used my favorite graphic design tool, Canva.

Please sign up for my newsletter below if you would like to grab a copy of the FREE media kit I created in Canva. You will need Canva to make changes to the kit.

#3. Launch a website

A website allows you to highlight several aspects of your writing — books, a blog, workshops, speaking engagement dates, and reviews. In addition, a website is excellent for sharing your work with potential literary agents and event planners looking for speakers for an event. I launched my website to coincide with my first book, Time to Refresh.

Before launching a new website, you will need a hosting provider that offers various hosting services, like Bluehost or Siteground. Once you have chosen your provider, you can build your website with WordPress. There are many easy-to-use themes to develop your website, and you can select the number of pages for your site.

You can promote your book and interact with fans and potential readers through your website. Build an email list by offering valuable tools and information to visitors to your site. You can use many email marketing tools to engage with your website subscribers. For example, I use ConvertKit to share information with my target audience, and MailChimp and Constant Contact are also available.

Be cautious about websites: Keep your website updated with new information. Create a plan for managing your website, including an editorial calendar if you plan to have a blog.

#4. Start a blog

Use your blog to position yourself as a thought leader with experience related to various topics. Before you start a blog, consider the following points:
1. Blog tagline and title—Your blog’s tagline should summarize the heart of who you are and what readers will find when they visit your site. The title is vital in attracting people to take a look, so it needs an attention-grabbing phrase or two that sums up its purpose for existence.
2. About page—People who visit your blog want to know more about you. Create a separate page that highlights your career and experience.
3. Blog post topics — Make a list of issues you plan to write about regularly. Create an editorial calendar outlining when to cover each topic and post consistently. I use CoSchedule to help me schedule blog and social media posts.
4. Comments—To get the most out of your blog, you should develop a policy for handling comments. Decide upfront whether every comment receives approval before going live or if every comment goes live without your review. Also, determine how you will deal with any harsh comments or spam that may get through.
I started my blog in 2019 to share my thoughts on topics near and dear to my heart—writing, communication, productivity, book reviews, change, and faith. I took Suzi Whitford’s Blog by Number course to hone my blogging skills. The course was AMAZING! Suzi offers so much valuable information on blogging and a FREE course that includes a FREE blog plan.

#5. Social media

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and LinkedIn offer a way to connect with your audience. Before you tweet, post, or like anything, determine the messages you will post and how often. Then, create a simple strategy for how you will use social media. Test different social media platforms and select two to get you started. Don’t worry about building your author brand on all platforms at first. Instead, focus on the social media platforms that work best for you.

To sign up on your social media platform of choice, take the following steps:
1. First, create an account name, profile URL, or user name.
2. Then, add a link to your website in your new social media profile.
3. Add your profile information.
4. Connect with other authors, creative entrepreneurs, or authorpreneurs you know; consider following or friending them.
5. Be prepared to add a post.
You can create banners for your social media platforms in Canva. Here is an example of my LinkedIn banner.

For more information, check out How Writers Can Post Stuff on Social Media Readers will Love

#6. Podcasts

Another great way to promote yourself as an author is through podcasts. With podcasts, you could either be a guest or start a podcast where you interview guests about topics important to you and your audience.

Whether you decide to be a guest or a host, you must create a plan. Here are a few steps to get you started.
1. Find podcasts that reach your target audience.
  Do a Google search on the best podcasts (fill in the blank with your niche or genre) to find your target audience.
  Go to iTunes and do a keyword search for podcasts that match your interests. For example, I would search for podcasts for Christian women, productivity, or writing.
2. Keep a running list of the podcasts that fit your niche.
  Draft a pitch email to the podcast host to learn how to be a guest. If you’re looking to host a podcast, note that the podcasts are similar to the kind of podcast you want to launch.
3. Consider an offer for the podcast audience.
  If you secure a spot on a podcast as a guest, consider giving away a free copy of your book or product. Offer the audience a discount using a code unique to that show. If you’re hosting your show, let listeners know where they can buy your book or if you’re offering a discount for a limited time.
Get a good microphone, whether you are a guest or a host. For my first podcast, I relied on the microphone on my MacBook. This was a big mistake. I realized the sound through my laptop speakers was not good. Since I was on a blog and podcast tour with my book, I purchased a new Shure microphone and boom arm for my workstation.

