A to Z on How to Create a Dynamic Website
ByIn one of my surveys, I asked people what kinds of help they most need, when it comes to writing, publishing, or promoting a book.
The majority wanted a “a step-by-step guide to creating an effective author web site.” So I was about to design one.
Then I got word that the company that designed the software I use to create all my sites (except my blogs)–in minutes–and search engine optimize them so they come up higher than my blogs–this very company is coming out with a comprehensive course on that very thing. More than 30 hours of detailed instruction on how to build a great we site.
I well remember how fearful I was to create my first website–how monumental it felt. How much there seemed to know to get it right. Anyone can create a blog in a few minutes, but to get it right so that search engines find you quickly … so that you can actually sell something (like your book) on your site … that seemed monumental.
It’s not.
Especially not with this massively detailed blueprint for website creation, brought to you by people who know a thing or two about the subject matter. Their award-winning software is the best value for the money I’ve ever spent. (I’ve written several blog post on this. Just search for “XSite Pro” in the search box on the right. It really does do all it says here.)
While so many of my friends complain about how it takes forever for their web master to make tiny changes on their site, costing them search engine rank, time, and money, I shake my head and in 15 minutes add something to my site, update it for the search engines, and publish with the click of my mouse.
All because of the software from this company that is now selling this course on creating websites. Their track record with me personally and with many reviewers makes me certain that their new course, which took a year to develop, will be nothing short of excellent.
The course will be available Wednesday, October 21, but you can sign up here to attend a webinar on Tuesday, AND possibly win a FREE course. I believe you need to be present for the webinar to win the free course, but sign up anyway, because I think the webinar will be recorded.
One more thing: I’m thinking of creating a bonus along with this, on what you need specifically for an effective author website. If you would be interested in that, comment below or send me an email (diane at wordstoprofit.com). Also tell me what your biggest concern is as you think about creating and/or maintaining an author website.
2 Comments
October 16th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Hello Diane! My biggest concern about a website is, what can I write on it that shows how I write and makes my work appealing, without actually putting text from my book on the site. Does it work to write about similar topics to the one in my book (a self-help book for mothers)? Or talk about myself? Or both? Or something else? Thanks!
October 16th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Elise,
I think you SHOULD include content from the book on your site. You can do this in any number of ways.
You can include articles that would make people “thirsty” for more.
You can post outright excerpts, like I do on my Abundant Gifts book” site.
You can also talk ABOUT what you expand on in the book.
You can let people get to know YOU, through for instance blog posts, or include Twitter posts as I do on this blog.
We have to get over being too careful about putting text from our books “out there.” Some of it needs to remain protected, so you do have to be strategic. But remember, YOU are the message, your book is only one way to get your message out. Your site should be another.