If You’re a Bookish Creator, You Need to Start Diversifying ASAP
In a recent article, I wrote about how partnership offers in the book space are much lower than the industry standard, which makes it difficult for book creators to establish a sustainable career in content creation. While the book space offers the opportunity to grow quickly, getting locked down in one niche limits the potential of landing partnerships that offer fair rates.
The solution? Make you the niche. Here are four content areas to help you start branching out while still keeping it bookish.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Beauty
Beauty content performs extremely well, and beauty brands often have big budgets.
Talk books while getting ready
As you share your monthly reading wrap or hop on virtually any book trend, simultaneously do a beauty routine and incorporate your favorite products.
Book-inspired looks
Create a makeup look inspired by a character, book, or genre. Think dramatic and moody for gothic novels, a series of looks for first dates if you read romance, or a soft look for reading in the park on a fall afternoon.
Fashion
Fashion content offers potential for affiliate links, although several clothing brands start by offering gifts instead of paid collabs.
Dark Academia-Inspired Outfits
The perfect idea for fall: create a dark academia capsule wardrobe and make references to your favorite dark academia books.
Book-Inspired Outfits
Create an outfit inspired by a particular character, series, or genre. Take, for example, this outfit I created for The Crowns of Nyaxia series.
Wellness & Fitness
Wellness is one of the fastest-growing spaces on social media. If you are interested in the area but you don’t have the proper qualifications to share wellness advice, you might share your personal journey while emphasizing that it is your own.
Heroine-Inspired Outfits
If you have fitness expertise, a series of workouts inspired by fantasy FMCs is sure to gain traction. If you don’t have the qualifications, you can share your personal fitness routines and include a voiceover where you reference books (ex: “Today we’re going rock climbing, aka training for the gauntlet).”
FMC-Inspired Wellness Routines
Share your sleep, mindfulness, or gentle exercise routine by creating a series where you showcase how connecting with your favorite characters has encouraged you to take care of yourself (ex: “Violet would want us to take care of ourselves so we’re starting with our sleep hygiene).”
Movies & Television
Entertainment companies tend to have a lot to offer in terms of brand partnerships, and creators often get invited to premiers.
Assign Books to the Characters in Your Favorite Shows/Movies
There are so many popular TV shows that this idea can work for, from White Lotus to Gilmore Girls to Love Island.
Book-to-Screen Adaptation News & Reviews
So many books are being adapted to screen, so this is the perfect opportunity to start reviewing movies or sharing predictions about how the on-screen adaptations will differ from the original work.
Final Thoughts and Considerations
Trying new types of content can be taxing, so I suggest slowly diversifying over a period of several weeks. As you move into new content areas, your engagement may dip temporarily, but you will also gain new audience members who are excited about what you offer.
Upcoming Articles
Stay tuned for my upcoming posts on the SJM licensing situation and routes to monetizing your content!