Yes, I mentioned this last time … The Author’s Image … it’s one of my pet peeves! It could be because I’m a baby boomer, it could be because I’ve spent so much of my career helping to repair clients image after a faux pas. Sometimes a little oopsie is enough to cause your prospective fan and book buyer to look the other way, sometimes it’s a major blunder. You don’t want to deal with either, so let’s talk about IMAGE.
See, IMAGE is EVERYTHING in the eyes of your reader and prospective book buyer. Yes, I know you think it’s your title or book cover or story, but in truth, with today’s massive exposure through twitter, facebook, Goodreads, Amazon communities and blogging, how you present yourself as a person is as vital as how you present your book. Readers are finding easier and easier access to information about an author through the internet and social networking, and with so much competition for book buyers, doing this image thing right is important.
This isn’t about changing who you are or being something you’re not. It’s not about hiding things about yourself or shouting louder than you wish about your accomplishments. It’s a given that today an author has no choice but to toot their own horn, it’s how polished your horn is that can help or hinder your efforts. I’ve got a few tips to help control your image.
APPEARANCE
- Good place to start, let’s talk about your twitter and facebook avatars. Are they a picture of you? Yes, I do understand that we writers love to work at our desk in flannel pajamas and fuzzy bunny slippers, but does that make a good image for our social marketing? Nope. Many authors enjoy a bohemian style of dressing, but does it work when trying to sell a book or speak in public? Not unless your book is about dressing bohemian chic and you’re talking to others who dress the same way. Are you using a photo of your dog or cat or children as your avatar? Not good simply because it’s not you. It’s time to clean up the author images out there. I actually saw a author photo of a sloppy man, wearing one of those beer can helmets at the football game as their avatar! NO, NO, NO. I’m not telling you to spiff up and get professional photography done for your visual image, but I am strongly suggesting you use a simple, clean image of you, the author. Think of it as your publicity photo and question if it’s good enough for the press to see because, trust me, the press is also on twitter and facebook and all the other places your avatar shows up. Be proud of yourself, you have accomplished something big by becoming a published author. Look the part. NOTE: If you seriously prefer NOT to use a photo of yourself, consider using your book cover as your avatar. If you book is not yet published, find a powerful image that works for your book genre or style. No more inside-out sweatshirts and mussed hair, please.
EXPOSURE
- Where are you? Is your image part of your blogging, Google, or wordpress responses? Is it part of your Media Room downloadable images for the press when it comes sniffing? Are you using different images for twitter and facebook and everything else? Are you changing those images often? Here’s an important tip … these images/avatars are how your fans and followers recognize you. I suggest you use the SAME image for everything, AND I suggest you don’t change that image too often, no more than twice a year. Don’t be ignored because your twitter followers don’t know who made that comment. Be recognized when your avatar shows up with your blog response by everyone who sees it on your other social marketing venues. Use the power of repetitive visuals!
SPEAKING
- Image is more than just the picture you sue to represent you. It’s also YOU. When you speak live, you naturally need to consider your audience and dress appropriately. What you wear when speaking at a conference may differ from what you wear when speaking at a casual local writers club afternoon meeting. Now let’s talk about HOW YOU SPEAK. Have you ever listened to yourself? Taka an old fashioned tape recorder and tape your live speaking engagements, then listen carefully. How many times did you say “um” or “like”? Is your voice loud enough or too loud? Are your speaking patterns clear and easy to follow? Analyze your speech and make adjustments. The smoother you are with your presentations, the more effective your speaking engagements will be … and the more books you’ll sell.
COMMENTING
- Whether speaking live, speaking on a live or online podcast, participating in a live or podcast panel and especially commenting on live chats or online groups forums, your image also comes through in your responses. I’m sure we all know this but just as a reminder … play nice, don’t pick fights, think before you respond (in both live and online situations like twitter, facebook or chats) and remember, the goal for all of this is to gain book buyers and fans. If you unfortunately say something unkind in the heat of the moment, apologize IMMEDIATELY. If you sound too harsh in emails, posts or tweets, think it through before you hit “send”. Your image is EVERYTHING to the person who wants to be your fan. Don’t disappoint.
AN UNSPOKEN AGREEMENT
- Were all human, we all make mistakes and do the wrong thing sometimes but as an author, always remember that you’ve made an unspoken agreement with your fans. You’ve agreed to write good books, to entertain with your stories and to basically be a good person. It’s what they expect and what will help your fan base grow and grow. We’ve all seen too many not-so-kind comments, tweets and posts. Social media is not the place for rants, reserve that for your Saturday evening out with friends you can trust.
Questions about Image? I’m here and I’d love to answer them.
Deborah Riley-Magnus, Author Success Coach
Author Bio
Deborah Riley-Magnus is an author and an Author Success Coach. She has a twenty-seven year professional background in marketing, advertising and public relations as a writer for print, television and radio. She writes fiction in several genres as well as non-fiction. Her non-fiction, Finding Author Success: Discovering and Uncovering the Power Within Your Manuscript was on November 5, 2011. “Finding Author Success “on Amazon – Kindle and Paper
She’s lived on both the east and west coast of the United States and has traveled the country widely. She is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and just returned after living in Los Angeles, California for several years.