Quote Cards: 3 Best Hack to Boost Visibility
“You don’t have to shout to be heard. You just need to speak clearly and consistently.”— Ann Handley, author of Everybody Writes
As a new indie author navigating the self-publishing world, building an audience and establishing your author brand can feel like a full-time job. You know you need to post on social media, share your insights, and grow your email list, but how about doing it all while writing your next book? That’s overwhelming. The good news is that tools like quote cards can simplify your workflow, amplify your content, and help you engage with readers more meaningfully, all while saving you precious time.
In this writer’s guide, you’ll learn what quote cards are, how they work, and why they’re one of the most innovative book marketing strategies for indie authors.
Whether you want to improve your author branding, boost reader engagement, build social media content that resonates, or streamline your creative workflow, this writer’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll also include a breakdown of custom Canva layouts, tips for repurposing content, and actionable steps to make your quote cards stand out.
What Are Quote Cards?
Quote cards are visually engaging graphics that feature short, meaningful quotes. They usually include a background design or image and a brief statement or excerpt, often with attribution. Think of them as bite-sized content with enormous potential. Quote cards are commonly shared on platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Pinterest, and Facebook and even embedded in newsletters or blogs.
Quote cards can include:
- Inspiring writing advice
- Lines from your book
- Excerpts from blog posts
- Motivational quotes from others (with credit)
They allow you to stay visible, provide value, and showcase your voice without needing to create long-form content every time you show up online.
Why Quote Cards Matter for New Indie Authors
Quote cards are powerful tools because they hit three important marks:
- They build visibility. Visually appealing, short-form content is easy to share, making it more likely your work gets seen.
- They reinforce your brand. Using consistent fonts, colors, and tone makes your quote cards instantly recognizable.
- They provide value. A great quote or tip can inspire, teach, or resonate with your readers in seconds.
Here’s a practical example: You write a blog post, “How I Stay Focused During My Writing Sprints.” Pull a strong line from the post “Group similar tasks together saving time, energy, and creative bandwidth.” Turn it into a quote card and share it on Instagram. That single card drives traffic back to your blog, expands your reach, and strengthens your message.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
While quote cards are simple to create, a few missteps can limit their impact:
- Using too much text: Keep it short and scannable. Ideally, 1–3 sentences max.
- Lack of contrast: Choose backgrounds and fonts that are easy to read at a glance.
- Inconsistent branding: Using random colors, fonts, or layouts can confuse your audience. Stick to your author brand.
- No CTA: Add a gentle call to action in the caption or description (e.g., “Read more in today’s blog” or “See full post via link in bio”).
Three Custom Layouts to Reuse in Canva
To help you batch and reuse your quote cards easily, here are three customizable layout ideas you can replicate in Canva:
Layout 1: Minimalist Bold Centerpiece
Style: Clean, modern, high-impact
Best For: Standout quotes or stats
Design Tips:
- Background: Solid or soft gradient (e.g., cream, navy, teal)
- Fonts: Bold serif for the quote (Playfair Display), simple sans serif for attribution (Montserrat)
- Layout: Centered quote with author name below and a subtle accent line for balance
Layout 2: Image Overlay with Dimmed Background
Style: Elegant and warm
Best For: Emotional or inspirational quotes
Design Tips:
- Background: Dimmed photo or abstract scene
- Quote Text: White or light font on a semi-transparent dark overlay
- Attribution: Italicized, placed at the bottom corner
Layout 3: Split Layout (Vertical or Horizontal)
Style: Structured and branded
Best For: Educational or blog-based quotes
Design Tips:
- Left/Top: Color block or brand pattern
- Right/Bottom: Quote with attribution
- Optional: Add your logo or website subtly in the corner
These layouts are easy to customize and help maintain visual consistency across platforms.
How to Turn a Quote Into a Card
You can use quotes from your own content or select from inspiring authors. Here’s a real example from this guide:
To create a quote card:
- Open Canva and choose a square layout (1080×1080 px).
