Why Authors Need a Website

Why Authors Need a Website. This short video by John Bond of Riverwinds Consulting discusses why authors need their own website.
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TRANSCRIPT
Hi there. I am John Bond from Riverwinds Consulting and this is Publishing Defined.
Today I am discussing the reasons why an author should have their own website. I think it is essential for all authors to have their own personalized site. It has many benefits for this relatively easy and inexpensive effort. It summarizes your professional and publishing presence online. You control the content and presentation. It is an umbrella for everything about you: what you’ve published, who you are, your background, your writing or research interests, how to contact you, and links to all your social media efforts (if any). It is the central hub for all things you.
It should be different than your department bio page. Use this extra space to give more details about you and your work. Dare I say it is an opportunity to brand yourself. But let’s dive into the details before we get ahead of ourselves.
How do you get started? First secure a url, I usually suggest it simply be your name. JohnBond.com was not available for me so I used BooksByJohnBond.com. Check it out. You can secure a .com url for very little money at a place like GoDaddy or others.
Next you’ll need a hosting platform. I use Wix.com. Popular ones are WordPress.com, SquareSpace.com and many others. These companies allow you access to a simple platform and serve your site to visitors, instead of difficult programing. These platforms likely cost about $100 a year.
I’d recommend the site be split up into a home page, a page About You, one About Your Books/Articles or Writing, and How to Contact You. Link to everything you can. Your publisher, your videos, your institutions.
Other things to possibly include: your past presentations or future ones, appointments or positions you’ve held, membership in societies, grants, and the list goes on. Don’t be shy!
Have the site be simple, clean, and elegant. No glitz needed. Definitely include photos of you, and not just that headshot from 7 years ago.
Next, come up with the text you want on each page of the site. Proof it twice!
You don’t need to know to learn how to program. There are a ton of freelancers that will work with your platform and create a site you’d be proud of. A freelance can work with the platform you’ve chosen, your url, your text/images/links, and make a great site for you to review. Make sure you have the freelancer ensure your site is mobile optimized (ready for viewing on a smart phone) and SEO maximized, so people find you on Google.
For a one-time fee with a freelancer, it saves you time from trying to learn the software necessary to create a professional site, Let me know if you need a recommendation for a freelancer.
You site can be up in less than a day if you wanted to get it done.
Promote your site by including it in your email signature, or at other places your name appears. Your site is a work in-progress. Add to it as you publish more and expand your areas of interest. The site will grow with each new endeavor you are involve in.
Well that’s it. I am a publishing consultant and work with associations, publishers, and individuals on a host of content related challenges. Reach out to me at RiverwindsConsulting.com with your questions.
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And make comments below or email me with any questions. Thank so much and take care.