I was reading an issue of Internet and Marketing Report recently. There were two separate articles I came across that were seemingly unrelated. And yet, I think they’re VERY related … and relevant to author websites. The first article talks about one of the most common mistakes that people make when designing a website: having […]
Authors: Tell Your Visitors What to Do … and Why! Read More »
By some strange coincidence, I had three different clients (ones whose websites were built and launched in 2010) contact me this week asking if I had any recommendations for how we could improve their search engine placement (i.e. get them to show up near the top of Google search results for the subject matter of
Authors: The Secrets to Improving Your Search Engine Placement Read More »
This past Saturday, I had the privilege of speaking at the ASJA conference. The workshop I was a presenter in was, of course, about author websites. One of the questions that came up during one of my colleague’s presentations had to do with the use of mobile phones for searching the net. A poll was
Should You Build Your Author Website for a Mobile Device? Read More »
In the second post of this series (click here to see the first), we’re featuring Patrick Maguire, MD, the author of “When Cancer Hits Home.” His book was released and his website launched in December. Since then, he has been getting rave book reviews, good site traffic (at least 500 visitors each month), and lots
Author Success Story: Patrick Maguire, MD Read More »
You guys are writers! You’re creative with words! Maybe it’s time to break out of the mold when it comes to link text on your website. If you browse 50 author websites, you’ll probably find the words “Click here” … “Read more” and “Buy Now” appearing hundreds of times. Because it’s easy. It’s clear. It’s
Authors: Think Beyond ‘Read More’ and ‘Click Here’ Read More »
There are many things that we hear that people want on an author website: a bio, photos, a list of books, etc… But every author is different, and every group of readers is different. Someone who visits the website of an author who writes about campaign finance reform probably is looking for something different than
What Do Your Readers Want on Your Website? Find Out! Read More »
One of the most common mistakes that businesses make with their websites is to talk about themselves — not their customers (or, in the case of authors, readers). And if you’re a non-fiction author, this common pitfall may be costing you readers. Your website should clearly tell people what they would get out of your
Who Is Your Author Site About: You or Your Readers? Read More »
There was an interesting article in the NY Times recently about the increase in book sales in places other than bookstores (which is good … because bookstores are few and far between nowadays). And this gets me to thinking about authors who are promoting their books themselves … which is nearly everyone. Authors really need
Think Beyond Bookstores When Marketing Your Books Read More »
One of the best things an author can do through an online presence — be it a website or social networking — is build followers. This becomes your ready-made marketing list — people you can pitch your book to, inform of your next book, and share your success stories. How many followers you have can
4 Reasons a Reader Will Become a Follower Read More »
I came across an article in The Internet and Marketing Report this week that talks about the latest trend in log-ins/registrations: social sign-ins. But what are social sign-ins and how should authors use them? You know how you’ve spent the last fifteen years setting up usernames and passwords on every website you visit — from
Why Authors Should Offer Social Sign-In Options Read More »
