March 18th Edition of the CraveBooks Author Newsletter
The final step to mastering the Author Brand Equation is the easiest and hardest step to put into action…
You’ve defined your Shared Values, B.C., now you need to actually share those values.
Author Brand Power = Book² x You
You = Engagement + Humanization + Shared Values
The final step is to transmit You to your audience.
Engagement and Humanization
Engagement = Listening + Understanding + Responsiveness
Why is engagement so important? Why were newspapers so important to politicians in the 20th century? Because it allowed them to communicate their message to the masses.
Just as newspapers increased a politician’s reach, so does social media increase your reach as an author.
But the one thing that you have at your disposal that 19th century politicians didn’t have is real-time feedback.
You can listen to your readers, understand them, and respond to them. And you can do this instantly. This increases your tangibility. And tangibility fosters parasocial bonds.
Parasocial Relationships
This is a psychological phenomenon where audiences develop one-sided relationships with media figures (authors, influencers, celebrities). Readers start to feel like they “know” you personally, even if they’ve never met you. This emotional connection makes them more invested in you and your work.
Engagement helps you ‘close the gap’ (from distant, abstract figure to real human being) and turn casual readers into super fans.
When you show up consistently and respond to your readers, you humanize yourself. You become a real person in your readers’ eyes —not a mythical being.
Humanization = Honesty + Courage
When you are open and honest by discussing your Shared Values and your personal stories, you are percieved as being authentic —and authenticity boosts your relatibility —this is the foundation of trust.
And what happens when you trust someone?
You are more likely to go out of your way to help them. It enhances reciprocity. This has ripple effects:
- Readers advocate for you more (word of mouth).
- Readers are more likely to invest emotionally (and financially) in your work.
- Readers feel ownership over your success because you’ve included them in your journey.
When you ‘close the gap’ through Engagement and Humanization, readers no longer view you solely as a creator but as someone they share space with —even if it’s a virtual space.
Now, on to the easiest part of the Author Brand Equation.
Here’s what you have to do:
- Pick up your phone.
- Hit record.
- Talk about your personal stories, life, and shared values.
- Post it on social media.
- Respond to readers.
But the problem is that it is so easy it’s difficult, because us humans, we love to overthink and overcomplicate things.
- But which social media platform should I use?
- But nobody has responded to my posts?
- But I don’t have enough time?
The answers to those questions:
- Choose one social media platform that you feel the majority of your audience is on and stick with that platform. And make sure you have an email list. Email is the only platform that gives you a direct line of communication to your readers, allowing you to expand on your social media posts. If you need help getting readers on your email list, then you can start with one of our Email List Building Giveaways.
- Nobody has responded to my posts…YET. Growing your author brand requires patience.
- Take 15 mins to write about one of your personal stories, your daily life, or your shared values, then take 5-10 minutes to record what you have written down, and finally take 5 mins to upload your video. 30mins/day total.
Consistency isn’t easy, trust me, I feel you, but it is one of the most powerful skills your can learn as an author.
If you can stay consistent and on top of the Engagement and Humanization part of the You equation, then you’ll be setting yourself up for long-term success as an Author.
Author Resources
Major Publishing Updates Authors Need to Know (Mar. 17, 2025)
