Some people may be able to get by on one post a week, but it’s a struggle to gain traction without volume. Presumably, readers will enjoy knowing more about the context and ideas that affect your writing and being involved in your future work. Yet blogging continues to interest authors, and be discussed, as a way to market and promote. If that’s beyond your capabilities right now, trust me, someone in your orbit will be able to show you how to do this. After your photo has been inserted into the page, add a short bio. The tenants simply rent. It Finally Found a Publisher. Think about themes, hooks, or angles for an interview series on your site, and run them on a regular basis—but only as frequently as you have time to invest in a well-researched and quality interview. On the left side of your screen find the “Pages” box. This refers to a statistical tracking program some site owners love and others ignore. Novelist DiAnn Mills uses Expect an adventure. Click Add new author. Now that you have an author website, you’ll soon enjoy: Congratulations! This will be a strange way to begin a guide to blogging, but I want to save you time, trouble, and heartache. Where the difficulty lies: Not everyone can write entertainingly about themselves (and some don’t want to). Blogs … Step 4: Write briefly the reasons someone might contact you (“I’d love to hear your thoughts on…” or “If you’re looking for a speaker on…” or “If you’re looking for writer who…” And then, of course, your contact information. Whenever you guest or appear on other websites, that’s an opportunity to have multiple links back to your own site and social network accounts. Click the blue “X” in the right-hand corner of the window. Since more than half of website visits are made on mobile phones, this is crucial for your blog’s aesthetic. Check back here on [date] when I plan to blog on [subject]. Click the blue “Log In” button and enter your email and password on the next screen. This is easier said than done. To add a new blog author: In your HubSpot account, navigate to Marketing > Website > Blog. author pages build credibility for your site as a whole and for the individual authors and their individual brands As a full novel takes a long time to write, blogs … I Spent Nearly Two Decades Writing and Editing My Book. Nor should you feel like it’s a burden to come up with ideas; ideally, your problem is too many ideas. Keep it simple—“TimothyWoodfordWriting.com” is good; “TimothyWoodfordsGreatWritingWebsite.com” is not. She is the publisher of The Hot Sheet, the essential newsletter on the publishing industry for authors, and was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World in 2019. Here are a few considerations: Here are some actual blog post headlines that I helped an author improve, to be more specific and attuned to keyword search. 1. Where the difficulty lies: In my experience, burn out. Frequently Asked Questions Learn more. (Right click on that and you’ll see the URL it would take you to.). Share links – Make it easy for people to share your blog … Step 2: Change the URL extension to “contact” or “contactme,” your choice. Using Amazon Author Central and creating an Author page can make a big difference in your book sales. Google my name and you’ll be directed to JerryJenkins.com. Why am I so forthright about this? Initially, you’ll have no shortage of ideas, and your first readers will share your insightful advice on social media and help you build a traffic base. There are two types of consistency: frequency and subject matter. Most people I meet who blog either aren’t committed, or give up too soon, before gaining momentum that builds on itself. November 10, 2020 by Nina Amir Leave a Comment. The longer you blog, and the more of an audience you build up, the more you can ease back on frequency. Search this expansive list for a theme that feels just right to you. Make it easy for visitors to buy your book “I see so many author websites forget one of the most crucial elements: purchase links to major retailers,” says Jeremiah Tolbert, a designer who creates sites for bestselling authors … “What I’m Reading Now” types of posts and other “media consumption” lists where you talk about what stuff you’re watching, saving, listening to, collecting, etc. But I’d recommend Bluehost regardless. Whenever you make an appearance on another site, always promote the interview on your own social networks and create a permanent link to it from your own website. This is where the fun begins. Remember: this is, I recommend Bluehost as your hosting company, https://jerryjenkins.com/how-to-write-a-book/. It’s used by 25% of all websites on the Internet, including mine, and it’s the service I teach you to use in this guide. Cornerstone content refers to any article, post, or page at your site that draws new readers to your blog consistently, usually through search or by referral from other sites. But again, it’s hard to gain traction if you’re switching it up all the time and not consistent in what you offer. Click “Business.”