How to build an effective author website
Dynamic webistes
On this page:Effective, sticky websites often have interactive elements. An interactive or dynamic feature is simply a feature that allows your reader to influence the website's content.
Interactive elements range from a simple crossword puzzle or poll to a message board. The key benefit of an interactive feature is that it is engaging - they are an effective way to keep your readers entertained and coming back with limited input required from you.
Speculate has a number of interactive modules available for authors from polls to games and quizzes.
A common problem for authors is managing fanmail. In the case of those authors that endeavour to respond to every email received, this can proof a massive and time consuming challenge.
One way to encourage readers to leave you feedback without the need for a personal response is to provide them with a guestbook.
A blog can be an effective marketing tool, that also lends itself to engaging in dialogue with your readers. Consider the popularity of Neil Gaiman's blog to see how effective blogging can be.
A blog has three key benefits:
- It's an easy way to keep users up to date on your life
- It raises your online profile and, with the help of search engines, can introduce you to new potential readers
- It can inject some personality in to your website
Warning: A blog that isn't updated regularly can make your entire website look out of date. If you engage in a blog, aim to update at least monthly.
A podcast - which in it's simplest form is an mp3 file of you discussing your work - is a great idea for something a little bit different and interesting, particularly when you consider the popularity of personal digital media players such as iPods.
They don't need to be sophisticated or expensive to produce, all you need is something interesting to say, the means to record your voice digitally and a quiet room and away you go.