As a book reader and a blogger most of my non reading and non blogging time go to stalking visiting websites related to books, especially those of authors. I am sure we all have that special author(s) whom we can’t get enough of on their social media and would love to know more, even when they tweet almost every other day. The solution? The author website.
The case is particularly true for an indie or self published writer. In fact every time I get an book to review from a new author I immediately hop to the internet to check out their website. Not just to get a feel about the book but also to know more about the author and their writing style. I wouldn’t wanna miss out reading an author who has an interesting blog or website.
Of course you might think ‘why do I need an author website?’ especially when you are already screaming about your book and yourself on your social media accounts.
1) Your author website is a platform that you own
It doesn’t matter if your book was published traditionally or it is independent, it has become mandatory to put yourself out there as an author and make some noise. It can be through your tweets or your virtual book tours or any other medium you choose. But the bottom line is that authors are expected to be more than just writers.
You can ask ‘I am active on social media. Do I need another website separately?’ Yes. You do.
Every author, published traditionally or otherwise needs a website. Your social accounts are not owned or controlled by you. You don’t own them, even though you spend time to build and nurture your domain and followers on them. Any change in their policies will affect you directly.
Therefore, the author website should be the place where all your accounts point out to. It is the one stop shop for any details about you and promotion of your book(s). It might be self hosted or free, but it is essentially a hub where you can convert your subscribers into your fans.
2) Your author website builds your personal branding
A website you own should be the hub of all your internet activities. The website plays a main part of the image that you want to portray on to your readers. Right from your image on your author bio to the comments that you leave on others’ websites forms part of that brand.
With a self hosted website you can have professional looking email id like ‘hello@authordomain.com’ which will make you appear more professional. Your website should also include the details about your book (obviously), press release and media kit that conform to your brand image. Add a FAQ section to help your readers know more about you.
3) Your author website aides your growth
While your social accounts may be your place to talk about your current book and its promotion, your website should be the place that talks about you. It displays both your current book and everything else that you have already written or are writing.
More often than you know, many authors start with a book and end up writing a series. The website thus might become more than ‘read about my book here’ to ‘learn more about my writing here’. Get talking about your characters, your plot direction and engage more fans – all on your own space.
4) Your author website acts as your sales funnel
Remember your website is your very own space. So use it creatively and effectively. You can help your readers to browse your book(s) by adding a blurb or two. It needn’t be the same as you have in your Amazon or other seller’s site. Let them know how to buy your books and leave them direct links.
Some more ideas to spruce up your website and help your marketing:
- Make it easy for your readers to find you on the internet by showing off your social accounts.
- Some authors even add a shopping cart to help them purchase the book without leaving their site.
- Ask them to sign up for your newsletters and notifications about book tours, new works, launch party or even reading events.
- You can call for even beta readers among your fans, though you are using a professional reader as well.
- Post some sample chapters to create some interest and engagement.
- Share one liners from your reviews.
5) You decide what and when you want to update
Some authors might be reluctant to have an author website because they might have to update it frequently. Sure it is true that you have to update it once in a while, but you don’t have to blog there regularly.
I totally agree that most of my favorite authors are hard pressed for time and I would prefer them focusing on getting me the next book sooner to updating their blog about their dogs. (If you love blogging about your doggo, please do. I will be reading it with my eyes glistening. There are never too many doggo blogs.) It is definitely your choice to decide how many times you wanna blog in a month or year.
I know. I know I have made a word-y post and you are almost at the end and yet I have not shown you my favorite author websites. So here they are.
Some of my favorite author websites for inspiration:
Do not feel overwhelmed with all these websites. All we readers ask is a place to dig deeper about you and your books. So go ahead create a website right away.
Do you visit your favorite author’s website? Share us their link so that we will stalk them as well. What do you look for in them? If you are an author and you do have a website, leave a link and we will visit them. If you do not want to create one, tell us why. Let us talk.
It’s been a while since I’ve visited author websites for fun. I love some children’s authors’ websites for their creativity in engaging their visitors. For example, I love Cornelia Funke’s website (https://www.corneliafunke.com/en) and Neil Gaiman’s Mouse Circus (http://www.mousecircus.com/). The only YA author’s website that comes to mind is Cassandra Clare for the cool web design that fits the type of novels she writes.
Those two sites are catchy, especially for younger people.
I agree that a website is essential for an author. It just adds that layer of professionalism that makes a huge difference.
I am glad I got the point through.
Love this content and I definitely agree with you!
Thanks a lot!
Great advice. A website is an absolute must. I always check an author’s website when I hear about a book of theirs. I look to see what else they have done, what social media they are on, as well as any upcoming events or signings they may be doing.
That is absolutely true. I stalk many authors, esp indie ones for more updates and news. I love their posts about their personal lives even..
this is such a good read!cause people always think that writing and online writing are the same but ITS NOT! 🙂 thank you so much for sharing this!
Glad I was able to get that point across!
This is great. I am working on my first book and, though I already have my Ginger Mom blog, I was wondering if I should create a separate website for my authorly stuff. Very insightful post 🙂
I think it would be great to have a separate website. But if you want to convert your blog followers to your readers, you can use a section on this blog for your promotion, I guess.
I was just talking with someone regarding this same thing but with the added discussion of personal URLs. I finally had to put my point like this- a store does not rename itself based on the shopping center it’s in. There is the name of the shopping center and the name of the store. When you have a URL with the host’s name in it, it cannot focus just on you. I think a good website is the best ROI you can get for yourself.
Yes your argument makes more sense. It is worth to invest in your own domain for so many reasons.
I couldn’t agree with this more. I also think it’s not enough to ‘just’ have a website, it has to be good and updated.
I totally agree with you. But a website is a start!
Excellent points, I never stop to concern this
Glad you approve DJ!
Great advice, I found the examples of sites very helpful. 🙂
Glad you liked it.
Nice and thoughtful post. I do think that it is super helpful if authors have their own websites. This not only helps themselves but also to readers like us who, if want to know about other works of the authors, can get all the required info right there.
I’ll keep the note of this post to share in my monthly wrap-up 🙂
Thank Sim, it means a lot coming from someone I admire thoroughly!
You have made a valid point. If a author who I love has a website (particularly a blog) I subscribe to it so that I can read more of their work. I also end up sharing a lot of their posts. To that end it can be beneficial for authors to have a blog which is a little more work than a static webpage
Exactly, it would be great for the reader and the writer as well.
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This is a really good post! It has a lot of good points about needing an author page. I don’t visit many known authors pages, but I always look up self-published and indie author pages. It really tells me a lot about them. Love the cartoons!
Yes I love visiting the websites of Indie authors too. They talk so much about them as a person.
It’s good to see your blog post notifications frequently arrive in my mailbox. Keep going. Cheers! <3
Thanks a lot for your encouragement.
Not at all. Keep ’em coming 🙂
Nice post, this is really helpful. i am glad that you had the time to write this post..
Thanks Libby.
Thus is very thoughtful of you. What a great post. I love it. Noted all your tips.
Glad you like it.
Oh my gosh, that cartoon with god and the angel is just so good 😀
This is a really cool post! And although I don’t have much to say cause I’m super tired and it’s late, but this is a great post and I’ll be sharing it 🙂
You should catch up some sleep. Thanks for the share <3