#7. Guest blog posts

Guest blogging is one of the most effective strategies for extending your content marketing reach. It gets fresh eyes on your writing, secures high-quality backlinks from authoritative domains in your niche, and increases social shares across platforms like Facebook or Twitter (now known as X).

The first step – before getting started with guest blog writing—is figuring out the following things:
- Which bloggers reach your target audience?
- What tags and categories does the blog use?
- Will the blog allow you to include your byline? If not, the site’s value to your brand may be insufficient without a byline.
- How often does the blog publish posts? They may not offer guest blog posts if the blog isn’t updated regularly.
Once you find blogs that meet your needs, review their guidelines, write original content for the audience, and submit. When possible, include links to your social media platforms and website.

Examples of author brands

If you want to see a few examples of excellent author branding, check out these sites:

Priscilla Shirer

Jerry Jenkins

Paula Rizzo

L. Penelope

Malcolm Gladwell

Create a 30-day action plan

Now, it’s time to take action. I find that it’s best to research an idea or work on an action plan over 30 days. While some projects may take 60 or 90 days, I like to work on things in 30-day increments.

In your 30-day author brand-building action plan, you’ll want to include these eight things:
- What are the goals you want to accomplish?
- What small wins would you like to achieve within these 30 days?
- What will be your success metrics?
- What is your learning goal? Will you learn how Instagram works? Will you learn how to write blog posts?
- What will be your daily activities?
- What will be your weekly activities?
- What do you want to attempt to do at least once within your 30-day period?
- How will you get your activities done? Schedule everything in a notebook or planner.
Are you ready to take action? First, answer the questions above to create your 30-day action plan. You can also add different questions to the list. Then, let me know if you have any questions or want to share big or small wins.

Finally, you can build your author brand in many ways beyond what’s listed here. I hope this post inspires you to either START or KEEP GOING.
October 31, 2024
What Should be in Your First Draft? 9 Easy Writing Tips
Photo by Rey Anthony Cuerquis

Writing your first draft can be a very daunting experience. It can feel like you need to get it perfect or your work is not good. Trust me; we’ve all been there. However, your first draft only needs to be that– a first draft. It is something to build and work on; no pressure is needed.

Before you start writing, your first question might be, “How do I write the first draft of a book?” To answer this question, I suggest creating SMART goals.

Your next question might be, “What do I include in my first draft?” This post outlines everything you need to include in your book’s first draft for fiction and nonfiction.

Read on for more.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

What to include in a first draft: fiction

Fiction writers have plenty of freedom when it comes to their first draft. There is no limit to your imagination; you can write about whatever you choose.

However, a first draft always needs some key features to ensure you have the makings of a good story. So let’s check them out in more detail below.

In your first draft, you will need:
- Setting
- Characters
- Story structure
- Tone and theme
Setting

One of the most important parts of your story is the setting. The story’s setting is a great way to portray a theme, motif, or message you want to get across. The setting is just as important as your plot and characters in making reading your story an immersive experience for a reader.

In your first draft, you should explore your setting and make sure its role in your story is clear. You need to ask yourself:

How does the setting move the story forward?

Do the characters relate and respond to their world? If so, how?

Does the setting influence the decisions and actions of the characters?

Characters

Before you start the first draft, you likely have a vague idea of the characters who play important parts in your story. It’s important to develop your protagonist, antagonist, and side characters.

All of these characters should be rich and fleshed out. Create profiles for your characters that outlines every part of their life. Flesh these characters out and make them into people readers will like, dislike, and be interested in.

In your first draft, you have an excellent opportunity to explore each character, learning their strengths and weaknesses, how they make decisions and everything that makes them who they are. This will help you learn how to use them to make the plot move forward.

Story Structure

It is okay for your first draft to be rough, but it does need to illustrate your overall plot. It needs to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Of course, that is not to say that you cannot change the plot in future edits. This is certainly possible, but your first draft still needs to work through the main plot as it stands clearly.

One of the best parts of a first draft is that it gives the writer a clear vision of the plot and what works and doesn’t. You will find plot holes you may not have seen while creating the plot through the writing process. It’s okay if the plot naturally changes as you write your boo.

