Helpful or useless?
That is the question many writers ask themselves when it comes time to present not only their work but themselves to the world.
The answer is: It really depends on how you use it.
If you set up an author web page that you interact with regularly it can be very helpful for your writing career.
The two best ways to make use of an author webpage is to
use it as a place people can learn about you
use it as a place you can learn about your people (i.e. your readers)
One targets prospective readers. The other targets your growing, existing audience.
While I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely necessary every writer have an author web page, I would say it’s got a pretty positive track record of being useful for those two reasons. Let’s explore them a bit more in-depth.
Your prospective readers can learn about you
Authority
One way to prove you’re a good writer is to, well, write.
Putting out at least a little bit of content on your author web page is like giving your prospective readers a sneak peek of what reading one of your books would be like. Imagine your web page content is the savory aroma enticing readers to come sit down and eat the full delicious meal you’ve already prepared (your book).
Essentially you’re shouting across the internet:
“You like the way that tickles the nostrils? Well, I’ve got plenty more where that came from – a depth of flavor guaranteed to delight your taste buds!”
You build authority as a writer by both positioning yourself as a professional in your field and putting your writing chops on display for everyone, even if it’s a very simple web page with just a homepage, contact page, and about me page.
Personality
Because most traditional content on author web pages is of the nonfiction variety some fiction writers assume the creation of an author web page isn’t worth it.
Not so.
Notice I’ve been using the term web page instead of website. Nowadays, one doesn’t need a fancy website to represent themselves online, not in the age of social media. Many writers flourish by simply creating a vibrant Instagram or LinkedIn page.
Depending on your niche, one social media page will work for you better than another. The key is to create all the same points of reference you would expect in a traditional author website:
an attention-grabbing author bio/book blurb
contact info regarding you and your book
plenty of engaging content showcasing your voice
Consumers are really big on knowing the people behind the products they like and the same goes for books and their authors. No need to be constantly posting selfies or displaying pictures of your family. You can maintain your privacy by simply posting sneak peeks about your book, sharing causes, other books, and entertainment you get behind, or talking about the craft of writing. If you do this you will be well on your way to building a readership.
You can learn about your readership
Build your audience
You may be one of those people thinking, “Well since I’m not published yet, I don’t even get to think of creating an author page.”
Don’t sell yourself short.
While you may not be an author yet, you are still a writer, and it can in fact be beneficial to get on your writer web page game before you’re even published.
Akin to the webcomic artist, having a fanbase waiting to read your next update can motivate you to keep going. You can post about your writing journey or post actual snippets of your work. If you have the thick skin for it, you might even post your work on a place like Wattpad with the aim of letting readers read a first book or short prequel for free.
Not only does it boost the ego to have adoring fans waiting, but it provides a place where you can start gathering interested readers. There’s also just nothing like eager readers complimenting your work to make you believe in yourself enough to persist in your writing goals.
Learn about your audience
Once your beautiful readers make their presence known it’s a good time to get to know them as well.
Having a place to interact with your readers allows you to figure out how to attract more. Are they in your intended age group? What brought them to your page? What made them stay? What kinds of tropes do they love? What pieces of writing are they looking forward to from you?
All these questions will help you tailor your web page to draw in more readers of a similar sort. It’s rare a writer writes without the intention of having their work read, so go ahead and make it easier to guarantee this will be the case.
Work on cultivating your audience before and in between publishing books to really hit your stride in making your mark in the reader world.
So, are author web pages worth it?
I would say so, but it all depends on whether you use it well.
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