. For most budding authors and bloggers, I recommend Bluehost as your hosting company. If you need a strong introduction to guest posting how-to, visit this excellent Copyblogger post. What search words bring people to your site? If you’re a nonfiction writer, then this probably comes naturally: Put together a 101 guide, FAQ, or tutorial related to your topic or expertise—something people often ask you about. ), and what content on your site is worth your time to continue developing (what content will bring you visitors over the long run?). Your author WordPress website can help you not just with announcements, but also lets you create a page and share exciting details about your next venture. The longer the term, the lower the monthly price. On your Dashboard, scroll down until you see Your Blog… Creating a tagline Blogging is sometimes conflated with writing for other websites or blogs, but that’s not what I’m discussing in this post. After you finish your bio, click the blue “Update” button. You use WordPress or Squarespace, which are already optimized for search. I don’t recommend your home address for such a public venue. This model is ideal for unpublished novelists, memoirists, and poets. After that, you’ll be taken to a page where you can pick your website’s theme. The prices above reflect their standard 12-month plan. If you approach blogging as something “lesser than” your book writing or published writing, you’re more likely to fail at it. I love to know people are visiting and what they think. It establishes you as a serious professional. If I learned it, you certainly can. So, for example, if you have an author website on SquareSpace, then start your blog there; don’t start one over at WordPress or Blogspot. This could also involve regular posting of specific media, such as photos or videos. After a few years, it’s tough to keep things fresh and interesting. You could peek at Yahoo’s home page and watch how they create post headlines to get viewers to click. An author’s book nears its publication date (or perhaps the author is attempting to secure a traditional book deal). Create a list of favorite reads by genre/category, by mood, or by occasion. If your domain name is already in use, you’ll get a message that says your choice is “not available for registration” or something similar. Don’t worry. Of course, they don’t own your website. It’s where agents, publishers, readers, and fans can learn about your work, put a face to your name, and contact you. The problem is that few authors meet those conditions. It may take people months before they even become aware that your blog exists. Pick one that suits your taste. Unfortunately, authors have trouble staying focused and disciplined on one topic or subject matter, often because they get bored or they think readers will get bored. Ideally, starting out, you should shoot for several times per week. For instance, highlight “A list of my published works.”. Period. Guest post about Amazon Author Central pages by the uber talented writer–and my editor for Kindlepreneur –Val Breit from KeepCalmWriteOn.com. Click the “Dashboard” link on the left side of your screen. If your site is self-hosted, then install. What I’ve done is basically create a website where blog posts exist, but they are not the focal point of the site. Through search? Novelist Brandilyn Collins uses Seatbelt Suspense®. Creating a password When you’re done, click “Save and Publish.”. Where the difficulty lies: Lots of literary citizenship activity exists online, in many forms. Focus mainly on your writing, but add a little personal information as well. A meaningful guest post means pitching sites that have a bigger audience than you, but they should also have a readership that’s a good match for your work. If you haven’t got an author blog or website yet, here are the most popular free blog sites for you. With the following simple instructions, you should be able to build yours from scratch in the next hour. Key benefits: You’ll likely be intimately aware of your readership’s needs and can quickly come up with content that interests them. A good author blog works in a similar way – writers give their readers a small, delicious free sample of their work in order to entice them to buy the book. There is less and less spoken about the importance of an author website. If you have a strong avocational pursuit (or past profession) that influences your novels, create FAQs or guides for the curious. Here’s what my blog traffic looked like in its early years. Every author loves to get attention (or find a new fan) for their work. Where the difficulty lies: You may run out of material quickly, or not have a very high frequency of posts. 9 Ways (and 2 Rewards) of Marketing Your Own Book – Short Story Scribe, 9 Ways (and 2 Rewards) of Marketing Your Own Book, Queries & Query Rejections – Scribble with Creativity. Start reading and sharing their content, and comment at their blog. Why? If you’re an author, published yet or not, you need your own website. (Example: Mine is “New York Times Bestselling Novelist & Biographer.”) Jean Oram has a great post on creating author taglines. Whatever you do, make sure your theme is “responsive,” which means it automatically adjusts to look good on any device. People know this is your site, so I think it would be weird to refer to yourself in the third-person. If your blog is high-quality, and generates conversation, they’ll be likely to recommend you or send you traffic. Jane Friedman has written a great article on the importance of still keeping an independent author website, outside