Best Practices of Author Websites and Email Newsletters
If you want to find success as a writer—whether through traditional publishing or self-publishing—you need a website. It’s critical for effective marketing (online AND offline), as well as long-term career growth.
This session focuses on the simplest, most robust, and FREE tools to get a site up and running in a day or less—often in one evening! You don’t have to know any code, understand any technical jargon, or have previous experience with websites or blogs. You also don’t need to own your own domain or have hosting, although advice will be given on those issues.
We'll also go over the basics of setting up an email newsletter that you'll promote on your website, and why it's important to begin building your list today.
What you'll learn:
• 5 simple services that help you create a codeless website, for free, in an hour or less (plus what services to avoid)
• Absolute must-have elements for every author site, even if you’re unpublished
• The difference between a blog and a website, and whether or not you need a blog
• An easy-to-understand explanation of domains and hosting (but you don't need to own a domain or have hosting to get started!)
• How to get started with WordPress, either at WordPress.com or on your own domain
• Common mistakes and pitfalls of websites and blogs
• When you should hire a professional designer or site developer, and how much you can expect to spend
• How to begin an email newsletter for free, and what types of material you should send
• The principles and strategies behind email marketing
Who should attend this session:
• Writers who still need to establish a website
• Writers who have a website, but aren't sure what to do with it
• Writers who believe their website or blog isn't keeping up with best practices
• Writers who have yet to build an email list
Jane specializes in educating writers about the publishing industry (without drama or hype) to help them make the best long-term decisions for their careers. Since 2001, she has spoken at hundreds of writing conferences around the world, and is known for thought-provoking talks on the future of authorship. She recently delivered keynotes at The Muse & The Marketplace, the University of Wisconsin Writers’ Institute, and PubSmart.
She teaches digital media and publishing at the University of Virginia and maintains an award-winning blog for writers at JaneFriedman.com, which enjoys more than 100,000 visits every month.
