Blum — Branding and Marketing for Authors

Led by creative strategist Kelly Utt, Blum is dedicated to transforming your author business into an unforgettable brand. Our suite of services is tailored to ensure that your products and services not only reach but resonate with your audience, leaving a lasting impact.

WHAT WE DO

Spearheaded by Kelly Utt, a Squarespace Specialist as recognized by Squarespace itself, our team is dedicated to offering a comprehensive suite of branding and marketing services tailored for the literary world.

From the foundational task of naming — be it your business, your next book, or an entire series — to the creative endeavors of logo and identity design, we cover every aspect of branding to ensure your presence is felt both online and off. Our expertise doesn't stop there. We excel in crafting compelling copy and designing elegant, user-friendly Squarespace and Shopify websites that embody the essence of your author brand.

Let us guide you through the journey of defining and refining your brand, ensuring it speaks directly to your audience with clarity, creativity, and impact.

SERVICES AND PRICING

Squarespace Web Design: As a Squarespace Specialist, Kelly leads our web design service, creating elegant, user-friendly websites that showcase your author brand and work. Our expertise ensures your site is not only visually appealing but also optimized for engagement and discoverability. Pricing begins at $3,520.00 for a 5-10 page website built on the Squarespace platform.

Naming: A crucial step in branding, our naming service helps you find the perfect name for your business, book, or series. This foundational aspect sets the tone for your brand's identity and market presence. Pricing begins at $355.00 for a single book title (you will receive multiple recommended options to choose from).

Logo and Identity Design: We create distinctive logos and visual identities that reflect the essence of your brand. Our designs are not just symbols but stories encapsulated in visual form, ensuring your brand stands out. Pricing begins at $685.00 for logo design.

Copywriting: From website content to promotional materials, our copywriting service crafts compelling narratives that engage your audience, reflect your voice, and enhance your brand's messaging. Pricing varies, depending on scope of project.

Each of these services is tailored to meet the unique needs of authors and literary professionals, ensuring your brand not only resonates with your target audience but also stands the test of time in a competitive marketplace.

Additional services including Shopify web design, social media strategy and management, book formatting, and book cover design may be available upon request as part of a larger branding and marketing effort. Email kelly@kellyutt.com to discuss your particular needs.

 

WHO WE ARE

Blum is founded and led by Kelly Utt.

Kelly is a novelist and creative strategist who has collaborated on and developed a number of interesting projects which have helped grow the reputation and audience for both her own ventures and those of her clients.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and she studied graduate-level Interactive Media and Communications at Quinnipiac University. Over the course of her career, she has enjoyed telling the stories of small businesses and their founders.

Most recently, Kelly turned her attention to the entertainment industry and to writing meaningful, emotional stories like the ones she likes to read and watch. She has published 22 independent novels under 3 pen names, and she considers the indie publishing world her heart. Since 2018, she has managed all aspects of production and promotion of her books and her author brand, including web design, social media management, email newsletters, scheduled promotions, events, and contracting with collaborators for outsourced tasks such as cover design and editing.

Drawing on her rich background in consulting for small businesses and managing her own successful author career, Kelly Utt brings a unique blend of skills to Blum. Her experience in nurturing small business growth through strategic storytelling and brand development, combined with her hands-on knowledge of the indie publishing landscape, positions her perfectly to offer unparalleled author services. Kelly's dual expertise allows her to understand the challenges and opportunities authors face, not just from a business perspective, but as an author herself. By merging her business acumen with her personal journey through indie publishing, Kelly offers a comprehensive, empathetic approach to author branding and marketing that is designed to elevate authors' careers to new heights. This blend of experiences fuels Blum's mission to support authors at every stage of their journey, ensuring their stories reach and resonate with the widest audience possible.

Kelly is the principal consultant at Blum, guiding each project with her visionary approach and hands-on expertise. However, recognizing the unique needs of each author's journey, she occasionally collaborates with a curated network of creative professionals. This tailored approach ensures that each client project benefits from specialized skills, precisely as required.

Kelly lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and sons.

Testimonials and references available upon request.

 

WORKING VIRTUALLY

At Blum, we understand the importance of flexibility and accessibility in today’s digital world. That’s why we offer our consultations and services virtually via Zoom, ensuring that no matter if you’re located just down the street or across the country, collaborating with us is seamless and efficient.

Working virtually allows us to connect with you wherever you are, providing the same level of personalized support and strategic guidance without the constraints of physical distance. This approach not only broadens our ability to serve clients everywhere but also fits into your schedule and lifestyle with ease. Let’s leverage the power of technology to bring your branding and marketing goals to life, wherever you may be. 

OUR PROCESS 

At Blum, our process is designed to ensure a personalized and efficient collaboration from the very start. Here's how we work together to bring your vision to life:

  1. Initial Inquiry: Your journey with us begins with a simple email inquiry. Reach out to share your interest, and we'll take the first step together.

  2. Creative Brief: Upon receiving your inquiry, we'll send you a creative brief to fill out. This brief is crucial as it helps us understand your needs, goals, and the unique aspects of your project. By capturing your vision in detail, we can tailor our services to match your specific requirements.

  3. Discussion and Pricing: Once we've reviewed your completed creative brief, we'll schedule a discussion to dive deeper into your project parameters and outline our proposed approach. This conversation is also where we'll discuss pricing, ensuring transparency and alignment with your budget and expectations.

  4. Noncancelable Services: It's important to note that once our service begins, it is noncancelable. We commit our resources, time, and expertise fully to each project from the start, dedicating ourselves to delivering the highest quality service and results for our clients.

By following this process, we ensure that every project is approached with a customized strategy and a clear understanding of outcomes, aligning our expertise with your vision for success.

Let's start the journey to elevate your brand and make your mark in the world. Email kelly@kellyutt.com.