Today, let’s look at what could happen if an unpublished author got a website.
In this modern world where digitization has reached an order of magnitude never seen before, unpublished writers could stand to gain more than their published counterparts.
How is that?
Well, stay tuned as we outline why you ought to have a website, illustrate how you may begin building one, and provide you with some hints on how to utilize it.
Benefits of a Website to an Unpublished Author
To some writers, the thought of creating a website as an unpublished author seems intimidating yet it is an untapped resource that can aid in your writing career.
It is more than simply a website, it is a hub for you as the writer to engage with readers, agents, and publishers, here is why a website will be beneficial:
1. Build Credibility and Look Professional:
First impressions are crucial!
For agents and publishers looking to make a proper business card, an elegant and inventive website indicates that you mean business.
As a case in point, it’s possible to highlight things that you are currently developing, display your influences, or simply let guests witness your love for writing.
A professional looking site instills faith in people and builds anticipation over what they will see you do.
2. Tell Your Stories in Your Own Fashion
Your site is your place to sparkle!
Unlike social networks, where all posts are seen through algorithms, with your site you are in full control.
Publishing writing journey updates, personal anecdotes and the stories that inspired you to write your books is a fantastic idea.
This helps readers feel as if they belong in your universe and enhances the bond that exists between you and them.
3. Simplify Marketing
Consider your website as the main building for your business online.
It covers all your interests and needs.
Integrate sign-up forms on your email so that the visitors can be informed.
Also, link your social accounts, so they can easily follow you.
You can advertise things like book or event launches together with all the other activities.
Additionally, it helps you a lot in keeping the communication with your audience active!
4. Develop the Brand Alongside your Professional Growth
As you develop, your website will be changing together with you.
Write a blog where you can provide more interesting things like writing tips or your thoughts concerning certain topics.
This helps to be found over the internet.
Start building up your email list and share updates, tease them with what is coming, and add exclusive content.
Once you feel confident enough to let others in on what you have learned feel free to offer workshops or courses.
Essential Features Every Unpublished Author Website Should Have
As an unpublished author, getting a website is the first step into penetrating into the world of authors.
There are sections, however, that need to be essential to your website to allow it to stand out from the crowd.
1. About Page: Share Your Story
In this section, visitors know you more as an author.
Prepare a short, friendly biography (200–300 words) which describes not only your writing but also who you are.
The writing should be complemented with a portrait and any other details that will make you credible, from awards to biography or even the topics of your writings.
Make it relatable and personal so the readers can feel the urge to read your work.
2. Portfolio or Books: Showcase Your Work
For those visitors who are navigating your site, it is essential to give them a snippet of what they can expect.
In case you are working on a novel, share the synopsis and a specific word limit of the excerpt.
3: Blog Section
Use a blog to talk about your writing process, your views on pertinent issues or whatever it is that is relevant to your work.
Articles posted on a regular basis serve to grab audience attention and also enable easy access to the site on the search engine.
If, for instance, you are a writer of fantasy, then write blogs about the legends that you use for your world-building.
4: Contact Page: Good for Business
People should be able to contact you without so much trouble.
Include a brief contact form that makes it clear what the person wants from you or list an email people can write to for any questions they may have.
You can even have separate sections for different purposes such as media inquiries or simply messages from the fans.
Availability is a sign of professionalism and readiness to take chances.
5: Social Media Links: Forge Relationships
Make sure you include links to your social media accounts on your site so the audience will not miss you in the various social platforms.
Make sure these links are easily accessible such as placing them at the top of the page or at the bottom of each page.
Engaging in social networking significantly helps in bringing back traffic to your site and is vital in maintaining a growing readership.
Steps to Start Building Your Own Website
1. Selecting a Domain Name
You will first have to select an appropriate name for your website such as yourname.com.
While choosing, try to pick a name that is relatively short and to the point.
The name you select will have to be related to you, the writer.
If you are able to select your name do so, or alternatively include words such as author, for instance– yournameauthor.com.
Lastly check if the name is available.
