Hybrid Author Branding Program
Applications Now Open for 2024 enrollment!
Watch the brief video tour:
“I know the dangers of setting expectations too high, but the truth remains that Andrea’s Hybrid Program has been transformative for me…I highly recommend it.”
“I feel so much more confident about the publishing process and my place in the market.”
I’ve combined the best of one-on-one consulting, community, & workshops at your fingertips. There’s nothing quite like this for authors.
A 6-month program for writers committed to taking more control of their careers.
>> Apply Now! <<
Get the help you need to improve your brand & career.
Learn how to take back more control of your career:
- Uncover and articulate what makes you and your work unique and valuable
- Take a deep dive, learn research methods and how understand who your Ideal Readers are, and why it matters so much.
- Perform a full brand audit on your entire brand including things like your website, social media, graphics, your competition, your market, etc.
- Take an honest and inspiring look at what’s most important for you and your career, and get clarity on the best next steps for you
- Learn a clear way of strategizing and planning that works with your brain, time limits, and lifestyle
- Utilize a step-by-step method to learn how to speak your Ideal Readers language and show up in a way that no one else does.
- Learn DIY website and graphic design methods as well as how to hire the right freelancers to help
- Put together an effective branding and marketing plan
- Learn what to ask your publisher for and how to work with them to give your book its best chance at bestseller status, and so much more.
This program is for those who are serious about their writing career and ready to learn and implement the best ways to set themselves up for success.
Questions? Check out the FAQ.
“The course’s foundation is to own your authenticity and uniqueness. The building blocks are methods to connect with readers, share your work, and develop a career on your terms. No matter where you are on your journey—an emerging writer or established—Andrea’s expertise and guidance make the path forward clearer, brighter, and easier. “
How it Works
Author with coming publication date
You have a book deal and a book coming out in the next 3-24 months. You know that publishers are not responsible for building your career, they may help (to varying degrees) with your book launch, but it’s up to you to begin building your reputation and audience. You want to not only give your book its best chance at success but set yourself up to achieve the kind of career success you want.
Published Author ready for change
Maybe you already have a book (or books) out, but your career isn’t where you’d like it to be. Maybe you’re not earning what you’d like, or want to get better at building your audience, or perhaps you want to shift gears or figure out a better way to write more than one type of book.
You need to get your brand sorted (or revamped) so that you can utilize the best of what you’ve already built, and set yourself up for the best opportunities ahead.
Author-to-Be
Maybe you have a book in the works but no current book deal. Maybe you’re in the process of writing, editing, pitching agents, or submitting to publishers.
You know you need to have a more cohesive strategy for your career and brand overall so that you can position yourself not only for the best deals but for building your brand longterm.
How do I know if it’s the right time for me?
Watch this super quick video:
PLUS Guest Experts!
These are some of the guests we have had. Guests vary according to subject matter, needs, and availability.
About Julia Whelan
Deemed “The Adele of Audiobooks” by The New Yorker, Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, lifelong actor, and audiobook narrator of over 500 titles. She has won numerous awards, including Audible’s Narrator of the Year and the Best Female Narrator Audie for Tara Westover’s Educated. AudioFile Magazine has given her its lifetime achievement award, a “Golden Voice”, and her performance of her own debut novel, the international bestseller, My Oxford Year, garnered a Society of Voice Arts award. Her new novel, Thank You For Listening, was a Best of 2022 pick at Amazon, Audible, and NPR as well as a Goodreads Choice Award nominee. She is also a Grammy-nominated audiobook director, a former writing tutor, a half-decent amateur baker, and a certified tea sommelier.
About Carly Watters
Carly Watters is a SVP and Senior Literary Agent at P.S. Literary and the sitting VP of PACLA, the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents.
Carly Watters has a BA in English Literature from Queen’s University and a MA in Publishing Studies from City University London. Her masters thesis was on the social, political, and economic impact of literary prizes on trade publishing. She began her publishing career in London as an assistant at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency. Carly joined Toronto-based P.S. Literary Agency in 2010 and has sold over 100 books during her career. She represents award-winning and bestselling authors in the adult fiction and non-fiction categories, and select children’s books.
She is known for her long-term vision for her authors and being an excellent collaborator with a nose for commercial success. She has close ties to publishers in the major markets, is a member of the AALA, and works directly with film agents to option film and TV rights to leading networks and production companies. Her clients’ books have been translated into 40 languages, optioned for TV and film, adapted into podcasts, and have been on every bestseller list from coast to coast, including the New York Times, USA Today, the LA Times, the Washington Post, the Toronto Star, and the Globe and Mail. Carly is also an annual judge for the Women’s Fiction Writing Association Rising Star Award.
