What Happens When Authors Add Music to Their Brand
Kari Kelley, an international bestselling author, showed her audience something unexpected: she can sing. In her performance of "Take It From Me," she demonstrated a powerful branding principle. Authors who share their talents beyond writing create stronger connections with readers. Music performance humanizes your brand and makes you memorable. It shows vulnerability and authenticity. Readers don't just buy books from names on spines. They buy from people they feel they know and trust.
Why Authors Should Develop Secondary Creative Talents
Your author brand isn't limited to your books. Kari Kelley's singing performance expands how fans can engage with her work. This multi-platform approach builds deeper audience loyalty. When readers see the person behind the pen, they're more invested in your success.
Consider what talents you already have. Writing, music, art, speaking, or video creation all count. Pick one that feels natural to you. Don't force it. Your audience will know if you're being inauthentic. The key is consistency. Share your talent regularly enough that followers expect it, anticipate it, and look forward to it.
This strategy also protects your brand. If your main platform changes, you have alternatives. Authors who only rely on traditional book sales face risk. Adding music performances, podcast appearances, or video content creates multiple revenue streams and audience touchpoints.
Practical Steps to Build Your Author Brand Through Performance
Start small. You don't need a professional recording studio to begin. Quality smartphone video is acceptable for social media content. Post behind-the-scenes clips. Share your creative process. Let followers see work in progress, not just finished products.
Next, choose your platforms wisely. YouTube works well for performance videos. Instagram Reels capture quick musical moments. TikTok reaches younger audiences. LinkedIn appeals to business-minded readers. You don't need to be everywhere. Focus on 2-3 platforms where your target readers actually spend time.
Invest in basic equipment that matters. A decent quality microphone matters more than expensive cameras. Lighting improves video appearance significantly. You can find affordable options through business recommendations by industry where local audio specialists can guide your purchases.
Schedule regular performance content. Monthly videos are minimum. Weekly is better if you can sustain it. Your audience needs consistency to build the habit of watching your work. Think of it like book release schedules. Predictability builds anticipation.
Collaborate with other creators. Interview musicians, authors, or performers. Get featured on podcasts. Appear on other creators' channels. This expands your reach to new audiences who already appreciate similar content.
How to Maintain Authenticity While Growing Your Brand
Don't try to be someone you're not. Kari Kelley's performance works because it's genuine. She's not pretending to be a professional recording artist. She's an author who happens to sing. That distinction matters to your audience.
Share your story. Tell viewers why you perform music. What draws you to it? How does it connect to your writing? People connect with motivations and emotions, not just polished performances. Your imperfections are your strengths. They make you relatable.
Stay engaged with your community. Respond to comments. Answer questions. Create content based on audience feedback. This transforms followers into active participants in your brand story. If you're building a significant following, consider joining the It's Buzzing Ambassador Program to earn while promoting other creators and local businesses you genuinely support.
Track what works. Monitor which videos get shared most. Notice which songs or content types generate comments. Use this data to shape future performance content. You're building a business, not just creating for fun.
Final Thoughts on Expanding Your Author Brand
Kari Kelley's singing performance demonstrates that successful authors understand modern brand building. You need multiple touchpoints with your audience. You need authenticity. You need consistency. Most importantly, you need to show up as a real person, not just a bestselling author name.
Start with one talent beyond writing. Develop it. Share it regularly. Let your audience know the full person behind your books. This approach builds unstoppable author brands that survive market changes and platform shifts. Your readers will follow you wherever you go because they've invested in knowing you, not just your stories.