Do authors need a website? by Sarah Nicholson
Do authors need a website is a question I have been pondering for a while. More specifically do I need a website now I am a published author.
I already have an online presence. I’ve been on Facebook for
many years, just a personal account, mainly to keep in touch with friends but I
tend to make my writing related posts public and shareable.
Many years ago, I started on Twitter to connect with
other writers. After a while my writing bubble burst so I deleted my account. A
few years later, my username was still free so I started again – things had changed a lot, then the changes
went too far and I quit for good earlier this year.
I’m on Instagram – a fellow writing friend told me I need an online presence
there, and now I’m on Threads too, which I am enjoying but I’m not sure if being
there is helping with book sales or even general recognition.
It takes time to grow an audience, but how do some people’s innocuous
posts garner viral status - if I try to be funny, there is no one laughing, if I’m
serious no one extolls my profundity!
So why start a website? Am I jumping on the next bandwagon?
What about Substack or newsletters or other forms of communication that I’m
only vaguely aware of?
I guess it all started because I am part of a collective of
authors who publish with Resolute Books – most of our authors have a website,
some haven’t actually published their first book yet. So maybe I was feeling a
bit left behind, after all my first book was out in January 2024.
A website gives you a professional window into your writing. It shows you take yourself seriously, but I’ve tried to add some sparkle and fun because I don’t want to come across as aloof or pompous.
I’ve added links to my personal blogs, and any new posts now
reside on my website. I intend to write in much the same sort of vein as before,
some personal posts, poetry, stories, whenever I feel inspired. I would like to
write more frequently – a New Year’s resolution perhaps?
There is even a page featuring a little shop to buy my book –
I’ve not actually sold one through the website yet, I suppose I’d better get cracking writing book
number two. A shop with only one book is rather sad ☹ The
more you write the more you will sell – isn’t that how it works?
It’s still a steep learning curve, I’m not sure I’ve got to grips
with having a website yet. I need to update my business cards and make sure
people know where to find me. I really need to explore its true potential and
make it work for me.
I suppose it’s the same as when you move into a new house.
You move your furniture in and it begins to look like your space, but until you’ve
been there a while you are not quite sure how it will all work out.
Do authors need a website? Definitely, it’s a place to showcase your talents and give readers more information about up coming books and other projects.
Do I need one? Hmmmmm, let my ponder a bit longer, it’s certainly
a bright and cheery space and you’re most welcome to pop by and take a look…
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