Why You Should Have a Website
In my video, 12 Marketing Tips to Marketing Yourself with Little to No Money, my #1 tip is to have a website.
It doesn’t matter if you are pre-published or published. If you are in an industry where you are submitting your work,as we are, people will look you up. You want to be visible and have a good presence. Trust me, chances are you are not the only one with your name.
Here’s a little test:
- Click here to go to GOOGLE
- Type in your name
- Hit enter
- See what is on the first few pages
Were you there? Did you see others?
When I did this (after I had a few magazine articles under my belt), I was shocked and began blushing on who was pulled up. SPOILER ALERT: It wasn’t me. Or a the little green men. Let’s just say, it wasn’t my genre. I wanted people to know me for what I do, not for what someone with the same name does.
“But I’m not published yet…”
I wasn’t either when I started my own website. And you should too, if you haven’t already. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy. In fact, most people get aggravated by the bells and whistles. You have to think of the ones who, like me, live in the boonies and don’t have the best internet connection. It can be slow, people.
You can have as little as one to two pages to start with. Something simple.
“I’m published!!!…”
All the more reason to have a website. You can begin to expand with a ‘books’ or ‘credits’ page. You can be published in a newspaper or magazine and give links back to them. When you have books out, give each of them their own page. Include book trailers, awards, and reviews on their individual pages.
What Should A Website Contain
- Picture of you
- Description of you
- Credits you have pertaining to your field
- Video
- Supporting material
- Extra
Picture:
~Have a good headshot. It doesn’t have to be done professionally. The one on this blog of me is a selfie. Yep, I took it and added a little bit of editing. 😉 The one on my website that I use for flyers, my son took when he was 13. 😉 I paid him in gum. Yes, I paid BIG BUCKS!!!! Hahahahahahhaa!
~SMILE in your photo. Seriously, don’t be a sourpuss.
~Good lighting always helps… editing does too.
Description:
Use your own judgement and go with what you are comfortable with. If you look over my ‘about me’, you’ll see I have the month I was born in and where. You’ll also read that my papa would tell me stories and started my love of learning.
This is where people will get to ‘know’ you. What do you want to be known for. What are your dreams? Are you involved in anything associated with your field?
Credits:
Don’t sweat this one too much. Do you have a newsletter you publish? Do you contribute to a well-known newsletter or podcast or (something)? Newspaper articles? Magazines? Volunteer reading or teaching art at a local school? All these can build you as a credible person.
You should include any organization you are involved in that is helping you further your field. This can include: SCBWI, 12×12, etc. You should also include any formal classes you have taken. This can include a number of professional artist or classes from the Institute of Children’s Literature (ICL).
Give your BOOKS a shout out when they come out. I have a ‘books’ page and from there you can go to the individual pages.
Video:
Welcome people to your website. Invite them to read about you and explore your other page(s), read your blog, etc. Tell them you are a writer/illustrator and how excited you are to be pursuing your dreams.
By having a video you use sight and sound to make a connection. Again, SMILE while you are taking your video, make it genuine. Let your personality come through.
Supporting Material:
This could go with extra depending on your experience.
You can include links to your favorite websites.
You can have links to material that support your books too, such as teacher guides, and coloring and activity pages.
This is only a suggestion and not a ‘you have to do this’ format. As you gain experience, your website can expand.
Where Can I Have A Website?
There are tons of places you can begin a website.
FREE- WordPress is an option. You don’t have to have a blog to do this. Although, you can tie the two together nicely here. I use them for my blog. 🙂
FREE- Wix & Weebly are a couple of other ones off the top of my head too.
FEE- Yahoo is what I use. I’ve been there for over 10 years and have never had a problem with my website. There is a fee for being at yahoo though.
FEE- Any server will have website service, with varying amounts.
Just Remember… This is you we are talking about. Build your website to suit you, your needs, and your message. By doing this, you will begin to have a foundation to market yourself and the products you produce.
I hope this helps you see how important having a website is.
:::LEAVE ME A COMMENT:::
Let me know what you think about having a website.
How important is it to you?
Are there things you include that I don’t? WHY?
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
Until next time…
Happy Writing!
~t
* Don’t miss one post! Email sign-ups are over here —>
** Did you enjoy this post? Feel free to LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT ON THIS POST.
Easy, peasy buttons found below.
*** Sign up for my N E W S L E T T E R ! I will be sharing writing challenges and other
tidbits related to the kidlit industry. Click ~HERE~ to be directed to my
Newsletter sign-up page.
Like this:
Like Loading...
![RibbertsWayHome8x300[1]](https://traceymcox.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/ribbertswayhome8x3001.jpg)
![RibbertsWayHome8x300[1]](https://traceymcox.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/ribbertswayhome8x3001.jpg?w=73&h=73)
Left Hook Crochet blog by: Tracey M. Cox 