| I have had a Website for several years. | | | | Book Reviews, Q & A (questions and answers), |
| Unfortunately, I am not a computer whiz and when I | | | | Education (also includes honors), and Presentations. |
| wanted to update the site I had to hire a technician. | | | | The Write and Publish Fiction Website has posted an |
| After my 26th book was released I realized it was | | | | article about getting book publicity, "Book Promotion |
| time to re-design the site. You may have come to | | | | ideas for a Fast Paced Fiction Market Place That will |
| the same realization. | | | | Help Market Your Books!" You need more than a |
| Patrice-Anne Rutledge discusses Internet marketing | | | | two-page Website, the article notes, "You need a |
| in, "Online Book Promotion: Your Competitive Edge," | | | | way to put information out to your prospective |
| an article on the American Author Website. According | | | | customers quickly and efficiently." So the publisher's |
| to Rutledge, "An online campaign has the potential of | | | | toll-free phone number and email address appear on |
| reaching any of the one billion people worldwide who | | | | every screen. |
| use the Internet." Talk about power! | | | | This helps visitors to get information fast. The |
| Website promotion is cost-effective, Rutledge | | | | publisher was so pleased with my re-designed site it |
| continues, cheaper than print ads, brochures, and | | | | published my Website address in its 2009 catalog. |
| media kits. Best of all, your Website attracts notice. | | | | Website experts say you should give visitors free |
| She thinks every author needs a Website, "but to | | | | information. I followed this advice. Visitors may click |
| generate true book buzz online you have to extend | | | | on a quick link to the dozens of EzineArticles I have |
| beyond the basic Website." My first site was pretty | | | | written about grief. A list of the symptoms of |
| basic and it was time for an upgrade. | | | | anticipatory grief also appears on the site. There is a |
| I turned to the graphic designer who had created my | | | | link to an Internet-only radio interview, too. I am very |
| book cover. He incorporated the cover design | | | | pleased with the newly designed site and traffic has |
| elements into the Website design. What changes did | | | | increased. |
| he make? First, he removed the cutesy clip art. It did | | | | According to "7 Book Promotion Methods for Your |
| not look professional and no clip art was better than | | | | Nonfiction Book," an article by Bobbi Linkemer on the |
| poor clip art. | | | | Write and Publish Your Book Website, "A Website |
| Next, the designer created a template for the site. | | | | showcases your book, highlights the cover, |
| This template includes the book cover and its | | | | introduces you as an expert author, delineates the |
| soothing pale green color. Viewers see the template | | | | main points, tells where the book may be purchased, |
| with every screen change and also see a sentence | | | | and provides a space for testimonials." Oops. I do not |
| that appears on the journal and calendar I wrote to | | | | have space for testimonials, so it is time for another |
| go with the book. That sentence: Life is a miracle and | | | | update. I also need to post printed articles and add |
| I'm so glad to be alive! | | | | links to television spots and radio blogs. |
| The headings that used to be on the left were | | | | Look at your Website from a potential buyer's view. |
| removed and replaced with tabs at the top. Tab | | | | Does it sell your book? If not, it is time for a |
| options: New Grief Resources, EzineArticles, Media | | | | re-design. I think you will find, as I have, that it is |
| Releases, Writing Track Record, Published Books, | | | | money well spent. |