👩💻Author Branding vs Marketing
How to diagnose which one might be a problem for you...
Branding vs. Marketing: Which One Is Holding You Back?
📖 You’ve done everything right—posted on social media, run ads, sent newsletters—but your book sales are still sluggish. What’s going wrong? If this sounds familiar, the problem might not be your marketing. It might be your branding.
Too many authors jump straight into marketing without a solid brand in place. But here’s the thing: Marketing gets you seen. Branding makes you remembered. Without strong branding, all the marketing in the world won’t keep readers engaged.
💡 Branding vs. Marketing: What’s the Difference?
Branding = Who You Are
Branding is the foundation of your author career. It’s how readers recognise you, what they expect from your books, and how they feel when they engage with your work. Your brand answers questions like:
What kind of stories do you tell?
What themes and emotions define your writing?
What’s the feeling you give readers?
How do you show up online and in your writing?
What makes you different from other authors?
A strong brand is consistent, memorable, and authentic. It’s not just about book covers or social media aesthetics—it’s about your voice, themes, personality, digital assets and reader experience.
Marketing = How You Sell It
Marketing is how you promote your work and get it in front of the right people. It’s about visibility, engagement, and conversions. Marketing includes:
Social media posts
Book launch campaigns
Newsletter promotions
Paid ads
Events and signings
Marketing is temporary and tactical—it changes with each book launch or campaign. But branding is long-term. It’s what makes your marketing actually work.
⚡ Do You Have a Branding Issue or a Marketing Issue?
🚀 You have a branding issue if:
Readers struggle to describe what kind of author you are.
Your social media presence feels scattered or inconsistent.
You’re constantly “reinventing” your author identity.
You don’t know who your ideal readers are or how to attract them.
📢 You have a marketing issue if:
You have a clear brand identity but no idea how to promote your books.
Your audience knows what you write, but your sales are low.
You’re posting about your books, but engagement is minimal.
You have readers, but they don’t stick around for future releases.
If your branding isn’t clear, your marketing has to work 10x harder to convince people to care. But when your brand is strong? Readers are already primed to buy when they see your book.
🛠 Your Homework: Strengthening Your Author Brand
Last week, I asked you to define three words that describe your brand personality and write a one-sentence brand statement.
If you missed it, you’re naughty, go back and complete that exercise now 👇
✅ This week’s task: Take a look at your online presence (website, social media, newsletter). If a brand-new reader landed on your page today, would they instantly understand what kind of author you are? What impression would they get?
Now, ask yourself: What needs to change to make your brand clearer? Drop your thoughts in the comments!👇
🏆 Why Branding Comes First Branding is what makes readers remember you long after they’ve finished your book. It’s what turns a casual reader into a lifelong fan.
Emerging authors without a publishing contract can get started on branding right away—it’s the marketing that waits. As long as you know what you’re writing, you can start shaping your brand. Marketing is something you layer on after you have a strong foundation.
🚀 Next week in Branding School: Your Brand Identity—All the Assets that Make You Memorable
💡 If you found this post helpful, hit subscribe so you don’t miss future lessons!
👉 Annie, can I pick your brains? Yes! I offer branding strategy coaching through Well Creative Literary Services.
Let’s build your brand together! 🎉
Want me to just do it for you? Check out my services and portfolio at Well Creative Literary Services. Afterpay available for Australian residents.
