How to Build a Welcoming Author Site

You wrote a novel! Now what? NaNoWriMo’s “Now What?” Months are here—this January and February, we’ll be helping you guide your novel through the revision and publishing process. Today, Sophie Walker, freelance editor , shares five things you should keep in mind when building an author platform:

You’ve written your 50,000 words and maybe you’re wondering now what? Where should I go from here?

If you’re looking to put your hard work onto the market then having an author website is essential. It helps you connect to your readers and for your readers to connect to you.

So… what should an author’s website include?

An ‘About You’ page 
Let your readers learn about you; be personable but don’t make it into a CV. Include interesting information, mention any quirky jobs or hobbies. Having a photo also goes a long way to building a connection with your readers.

A page with your work
It sounds obvious, but what form should this take? It’s always important to have your book cover on display and links to where you can buy your work. Include the blurb and perhaps the first chapter.

A news page
Updates are a good way to fill your website. Are you doing book signings or blog tours? Perhaps you had a rave review you’d like to share.  

A blog
This helps you connect to your readers. Good content on your blog helps to bring in readers and acts as free marketing, especially if it goes viral.

Five Last Things to Consider 1. Remember to sell the author and not the book. 

Imagine you written My First Novel and you’ve called your website and all your social media accounts MyFirstNovel. In the long term by focusing on one book, you may damage the prospects of selling further books. Think author awareness not book awareness.

2. Find a tone that is appropriate to the genres you work in.

For instance, if you write humor don’t write your website in a formal tone. Your website is an extension of you so make sure it reflects you.

3. Start early and don’t be afraid to change things up.

Do plenty of research online for advice and inspiration. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your website either.

4. Keep things positive.  

Remember that your website is online and public; always keep things positive. Be polite to everyone. Don’t plagiarize nor confront people over bad reviews. You will be named and shamed and it can go viral in a negative way.

5. Make it something you would enjoy.

You yourself are a reader. If you saw an author site that was full of spelling errors and was hard to read, would you want to publish that author’s work?

Sophie Walker is a freelance editor and proofreader at WalkerEditorial. She is currently studying for an English postgraduate degree part-time. She also blogs about books at AShropshireGirl. You can follow her on twitter @WalkerEditorial and at @AShropshireGirl.

Top photo by Flickr user Sidereal.