As a self-publishing author, you have to constantly work on both building and maintaining a BRAND that has SWAG. If you’re missing the mark, you may not be tapping your audience. Success as an author depends not only on writing a quality book (which is VERY important) but also how you are able to connect with your audience.
What’s in a BRAND? It’s more than a name. It’s your identity. It’s how the public views you. It stands for:
B oldness (You have to be able to say things others are afraid to.)
R elevance (Are you talking about the things your audience wants to hear about?)
A nd
N otable (Are you saying things that are “newsworthy”?)
D edication (Are you dedicated to yourself and your audience?)
What is SWAG? This isn’t the SWAG that normally comes to mind. This is SWAG:
S ophisticated (Are you offering high-quality content? Big tip: proofreading is important.)
W orthy (Are you doing anything to deserve the notoriety you’re seeking?)
A nd
G rateful (Are you appreciative for your audience?)
The above checklist will likely prove helpful when determining if you are relevant to the community. As a self-publishing author, checking your BRAND for SWAG will be paramount to success — especially in the online space.
Self Publishing Advisor 