The popular writing podcast The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, for which Carly is the co-host, has over 1.5 million downloads. She can be found at www.carlywatters.com and @carlywatters on Twitter and Instagram.
About Leigh Stein
Leigh Stein is a writer interested in what the internet is doing to our identities, relationships, and politics. She is the author of five books, including the critically acclaimed satirical novel Self Care (Penguin, 2020) and the poetry collection What to Miss When (Soft Skull Press, 2021). Her non-fiction writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker online, Allure, ELLE, Poets & Writers, BuzzFeed, The Cut, Salon, and Slate.
About Michelle Glogovac
Michelle Glogovac is THE Podcast Matchmaker™, a podcast publicist and host of the award winning podcast, My Simplified Life. She works with entrepreneurs, authors, and experts hone their storytelling abilities, grow their businesses, and elevate themselves as thought leaders. Her first book, How To Get On Podcasts (McGraw Hill) debuts in February 2024. Michelle is a wife, mom of two, stepmom of two, and a fur mom. She has her B.A. and M.S. in Law, and is the Founder + CEO of The MLG Collective®.
More: themlgcollective.com
About Shawna Kenney
Shawna Kenney is the author of the award-winning memoir, I Was a Teenage Dominatrix (Last Gasp), as well as Imposters (Mark Batty Publisher), Book Lovers (Seal Press), and Live at the Safari Club: A History of Hardcore punk in the Nation’s Capital 1988-1998 (Rare Bird). Her essays and articles have appeared in the New York Times, Playboy, Ms., Vice, and more. She serves as a Contributing Editor with Narratively magazine and teaches creative writing via UCLA Extension.
About Mackenzie Brady Watson
Mackenzie Brady Watson is a literary agent, focusing on narrative non-fiction for all ages and select Young Adult fiction. As a former genetics lab technician, she has a great passion for science books, especially if they are historically driven or revolutionize current theory, as well as sociology, investigative journalism, food writing, memoir, and business books. She particularly appreciates work that sheds light on marginalized experiences and helps contribute to the cultural conversation.
Mackenzie began her publishing career as an intern at Fine Print Literary Management and Farrar, Straus & Giroux. She was an agent with Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency and New Leaf Literary & Media before joining SKLA in 2016.
In addition to being an agent, Mackenzie is also a founding board member of INKLUDED (a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to increasing and celebrating the diversity within the publishing industry). She grew up outside of Philadelphia and is a graduate of Penn State University.
About Kasey Lansdale
Kasey Lansdale has been in the fiction world since birth as a writer, editor, audio book narrator, and creative professional. Based in Los Angeles, Lansdale is an active voting member of the HWA, and currently serves as executive editor at Pandi Press, and publicist at Tachyon Publications. As an author and editor, she has released numerous short-stories and anthologies from publications such as Harper Collins, Titan Books, and more. Lansdale has had her fiction adapted for television, as well as comic books, and her first scripted audio drama is in production. She lives in LA with her boyfriend, and some type of poodle doodle.
About Catherine LaSota
Catherine is a writer and creativity coach living in NYC. She is the founder of the Resort writing community , which provides classes, memberships, and other resources for writers, as well as the acclaimed LIC Reading Series . Catherine has 25+ years of experience working across creative disciplines, including visual art, music, and performance. She brings this experience alongside her coaching training and connections to a variety of literary organizations and publishing professionals to her work with writers and other artists. You can listen to her conversations with guests on writing and community on the Cabana Chats podcast, and learn more about the Resort on Twitter and Instagram @TheResortLIC.
About Pauline Wiles
Pauline Wiles is an indie author turned website designer who helps other authors and writers create beautiful, businesslike websites. As an author herself, she noticed others were often overwhelmed by this task. Now, she’s helping to dispel the myths around how difficult a web project should be. British by birth, Pauline is now a contented resident of California, although she admits to an occasional yearning for afternoon tea and historic homes.
About Joanna Lovering
Joanna Lovering is a leadership and presence consultant who helps companies engage, develop and retain their pipeline of female leaders. As the founder of Copper + Rise, she partners with organizations to support their women leaders through every stage of their growth. She believes that when companies invest in and promote women, they can achieve unrivaled results. Her expertise is implementing and facilitating programs that teach women the transformational leadership skills that other people think are “unteachable,” like presence, confidence, and self-advocacy.
With an M.A. in organizational psychology from Columbia University and 15 years of leadership development experience at companies including JetBlue, Microsoft, L’Oréal USA, Tiffany & Co., Red Bull North America, Lululemon Studio, and Daily Burn, Joanna has worked extensively in both corporate and startup settings, leading teams as large as 85. She’s proud to be a champion for women leaders and to partner with companies from all sectors who believe in the necessity of female leadership as passionately as she does.
