I’m putting together a course to help children’s authors build their author brand, updating my process and framework to help them stand out. And it’s got me thinking—how different is an author brand from a consumer brand?
At first glance, they’re remarkably similar. Both need a clear vision, a sense of purpose, and—more than ever—a strong visual identity. Both require an understanding of their audience, whether customers buying a product or readers engaging with a book.
But here’s where it changes.
With business brands, we always talk about storytelling—crafting a compelling narrative around a product or service. We’re searching for the right story to fit the brand.
For authors, though, the story is the brand. It comes from who they are, what they believe, and the personal experiences that shape their writing. It’s not just a story built for an audience; it’s a story rooted in personal truth.
This is where my approach to branding—insight (make it relevant), story (make it unique), engage (make it memorable)—comes in. The story part of The Brand Doughnut focuses on three areas:
Offer – What you provide and why you’ve chosen to offer it.
Values – The ingrained beliefs that shape your decisions.
Mission – The actions that bring your vision to life.
When you get clear on these elements, your brand stops being just a name or a logo—it becomes something people connect with.
The secret to a stronger brand? A stronger story.
So, here’s my question: If you’re an author, does your story always come from personal experience, or do you craft your story in a more intentional way? And if you’re in business, what lessons do you take from how authors shape their worlds?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
[Also it may help me improve the course!]
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