Building Author Web Presence

Building Author Pages Kassia Krozser & Kirk Biglione

Overview Author information around the web Author websites Publisher websites Retail websites Challenges and solutions Helping authors get it right

Why Authors?

Authors Sell Books

What Is an Author Page?

It Depends...

Who Are You?

Roles Author Agent Publisher/Publishing Professional Publicist Bookseller

Each Role Has a Different View

Don’t Forget The Users

User roles Readers/Consumers Media Reviewers Academics Other authors

Two Views

Publisher View Publisher Author Retail Website

Author View Author Retailer Publisher Website

The Author Website

Role of The Author Website Hub of author’s online activity Central point of information for readers Media resource Key asset in building the author brand Should be ﬁrst result when author is Googled

The Basics

Domain name

Basic Content

First, Consider the Reader

Author Information Bio Press kit Contact information Agent Speaking Agent Publicist

Author Content Blog Media: video/audio (including podcast) Interviews Links to related websites

Book Information Title Cover Blurb Excerpt / Sample ISBN(s) Publisher Buy links

Extended Book Info Series and related titles Related media Interviews Book Trailers Link to book mini-site Reviews Awards

Marketing Information Mailing list signup Event listing Social media links Contests

Community Blog comments Forums Wiki Social features

Content Management

WordPress Easy to use Open Source (free) Social media integration Design ﬂexibility

Design

WORDPRESS THEME DIRECTORY WORDPRESS.ORG/EXTEND/THEMES/

WOO THEMES WOOTHEMES.COM

WPIZED WPIZED.COM

Case Study

Bestselling Author with No Website

The Social Web

Social Media Extends the author’s online presence Reaches readers in their preferred environment Not all opportunities are right for all authors Leading sites require at least a minimal presence

The Problem with Facebook

Add Up the Faux Steph*nie Meyer(s)

What To Do? Create a Fan Page not Profile Create pages for author and books Link directly from official site Verify with Facebook Post on unofficial pages directing users to official page Work with FB to direct traffic to official page

So, What About Twitter?

Best Practices Reserve the author name on the main networks (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, maybe MySpace) Consider reserving common mis-spellings Point profile to official author website Link author website to active social profiles Obtain verified accounts where possible

More Author Pages

The Publisher Website

Why author pages? Readers love authors SEO for publisher and book Improves discovery Improves author relations (when done right)

Core content Author bio Photo Web link Social media links Upcoming events Author RSS feed (caution!) Oh, and books

Publisher Speciﬁc Content Author articles Interviews Book related extras Media: audio/video Mailing lists

Anatomy of an Author Section

Featured Authors

Author Index

On-Site Search

Types of search Global Author Event Advanced

Appearances

Author Page

Unique Content

Publisher Speciﬁc Content Interviews: Video/Audio Original articles Reading guides Extended story information (character proﬁles, back story, etc.)

The Retail Website

Why author pages? Enhanced information for customers Enhanced discovery = additional sales Customer engagement, increase time on site SEO beneﬁts

What we see Author name

What we’d like to see Author bio Author photo Link to website and social media proﬁles Curated content (interviews, media, essays)

Challenges Aggregating data Authenticating data Maintaining data

Challenges & Possible Solutions

Author Metadata

Author Identity

Numbers: Lots of authors

Content Management

Tech-Challenged Authors

Time-Challenged Authors

Apathy

What To Do When an Author Opts Out?

Just Say No

Helping Authors Get It Right

Who’s Responsible?

Digital Assessment Domain name Website Is it usable? Is it current? Social media presence Quality and frequency of interaction

Website Checklist Domain name Hosting Core content: Bio,Photos, Press Kit, Bibliography Site management (WordPress or other OS CMS) Usability and accessibility review (includes browser support & mobile) Design options (premium themes)

Create Support Resources Author portal Digital concierge Digital media training

Questions? Kassia Krozser: booksquare@booksquare.com twitter: @booksquare Kirk Biglione kirkb@oxfordmediaworks.com twitter: @kirkbiglione Booksquare University booksquareuniversity.com

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Building Author Web Presence

by Kirk Biglione

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