Brand Strength Learning Modules Overview
My Brand Strength™ Method for author branding is designed to help you clarify, position, and leverage your personal brand, so you can attract more readers & build a fulfilling, lasting career.
Aside from AB 101, you can ONLY access these learning modules in this hybrid program. I don’t sell it as an individual online course anymore.
Introduction: Author Branding 101
To start, we’ll cover everything you need to know to understand what branding is, to how to leverage it using this program.
Module 1: Self-Awareness
Who you are informs your personal brand, we’ll help you do the foundational work you need to differentiate.
Module 2: Audience Awareness
Understand your market, Ideal Reader and how you’re uniquely positioned to serve them.
Module 3: Industry Awareness
What you need to know about how the publishing industry works now and how to leverage your brand.
Module 4: Brand Positioning (Your Brand Story)
How to position your brand with your audience and create a sustainable strategy for building connection with them.
Module 5: Brand Messaging
Put together your taglines, bio, elevator pitches, etc. that you need to speak your audience’s language.
Module 6: Marketing & Branding Plans
Create your plans to market yourself and your work.
Module 7: Content that Creates Connection
Learn the best ways to brainstorm, create, and schedule content–the core of your marketing and branding outreach efforts.
Module 8: Your Visual Branding
Learn design basics to create your graphics, logo, media kits, etc. (Or best practices on hiring someone else to do it.)
Module 9: Your Author Website
Learn the essential process of planning and creating your website from creating content, to usability, design, and tools.
Module 10: Resources & Tools
Need a simple process for setting up your email newsletter? Or a checklist for creating a media kit, or lead magnet? This is the spot.
+ Frameworks & Tools
- Social Media Best Practices
- Key contacts spreadsheet
- Podcast guest pitch template
- Essay pitch template
- PR pitch for book launch template
- Recommended tools and software, + more
*Why am I not selling this education system by itself anymore? The reality is that people lose steam with online courses. I used to offer a previous version of this system but I’d often find that folks would stall out, not finish, or need more hands-on guidance that simply can’t be offered through recorded classes. Also, note that the curriculum may change and adapt as we continue to hone it, so order of modules or content may change.
What Clients Say
“After finishing my manuscript, the Hybrid Program was just what I needed to kick-start the next phase of going to market. I came away with a solid understanding of my brand and created the assets I need to streamline my website for agents and my ideal readers. I feel so much more confident about the publishing process and my place in the market.”
“I know the dangers of setting expectations too high, but the truth remains that Andrea’s Hybrid Program has been transformative for me. It’s helped me think deeply about my overarching goals as a writer, the audience I’m trying to reach, and the strategies for outreach that are best tailored to my strengths and resources. Andrea takes intimidating, vital questions—”who am I?” types of questions—and breaks them down in ways that somehow feel manageable. I’ve changed the way I approach my work and shape my days because of this program. I highly recommend it.”
“Andrea demystifies the branding process with short, to the point modules that explain with detail how you would create a brand and online presence that reflects your work. Along with hours of tutorials, her bi-weekly open hour sessions to answer questions or just be with you as you walk through the process were generous and helpful. You really feel as though you have a friend who is a brand specialist walking you through it.”
“Working with Andréa is a profound experience. While most brand strategists offer mass-produced, superficial advice, Andréa challenges you to dig deep into your creative identity, articulate your unique gifts, and communicate them to your target audience. Don’t be surprised if this work on your brand spills over into all aspects of your life—getting to know who you are and what you really want to achieve is a powerful invitation to make all kinds of positive changes. Andréa’s warmth, sincerity, and good humor make her a joy to work with. She is the real deal and worth every penny!”
“What I accomplished with Andrea in only 3 months was amazing. Her program gives you relevant information that, if you follow it, moves you from polishing your story to identifying the right publishing venue.”
“She brings the perfect balance of strong expertise and insight and an intuitive, client-centered approach. The consistency of my website design and branding with who I am and what I do makes me confident to invite people to look at my work, knowing that it’s an authentic representation. I can’t imagine working with anyone else.”
“One of the smartest things I have ever done professionally was to hire Andrea Guevara in advance of the release of my book, The Big Hurt. She helped me brand and position myself as an author and a thought-leader…She was also so helpful in the nuts-and-bolts business of book promotion. On top of all that, she’s just a funny, warm person I am so glad to know. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”
“I loved that Andrea took the time to really get to know me and my goals before making suggestions. It gave me the clarity and confidence to move ahead with what I do best.”
