The one phrase you likely thought you’d never hear was author logos. After all, authors need to focus on plot, characterization, public speaking, marketing, and everything else involved in their platform.
Well, this is where author logos come in! Logos are not only used for well-known businesses or corporations. A logo is a visual representation of your brand, and as an author, it’s crucial to have an author brand.
In this article we discuss what exactly logos are (as they apply to authors), why they matter, tips on design, and mistakes you should avoid.
In this article all about author logos, we’ll cover:
What Are Author logos?
Author logos are a way to connect your brand through a simple design and keep you and your work top-of-mind for your readers. You may notice that when you access your favorite author’s website, a small image pops up before the URL. This is an example of the importance of logos.
When it comes to author logos, creating a clean, recognizable image is vital. Consider the Nike swoosh: Simple, recognizable, and even worldwide, people correlate the swoosh with the Nike brand.
“Just do it,” athletic wear, and a logo as simple as a fancy check mark helped create a monumental brand. The same can be true when applied to author logos or writers.
Why Do Author Logos Matter?
Logos matter for authors because they help set the author apart. With millions of books to choose from, recognizing a specific author and then remembering them is exactly what we want our fan base to do.
With a logo, you have the power of extending your brand from your website to your newsletter, social media, promotional materials, and even your book.
If you use paper business cards, use one side for your necessary information and the other side for your logo. The more people associate your brand and logo together, the strong your marketing will be.
When you build a strong marketing strategy, you sell more books. . .and this means you get to do more of what you love—keep writing!
Tips On Having Your Logo Designed
As is true for every logo, and especially for author logos, creating a professional design, tone, and overall feel matters. Below are some tips to help you get started:
1. Remember Your Genre
When it comes time to design your logo, it’s imperative to remember to stay on brand with the genre you write. For instance, if you write romance but use a minimal font with heavy weight, you might appear off-brand. This dichotomy will hinder you rather than help.
In the same way, let’s say you write thrillers but choose primary colors for your logo. This will send mixed messages to your audience. So tip number one for author logos: Remember your genre.
2. Less Is More
Yes, minimalism may still be trending today, but you can directly apply the hallmarks of minimalism to your logo. Remember the Nike logo. Simple, concise, to the point. Author logos should be the same.
Your design isn’t supposed to be a detailed masterpiece, but a simple logo that associates you, your writing, and your brand all into. Of course, your genre will determine just how minimal you should be, but less is more when it comes to logo design.
3. Find Inspiration And Make It Your Own
Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration for your logo. Consider creating a mood board for different ideas, and pin your top picks. When it comes time to hire a designer to create your logo, you can show them what you love.
You can also take advantage of Canva and play around creating different designs. Canva is helpful because you can find templates, create your own logo, and all for free. Just remember the importance of using this platform for inspiration and reach out to a graphic designer for the final edit.
4. Trust Your Graphic Designer
On the topic of showing logos that inspire you to your designer, remember that they are professionals. You may have an idea that you want to go with, but consider their expertise, the years they devote to their profession, and if at all possible, take their advice.
5. Consider A Trial For Your Logo
While this is not always the best choice, you may want to consider creating several mockups of your intended design and sharing them with your subscribers or social media followers. Let them vote on which ones they like and most resonate with them. After all, they are your target audience and are the reason you decided to create a logo in the first place!
Bonus Tip For Book Signings:
You may also want to consider how your logo could appear as a stamp. If you face long book signing lines or don’t have the time to sign hundreds of books, you can use your logo as a stamp in place of your signature.
This not only saves your hand quite a few cramps (and you some time!), but keeps your brand going in every book you sign.
Mistakes To Avoid
For every standout logo, there are likely just as many failed attempts. To save you time in experiencing your own trial and error, follow these tips to help you avoid common mistakes.
1. If Possible, Do Not Design Your Own Logo
Just as it’s important to find a professional editor before you book goes to print, it’s vital to find a designer who is competent at designing author logos.
Don’t feel like you need to invest exorbitantly in a graphic designer, but do bear in mind that you often pay for what you get.
2. Don’t Go Crazy With Colors
Remember our Nike example? Resist the urge to include numerous colors. Combining too many colors will clutter your logo and create a quiet chaos when people look at it. Of course, if you’re a children’s book author you will likely use colors and more vibrant ones, but keep in mind that a logo is just that, a logo.
3. Remember The Importance Of Your Font
Fonts matter in all logos, and author logos are no exception. Your logo will likely appear in:
- Your website copy
- Social media
- Newsletters
- Books
- Promo materials
- Your URL
This means your logo will appear in a variety of shapes and sizes. Whatever logo you choose, make sure it looks professional and is clear wherever you will use it.
Dream Big
Author logos should be a quiet masterpiece, a single graphic encompassing what they write, why they write, and who they write for. Enjoy the process of creating your logo. Brainstorm with other writers, give your designer feedback (and accept theirs), and take your time creating.
Keep in mind that logos can go a long way in identifying your work to the public, so don’t worry if it takes longer than expected to create the perfect logo for your brand. It’s likely wiser to spend an extra month creating the best design for your brand, instead of rushing through the process.
Once you create your logo, share it on social media! We’d love to see it!
