A lot of authors try to reach customers via their website. This is a rather generic article that might encompass other products, but it works well for books, poetry and short stories that you might have listed on retail sites.
A website is a wonderful tool to reach the masses whether
you are selling products and services, books, or programs. It's almost a given for any serious author and many publishers ask writers if they have a current website, or even a blog that will afford promotion space. Increased website traffic
translates to more readership, visitors and ultimately, income. Once you have a
website designed and active and you’ve established that you have a viable
product or service to sell, it is important to draw as many potential customers
and readers to your home base website. Here are some ideas on how to promote
your website and draw that much needed attention.
First and foremost, you need to link your website URL to any
and all sources on the Internet that you frequent (search engines). If you
belong to a group such as Readers Forum, any display sites,
several blog sites or other relative websites pertinent to your product or
service, you should list your URL in any signature line or profile page
provided. When you comment or guest-write a blog or article, your link will take
potential customers and readers to your website. This works well if you are an
authority on your subject and your interaction piques curiosity. You might have a website that is genre specific, such as Young Adult, science fiction or fantasy.
Offering something of value free gratis on your site is an
excellent way to attract visitors. This could be free exerpts, short stories or entire novels, and you can lay out stipulations for acquiring the freebie. You may
offer a free non-fiction tutorial or eBook that has valuable information. Small
contests work well where you pose questions or offer free merchandise to a
limited number of first responders. You can post questions that have to do with characters or plot points in one of your books and reward for the correct answers.
Offering discount days also works for
drawing attention and you can announce these discount days via FaceBook,
Twitter or on a separate blog. Write a small blurb in any website group that
features a thread on “latest news” or “goals and accomplishments.” Radio,
newspaper and cable TV sources are always on the hunt for local human interest
stories and articles—this is a terrific way to reach the masses, especially if
your website is new and in need of traffic. You may also convince other
websites to give away your freebies, in essence, using their traffic and
membership to widen your exposure.
Using “pay for rank” search engines is an economical way to
get targeted customers that share your subject matter. Visitors obtained in
this matter may cost as little as 10 cents apiece, but the traffic jump may
result in the thousands of visitors to your site. Ezine advertising works the
same way—you pay a small upfront fee to advertize in numerous ezines that may
result in hundreds of thousands of prospective clients and customers. Unlike
paper magazine and newspaper advertizing, ezine ads are longer lasting and able
to reach the masses instantly. You may also publish your own ezine or
newsletter that offers a membership. If you have a number of titles, especially in a series, you can create your own little book club. This will bring repeat customers back to
your website via embedded email notices, especially if you are adding new
information or making announcements.
You may try “joint venturing” where you team up with several
competitors or persons in related book and reader groups and agree to cross promote or list your URL on their sites. Joint
venturing can go nearly viral if there are dozens or hundreds of similar
websites that offer the same products and services you are promoting.