Three 1-on-1 Brand Consultations
One hour-long strategy session to start, another in the middle, and one at the end.
LIVE Office Hours w Andrea
Ask questions, listen in and learn during our 2x/mo. office hours + special sessions with top guest experts!
Motivated, Positive Writers
Get the support & community you need (without the drama) in our sessions and membership app.
All-Access to Brand Strength Modules
You’ll learn what you need to (and when) with full access to all program learning modules.
Tools, Templates, Resources & More
You’ll get the same assets I use with my private consulting clients. (Think brainstorming worksheets, planning tools, etc.)
Your Ally & Trusted Expert in Author & Writer Personal Branding
One of the most common misconceptions about personal branding is that you have to become something you’re not. That you need to fake it, or mass-produce social media content, or do some other cringey things to promote yourself.
This is simply not true. Yes, you do have to put yourself out there, but there’s a better way, I swear.
There’s a method to the madness. It’s something I’ve developed in my years as a brand strategist, entrepreneur, and writer.
I’m here to help make sense of it all and be your best branding buddy through the process. I’ll help you tap into what makes you and your work so irresistible to your Ideal Readers™ so you can grow your readership while remaining true to who you authentically are.
Apply Now
Pricing is $495/mo. (auto-debited each month) with a 6-month commitment as it is a 6-month program. (This same methodology used in my one-on-one services would cost you about $15K)
If you’re ready to invest in yourself and are seriously considering joining this program, please answer these quick questions to applyand then you’ll be able to book a 15-minute discovery call with me to make sure this is a good match for you.
NOTE: If you have been a private client, or if you’ve taken classes with me before (aka I know you) please just email us at: Team@AndreaGuevara.com to ask any questions or set up your call.
“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”
FAQs
How do I know if it’s the right time for me to start?
I’ve created some quick videos for you. Check ’em out:
What is Branding (really)?
First, let’s define Personal Brand
A personal brand is your professional persona made up of a variety of elements, including, but not limted to: your body of work, your name, your logo, color scheme, social profiles, personality, business practices, professional experience, values, what you stand for.
Branding
is simply the self-knowledge, customer knowledge, strategy, planning, and actions that go into crafting a brand and then how it interacts with the world.
How is this different than other author marketing programs?
I can’t speak for others, but when you work with me you get the best methods and tools used by successful entrepreneurs and brands adapted to the specifics of the publishing world. You get insightful plans for how to take more control of your career.
In short, you get the tools and methods that no one else is teaching right now.
Plus you get me, 😉 someone who has one foot in the entrepreneurial world and one foot in the publishing world. Because I originally came into the writing world as an outsider, I’m not stuck in the old ways. Because I work with authors, agents, publicists, publishers, and book coaches every day, I also have an insider understanding of the industry.
I’m on a mission to change this industry for the better, from the inside, by giving authors (including those on the margins!), the best tools and insights to help them build a career in a way that sets them up for success and gets their publishers excited too.
How is branding different than marketing?
Marketing brings short-term sales.
I like to say that marketing is like dating around, or a one-night stand. You’re just looking to seal the deal. Branding is like doing the work you need to do to attract and keep your soul mate, and live a life of mutually beneficial partnership.
Branding builds careers.
Plus branding is more fun, more insightful, and builds the foundation you need to do whatever you want moving forward. A personal brand is like a human being, ever-evolving (hopefully) yet the core of whom you know.
While Branding is the focus, marketing tactics, planning, and implementation is a priority in this program as well. They work in hand-in-hand.
Why is a 6-month commitment required?
Hey I know that sounds like a lot, but here’s the deal. There is no magic wand I can waive that will magically set you up for success in a week, or month. Could you cover some serious ground in just 3 months? Sure.* But the thing is life happens–almost no one gets things done as fast as they think–and I want to make sure you’re successful. Six months gives you a chance to learn what you need, implement, get feedback, etc. and move the needle. Plus, if you know that you and your peers are in it for at least 6 months, you know you have a solid (screened) set of folks who are there to help you.
We’re in this together, to change your career, to make an impact, and shift things. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Give me 6 months, commit to doing your part, and you’ll see the change.
*If you need your brand launched (or fixed) that’s possible with this program as well. Let’s say for intance, you want to launch in 4 months. Great. Launch at month 4 and then you’ll have two more months of support post-launch.
Also, if you need everything done and want more hands-on help, in less than 6 months my full-service offerings may be a better fit for you.
Are guest speakers paid?
Yes! It’s our standard practice to pay our guest speakers. We make every effort to pay them their full speaking rate because we value their time and insights. And that’s part of what participants’ monthly payments go toward (amazing speakers!). In rare cases, some speakers prefer not to be paid.