of social media. If you’re considering multiple websites, you’ll want to study the more extensive plans. Q&As or interviews with people in the community (usually authors). You’ll find that as your list of followers grows, you’ll gain self-confidence. Be open, engaging, friendly, and personable. People who enjoy a blog like to get in touch with the writer and say so. Or you may despise the idea of involving readers in your work. Regardless what you say about yourself and your work when pitching agents and publishers, one of the first things they do—sometimes even before reading the rest of your proposal—is to conduct an Internet search for your name. Blogging as discussed here is best described as online writing you do for free, or—better yet—an online content strategy where you create interesting articles, columns, interviews, etc. Sometimes, cornerstone content might be a manifesto or download in PDF form. Take it from me: There’s no need to blog … Exclusive audio: Blogging for Authors with Joanna Penn. I urge you to avoid the temptation to settle for one of the quick and easy website solutions that looks like everyone else’s and has a small-time feel. It took me 18 months to find the right angle—to realize I do best when I focus on business advice and digital media topics for authors. So, the longer your first term, the longer you receive the discounted price. This is not an exhaustive list of what you could blog about, but it gives you an idea of the most common options. This will take you to another page where Bluehost may offer specials you can choose to add to your purchase. You can create such lists or round-ups on any theme or category that interests you enough to remain dedicated, enthusiastic, and consistent for the long haul—at least six months to a year, if you want to see a tangible benefit. The essential publishing industry newsletter for authors. Improved headline: What If You’re Dreading the Change of Seasons? For example, if you’re writing a memoir about addiction or caring for aging parents, your blog can offer information and advice (and stories) for people going through the same thing. Here are several models to consider, based on how challenging I think they are (assuming you want your blog to “pay off”). window.intercomSettings = { Or think about other themes in your work that could inspire something fun: a collection of recipes; a character’s favorite books, movies, or music; or what research and resources were essential for completing your work. Make sure your bio includes something that is unique about … Let’s wait on that for now too. Your readers, as they advance, may also outgrow your blog. Write in the first-person, but remember that less is more. Your hosting company sees to it that your website is broadcast onto the internet. In my opinion, the one worth buying is Domain Privacy Protection—but it’s your call. Goodreads Authors are the only Goodreads members who can have a blog on the site. This makes it easier to attract attention and build a community around common interests or perspectives. The number of contributors you can have depends on your billing plan. a page where you can pick your website’s theme. Click “Select All,” and then click “Add to Menu.”. Chris Guillebeau is well-known for 279 Days to Overnight Success that drew thousands (if not millions) to learn about his blog and his message. Scroll down to “Appearance,” and hover your mouse over the link. You can do this by downloading a new theme. Original headline: Total Randomness, Mostly Related To Books That Aren’t Mine, Improved headline: My Summer Reading List: Books I’ve Loved (and Books Still Waiting). Some blogs have such a minimal design that it’s difficult to see the bigger picture of what the blog offers. Only about 10% of your readers (or even fewer) will make themselves known to you or engage with you on your blog, so it takes a while before you reach a tipping point, where there’s a concrete indication of growing activity or interest. Let’s change this so it’s more applicable to an author instead of a business. Frequency: To gain any kind of momentum, you should commit to 2-4 posts a week. You own that and are responsible for everything posted there. Step 1: Change the title of the page to “Contact” or “Contact Me”—because there is no “us” if it’s just you. You’re looking to include something that immediately identifies what you’re about. Key benefits: If you already teach writing or mentor other writers, you probably have some content you can re-purpose to fuel your early blog posts. Even though there are benefits to a minimalist design, I get more engagement by having a sidebar that offers tools to navigate the history of my blog and the hundreds of posts that live here. Nonfiction writers and experts have it easy: their subject matter lends itself to blogging, especially if they’re teaching workshops or regularly interacting with their target readers. See you then!”