From
time to time I like to share with fellow authors, especially new authors, the
things that I have learned on my publishing journey. One of the things I have
learned is the importance of having a website. A website is important for many
reasons, one of them being that having a home base with all your pertinent
information in one place is helpful for fans, potential customers, and media.
So with that in mind, here are the top ten things that should be found on your
author website.
Home
Page- Every
author website should begin with a home page. This is the landing page for
everyone who stops by and it is also the page where you make your first and
hopefully best impression. Be sure to include your name, the name of your site,
and your branding message. In other words, what do you stand for as a writer,
what do you promote, what can people expect from you. My branding message is
"Kids Who Read Can Do Anything". This not only lets my readers know
that I promote children's literacy, but it also lets them know how important I think
good reading skills are for children's future success.
Bio- Every author website should have an
interesting biography because lets face it, people are a curious lot. Readers
want to know about the authors whose books they find intriguing. They want to
know where you live, what other hobbies you have, and what makes you tick. This
helps them to connect to you on a personal level and when people feel connected
they are more likely to care and share!
Book
List & Synopsis-
Readers need to know what books you have available and what each book is about.
A brief synopsis of your book or books gives them a taste of your writing
style, allows them to see what genres you write in, and if well written, will
wet their appetites. This is also the place to add the covers of your book or
books because we all know a picture is worth a thousand words.
Easy To
Find Contact Info-
Contact information is a key ingredient. Fans want you to be accessible and the
media don't want to have to dig for information if they are interested in you
and your product. I usually make my mailing address available for those readers
wishing to send me letters or pictures; each which fills me with delight
when it arrives.
Reviews
and Interviews-
Reviews and Interviews are an authors credibility builders. They show possible
customers that there is an established audience for the work. People are leery
to read books by authors of whom they have never heard and generally wish to
see recommendations before making a decision of their own. Make note that links
to reviews and interviews should always be made to appear in a separate window
so that potential fans remain on your site until they choose to leave.
Availability-
Today's customers
like everything they come across to be user friendly and nothing turns them off
as quickly as a site that doesn't allow them to effortlessly find what they are
looking for. Links to the various places that your book/books are available
should be assembled in one easy to find place. And similar to review and interview
links, they should be made to appear in separate windows.
Events
Page- Now
that you are a published author, you want to connect with the public and this
is the page that allows you to do just that. This is the page where you share
your projects such as an upcoming book, a book launch, a contest or promotion,
book signings, and any speaking engagements. People want to know what you are
doing and where can meet you in person, so be sure to keep this page up to
date.
Current
Picture- As
stated earlier, people are a curious lot. Not only do they want
to feel that they know all about you, they also want to know what you look
like. The more people recognize you from your picture, the more people will
remember you; the more people remember you, the more likely they are to share
with others about you and your work. This another great way to build
credibility.
Added
Value Content- Added
value content are pages that draw the reader back over and over again, pages
that show the reader that you are not totally self absorbed, pages that offer
the reader something of value.Value content can be almost anything you think
your target audience would be interested in. My audience consists primarily of
mothers of children from six to twelve; I, therefore, offer pages introducing
other great children's books that I recommend, craft sites, recipes, safe sites
for kids, etc...
A Call
To Action- And last
but not least, you need a call to action. A call to action is exactly what you
want your visitors to do before leaving your site. As an author, I have two
things I want my visitors to do before they leave. I want them to comment on
what they think about my site, and I want them to buy my book. On my home page
I state that I would like people to look around, find something useful, and
then leave me a comment about the site. Underneath this statement I have placed
a comment box for them to do this. I have also placed, on several pages, small
"buy now" buttons that are linked to my book's Amazon page.These
buttons make it easy for people to go right to the point of sale.
And
there my friends you have a list of what content should be in an authors
website. Signing off for now with wishes for a bright and beautiful day!
Reprinted with permission by Aileen Stewart from Aileen's Thoughts
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