- Select a background color or photo.
- Insert the quote text in a bold font.
- Add attribution in a smaller font below.
- Export and post on your platform of choice.
For even more inspiration, you can reuse quotes from famous authors like Stephen R. Covey, Mel Robbins, or David Allen (always credit the source).
When and Where to Use Quote Cards
Quote cards can become part of your regular content rotation. Use them to:
- Fill in gaps between major announcements
- Support blog posts, podcasts, or newsletters
- Share memorable lines from your books
- Tease your upcoming launch with character quotes or themes
You can post:
- On social media: Weekly or bi-weekly as part of your content calendar
- In email newsletters: As a visual hook at the top or bottom of a message
- On your blog: To highlight key points from a post
- In lead magnets or downloads: To make them visually rich and shareable
Wrapping It Up: Your Action Plan
Quote cards aren’t fluff—they’re smart, strategic assets for building your author brand. When designed intentionally, they help your audience connect with your message quickly and consistently. They allow you to be present online without constantly creating new long-form content.
Your next steps:
- Select 3–5 of your best quotes (from blogs, books, or social posts).
- Choose a Canva layout from the options above.
- Design your first batch of quote cards.
- Schedule them using Buffer, Later, or Meta Business Suite.
- Monitor engagement and refine based on what resonates.
Over time, you’ll have a library of branded, evergreen content that works for you, boosting your visibility, reinforcing your voice, and helping you reach more readers, one quote at a time.
We hope you found these writer’s guide strategies helpful and inspiring. They’re intended to provide the necessary tools and insights to succeed as an indie author.
For more guidance, see other writer’s guides, such as Engaging AI-Generated Content: 6 Secrets or AI Empowers New Indie Authors: 5 Best Hacks.
If you have a draft and want to explore how AI can help you self-publish it, read, Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? Lastly, for help writing a non-fiction book, read Write Your First Non-Fiction eBook: a 30-Day Workbook for Getting It Done.
Writing is an ongoing adventure that involves continuous learning and improvement. You don’t have to go through this alone. We are excited to accompany you every step of the way, providing you with support and motivation. Our goal is to give you the necessary knowledge and practical advice to confidently navigate the world of writing.
Don’t wait. Start today! How can we help? To let us know, please fill out our Contact form. Happy writing!
FAQs
Here are a few frequently asked questions to help expand your understanding of how quote cards can support your author brand. These questions dive deeper into areas offering practical insights to strengthen your use of this strategy.
Can I reuse the same quote card across multiple platforms?
Answer:
Yes, and you should. Reposting a quote card across X, Instagram, Facebook, and your newsletter allows you to maximize its reach with minimal extra effort. Be sure to adjust the caption or context to fit each platform’s tone or audience expectations.
How do I choose which quotes are “good enough” for a quote card?
Answer:
Strong quote card material is short, clear, and emotionally or intellectually impactful. Look for lines that inspire, teach, provoke curiosity, or reinforce your brand voice. If a line makes you pause, nod, or smile, it’s probably quote card worthy.
How many quote cards should I aim to create at once?
Answer:
Start with a small batch, about 3 to 5 cards per session, which is manageable for most new indie authors. This allows you to test which types of quotes and designs resonate most with your audience before committing to a more extensive series or content campaign.
Should I include hashtags or links with quote cards when posting?
Answer:
Yes, but keep them platform-appropriate. Use 2–5 relevant hashtags on Instagram or X to help with discovery. You can add a link to your latest blog post, freebie, or book in captions or comments. But avoid cluttering the image itself with text.
How can I keep my quote card designs from getting repetitive?
Answer:
Use a few consistent layout templates and rotate them while varying the background colors, imagery, or icons. This keeps your visual branding cohesive without feeling stale. Also, consider alternating between author quotes, book lines, writing tips, and blog snippets to keep the content fresh.