I’m an author website designer who writes articles for authors, writers, journalists and anyone looking to showcase their written work online.
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Must-Have Content for any Author Website Design
I’ve written before about the kind of content I suggest you include on your author website, but I recently realized some time has passed, so I thought it was time to revisit this critical topic. While my recommendations in that article still apply, I have some additional and updated thoughts about must-have author website content to help you get started on your author website journey. Here is some updated must-have content for any author website design: 1. A clear and concise message: The website should clearly communicate who the author is, what they write, and why readers should be interested in their work. I like to use a formula to do this: I write _____, for _____, so that they Read more...
When Self-Promotion is Challenging for Authors
Self promotion doesn’t come naturally for many people, not just authors. Some people find it easy to talk about themselves, and share their strengths and accomplishments, but lots of folks don’t. It can be difficult for several reasons: Fear of Rejection: Many people fear being judged or rejected when promoting themselves. They worry about what others might think of them or their work, and this fear can hold them back from putting themselves out there, or putting themselves out there enough. It’s important to acknowledge that while you might not be a favorite author for everyone, you can be a favorite author for your audience. If there are folks outside of your target audience with whom you don’t resonate, you Read more...
5 Tips for Writing Effective Author Website Content
As an author, of course you want to create engaging and informative content for your author website. But what does that mean? How do you best connect with potential fans? What keeps them coming back for more? How is writing content for your author website different than writing your book? As an author website designer who has worked with folks from best-selling authors and celebrities, to unknown self-published authors debuting their first book, I have many years of experience and thoughts on this topic. Essentially, in order to communicate effectively, it is vital to keep your audience in mind by providing clear and organized content that caters to their needs and preferences. It's important to acknowledge that website visitors Read more...
Does an Author Really Need a Website?
As an author website designer, my knee-jerk reaction is, of course, an enthusiastic yes! But as someone who really likes to understand the why of things, I also regularly ask myself why that's true. Where is the value for the author? How can I make sure the work that I do is contributing to that value? When I think about it and distill it down, here are the top 5 reasons authors need websites: A professional online presence: An author website can provide a professional resource where readers can find information about the author and their work straight from the source. Not from a third party, who may (or may not) be accurate, and as up-to-date as possible. The Read more...
Finding the Perfect Author Website Designer
I recently wrote an article about finding author website design services, where I covered the available options and how to evaluate designers in the hiring process. However, I didn't discuss the importance of "soft skills" that make someone a good fit. I dislike the term "soft skills" because it implies that interpersonal skills are less important than practical skills, which is simply not true. Nevertheless, I use the term here as it is commonly understood to refer to personal qualities, characteristics, and interpersonal abilities that enable individuals to effectively interact and work with others. Soft skills are essential for building positive working relationships and achieving mutual goals. If someone can do the job but is difficult to work with, it Read more...
Finding Author Website Design Services
This article is designed to help you better understand what the options are when looking to hire an author website designer. There are lots of great choices out there now, so how do you best evaluate them to figure out who to hire? When you are looking for author website design services, it's important to understand that you might be looking for a handful of different criteria, rather than a one-size-fits-all model. Not only are you looking to find the kind of aesthetic that appeals to you and works for your author brand, but you also might want to use a certain platform, or to showcase certain features, or you need to work within a certain budget, or you Read more...
Not sure what your author website needs, and what to leave out?
Don’t know where to start to build your own website, but know that you need one?
Want a website that speaks directly to your readers? The best author website design focuses on clean, goal-oriented layouts that help writers sell books and connect with readers — built in WordPress for easy customization and updates. Outbox Online, founded by author website designer Kate Anchev, crafts personalized websites for authors that do just that.
- Benefit from a site tailored to your unique style and vision.
- Engage visitors with elements that foster connectivity.
- Focus on your writing while Kate handles your web presence.
With comprehensive support from Outbox Online, you can have an author website design that enhances your storytelling and visibility. Your story, front and center. Ready to captivate your audience?
How it Works…
You provide simple information about your book(s) and Kate takes it from there, quickly delivering a complete, fully-functional website built just for you.
Kate creates websites designed to appeal to readers across all device displays that always look great and reach more people. Your time is limited leading up to your book release, and you need to be focusing on high-value promotional tasks rather than being frustrated trying to make a great author website. Kate specializes in storytelling for storytellers so that you can get back to the job of being a writer.
It’s really great. Not what I pictured in my head, but I love it. I think that means you’re a great designer. The Don Draper of web design?”
— Outbox Online Client
It’s really great. Not what I pictured in my head, but I love it. I think that means you’re a great designer. The Don Draper of web design?”
— Outbox Online Client