by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I remember when I first decided to go online and set up a website. I was reluctant to do it because of ‘imposter syndrome‘. I also had no idea what I was doing and it ended up being a one-page deal that didn’t have the information it should have had on it. I don’t think anyone actually visited it.
Writer and writing coach/consultant Dan Blank recently addressed the imposter syndrome part of the equation, stating that “many people are nervous about claiming their identity as writers. ” He also said that the tech aspect of the chore may make some writers procrastinate setting up a site.
The setup and the ‘why’ aspect of websites for writers is something I’m not planning on covering in this post, but you can find very helpful information from industry expert Jane Friedman in her articles:
3 Reasons to Have a Website if You’re Unpublished
Building an Author Website on WordPress: How to Start Smart
and
Before You Launch Your Author Website: How to Avoid Long-Term Mistakes
If you want to set up an author website of your own, here are what I consider to be the basics that your site should cover:
Homepage: A page that quickly sums it all up. Who you are, your genre, the cover of the book you’re currently promoting (if you’re published), and maybe snippets of your best reviews. I’d also include a newsletter signup link because the sooner you start collecting emails, the easier it is. I use MailChimp, which is free for up to 2,000 subscribers. If you’re not published, a simple bio, photo, and note about what you write and are currently working on would work well. I’d still include a newsletter signup on the page since it won’t do any harm and will give you a head start when you do get published.
Who you are more in depth (About Me). This is where you post your author bio. I think a headshot is a bonus and can also help readers connect with you as a person.
How to contact you (Contact Me). Sometimes I go to these pages and find only a contact form. At least the author offers a way to contact them, but it would also be great to find social media links providing information for finding the author online.
What you write (Books). It’s best to list a genre so that readers have more of a sense of what exactly you’re writing. If you’re unpublished, this could be the genre of your work in progress. I think it’s best to be as specific as possible with genre. There are many types of mysteries, for example, so I list that I write ‘cozy mysteries’ so that a reader knows exactly what to expect (i.e, not a thriller).
If you want to have only a couple of pages on your site (if you’re currently unpublished, for example), you could have the ‘about me’, ‘what you write’, and the newsletter link on your home page and the contact info (email, social media links) on a separate page.
If you have an established online presence, what do you recommend for a first website? Or, if you’re new, do you have any questions?
Author Website Basics: Click To TweetPhoto on Visualhunt
I never thought to put the newsletter on the first page. I guess it’s time to refresh the web page!
It’s one of those things readers look for, for sure! Hope you have a great weekend. :)
My blog is my website. I do have an author page and a page for each of my books. No headshot so no bonus though.
Wish more writers listed a way to contact them though.
The contact info is so important and it’s amazing how many writers don’t include it!
I’ve realized this week that trying to set up an author website is different than just getting my blog going. These are great tips and links. And I’m with Alex, I wish more writers (and bloggers) listed a way to contact with them. I’m amazed at the number of sites I’ve been to that don’t even have the contact form. Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth.
Me, too! I frequently want to share a writer’s blog post on Twitter and (even if they have a profile there), so often they don’t link their Twitter handle.
You’ve outlined so well what author websites need, Elizabeth. Readers want them to be informative and easy to negotiate. I think they also want author sites that include easy links for book blurbs and purchases.
Very good point…and to see the latest releases.
A page with upcoming events is also a good idea so fans know where to find you in person.
That’s a good addition, for sure!
Besides mentioning the newsletter on the home page, I have a separate dedicated page for it. That way I can send someone a link and the purpose is obvious, rather than just a link to the home page.
What NOT to do: a separate website for each book. When I started writing nonfiction I’d been a web developer for years so putting together a site was easy. That got old real quick, and didn’t make marketing sense. Your site should be about you as an author, not primarily about your books.
Hate it when I forget to follow the comments.
Very good point–*we’re* the brand, not our books. :) Hope you have a good weekend, Joel!
Great timing for me! I’ve been putting together a website in the last few weeks (not live yet). I have almost everything covered (I hope!), but didn’t think about the newsletter! Thanks for the reminder :)
Glad to help and good luck with the website, Jemi!
Thanks for these timely tips, Elizabeth. Website best practices are changing all the time, as is the publishing industry, so it’s best to consider your site a living, breathing entity that needs periodic attention. Neglect it at your own peril!
You are so right! I have a reminder on my calendar to update my site on a regular basis. It’s one of those things that’s easy to forget about!
Hi Elizabeth – once again … a really helpful overview of the necessities to remember, and I’ve noted the extras via the comments. Thanks so much … have a good Mother’s Day weekend – cheers Hilary
Thanks so much, Hilary! Hope you have a wonderful one, too. :)
I plan on putting together a dedicated author website sometime in the next 6 months (I hope) so I thank you for these tips. Just one item in a long list of things to do.
Glad to help! And good luck with the site. :)