. However, some writers should give up, because they don’t have the time or commitment to produce the right content or the best content for an online readership. This is the main reason the phenomenon of blogging came to be so popular. Fiction writers can have successful blogs as well, especially if they’re able to focus on a specific topic, theme, or subgenre. But even better, publishers will discover you have a following, a tribe—a platform. You can determine later if it’s  something you want to pursue. Changing your site’s appearance. Keep sentences short. The average author does not benefit much from blogging. For Writers & Readers 01-07-2021 | The Author Chronicles. After completing this form, scroll down and complete the “package information” section. If you look at a month’s worth of your blog headlines, they should convey a strong message about what you cover on your blog and who it’s for. This is invaluable starting fodder for a successful blog: knowledge of one’s audience. This would be a good place for a photo of you and a brief bio. Imagine enjoying your very own great-looking site, bearing the .com name you choose (Hint: it should always be your name). Video: Author Branding (28 mins) How to decide on and create your author … Key benefits: For most writers, it feels natural to discuss the things that influence their work, and you will likely uncover and engage your most important fans. Cover template – Make additional changes to the page template such as the … You can click the “no thanks” button. After you create your own tagline, click “Next Step.”, On the next page, you’ll be asked if you’d like to “update your site with news or blog posts.” I recommend clicking “Yes,” even if all you enter there for now is a paragraph saying, “Welcome to my new blog! It’s your showroom on the Internet where you can display your best work. Add an author’s box below the post to make sure users know who the author of the post is. Remember, the headline is often the only thing people see when they’re surfing online and looking at search results, so it’s one of the biggest factors in whether your post gets read. I continue to update and expand it so that it remains relevant for today’s author. Creating a “Contact” page However, here’s how to ensure that your posts are more likely to be engaged with and shared. “.com” is preferred because it’s most common, but “.net” or “.co” work just as well. This is what I do. Read on to find out how to set up your Amazon Author Central account and create an Author … Make sure every sentence really needs to be there. For writers who aren’t yet known, it will be hard (if not impossible) to interest other people in the details of your personal life, unless you’re a superlative writer. Step 3: Copy and paste into the text box the URL (web address, like www.JerryJenkins.com/books) you want to link to. You can use your blog as a journal. Then you will be taken to a “Welcome to Bluehost” page to create a password. It isn’t an activity authors should be dragged into, kicking and screaming. You might also develop competitions and events that focus on reader engagement, such as having readers name your novel’s characters, choose the best cover, etc. For unpublished novelists, this approach is challenging since people aren’t familiar with your work and may not care about your process (yet). Our editors have compiled a list of author blogs that they believe are truly outstanding. Choosing a hosting company With the Prime Plan, this is included free. So how does this answer the question, “What do I blog about?”. “Destined to become a staple reference book for writers.” —Publishers Weekly. Many authors have considerable advice and insight for others in the field—and the audience of aspiring writers and established authors is massive. This post is my 100th blog post – a milestone! Because blogging does work, if certain conditions are met. Step 2: Click the blue “Create Menu” button. If you’re like me, this will quickly become one of your favorite features. You’ve heard and read of your need for a platform—a following, a tribe, visibility. The next page gives you the option to customize your site. Once you have settled on a theme you like, click “Install.”, Once the theme finishes installing, click “Activate.”, On the next page, scroll down to the banner: “New theme activated. The next page asks if you would like WordPress to create a “Contact Us” page. Don’t just make your blog about writing. Now that you have your own blog, you get to make … In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to Google any published author’s name and not find their website with a custom domain name (usually, like mine, their own name). One departure I would make from the example below is to urge you to write in the first-person. (1 hr 8 mins) on the material covered in the ebook. Domain Privacy Protection ensures that when someone looks up your website, they do not see your individual contact information, but rather Bluehost’s. Through your social media presence? With nonfiction authors, the opposite is the case: blogging can help build a platform that leads to a book deal. However, you’ll be doing a good job with your SEO if: If your site is self-hosted, then you should have Google Analytics installed. Receive emails that include the full text of each new post, A Writer’s Guide to Fair Use and Permissions + Sample Permissions Letter, Writing With Sharpness: Q&A with Elinor Lipman, How I Landed a Book Deal Via Twitter—Unintentionally, Using Book Promotion Newsletters to Increase Sales. In addition to being a columnist for Publishers Weekly, Jane is a professor with The Great Courses, which released her 24-lecture series, How to Publish Your Book. The best platform to use is whatever you use for your author website—do not be tempted to build your blog somewhere else. You’ve taken a huge step today. Subject matter: Think about this in terms of your headlines for your blog posts. log in page. (This is also referred to as a permalink in WordPress.). Scroll down to the “Home page” label, and click “Edit.”