Think of the first draft as a test drive for the overall story, and fully immerse yourself in creating that journey for the reader.

Tone And Theme

The tone of your work will take shape on its own as you write. You can try to set the tone you want initially and carry on with creative exploration until you stumble upon the tone that best fits your story. One of the most fun parts of writing is watching a story unfold before your eyes.

What to include in a first draft: nonfiction

Nonfiction works need to have clearly outlined points, messages, and facts. Let’s check out the details of what to include in your first draft of nonfiction below.

Research

A significant portion of the nonfiction writer’s work is research. Therefore, during the prewriting stage, gather as much research as possible before you try to write your first draft.

Understanding your message

Here, your first draft is about exploring what your message is and how you can best convey it. So, You don’t need to worry about writing it in chronological order; you can write whatever part of the book you want first. The most important thing here is to ensure all your points are written down and your message is coherent.

Of course, you will still need an introduction, a conclusion, etc., but you can save these for last to focus on the main bulk of the work.

One of my favorite books on how to write nonfiction is Start Writing Your Book Today by Morgan Gist Macdonald.

Bonus tips for writing your first draft

Here are some more general tips for writing your first draft.

Don’t fear failure or struggle

A good book was not written in one night with a few swishes of a pen. This means that one draft will not be enough. You may need to write many before your book is finished. This is good because it means your work is refined and you are improving as a writer. Try to enjoy the journey of writing the book. Don’t only focus on the end goal. Don’t let the fear of failure or struggle stop you from enjoying the process.

Ignore your inner critic

Your inner critic is an important voice, but not when writing your first draft. This part of the writing process is about being playful and creative exploration. So, let go of the inner critic and let your writing flow freely.

Ask for feedback

Feedback from publishers and other writers, even for your first draft, is invaluable because they will be able to help you iron out non-urgent problems and provide insight into what they think the story or message is about, who the characters are, etc. This will be useful for other drafts.

Final thoughts

Your first draft can be a daunting idea, but I hope this article provides useful insight into what to include, what to let go of, and how fun it can be to start writing your book.
September 8, 2022
How Highly Effective Creatives Stand Out with Content Creation

There’s no denying that the digital age has made content creation a necessary skill for anyone looking to make an impression online. However, content creation is more than just a necessity for creative entrepreneurs – it’s the key to standing out from the pack.

Content is a massive part of our everyday lives. It keeps us informed, answers our questions about our most challenging problems, and even makes us laugh. As a result, content is an excellent way for creative entrepreneurs to reach target audiences.

This post will explore some of the best ways to create content that will help you stand out and be highly effective. So read on if you’re ready to up your content game.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost, if you purchase using the links.

What is content creation?

Content creation or content marketing generates topic ideas that appeal to your buyer persona and develops written or visual content around those topics in an accessible format for your audiences, such as a video, blog, infographic, or social media post.

Examples of content creation

Blog posts

One of my favorite forms of content creation is blog posts. Everyone starts a blog for different reasons. I started a blog because I wanted to educate and inspire people looking for information about writing, productivity, and faith. While experts believe each blog post must be at least one thousand words, a blog post can be any length you want or need to get your point across.

If you want to learn more about blogging, I recommend the Blog by Number course by Suzi Whitford. The course is great, and so is Suzi. She offers valuable information on blogging, including a FREE course that offers a FREE blog plan.

Graphics

I like to post graphics in my blog and social media posts. Sometimes I use infographics, Pinterest pins, or original graphics that help me make a point within the post. To create this type of content, you can hire a graphic designer or use visual design tools like Pic Monkey or Canva.

Video

Creating videos for social media or YouTube is a great way to share your content. Whether you’re looking at short-form videos such as Instagram Stories, long-form Facebook Live streams where viewers can ask questions while they watch in real-time (ordinary people love watching interesting content), or a LinkedIn video.

Podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to share information about a variety of topics. For example, you can share actionable tips or step-by-step instructions to help your target audience solve problems. In addition, you can interview exciting guests if you don’t want to go solo. For example, my friend, Cara McLauchlan, started a podcast where she shares chapters from her book, Nourish – Encouragement for Parents Homeschooling Through High School.