2. Picking a Platform
Now the next step is to select a platform that would best suit the website you are trying to build.
WordPress, while it is a widely used platform amongst many, it requires time to initially set up making it somewhat complicated.
If you happen to want an easier option to go with then Squarespace would better suit your needs.
It comes with a monthly payment, but it has beautiful predesigned templates which are simple to use.
Alternatively, Olitt is an excellent choice if you are looking for something that would not drain your wallet while still being excellent.
3. Design Basics
Maintain the professionalism of your web page by not making it too complicated.
Clean designs should be favored along with easy and friendly interfaces to aid the user experience.
Use high quality pics alongside readable fonts.
Additionally, include book covers or a headshot that you may have.
Always focus on the minimalist approach.
Update your website with more tasks whenever needed, and ensure it’s easy to navigate.
4. Content Strategy: What to Post and How Often
Always remember, your work is the banner, so you want all our audience focus there.
First make sure to add a blog to your site where you write about updates, tips or even incidents from your life.
Also have a portfolio as well where you can place a few of your writings and pique the reader’s interest.
Additionally, allowing room for interaction or inciting it via newsletters or comments on your writing.
Overcoming Common Challenges
Let us be real, as a writer who hasn’t yet gained proper publication, creating a website can be a bit daunting.
But worry not, I assure you that it can be done without any difficulty.
Let me aid you with a few concerns that might arise.
Let us start with the first:
1. “I lack any technical expertise.”
Start by utilizing the perfect platforms suited for you as a beginner.
Platforms like Olitt that allow for drag and drop features and even have set templates ready make it easier.
The main point is to ensure no coding is required.
Additionally, almost all platforms provide detailed guides and skilled support, simply be patient with yourself and learn in a gradual manner.
Once done, and if you still feel uncomfortable, do not fully start with your content, begin with a simple about page and a portfolio.
Remember to expand out the pages more when you feel at ease.
2. “I Lack Sufficient Material.”
Do you fear that there is nothing worthwhile to share?
Here’s how to fill your site:
1. Document the steps in writing, where you got your ideas and what problems you faced.
Such topics are interesting and fun to read!
2. Show outtakes or chapters of your unpublished works. Let the readers have a bite of what is in store.
3. Get people to comment and initiate discussions. Contributory activity generates content on its own and develops your community.
3. “This Is Definitely Going To Break My Bank.”
Do you assume that web pages are very expensive? Not always!
Here’s how to keep expenses down:
Go Free: Start with a free tier on Olitt.com and only start paying when you feel ready to do so.
Be more budget-wise: Only spend on what is vital to your expenditure such as the domain but leave the rest of the expenditures for later stages.
Make use of free resources: Use graphic designers on canva or use images that can be found for free online inauspicious maintaining your site professionalism.
Strategies for Driving Visitors Towards Your Author Website as a New Author
Gaining traffic will assist you in enhancing your reader base, that is, gaining recognition as an author.
Here’s how to make it happen:
1. Enhance your author website rank with SEO
→Choose appropriate keywords
→Provide value
→Make It mobile responsive
2. Tactics for Using Social Media for Book Promotion
→Post more frequently
→Join book-reading groups
→Use the creative elements
3. Help other Authors with their Promotion and Vice Versa
→Be a guest blogger and link back to your website
→Cross-promote with other authors or speakers through podcasts or co-authoring.
→Get featured on writing-related blogs, YouTube channels, or podcasts.
4. Network via Email Newsletters
→Provide a chapter from the book or special content in order to get visitors to register for the newsletter.
→Provide insights about your story, new book, or a post on your blog.
→In a pleasant way, a gentle email at the end of every month can help greatly.
→To entertain your readers, narrate stories or show them how some compelling and secretive things happen in your writing process.
Conclusion
Creating a website should be the key priority for any unpublished author.
This is the space where you can narrate your story, display your achievements, and interact with readers, agents, and fellow authors.
It is akin to setting the first stone of your career as a published author.
Start with the basics and then you can add more pages as you expand.
Make that first move today; this will be the first step in your transformation into a published author.