As someone who has a successful non-fiction career backed by high-ranking websites, I definitely recommend an author website as soon as you start your career.
An author website is going to be one of the most important promotional tools for any writer, especially for a new writer.
This two-part article will share the most important reasons why you should have an author website right from the start.
It also includes a step by step guide for creating your author website.
Even if you are terrified of technology, you can still create a basic author website with this step by step guide.
7 Reasons Why You Should Create an Author Website
1. Sell Books
You can sell your books through your website if you decide to go the self-publishing route especially if your books are also available in Paperback.
If people buy paperbacks directly from your site, your only expense will be the cost of printing and the rest is your profit.
For instance, if your book is $18.99 on Amazon and someone buys a paperback through Amazon, your royalty will be 60% – the cost of printing (let’s say $3) = $8.32.
However, if you sell the same paperback through your website, you order author copies at cost of printing – $3. Your royalty will then be $15.99.
That is a huge difference in your margins and will amount to a neat sum if you sell substantially through your website.
By the way, if you’re not going to self-publish, you can still sell your books through your website.
2. Share Information About Yourself
Your website is a great way for your fans to get to know you. You can share little stories about your writing process, your challenges, your day to do, and upcoming books.
You can share pretty much anything you want on your website. It’s also another way to engage your fans outside social media.
Your author website is your little creative hub for everything you do that’s writing-related.
3. Build a Mailing List
Gone are the days when the only job of a writer is to write. Nowadays, you’re also partly responsible for marketing and selling, and there’s no way out of it.
Building a mailing list from the start is one of the best ways to get ahead of marketing yourself.
The people that get on your list are people that want to hear from you and are interested in your book.
You can keep in touch with them while writing and once you’re published, they’ll be your first customers. It’s also an opportunity to host giveaways, share freebies, and sample chapters with your fans.
I’m working on two books at the moment and they are far from complete but I launched this website anyway so I can start getting my name out there.
4. Auther Website More Effective Than Social Media
Social media is a great way for people to know your name and share about your work but you cannot rely on it.
Social media is a platform that belongs to someone else and can disappear anytime along with your likes, follows, whatever.
Your website, on the other hand, cannot disappear since it’s your platform, owned and controlled by you.
Your aim on social media should be getting potential fans to your website to buy your book (s) or join your mailing list for future notifications.
You can see my mailing list at the bottom of every article and in the sidebar. I also have a subscriber landing page HERE.
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An author’s website is the best investment you will ever make in your writing career.
The best thing – you can start a basic website for free with minimal investment.
You can then build up on it as more funds become available. I will show you exactly how to do that in this step by step guide.
5. Author Website Keeps You Accountable
Having an author website keeps you on track and accountable to yourself.
You can’t bail out of writing when you’ve spent so much time updating the world about your works.
It’s a great way to help you stay motivated and committed to completing your books by building a writing habit.
6. You Look Professional With an Author Website
Perhaps an agent is thinking of representing you or has heard about you and they conduct a Google search and your website pops up.
It shows you’re a professional writer that takes your art seriously.
It doesn’t mean you’re not a professional writer if you don’t have a website but it certainly gives you a bit of an edge.
7. Become a Better Writer
Most author websites also include a blog where you can share your thoughts and day to day activities if you like.
Just uploading a blog post once a week will make you a better writer and improve your process and technique.
If you’re willing to invest in social media marketing, you might as well invest in an author website.
Creating an author website is one of the first things you must do at the beginning of your writing journey.
Great Author Website Examples
Below are examples of some nice author websites. You can make your website as simple or as elaborate as you like:-
You can catch the next article in the series at How to Create An Author Website – Step By Step Guide. Be sure to sign up below so you’re notified whenever a new post goes live.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase through those links. Read full disclosure HERE.
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