Help for authors timid about technology
If you build it they won’t come. The only way to get people to visit your author website is to give them something they are looking for. But what is that?
This article summarizes research done by the Codex Group about what readers want from author websites.
1. Exclusive Content
43% of respondents to the Codex Group Survey want exclusive online content.
This is an untapped goldmine. Provide special goodies exclusively on your site and watch your visits blast off. Give them fun stuff they would be willing to pay for. MP3′s short stories, whole books. Go crazy.
Seth Godin gives more stuff away for free on his blog than most other authors. He also sells more books than most other authors. He gives stuff away on his blog only to his blog readers. He has no “goodies” page.
2. Your Speaking Schedule
36% want speaking schedules, book signings, and appearances.
This is really true, particularly for guys. I check Mark Cahill’s website often just to see if he is coming to Texas. Posting your speaking schedule can also increase your appeal as a speaker. If event planners know you bring your own crowd they will be willing to pay you more.
3. Recommended Books
36% want to see recommended books; “explainers,” or inside information about the book.
This is also a great way to make a little extra money on the side since amazon will give you a commission on any book sales you refer using their affiliate program. Garr Reynolds does book recommendations well. He doesn’t just recommend a book, he explains the gist of the book visually. He also has a list of recommended books along the right side of his site.
4. Book News
33% want weekly e-mail news bulletins with updates on tours, reviews, and books in progress.
Let your website visitors feel like they are on the “in crowd”; they get to know about stuff first and get special perks by visiting your website.
5. Your Contact Information
Nothing is more frustrating for readers than to digg up an author’s website only to not be able to contact that author. Setup an email address just for getting reader feedback. The practice of corresponding with readers is centuries old. C.S. Lewis used to spend hours hand-writing responses to his readers’ letters. If he can do that, the least you can do is give people your email.
5. Your Social Networking Information
Are you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? Make sure to include buttons so that your readers can connect to you on those networks.
6. Good Photos
People don’t want to see lots of plain text when they come to your site. They also don’t want to see that snapshot your husband took of you in the back yard. You don’t need photos of you necessarily but you need photos of something. Use photos that relate to your topic. Get some professional photos of yourself.
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You are right,but the site owners need also a good SEO and SEM
thanks great info
Good tips. I'd love for anyone whose seen this to take a look at my site and tell me what you think. The link is TheSarahAndresonIdentity.com
My recent post Welcome to my site!
good post. especially the last point about photos. a professional headshot works best
My recent post Compelling Readability
i was for searching for some content to be written in my assignment and yahoo result brought me to this page!
thanks so much for writing.. this is exactly what i was looking for the assignment!
thanks
Thanks for the tips. My site needs new paint, so this was a timely find. Take care.
psst. you spelled husband wrong under Good Photos
My site needs structure and this list fits that bill! Thanks for posting it!
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