Author branding: How I'm building a presence with my website & social media (a work in progress!)

Hi writers! Thanks for being here. In this video, I'm talking about my personal approach to author branding, what I've learned, and what I might try in the future. This includes my author website and author social media.
👉How to outline a novel / writing tips for authors
• How to outline a novel...
👉I wrote 10,000 words in one week with Scrivener
• I wrote 10,000 words i...
👉My website
bymegangrant.com/
👉Follow me on social!
Instagram/TikTok: bymegangrant
👉I Think I Left the Curling Iron On
www.amazon.com...
• Author branding: How I...
#megangrant #authorstruggles #fictionwriter

[@bymegangrant]

Thanks for watching "Author branding: How I'm building a presence with my website & social media (a work in progress!)" Drop me a comment!

[@ThatNiceDutchGuy]

You look and feel authentic and therefore you shine! I think that is the perfect route for branding. Social media sucks because they own the algorithm, and can take you down for whatever they think is legit. So, you getting your own website is perfect. You own the content, you decide who is allowed access. Who is allowed to reply. You take full control (branding again)

[@bymegangrant]

Yes! All great points. It's harder/takes longer to get that traffic coming, but in the long run, nothing beats building a platform that you own. :)

[@brandic89]

Yes! I started writing a true YA coming-of-age novel, then true paranormal events charmed their way into the story, then I realized with a bang one day that it's actually YA Magical Realism, same tone as other books in that genre, but more angsty and quick-moving bc it's also YA, so a spot of genre blending/bending is also involved. So happy and excited! Thanks again for these insights! Twitter, huh? I hadn't been thinking about that lately either, being a part-time introvert myself!

[@bymegangrant]

Hey! I'm happy to hear about the discoveries you've made while writing. It sounds like the story is unfolding in a very natural way. Bravo! And yeah, Twitter is....I mean, it's ok. I could do without social media in general. But Twitter is ok. :p

[@brandic89]

@@bymegangrant Thanks! Yes, social media is often a pain, lol.

[@loriepriest6985]

Thank you so much for this! It has been incredibly helpful. I'm just getting started and had no idea where to begin. With my first book signing coming up, I’ve been researching ideas, and your guidance has been a huge help. I was also looking for direction on how to approach my website and social media, and you've provided great insight. Writing is something I truly love, but all of this is new to me, so it feels a bit strange when people ask for autographs. I really appreciate your video!

[@bymegangrant]

Hey! Thank you so much for your very thoughtful comment. All of this is a MAZE, so know that you're not alone. Marketing/publishing has a learning curve. If you're interested, I'm trying to help writers get more exposure and actually just launched a page where people can submit their local book signings, and I'll share them on my site. (It's free!) www.bymegangrant.com/resources/

[@sossyge3557]

I downloaded the kindle version of your NF book. Only had time to read the first chapter, but i've eally enjoyed what i've read so far. Basically every sentence rocked! Definitely laughed a lot!

[@bymegangrant]

Oh my gosh, thank you so, so much! I really appreciate that and I'm so happy to hear it made you laugh.

[@FlavioHuitron]

Great video!

[@bymegangrant]

Thank you :)

[@rosesofebony]

I have to agree that expecting authors to have a large social media platform is a disservice to readers. It turns writing into a popularity contest. When in reality, it's about new ideas and narratives. That said, I agree that writers are their own unique brand, and in general, no one cares what font you use on your blog. I like paring the fonts "feeling passionate" and "glacial indifference", mostly because their names are polar opposites.

[@bymegangrant]

I love that - so cool!!! I guess we just have to find the balance between treating ourselves as the brand but also not losing sight of the art. Social media is funny though... I can't believe how necessary it's become. It's exciting (lots of opportunities) and sad at the same time.

[@reinotsurugi]

@@bymegangrant Yeah, it's taken awhile to get comfortable working all the angles. There's so much too it. I was just thinking about all the micro decisions my brain has to make navigating so many platforms for publishing, marketing, producing content. It's pretty mind blowing and no wonder I feel overwhelmed. No wonder I dreaded doing this for so long. I made some mistakes too, compromised my beliefs. It's so easy to do. Finally, I think I have some sense of equilibrium here, branding myself enough to be visible but still feeling like my focus is on the books and the stories. Thanks for the content! blessings!

[@bymegangrant]

@@reinotsurugi I'm so happy to hear this, and GOOD FOR YOU. What you did isn't easy, but I'm glad that you found your way. Thank you for commenting!

[@nutshell93]

This is such a good video. I’ve been thinking about this topic for a while and I’m so reluctant when it comes to social media. I already document my writing and reading on KZbin and I just prefer making videos over aesthetic posts on Insta because I’m just not good at that stuff haha

[@bymegangrant]

omg SAME. I think about deleting IG and TT all the time. KZbin, I love. I've always loved video. Do you think that could be enough, in terms of the platforms we use?

[@nutshell93]

@@bymegangrant I’m not sure I hope so hahaha

[@bymegangrant]

@@nutshell93 Right?! 😛

[@EmmaBennetAuthor]

Great info! Subbed.

[@bymegangrant]

Thank you

[@EveningTV]

My husband is also an engineer and tech guy but we went with WIX so I could update it myself, so I think it is interesting that you did just the opposite. I am also the same as you as far as being an introvert and hating social media. I would like to find an efficient system for doing what I need to do. I have this fantasy that I can use the same content to do all things (e.g. I can break my book into podcasts and also record as video for youtube, make a blog post or newsletter post out of the transcript, Rinse repeat, but I don't see anyone coming right out and saying it can be done like this. I am looking for the easiest way to do all this posting and content creation because the truth is I don't want marketing to take time away from actually writing.

[@ard52192]

Hey really like your channel. Would love to see a more dynamic background. The single green plant pulls the eye. Also like to see motivated lighting. Like the aesthetic tho.

[@MrRosebeing]

I remember how it was done in the old days. You wrote a book, had it printed and then sold it, or you didn't. Now you have to be a "brand". That's why I just write for me. Funny, but I probably wouldn't make any money anyway. I can't write.

[@t0dd000]

One way that Facebook truly excels over every other platform: communities. The most successful local indie authors I know have very robust member communities on Facebook where they engage with their fans.

[@bymegangrant]

ooo communities.... I hadn't thought of these. Come to think of it, I'm in a few communities myself. Alright, so FB is good for at least one thing! lol

[@michaelbogart8059]

Altruistic humans are the best. Thank you for your insights, especially for older generation types such as me. Cheers!

[@haydongonzalez-dyer2727]

Nice

[@bymegangrant]

Thank you!

[@brandic89]

So, what if I'm opposed to posting my pic. Can I use an expressive avatar? Also, I tried to have a website and attract people to it through Pinterest. I gained followers on my Pinterest account, but none of them clicked to my website, lol. Can I just use KZbin (with Instagram)?

[@bymegangrant]

I've found it best to test a BUNCH of different approaches because we're all going to get at least slightly different results. (I never had luck on Pinterest either, even though people say it can drive crazy traffic.) KZbin has always been my go-to. So long story short, TRY IT!

[@t0dd000]

Non-fiction is niche, but it is certainly easier to make money going down that route.

[@bymegangrant]

That was the closest I came to getting an agent. I pitched my fiction manuscript. She wasn't a fan. But she knew my history as a writer and proposed a possible NF.

[@robertsantana3261]

SHOW don’t tell.

[@bymegangrant]

Yes!