Your author's website is the primary place for you to direct sales.

For more information, please email us.

As you begin the process of telling people about your book and where to buy it, it is recommended that you list your author site as your primary site, and your Amazon listing as a secondary site. (You make more money on the author site vs. the Amazon site).

From this point forward consider signing every email:

Your Name
Your Book Title
www.YourPublishersWebsite.com

We are frequently asked about whether an enhanced author website is a good idea. Here is our reply.

Q) I am thinking of creating my own website for my book so that I have an email address that people can contact me on as well as possibly create a blog. Do you help with this kind of thing?

A) An enhanced website is in everyone's best interests. It will help you become more visible as an author, it will help sell more books, and it will help you build community around your writing career. We think it is a professional addition to your writing career.

Q) How much does it cost?

A) We have negotiated a 50% discount with a number of very talented web designers. For what would typically cost from $500 to $1500 we have negotiated rates of about 1/2 of that. So, you should plan on about $299 or $595 for your enhanced author website. Of course the price depends on complexity and a number of other factors so a fixed price is not practical. We will connect you with the web designer for a quote when you are ready. Please email Website@strategicbookmarketing.com when you are ready for a quote.

The first two sites are examples of the $595 version.

http://www.thevalkyriesagas.com/
http://www.andrewpwright.com/

These are examples of the enhanced $299 version.

http://www.strategicbookgroup.com/normahaskins/
http://www.strategicbookgroup.com/moss/
http://www.strategicbookgroup.com/AuthorWebsite/mamchak/
http://www.strategicbookgroup.com/AuthorWebsite/power/

Q) How long does it take?
A) It should take 3-5 weeks approximately for a standard site, once our developers begin work on it.

Q) What do I put on a site?
A) Please visit this page http://www.strategicbookmarketing.com/services-websites.html and click on all the examples. Also, your decision should take into account how much time you have to work the site and how much technical skill you have. Here are some page functions for you to think about and talk with us about. This is meant to be a comprehensive list, so don't think you need to have all of this:

Opening animation (needs to be quoted separately)
Home/Index
Book Excerpt
Author Bio
Press Release
Blog/guestbook for comments
Your radio/podcast if applicable
Your Author Video if applicable
Reviews and testimonials
Other book pages if applicable
Links to others in your online community if desired

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We will go over this with you when/if you request a quote. Please email Website@strategicbookmarketing.com when you are ready for a quote.
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Here is an informative blog on website marketing for authors: http://savasbeatiemarketing.blogspot.com/
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From one of our clients:

Here's what I've done so far that has helped promote our book the most:

1.) Right from the beginning I created a website. An internet presence is vital. I secured a domain name with the title of the book to make it look more professional and easy to remember (www.throughmymotherseyes.com). I also chose to make it a blog site to facilitate an interactive experience with viewers of the site. I would advise authors to either create their own site or have Strategic's team create one for you. It's a must.

2.) Talk to the media as soon as your book is released. Being in the broadcasting business I had a lot of immediate resources available right off the bat, however, anyone can do this! Local radio stations, especially talk radio, love to know about local authors and will often want to have you talk about your book with them on the air. Local newspapers are definitely worth it, too. My mother, Jean-Marie (my book is centered around her and her experience as a POW during WWII) made a call to one of her favorite columnists in our newspaper. He made a trip down to see us at one of our book signings and decided he wanted to interview us for s story. My point is, it only took one phone call. Don't be afraid to call the media and try.

You might be pleasantly surprised! If you have a public appearance scheduled soon, like a book signing or public speaking appearance, you can obviously promote your event during your radio appearance or in the newspaper article.

After our radio appearances, and especially after our feature story in the newspaper, we really began meeting more people and suddenly book sales really began taking off. The local media can definitely be your friend, and can certainly help pave the way to bigger and better later.

3.) Book signings are great and we have sold a lot of books at them, but frankly we've done even better at non-bookstore events. Grab a phone book or go online and check the clubs, groups, etc. that you think may have an interest in your book (story). I always try to have at least twenty (20) books in reserve when I go to these events (and, of course, take advantage of the discounted price that you can get from AEG when you buy your books).

4.) Get yourself as much promotional material as you can, and make sure that your website URL is on all of it. I had an 18" x 28" poster of the cover of our book made at our local print shop, along with bookmarks and business cards. My mother, Jean-Marie, had customized pens made. All of these have our website on them. We give away bookmarks, pens, and business cards everywhere we go. Well worth the investment. We just got a great idea from Miranda Spigener about making inexpensive key chains that have a picture of the book and our website URL. We're making those now to give away at our next event.

5.) Network, network, network. Talk to everyone. Never slow up, even when you are feeling frustrated. You're going to run into some walls with trying to promote your book, but persistence WILL pay off. I never get pushy, but if someone doesn't get back to me or can't help me themselves, then I keep looking for someone who can. You must absolutely know -- beyond a shadow of a doubt -- that your book is a gem, a diamond, and when you believe in your book strongly enough, others will be drawn to that. Passion is powerful.
Live and breathe your book on a daily basis. And watch the results.

6.) Lastly, take advantage of the coaching and resources that the team at Strategic offers. They have a wealth of experience and can save you a lot of wasted time, money, and frustration. They know what works and what doesn't.

Keep them posted on what you are doing, and let them know where you might need help. They have been a big help for me, and I know I can always count on them to come through.

Wishing you the best of success!

To the journey,
Michael McCoy
Author, "Through My Mother's Eyes"
www.throughmymotherseyes.com

Please write us today and we will help you develop the perfect enhanced author website just for you.

If you wish to expand your site in this manner please Contact Us for a Quote Today

You can click here to view a sample website critique.

Blogging is a new addition to the author's website arsenal. Many authors are too busy to setup a blog, get it started, etc. We have a service that will setup the blog for you AND populate it with a favorable review of your book, AND teach you how to use it. We have a consultant that specializes in holding author's hands to get them started. Learn more at: Blogging and Blog Tours

For more information, please email us.

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