Inspiring Your Writing Brand
3 On-Brand Authors to Inspire Your Online Presence
An important part of any author’s brand is their official website – the place where people go to find out more about you and your writing. It’s the place to answer those burning questions of who are you, what do you do, and why should readers care?
Done well, an author’s online presence allows readers to get to know their favourite writers better. Consider these three authors and the things we know about them. Stephen King hates adverbs and loves his corgi Molly. J. K. Rowling loves feuding with Donald Trump and traumatising her fans with anecdotes about the bathroom habits of pre-plumbing wizards. And George R. R. Martin loves… anything but finishing the last Game of Thrones books.
Check out their websites and you’ll see each author has their own unique style. No matter what stage you’re at you can create an author’s website that’s like the hub of your online wheel. Whatever your preferred social media platform/s, a website is a great way to tie it all together and create a gateway for readers looking to connect.
Share Your Experiences
If your website includes a blog, this can be a great way to share your experiences. Has there been a story you couldn’t get finished, a character you still don’t understand, or a scene you just couldn’t get right? You can talk about the problems you have faced with your writing, and maybe help someone else who is having the same issue. There is a rich and passionate community of writers online, and most of them are potential readers as well.
George R. R. Martin has shared what he’s reading and watching, in addition to running his official blog from his site. Stephen King tells his readers about his upcoming work and J.K. Rowling answers the question of writing rules with the answer that she doesn’t have any. Each website is different and reflects the author – just as yours should.
Control Your Narrative
Whether you’re a published author or wanting to be a published author, inevitably you are going to develop a unique author brand. A website is a great way to take control of the narrative and express yourself authentically, right from the start. A brand that develops on its own might not be the one you’re hoping for, so take charge.
You can look to Stephen King, George R.R. Martin and J.K. Rowling for inspiration but if you want to make it happen now then check out Kylie Fennell’s ‘Build Your Author Website in a Day’ workshop at the Writers Centre on the 8th June. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a technological wizard. By the end of the day you will have a fully functioning author website and a newly established brand. So, grab your tickets, and don’t forget to bring along your laptop, headshot, and your branding inspirations.