Content offers

Content offers are a great way to give your audience something valuable in exchange for their email address. Your content offers should aim to help your audience solve problems. For example, you can offer a checklist on making a virtual event, habit-tracking printables, or templates to help them achieve specific goals.

To create my content, I use my favorite graphic design tool, Canva. I offer a FREE media kit I created in Canva. If you want to make changes to the FREE media kit, you will need to have Canva.

Content creation planning

Before you start creating content, you should create a plan. To create a content strategy, you need to consider your brand and tone and the type of information that best suits your audience. You should also think about how you plan to promote your content.

But, most importantly, start small by creating a plan you can manage easily with everything else you have going on in your business. And don’t forget to have fun.

Add efficiency to your creative life

As a content creator, I always look to add efficiency to my work. Below are a few of the tools I use to stay organized.

Zapier is a platform that connects your work apps and does repetitive tasks for you automatically. With Zapier, all the information in one app can be moved seamlessly to another based on rules set by its user with just one click.

Do you ever wonder where your time goes? RescueTime is here to rescue you from wasting time. This app records the exact time you spent on each activity. Then you can identify the things that take up too much of your time. This app can also help you set achievable writing goals.

MeisterTask is an intuitive project management tool that helps you organize your work to get things done. The tool allows you to manage your projects, to-do lists, and checklists in one place. I like that it helps me create electronic and flexible Kanban boards. I also like that it allows me to share information with my students or other writers.

March 24, 2022
Five Things to Give Up to Become a Fearless Writer
Updated January 19, 2022

Since launching my writing business in 2018, I have learned a lot. I have attended writing conferences, dialed into countless webinars, taken courses, and listened to many speakers and authors. But the most important thing I’ve learned over the last four years is how to be a fearless writer.

Starting, I didn’t immediately see myself as a writer. Yes, I was writing my first book. But I didn’t stop to tell anyone I was a writer. I didn’t immediately change my LinkedIn profile. I just focused on writing my book.

But once I published my book, reality set in, and I had to admit: I am an author. I am a writer.

From there, I started showing up where writers and authors hang out – conferences, Facebook groups, webinars, NaNoWriMo, book fairs, and writing groups. Listening to other writers talk about their experiences and ask questions was exciting. But no matter where I went, there was a constant vibe in all these places – self-doubt and fear.

Lots of writers were talking about whether their writing was:
- good enough,
- clear enough,
- making a difference,
- worthy of recognition or
- connecting with readers.
While I had no reason to question the other writers’ feelings, I had to come clean about how I felt moving forward with my newfound identity. On my journey to becoming a fearless writer, I had to identify the things I would give up to succeed as a writer. Below is a list of things I decided to give up. If you’re a writer or creative entrepreneur, let me know what you choose to give up to be fearless.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost, if you purchase using the links.

1. I gave up self-doubt

We all have an inner voice that tells us what we want to do with our lives. Unfortunately, this little voice is often pushed aside by self-doubt. Like many writers, my initial thoughts were, “How am I going to make money as a writer?” “What will people think of my writing?” and “What if I fail?” To deal with these thoughts, I had to trust in God. I had to trust that I would end up where I needed to be, even if I didn’t know how I would get there.

2. I gave up fear

I am a firm believer in making lemonade when life gives you lemons. So when my unexpected layoff stormed into my life and shook up my carefully constructed plans, I wasn’t about to cower in fear. Instead, I decided to rise and face life’s challenges head-on, including starting my new writing career.

3. I gave up the urge to compare myself to other writers

I know how easy it is to look at the success of other writers and wonder if you’re on the right track. So, I decided early on to celebrate other writers’ accomplishments but never waste time comparing myself to other writers. While I think it’s OK to listen to other writers and share stories, I try to stay focused on the race I’m running.

When I published my second book, Time to Reset, I attended the 2019 EBC Women’s Conference, where I met Stephanie Helms Pickett, author of This Book Right Here: A 40-week Devotional to Manifesting Your Purpose.

4. I gave up being a perfectionist

I love to proofread my material to ensure everything is perfect and in place. However, I had to resist the urge to apply endless edits so that I could hold on to my work longer. Eventually, I learned to determine how many revisions my writing would go through. Once I reach my magic number, I hit publish. To become a fearless writer, I learned when to let go.

