Ten Tips to Creating a Worthwhile Website for Your Book

"Writing is only 10%; marketing is the other 90%." (Mark Victor Hansen, Chicken Soup for the Soul)



You are about to publish your book.  Now is the time to build a website to advertise it.  Why do you need a website?  It's an inexpensive way to promote your book, get book signings and speaking engagements.  It provides you with a venue to sell your book online and to build a loyal fan base.   Your website may attract agents or publishers for future books.  It's a way to promote yourself and any other endeavours you undertake; for example, coaching or consulting (http://www.slideshare.net/paulahill/websitesforauthorssample).

Every book website should include the following ten elements;

1.  A Book Blog

According to blogger Tony Levelle, your book blog should include writer updates, corrections and errata and a place to respond to reader comments and questions.

2.  Sample Chapters

Choose two or three of your best chapters and post them on your website.  You might also want to post a Table of Contents to give the reader a hint of what is to come.

3.  Amazon Page

Provide a link to the Amazon Page (or other site) selling your book.  Amazon often allows visitors to click on the book image and browse through portions of the book.

4.  Media Kit

Your media kit should include:

• professional business cards with your book cover on one side and Your contact information on the reverse
• a head shot taken by a professional or at least experienced amateur
• a 100-150 word bio stating why you are uniquely qualified to write this book
• a glossy paper with your book cover on the front and a description of the book on the back (why should the reader want to read your story?)

5.  Book Reviews & Blurbs

Make it a goal to get at least 20 Amazon reviews.

6.  A Schedule of Appearances

Make a list of bookstores, libraries, conferences and speaking engagements you plan on attending.

7.  Contact Information

8.  Bonus Goodies

For the first month (or more), offer special reports, spreadsheet templates or audio recording of your book.

9.  Social Sharing Buttons

Enable the reader to connect to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Google+.

10.  Link to Articles 

If you have written non-fiction or historical fiction, link to historical articles which pertain to your topic.  

Sources:  

http://www.writersstore.com/15-do-it-yourself-tools-to-promote-your-book/

http://authoritypublishing.com/book-marketing/how-to-create-a-killer-web-sales-page-for-your-book/

http://www.bookcovercafe.com/building-a-professional-author-website/

Finding a Market for your Articles

According to University of Mississippi journalism professor Samir Husni, 700 to 1000 new magazines are launched every year (visit www.mrmagazine.com).  If you are a beginner writer, it is best to check out the smaller magazines first, with a smaller circulation.  Likely, they do not have a large network of writers to work with and they are limited to a small editorial budget.  They have to take their writers where they can find them.

Michelle Ruberg suggests that you check out the local newsstand for new periodicals.  One writer received an issue of Yankee magazine in the mail.  Tucked inside was an ad for a spin off magazine for Collectibles Illustrated.  He mailed the publisher clippings of his previously published articles and  offered his services; within weeks, he had an assignment.

Ms. Ruberg also suggests seeking out old magazines with new owners.  New editors often have a new approach which might mean a new opportunity for you.  How do you know if ownership has changed?  Look for a new logo or new design for the magazine.  Perhaps the magazine is going through an expansion from six to twelve issues per year.  That also means work for more writers. Maybe the magazine is changing its focus.  A new direction could spell new opportunities. Investigate the smaller magazines which tend to be more open to new writers.  With a smaller budget, they take talent where they can find it.  It's a way to gain experience and build your resume.

"As the baby boom moves into what has traditionally been thought of as senior citizenry, it will represent a once in a millennium opportunity for writers.  Not only are the seventy six million Americans born between 1946 and 1964 the biggest and richest generation in U.S. history, they are also a generation of readers."

Baby boomers grew up reading magazines like Famous Monsters and Tiger Beat; now they read Forbes and Travel Holiday.  They have magazines specifically geared to their age group like AARP The Magazine and More.

How do you as a writer capitalize on this opportunity?  Michelle Ruberg suggests two ideas.  First, make sure you are an expert in one or more areas of interest to baby boomers.  Second, master the tone with which this generation wants to be addressed.  Avoid "seniors", "mature" and "golden". Don't patronize them.  "This generation is in no rush to trade the Rolling Stones for kidney stones," explains Michelle Ruberg.  Remember that your 50's and 60's are some of the best decades of your life.  Third, be aware of cultural references ex. Herman of the Hermits versus Herman Munster; Gidget versus widget.

Here are the hot topics for baby boomers:


1.  health:  nutrition, exercise, prevention

2.  money:  investment, tax tips, estate planning

3.  entertainment/travel:  books, movies, videos, websites
 (over 50-somethings travel more than any other age group)

4.  family:  reunion, sick parent, travel with a grandchild

5.  essays/humour:  reflective stage of life; generation grew up on Soupy Sales, Saturday Night Live



Note:  Visit http://www.writersmarket.com/ for ideas.

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