Crafting Your Author Brand: Insights from Bob Gentle

In this conversation, Bob Gentle joins the show to dive deep into the art and strategy of building a powerful leadership brand - whether you're an author, an entrepreneur, or someone simply wanting to be more intentional about your impact.Key Topics Covered:Personal Brand vs. Leadership Brand:Bob Gentle explains the difference between the brand we accumulate organically and the brand we build intentionally to lead others.Mindset Blocks on the Journey:Imposter syndrome is called out as a natural part of stepping beyond your comfort zone. Bob Gentle shares helpful ways to reframe it as a beacon for growth rather than an alarm. Other common challenges include the belief that your perspective isn’t unique, and how to overcome that.The Power of Your Story and Perspective:You don’t need to be “extraordinary” for your life to be interesting to others. Bob Gentle and Valerie Morris discuss how stories, personal quirks, and daily realities can build connection—whether you have goats in Colorado or an apartment in Glasgow!Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe:Why authenticity (and a touch of storytelling creativity) goes a long way in attracting the right audience, and how building a “three-dimensional” relationship through content is key.Personal Branding & Character Development:Bob Gentle suggests thinking of yourself as a character, and how appropriate filters and emphasis are necessary depending on the social (or virtual) situation.Choosing Your Content Channels:There’s no one-size-fits-all, whether it’s TikTok, LinkedIn, or something else, the most sustainable platform is the one that aligns with your energy and skill set.Repetition & Strategy:The importance of talking about your book (or project) repeatedly—algorithms and attention spans demand it! But don’t be a one-trick pony; balance content about your book with other buckets of value.Turning Your Book into an Ecosystem:A successful book is just the beginning. Bob Gentle encourages authors to create ways for readers to enter their broader ecosystem, ensuring the book becomes a business asset, not just a calling card.Thinking Bigger Than Your Book:Don’t limit yourself to a single offering; your book can open doors to opportunities at every rung of the value ladder.Best Quotes:"Imposter syndrome is the natural consequence of being on the edge of your comfort zone, of doing things differently, of perhaps trying to be seen as a leader in some way (...) It's what it costs to do what other people won't do."“Imposter syndrome is the natural companion of a leader.”“If you want people to know you in three dimensions, we need to give them structured windows to look in through.”“We need to approach building our personal brand very similar to the way that an actor would play a role.”Whether you’re penning your first draft or launching your next book, your brand is more than a logo—it’s your story, your energy, and the intentional connections you create. Don’t hold yourself back; start building your leadership brand with purpose!Guest Info:Bob Gentle is a leader in personal and leadership branding, working with authors, professionals, and businesses to market and monetize their unique message. He’s active on several books and is known for delivering concise wisdom that sparks transformation.Connect with Bob Gentle:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobgentle/)Bob's Work (https://amplifyme.agency/)Connect with Valerie MorrisBooks: We're All Ears: How to increase your impact, influence, and success online in a noisy worldLinkedIn: Weekly posts and updates from Valerie MorrisReserve your domain name or set up website hosting for your author website ​here​.Build your own marketing plan for your book launch with the ​Book Marketing Blueprint​.Rock your next interview with ​this guide​!