5. I gave up my comfort zone

We all have a comfort zone. My comfort zone was back in corporate America. However I realized that my comfort zone might not be where I will have the most significant impact. So I decided to do something I hadn’t done before in my writing life like publish a book. Once I reached my goal, I knew I would have to go outside my comfort zone again. So, every opportunity I get, I look for ways to take my writing to the next level.

What are you willing to give up?

Now, it’s your turn. The next time you think:
- What if my writing isn’t good enough? Say to yourself, what if it is?
- What if no one wants to read anything I write? Say to yourself, what if they do?
- What if my book proposal gets rejected? Say to yourself, what if it doesn’t?
Writing is a journey filled with trials. Be kind to yourself. Say goodbye to doubt and fear. Don’t be afraid to embrace your role as a writer in this world. Instead, let this be the year you start looking at your writing life differently.

Be fearless.
January 19, 2022
How to Take a Break as a Creative Entrepreneur to Avoid Burnout

You know that feeling when you’ve been on your feet for hours or days, and the only thing you want to do is sit down? I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve felt like this. As a creative entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in the work we have to do, not taking time for ourselves.

In addition, what about our health? Our well-being? These are just as important as getting our work done. Burnout is a real problem that creative entrepreneurs face. Many of us struggle with taking breaks, and we end up working ourselves into the ground. God’s word reminds us:

It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest. (Psalm 127:2)

In today’s post, I’ll be sharing with you how to rest and reset your creativity so you can avoid burnout and return to your projects refreshed.

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Changing your perception about taking a break can help you find balance as a creative entrepreneur.

I know many creative entrepreneurs who never take a break from work and refuse to disconnect. Collapsing at the end of every day isn’t healthy for any individual; creative entrepreneurs must balance work and rest. Tell yourself it’s okay to take a break when you need one. Ask God to give you the strength to let go, especially when you need a break.

Schedule dedicated time to rest and refresh.

Set aside dates on your calendar for vacation time or mental health days. If you work with an office team, let them know which times you will be out of the office and share any specific instructions about how they should proceed in your absence. Add time with God to your daily schedule. If you only have a few minutes, read scriptures or a daily devotional.

Figure out the type of rest you need before taking a break.

There are different types of rest. If you’ve been waking up early and going to bed late, you may need physical rest. After launching a product that took months to develop, you may need mental rest. If you’re feeling disconnected from God, you may need spiritual rest that allows you time to pray and fast. Once you figure out the type of rest you need, plan your break around this type of rest.

Create an “idea box” for writing your thoughts and ideas

One of the great things about being a creative entrepreneur is that inspiration can strike any time. During your break, if an idea pops in your head, put it in your “idea box.” Your idea box can be a notebook or Post-It notes. When you have an idea, jot it down quickly, then return to what you were doing (which, hopefully, is nothing).

Use the downtime to finally complete projects you’ve been putting off.

If you want to take a break from your business, but you don’t want to disconnect your brain from all forms of work completely, perhaps you should complete a household project. For example, if you always wanted to tidy up the Marie Kondo way, your downtime may be a perfect opportunity to organize your clothes or books. But don’t overdo it. Your break should not be overwhelming or exhausting. Nor should it focus on working too hard.

Don’t forget to include exercise during your downtime.

Whether you decide to take a break for one day or two weeks, don’t forget to include exercise. Even if you only have 30 minutes, add at least one workout to your day off. Research shows exercise improves body image, self-esteem, and mental health. You don’t have to sign up for a turbo cycling class. If possible, go for a walk or play outside with your kiddos.

Have fun!

In trying to get away from the day-to-day grind of your business, remember why you took a break. Don’t add to your stress by adding a bunch of new projects. Instead, have fun on your day off. Play games, watch movies, spend time with friends and family.

It’s easy to forget that we all need downtime. But, when you take a break from your hectic work schedule and focus on yourself for a change, it can do wonders for your productivity. Hopefully, the tips outlined here help get you started. So, don’t be afraid to schedule time away from the office or your business. You deserve a break. Let me know what works best for you.

August 19, 2021