As writers, we spend countless hours crafting and perfecting our stories, building worlds, and developing characters that resonate with our readers. But there’s something else that plays a huge part in connecting with your audience—your brand. And I’m not just talking about book covers. I’m talking about the overall feeling a reader gets when they visit your website, scroll through your social media feed, or see your name pop up in their inbox.

If your brand doesn’t accurately reflect who you are as an author, it can create a disconnect without you even knowing it! If your books are polished and high-quality, but your social media presence and website looks less-than, your readers can feel the inconsistency. On the other hand, when your visuals match the tone of your writing, your brand will feel cohesive, professional, and approachable. It makes your readers comfortable with who you are, and gives them confidence when they purchase one of your books.

As busy authors we don’t always have the time or expertise to create the visuals that bring our brand to life. Sure, we might have an idea of what we want, but executing it can be tricky. As much as we might enjoy photography or graphic design (ahem, I am the proud owner of a graphic design degree), our time is best spent on our craft: writing.

So how can we make sure our brand is visually as strong as the words we write?

Keep reading for my Top 3 most-used resources, how to get a discount on my favorite stock photo website, and links to priceless freebies to help get you started today.

The Power of Visuals in Author Branding

Think about the last book you read. Was it the title that grabbed you first? Or was it the cover art, or the back cover copy? Or was it a combination of author trust, the cover, and the words she used to talk about her book? Your book cover, website design, and social media images are the first impressions to new-to-you readers. These touchstones may determine if they buy your book or not, so it’s important that they hit just right.

It’s not only about looking pretty. It’s about strategy. When your visuals reflect the vibe of your books—whether it’s a cozy romance, a thrilling mystery, or a thought-provoking literary novel—it helps your readers immediately connect with your work.

Good news: creating that kind of polished, on-brand aesthetic doesn’t mean you have to either become or hire a professional photographer or graphic designer. There’s a simpler way.

How to Curate Your Brand’s Visuals Without Losing Your Mind

You know that branding is important, but adding another thing to your to-do list can feel overwhelming. Between writing your next novel, responding to emails, and keeping up with social media, the last thing you want is to spend hours searching for stock photos that are cohesive and reflect your brand accurately.

I know because I’ve been there! I have sifted through virtual mountains of photos on stock websites (and, honestly, I still do when I need to find the perfect hero or heroine for my book covers). I’ve spent too much time trying to find images that are not only clean, attractive and professional, but that also convey a specific feeling.

What I realized was that I needed a resource that would give me easy access to stunning visuals that fit the aesthetic I wanted. I didn’t want to settle for “good enough”—I wanted freaking AH-MAH-ZING.

Finding Visuals That Work With Your Brand

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the weeds trying to piece together your brand’s visuals, let me just say: SAME. My website has had many, many iterations. From various color palates to cartoon vibes, to black and pink all over. But this latest styling has been the one that has stayed the longest.

Why?

Because I rely on a stock photo library that gives me access to high-quality, curated images that fit my brand’s vibe. These aren’t your typical generic stock images—they’re thoughtfully designed, modern, and stylish. Whether I need a cozy reading nook shot to reflect the warmth of my romance novels or a sleek desk setup for something more contemporary, I can quickly find visuals that match the energy I’m putting into the world.

You know as well as I do that even with millions of photos to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right ones. The right images can bring your author brand to life in a way that words alone can’t.

Making It Easy: The Resources I Use

To make all of this easier for myself, I’ve relied on a few trustworthy resources over the years:

1. Canva is hands-down the easiest, simplest design program I’ve ever used, and each year it gets better and better. I use their paid subscription, which gives me access to a library of photos and clipart.

2. Deposit Photos is a budget-friendly stock art library. When I need a book cover, or a hero or heroine portrayal, I can always find what I’m looking for in their vast array of photos.

3. Haute Stock is not only the provider of high-quality images that fit my vibe, but they also offer videos and templates for an array of social media needs (like workbooks, Canva templates, and Instagram Story templates). They even offer social media calendars with suggestions on what to post for each day of the year! No more thinking! One of my favorite features is that you can save your “brand colors” for easy filtering when you search for photos, ensuring that your visuals represent you every time.

If you’re frustrated or finding yourself spending a ton of time trying to figure out the perfect visual for your author brand, I can’t recommend these resources enough… but here’s a secret:

I have a favorite.

Haute Stock is hands-down the best and most-used resource I use for my website, social media, and newsletters. They are constantly adding templates for PDFs, holiday-themed photos, and updated social media calendars. They’ve recently added even more videos which make for perfect backgrounds for those book quotes us authors love to share.

Even better, I am an affiliate with them. I only share brands I know and love and use myself, and they are a fantastic fit. I’m sharing my affiliate link for these stock photo libraries with you because I believe in what they offer, and I want you to benefit from them too! If you’re interested, here’s the link where you can explore what’s available. It’s good for a discount off your subscription…not just once, but each and every year you renew.

Ready to Build a Brand That Feels Like You?

At the end of the day, you want to have the confidence that your brand is an authentic reflection of who you are as a writer. The right visuals can help you build that connection with your readers, and they can make your brand feel more cohesive, professional, and approachable.

Take a step back and look at your brand as a whole. Are your visuals supporting the experience you want to create for your readers? If not, it might be time to refresh them.

Your writing deserves to be seen and felt in every way possible. Whether you’re just starting to build your brand or you’re ready to refine your visuals, know that you don’t have to do it alone—and you don’t have to spend a fortune or endless hours on it either.

You’ve got this. Your readers are waiting to connect with you!

xo,
Jessica 🍋

PS, If you’re looking for a place to start, many stock photo libraries offer free stock photos. It’s a great way to explore what’s out there and see what feels right for your author brand. In fact, Haute Stock gave me a link to give you with 21 FREE Stock Photos, sent straight to your inbox! All you have to do is click here.

PPS, If Haute Stock feels like the right vibe for you, be sure and check out my link below for a recurring discount off your sub.

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL:
New subscribers can join Haute Stock at a discounted rate of $349 per year, which is $150 off the current annual price ($499) by using my link. EXPIRES DECEMBER 2, 2024

Want to go deeper? Here’s another freebie from Haute Stock you will love: