I can hear you now. “An author website is a pain in the ass! Do I really need one?”
No. You can stop reading. Just kidding. Keep reading!
Are you an author looking to expand your reach and connect with readers? Do you want to establish yourself as a credible and professional writer in your genre? Look no further than creating a website! A nice site. Not a link tree or similar. Yuck. In today’s digital age, having a website is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for authors who want to grow their audience and succeed in the competitive world of publishing.
Yeah, I get you may not be technical, and it seems like a royal pain. It’s worth it.
Your Online Hub
Think of your website as the central hub of your online presence. It’s where readers (and potential readers) can find you, learn about your work, and connect with you on a deeper level. A website is more than just a digital business card; it’s a platform where you can showcase your writing, share your story, and build a community of loyal fans.
Why You Need a Website
So, why is a website so essential for authors? Here are just a few reasons:
- Establish Credibility: A professional website immediately establishes you as a credible and serious writer. It shows that you’re committed to your craft and willing to invest time and effort into building your brand.
- Increase Visibility: A website makes it easy for readers to find you online. With a website, you can optimize your content for search engines, making it more likely that readers will stumble upon your work when searching for topics related to your genre.
- Connect with Readers: A website provides a platform for you to connect with readers and build a community around your work. You can share updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and exclusive content that will keep readers engaged and eager for more.
- Promote Your Work: A website is the perfect place to showcase your writing and promote your books. You can share excerpts, reviews, and testimonials, making it easy for readers to discover and purchase your work.
The Importance of Owning Your List
But, having a website is not enough. It’s also crucial to own your list of people who have shown interest in your work. What does this mean? It means that you have a database of email addresses from readers who have opted-in to receive updates from you. This list is gold, and it’s essential to own it.
Why You Shouldn’t Rely on Platforms
You may be thinking, “But, I have a huge following on social media, and I can just use that to reach my readers.” Or, “I’m on Amazon, and they have all my reader information.” But, here’s the thing: when you rely on platforms like social media or Amazon, you’re putting your reader list in someone else’s hands.
- Platforms Can Change: Social media algorithms can change overnight, making it harder for your posts to reach your followers. Amazon can change its policies, affecting how you connect with readers.
- Platforms Can Close: Remember MySpace? It was once the largest social media platform in the world, but it’s now a ghost town. If you had built your entire author platform on MySpace, you would have lost all your followers when it closed.
- You Lose Control: When you rely on platforms, you lose control over your reader list. You can’t decide how to communicate with them, what content to share, or how to build a relationship with them.
Building Your List
So, how do you build your list? Here are a few tips:
- Create a Lead Magnet: Offer a free resource, like a short story or a writing guide, in exchange for readers’ email addresses.
- Use Opt-In Forms: Add opt-in forms to your website, so readers can easily sign up for your newsletter.
- Provide Value: Share exclusive content, insights, and updates that will keep readers engaged and eager for more. My personal favorites on author sites are character backgrounds, illustrations of things and places, and pronunciation guides.
- Keep Adding: A website is not a “once and done” thing. It needs new stuff. This is to keep people coming back, and also you will be in a better position in search results if you add fresh stuff.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, having a website is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for authors who want to grow their audience and succeed in the competitive world of publishing. But, it’s not enough to just have a website. You need to own your list of people who have shown interest in your work. By building your list and owning your platform, you’ll be able to connect with readers, promote your work, and build a loyal community of fans. So, what are you waiting for? Create your website and start building your list today!
The Sell
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