Building Our Writing Brand with Authenticity and Consistency

by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767

A few years ago, I was at a crossroads. After many years in educational administration, I began my writing career in nonfiction. When the opportunity arose to write thrillers, I thought I needed to create two online personas. I’d even come up with a pen name. However, when I started working with a publicist, he discouraged me from doing so. He highlighted my hard work in building my brand as a Caribbean-pink-loving-devotional-writing-person-of-color. He encouraged me to stay true to who I am across genres. Although it felt like a bold venture, I’m grateful I took the leap.

Building a strong personal brand is essential in the crowded world of writers and creatives. Our brand is more than an aesthetic or a marketing strategy—it expresses who we are and what we stand for. Yet, it’s crucial to balance consistency in how we present ourselves with authenticity, staying true to our personality, values, and unique stories. 

This balance is key for writers like me who write thrillers and devotionals. I embrace a feminine, pastel-inspired aesthetic but also serve up nail-biting drama. My brand isn’t about fitting into a mold but standing out by fully owning who I am. 

Consistency in our branding creates recognition, trust, and reliability. Whether we’re promoting thriller novels or devotionals, maintaining visual and tonal coherence helps our audience know what to expect when they engage with our work. 

Why Consistency Matters 

1. Recognition: People remember patterns. Consistent colors, fonts, and imagery create a recognizable identity that people can associate with. Whether it’s a promotional post for a suspenseful thriller or a heartfelt devotional, a unique style ties everything together. 

2. Trust: Readers trust creators who deliver reliably. Consistency in branding reassures our audience our message is thoughtful and intentional, building credibility over time. 

3. Connection: A cohesive brand signals clarity and purpose, making it easier for people to understand and connect. Pairing this with consistent engagement strengthens our bond with readers, making them more likely to stick with us for the long haul. 

Consistency in Practice 

• Use similar design elements across platforms and projects (colors, fonts, or imagery). 
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• Maintain a consistent voice, whether playful, reflective, or serious, tailored to the content but always authentic. 
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• Show up regularly to engage with our audience—on social media, through newsletters, or in-person events. 

The Power of Authenticity 

While consistency creates structure, authenticity gives our brand its soul. Authenticity ensures our brand feels real and relatable, not a persona we’ve made to fit trends or expectations. 

Stay True to Ourselves

Being authentic means embracing the fullness of who we are—even if it doesn’t fit traditional branding expectations. For example, as a girly girl who writes thrillers, I incorporate my Caribbean upbringing and lace-loving femininity into promoting dark, suspenseful stories. This blend creates memorable material and showcases the layers of my personality. 

Similarly, my devotionals reflect transparency and a willingness to tackle raw, gritty topics, which adds another dimension to my writing. Readers value this honesty because it makes me real and approachable. 

Why Authenticity Matters 

1. It Sets Us Apart: No one else has our unique mix of perspectives, experiences, and interests. By being ourselves, we can create a genuinely one-of-a-kind brand. 

2. It Attracts the Right Audience: Authenticity draws people who resonate with our voice and values. These are the readers who will become our most loyal supporters. 

3. It Sustains Creativity: Pretending to be someone we are not exhausting. Authentic branding allows us to stay energized and passionate about our work because it aligns with who we truly are. 

Blending Consistency and Authenticity 

To build a writing brand that is both consistent and authentic: 

• Embrace Our Unique Styles: We should lean into what makes us unique. Whether it’s pastel colors for promoting thrillers on social media or vulnerable honesty in devotionals, our true personalities should shine through. 

• Adapt Without Losing Our Core: Tailor tone and approach to fit different projects (e.g., suspenseful for thrillers, raw for devotionals) while keeping our core identity intact. 

• Engage Honestly: Respond to comments, share struggles, and celebrate victories with audiences in ways that reflect our values and voice. 

• Create with Integrity: Whether crafting a novel or a social media post, we can ensure that our content reflects our experiences, beliefs, and goals. 

Building a brand as a writer is about more than aesthetics or consistency—it’s creating a genuine connection with our audience. By staying true to ourselves while presenting our work consistently and polished, we can establish brands that resonate deeply. 

Our brand isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. By embracing our unique identity and committing to authentic engagement, we create a space where our readers feel both seen and inspired. That’s the kind of brand that lasts.

TWEETABLE

Building Our Writing Brand with Authenticity and Consistency from @KHutch0767 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021). She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color),

AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel to her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story will debut in February 2024 through Endgame Press.

Katherine flourishes in developmental editing and coaching writers. She has a twenty-year career in education, leadership, and journalism. Katherine freelances as an educational consultant for charter schools, home school programs, and churches. In this role, she has written and edited curriculum, led program development, and helped manage growth facilitating and public relations.

She also works as an editor and book coach through her consulting business. Katherine provides skill, accountability, and professionalism so clients can begin, develop, and finish their writing projects for publication.