Brand Spotlight: Taylor Blaine – Insights to Strengthen Your Author Brand

Is your author brand making the right impression? Today, we’re diving into a brand spotlight for Taylor Blaine, highlighting what’s working, what could improve, and actionable steps to strengthen their writing career. Whether you’re an author or reader, this breakdown might just spark some ideas for you as well.

Check out the video below for the full discussion:

Evaluating Taylor Blaine’s Brand

Taylor Blaine is an author who writes under a pen name and keeps their identity private, which is perfectly fine. Their books center on high school bully romances within the young adult (YA) category. Let’s explore how their branding aligns with their genre and audience expectations.

What’s Working Well

Taylor Blaine has some solid foundations in place:

• Clean Covers: The covers are visually appealing and easy to read, even as thumbnails.
• Consistency in Branding Colors: Hot pink, black, and white dominate the aesthetic, creating a recognizable brand.
• Good Reviews: Across the board, Taylor’s books maintain strong ratings, holding an average between 4.2 and 4.3 stars.
• Complete Series: The two available series are finished, which is a huge plus for readers looking to binge-read.
• KU Enrollment: All books are available on Kindle Unlimited, effectively targeting a large audience of dedicated readers.

These are solid building blocks, but there’s room for improvement to ensure the brand is competitive and aligned with YA reader expectations.

Areas for Improvement

Cover Refresh

While the covers look clean, they don’t always reflect the high school bully romance genre. For instance:

• Age Representation: Some cover models appear much older than high school students. This can confuse readers since the romance is meant to be within a high school setting.
• Genre Fit: The male models on the covers look more suited to adult contemporary romance. Shifting to younger-looking models or even abstract designs might better suit the YA market.

Additionally, Taylor’s books were published in 2019. A cover refresh could help signal to both new and old readers that these books are still relevant.

Blurbs and Hooks

The blurbs are well-structured with clear use of bold text, but they’re missing that extra punch at the beginning. A strong hook at the top could immediately grab a reader’s attention. For example, starting the blurb with a dramatic tagline or a question related to the core drama could be more engaging.

Also, it’s important to avoid certain words or phrases in blurbs, like “kick ass,” if planning to run ads on platforms like Facebook. Ad algorithms can flag content that includes profanity, limiting marketing reach.

Pricing Consistency

There’s a slight inconsistency in pricing. Some books are listed at $4.99 while others are $3.99. Aligning pricing across series could project a more cohesive and professional image.

Box Sets

Currently, only one series has a box set. Adding a box set for the other series could capitalize on completed storylines and attract readers who prefer one-click purchases for binge-reading.

Recommendations for Taylor Blaine

To revive the Taylor Blaine brand, here’s a roadmap of actionable steps:

1. Update Covers: Hire a cover designer to create refreshed designs that match the high school bully romance vibe. Focus on age-appropriate models or consider using symbolic imagery (like school uniforms or sports equipment).
2. Adjust Blurbs: Add a compelling hook to the start of each blurb, and clean up any language that could hinder ad compatibility on platforms like Facebook.
3. Create Box Sets: Craft box sets for each series to maximize complete-series sales. This appeals to readers looking for a bundle deal.
4. Release New Books: A new release could breathe life back into the brand and reignite reader interest. Even one to three books in the next year could steadily rebuild momentum.
5. Consistency in Pricing: Set a standard price point for all individual titles within the same series to maintain uniformity.
6. Explore Market Trends: Assess current YA bully and high school romance tropes to ensure future releases remain marketable and competitive.

Additional Things to Consider

• Newsletter and Website: Ensure there’s a centralized hub for fans via a newsletter or website. This keeps readers informed about updates, new releases, and promotions.
• Social Media Presence: A Facebook page is essential for running ads. Social accounts also help build community and boost engagement directly with readers.

Closing Thoughts

The Taylor Blaine brand shows promise, thanks to strong reviews and completed series. With some updates to covers, blurbs, and pricing, coupled with new releases, this pen name could easily thrive again.

If Taylor decides to implement these changes, it’ll be exciting to see how things evolve. Whether pushing out box sets, refreshing designs, or consistently releasing books, every step can help elevate this brand’s potential.

Authors, keep in mind: consistency is key. Readers want stories that hook them and branding that aligns with their expectations. So, set your goals, align your approach, and keep writing.

If you’d like your brand to be featured on a future spotlight, check out the submission link and let us help you grow: Submit Your Brand for Spotlight. Don’t forget to join our free Facebook group and subscribe to our newsletter for more tips. Happy writing!