Copyright by Donna Monday
I was browsing online the other day and discovered the news
about a first time novelist who had recently published a book
telling the story of an African tribe suffering the loss of
land and identity. Her story is based on her true-life
experiences and research. Shes even donating a portion of the
books profits to a charity that helps the displaced people.
Her whole story sounded intriguing. However, when I looked for
her web site--I couldnt find it.
What a shame, I thought.
While her book is featured on Amazon.com and other online
bookseller sites, and theres a couple of press releases
announcing her book signings, there is no obvious web presence
for this wonderful book and its author. My immediate thought
was that she was leaving book awareness and sales on the table.
Maybe she feels she doesnt need a web site because she has the
charity and her publisher assisting with publicity, or because
there is some expressed interest in movie rights. Even so, I
feel that a simple web site featuring her telling her story of
how she researched and wrote her book, with photos of her on
location, would do wonders for her novel.
In todays fast-paced world, where attention spans can last a
nanosecond, an author cant afford NOT to have a web site. Even
if people arent lining up to buy your book today, they can
visit your web site and browse. If they like your site, theres
a good chance theyll be back in the future, or tell friends
about it. I think this point is especially true for us
first-time novelists. In my opinion, a fiction novel is the
hardest type of book to promote and sell online or offline.
There are literally thousands of fiction novels published each
year, due to how easy it is to get a POD published book on the
market.
Authors have tons of competition to get noticed. While the
amount of readers are declining, the amount of books being
published is going up. New authors have to compete with each
other, as well as, established authors, movies, TV, blogs,
video games, and other entertainment offerings. From a readers
perspective, why should they read your book over someone elses?
Your web site gives you a fighting chance to capture someones
attention and introduce them to you and your brand of
storytelling. Plus, you have the creative freedom to make your
site look however you wish. Its all about colors, graphics and
words"especially words.
HELLO WORLD, IM HERE!
CHECK OUT THIS GREAT BOOK!
HERES A SAMPLE OF MY STORYTELLING!
Because most authors have to do their own promotion, your web
site is your own personal promotion booth sitting amidst a vast
sea of similar booths inside a virtual flea market. Remember,
people are online 24-7 looking up information on all sorts of
things.
While youre sleeping, someone could be visiting your web site.
While youre out shopping, someone could be visiting your web
site.
While youre busy at work, someone could be visiting your web
site.
Of course, if you dont have a web site promoting your book,
then potential readers will just have to wait until they
stumble across your book while reading about your book signing
somewhere, or maybe browsing the online bookstores, or maybe
hearing about your book from a friend of a friend . . . you get
the idea.
Why leave it up to chance?
Web sites are easy to get up and running these days, so theres
no excuse not to have at least a page featuring your book.
Believe me, people will be looking for it, and if you dont
have a web presence, theyll move on to the next author that
does.
About The Author: © Donna Monday Love, desire, power and
immortality are in the mix when mortal and immortal worlds
collide in an upstate New York town. The Best Black Vampire
Story Youve Ever Read.
<a href="http://www.donnamon day.com/Best_ Black_Vampire_ Story.html">Vampire Story</a> |
