Let’s be real, writing a book is one thing, selling it is a whole other beast. In this episode of Daggers & Daydreams, we’re diving into one of the most overwhelming (and often confusing) parts of becoming an author: marketing and personal branding.

Whether you’re going the indie route or aiming for traditional publishing, promotion is part of the job now, and for most debut authors, it can feel like a crash course in business, visibility, and identity all rolled into one.

We’re sharing our own experiences: the good, the awkward, the cringe, and the lessons we’ve learned (and are still learning) about how to show up online, talk about our books, and not lose ourselves in the process.

From awkward social media launches to branding identity crises, this one’s for any beginner writer trying to build their presence while staying true to their voice.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: What this episode is really about
01:48 – What is marketing and personal branding for authors?
02:52 – When we realised this was part of the job
04:46 – Early marketing mistakes and what felt weird (or natural)
06:27 – Social media journey

17:02 – Marketing more than social media
21:33 – What we’ve learned about personal branding so far
28:46 – Our honest thoughts on showing up online and the pressures of social media
31:54 – Tips for new writers overwhelmed by branding pressure
35:58 – How our relationship with marketing has evolved
39:30 – Outro: Still figuring it out—but here’s what we know

Keywords: beginner writing, writing advice, debut authors, author marketing, personal branding, book promotion, writing community, self-publishing, author platform, social media for writers

Whether you're dreading your first book launch or just trying to figure out what your “brand” even is, this episode is a reminder: you’re allowed to be figuring it out, and you don’t have to do it alone.

PS: If you’re a book marketer or branding specialist who’d love to share your insights with our listeners, get in touch—we’d love to have you on the show!