On my long to-do list linked to self-publishing, I had creating and launching a Website to help with marketing and build an online presence.
I can cross that off my list. Of course, it's an ongoing activity to keep the content up to date and to write blog posts but I'm ready to do that.
I still find it incredible that in the space of 2 weeks, I created this site, on my own, I bought my domain name, linked it to my site, and voilà, it's live! It was way easier than I ever thought, and a lot faster than I imagined.
Why create a Website?
Regardless of a writer's publishing method, there is a lot to gain in having a Website. Publishers don't invest a lot in marketing authors, especially unknown authors. They will actually find a writer more attractive if he (or she) already has an online presence to make it easier to market said author.
So creating a Website was in my future. And now, it's done!
Readers can follow me and learn about me
I have access to many tools to give readers a way to know more about me. By blogging regularly, potential readers will likely visit more often. But if I hadn't wanted to blog, I could provide readers with the option to sign-up for a newsletter rather than having to check my site regularly (and then eventually stop and . . . forget about me). I haven't yet made use of a newsletter but I certainly will. Right now, my fist method of reaching potential readers is through my blog.
Of course, I won't only reach potential readers, I will likely reach other writers like me, whether they are interested in reading my books or not. I think this is great. It's my way of giving back a lot of what I gained over the years from other authors, blogs, and forums.
Coming to my site will also let potential readers get to know my voice (and hopefully appreciate my type of humor).
Why not wait until my first book is available?
Building an online presence takes time. The sooner I start, the farther ahead I'll be when my first book, Resurgence, is available.
It's also a way for me to teach others who can follow me as I take each step to publish my books.
More than that, I will be able to look back and remember what I had to do to get here . . . and beyond.
What does it take to create a Website?
There are so many tools and options available that I will only go into what I did. But it's probably a lot simpler than you think.
I found Wix.com (after looking at many other options) and tried it out. I picked a template I liked, watched a few tutorials, and found it so easy to use that I knew I could maintain a site by myself without depending on anyone else to update content.
I was hooked. By keeping it simple, it took me about 4 days to create the pages and decide on the look (that includes watching tutorials and choosing the tool).
After I had a site that was publishable, I agonized over getting my own domain name or using the free version. After over a week of thinking, I decided to get my own domain name.
There are lots of options out there to get a domain so look at reviews before making a decision.
So in the space of 2 weeks, I created my site, bought my domain name, and linked it to my site. Way easier than I ever thought, and a lot faster than I imagined.
I'll be adding more pages linked to my fantasy series as I get content ready. So stay tuned.
So easy!
I was thinking it would take me months, well into next year, before I had something up and running. Boy, was I wrong!
Oh, right. I forgot. I had to click "Publish".
What a rush to push that button for the first time.
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