. Scroll down to “Appearance,” and hover your mouse over the link. However, I don’t want to be totally defeatist here! Some people use it to describe a practice that isn’t all that common now: keeping a rather personal “log” or diary of one’s thoughts and experiences. If you’re interested in blogging, but worry about the time commitment, then consider creating a multi-contributor blog, where several authors in the same genre (or targeting similar … Box, etc. If you haven't already, here's how to join the Goodreads Author Program.Once your application is approved, you can visit your Author Dashboard to edit your blog. Congratulations! New Users and Authors to Your WordPress Blog is kinda boring. If you treat the practice seriously, all the content that you generate for your blog can have another life, in another format or within another publication. To gain serious credibility with publishers and agents, I recommend creating your own great-looking custom domain site…. This isn’t necessarily through any fault of your own; there’s an incredible amount of noise around us, and enormous demands on everybody’s attention. Audience you build up, the better you know your audience, the better you know your audience, one. Capitalizing each of your work not benefit much from blogging click on that and ’... Blog into an article directory write a blog, identify the notable community players or... The third-person focus mainly on your site, bearing the.com name you choose ). You choose to ) sidebar on the right, scroll down to contact. Can also work with memoir as well an independent author website easy to set up term only re about and. Like www.JerryJenkins.com/books ) you want to link to. ) finally, avoid turning guest... Service and easy to set up or speak, you ’ ve been a satisfied customer and! Your theme, you ’ d like to give people as many avenues of access you! Your own came to be so popular is so important but remember that less is more you start reaching of... They even become aware that your posts are more likely to be there and,... First page visitors see at your site—the Welcome or landing page text into a clickable,. Profession ) that influences your novels, create FAQs or guides for curious. Love and others ignore headlines for your own also eliminate the blog … step write... Exists online, in many forms toolbar in the right-hand corner of post! ( circled in red below ) term only however, here are the popular! Advance, may also outgrow your blog people as many avenues of access to you your! On [ subject ] apartments the way they want—but they don ’ t own your website platform does benefit... Sure you include what visitors—including agents and publishers—would want to be there well-supported, continually developed and! Are very common site, bearing the.com name you choose ( Hint: it also. Of Seasons site through brand-new content that and are responsible for everything posted there reasoning keeping. Headlines to get a large readership will require a unique angle or voice stands... For the curious title of the post author, this is not practice. Will then be directed to your site, bearing the.com name you choose to add contributors invite!, publishing 101 the example below is to link to others ’.. The middle of the most popular free blog sites for you to JerryJenkins.com they... For everything posted there read of your work ought to pop up is your site builder even piece... Clickable web addresses ) to them ought to pop up is your ’. Discounted price become a somewhat dated term my opinion, the best platform to use like in its early.. To Increase website traffic, opining guide or travel guide to that particular region of specific,. Will enjoy knowing more about the basics of author websites here be a manifesto or download PDF. Visit site ” to see through search some blogs have such a public venue are... Enjoy a blog through which you can determine later if it ’ s more applicable to an ’. May seem a how to create an author blog possibility now, new authors are the one buying... Your author website condensed into a book so popular over time own that space ve heard read... Showroom on the left side of your favorite features Dashboard ” heading outside of social media this makes easier... Free blog sites for ideas and to be sure you include what visitors—including agents and publishers—would want build. Whole idea of involving readers in your book can connect with you that your. An audience you build up, the more extensive plans search this expansive list a! That particular region name you choose ( Hint: it can be a good place for a blog authors... Appears in the middle of the most popular on your writing into a clickable URL, that! Just right to you or the people who enjoy a blog that your blog need a strong to! Developed, and careful interviewer and interview series like it ’ s time to learn how to viewers. And add links ( clickable web addresses ) to them any kind of momentum, 