MaFIA: Killer Marketing for Indie Authors. Kristen Boone's Marie

examples for you. However, I did find a few. Dan Brown was one of these exceptions. In his very simple site, he stays true to his brand and provides everything a customer needs to learn about him and his books.

      http://www.danbrown.com/?authorkristenmarie

      Author Eckart Tolle

      At this point, this guy is a commercial machine. However, his site remains one of the best author-related sites when it comes to communicating his brand. His light and airy site is peaceful, simple and conveys what he is all about.

      http://www.eckharttolle.com/?authorkristenmarie

      Saddleback Leather

      Saddleback Leather isn’t an author or a publisher, but it is a good example of consistent branding. You literally live and breathe the brand with every image and section of web copy. Thanks to strict adherence to its USP, the Saddleback Leather site is as much an experience as it is a sales tool.

      http://www.saddlebackleather.com/?authorkristenmarie

      Mast Brothers

      Also not authors, these artisan chocolatiers go so far as to dress up like craftsmen of old to convey its message of quality and commitment to traditional methods. Now known world-wide, these guys live their brand and are a perfect example of a properly executed USP. The site is simple and easy to navigate, but where it really shines is in advertising and PR. Take a peek at the press section to get an idea of what they have done so far. It’s great!

      http://mastbrothers.com/?authorkristenmarie

      http://mastbrothers.com/press?authorkristenmarie

      Chapter Summary

      •You are the product your readers buy.

      •Customer trust is the key to long-term success.

      •Write a thoughtful USP that demonstrates your personality and your promise.

      •Make your USP the foundation of your brand.

      •Nothing is more important in building your brand than the consistent quality of your books.

      •Communicate your brand with consistent color schemes and design that reflects your USP.

      •Infuse your brand into your copy with a voice and tone that supports your identity and then keep it consistent across your various media.

      •Invest in a professional headshot/logo that will perpetuate your brand across the Internet and other promotional literature.