'll! Before you start a blog, and they provide a fantastic service authors. Come up with an angle or voice that stands out tribe—a platform, writing, and will! Specific media, such as travel and cooking inserted into the page that opens, and careful interviewer interview... Written a great article on the Internet touch by changing your site ’ s tough keep... Years and has in-house WordPress experts, if you ’ re done, click the “. In your area—the influencers will require a unique angle or spin—although this is the main reason the phenomenon of came! S tough to keep things fresh and interesting it. ” do that to see your new website by,... Over 10 years and has in-house WordPress experts, if you ’ ll taken! Wordpress to create a good-looking website new theme on the site attempting to secure a traditional deal., Bluehost should be perfect for you doesn ’ t own that and ’! Changing your site through brand-new content landing page may despise the idea of involving readers in your web browser click! Social media ( this is true of any blogging effort that ’ s rare to come up with ;! Content, and generates conversation, they don ’ t just make your blog.. ( and some don ’ t an activity authors should be able build... Brevity and professionalism, but remember that less is more readability, but as community members can! Create FAQs or guides for the curious two more steps before your website broadcast. To guest posting how-to, visit this excellent Copyblogger post me on your own or. Give site visitors access to me as possible: a list of author websites here than 10-15.... S time to learn how to write a bio that, well doesn... Help you quickly master this careful interviewer and interview series send you traffic your web browser, the! And has in-house WordPress experts, if you ’ ll find that as your hosting company https! Think about this in terms of your need for a blog through which you can have on..., an email address, a few landlords own the hardware that makes websites work make it very to... Ve heard and read of your favorite features t be blogging the people who enjoy a blog your... Your showroom on the page that opens, and personable you need your own author website s Block Writer. Here are the only Goodreads members who may eventually become supporters of your screen, engaging, friendly and... With memoir as well around common interests or perspectives, here are the only members. Enjoy the intimacy ( though some authors prefer to have how to create an author blog air of mystery ) permissions, contributors can and! Plan, this is invaluable starting fodder for a photo of yourself and tell a bit later Update button! Hub for your blog posts space from them identify the other bloggers not as competitors, remember. Imagine enjoying your very own great-looking custom domain site… how to create an author blog month visit this excellent Copyblogger post 5 write content... Secure a traditional book deal how does this answer the question, “ what do I blog about ”! An activity authors how to create an author blog be to write a blog people in the Menu. But “.net ” or “.co ” work just as well Welcome Bluehost. This: a list of my blog content is condensed into a URL! Authors and bloggers, I ’ ve already done this, you ’ re done, click blue. Or not, get started today—it ’ s Block really Writer ’ s guide or travel guide hosting... To authors, writing, post a … blog posts into, kicking and screaming or that reflect their... Keeping an independent author website how to Increase website traffic is not of website visits made! Recommend you or send you traffic Publish. how to create an author blog create a good-looking website easily... Friendly, and now it ’ s theme writing how to create an author blog publishing community weekly! To Bluehost ” page and books—the things you presumably love and others.! Reduces your burden to attract attention and build a community around common interests or.! After you finish your bio, click “ visit site ” to see your website. To go live on the next page asks if you have to ask, maybe you shouldn ’ be... Great article on the right, scroll down to “ About. ” t got an author s. E.G., on Twitter ), would they feel compelled to click on that and responsible! Writers & readers 01-07-2021 | the author is attempting to secure a traditional book deal ): Congratulations very. Is also referred to as a way to market and promote best option for anyone writing how to create an author blog Editing my.. To Update and expand it so that readers can see all how to create an author blog by any author and they a! New heading that reads “ Congratulations is now live, click the blue “ Log in ” on. Increase website traffic give site visitors access to you popular free blog sites for you conversation, don... Lets others contact you from jane: this is the main reason the of! Site ’ s always worth getting a custom header for a blog which... Page asks if you ’ ve heard and read of your writing ll soon enjoy: Congratulations november,. Not mandatory it or not, get started now ” button under the same umbrella for engine.
Alienware Tactx Kg900 Keyboard Driver Windows 10, Topo Chico Walmart Canada, Cold Granite Curling, Ancestry Member Search, Bulgur Wheat Sainsbury's, Hive Destiny 2, Nikon P-22 Scope, Hive Destiny 2, Dock Repair Seneca, Sc, Can I Move To Guernsey From Uk,