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We wanted to get to know Brian Schwartz (NAIWE’s Self-Publishing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.

Can an author’s website be “one and done?” Or how can it be updated if there is nothing to update?

At a minimum, it should be updated at least once every 3-6 months. Google has a tendency to rank sites higher that contain fresh content. But it’s also a fatal flaw to include so much information that the visitor’s curiosity is piqued, losing out on a sale. Less is more. I’ll discuss strategies to reserve the bulk of your content for those who’ve already purchased your book.

 

What is the most common mistake you see on an author website?

Not using a generic (untracked) URL. By just copying and pasting the URL from your browser, every visitor is ‘tagged’ as someone you sent to Amazon (and therefore who you have a personal relationship with) and one theory is that this is one of the tools Amazon is using to block reviews. Also, each page should have a single call-to-action. I will cover several examples during the webinar.

 

How much time should an author spend updating their website each week?

As little as possible! Authors should spend that time instead writing guest posts for other websites and doing whatever it takes to get their own site linked to from on other websites (blogs, podcasts, media, etc.). Links from other reputable sites are the fastest way to boost your Google ranking. Even if you can’t get another website owner to write about you, there are plenty of sites where you can publish yourself (and include a link back to your website), i.e., Medium, LinkedIn, YouTube, Wikipedia, Quora, etc.

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The internet has impacted nearly every industry and books are no exception. In this webinar, Brian Schwartz showcases how bestselling authors are taking advantage of the web to increase value, grow sales, and connect with readers. He’ll also touch on the key elements of an effective author website and the common mistakes. You’ll hear the 5-figure tip Brian gave an author regarding a video that went viral.

If you feel like a deer in the headlights when you go online, Brian Schwartz will show you the simple steps you can take. From optimizing yourself on Amazon to more advanced tactics that can improve your search engine rankings, you will discover ways to webify your book to gain more reviews, grow readership, and ultimately increase profits. In a post-COVID world with the majority of your readers only a click away, you’ll see why timing has never been better to unlock your book’s full potential.

You can join in this conversation on November 19, at 6 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on elements of an effective author website. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

We wanted to get to know Tina Glasneck (NAIWE’s Book Promotions Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here is what she shared with us.

What is one thing that you learned about your craft the hard way, and what benefits have you received from it? Can these benefits be broadened to include book promotions?

The most important thing to recognize for one’s craft is that of identifying the target audience, as a book is not written for everyone. It must have a specific audience in mind. Genres, of course, are there to assist readers in locating books that they like. Often, there are specific tropes that are used in the genre.

For example, romance requires a happy for now or happily-ever-after ending. If it does not meet that standard, then it cannot be classified as a romance. If it will be advertised as a romance, the genre tropes and requirements are something to keep in mind when it comes to crafting the novel, as well as the later marketing of it.

 

What has been your most rewarding book promotions avenue, and how was it rewarding? Self? Monetary? Clients?

I believe that the best thing an author can do is grow their newsletter, and that growth is from where most of my success continues to come.

It is through my newsletter that I can create relationships with my readers, who frequently will then share news of my books with their circle of friends. All other promotion has its uses, but for long-term growth, the newsletter is the best way to continue to grow it.

 

What do you associate with book promotions?

Book promotion is when the goal is to promote or make an audience aware of a particular book. This can include, but is not limited to

1. paid ads (like Facebook, Amazon, and BookBub ads)
2. paid newsletter ads (These are ads in book newsletters. Note: some are genre-specific.)
3. newsletter swaps (when authors share the news of a different author’s book to their audience)
4. free or cost-efficient promo (posting in Facebook groups, blogging, guest blogging, multi-author book fairs, tweeting, using social media to push the book without paying, creating a perma-free book to drive sales to other books in a series, creating a lead magnet to get new readers to sign up for your newsletter, etc.).

Paying for expensive book promotion only makes sense if one has more than one book in a series, or other books available that a reader can purchase. Book promotion is to advertise and to make readers aware of a product. It is best to use cheaper options, all within one’s author budget before one launches the more advanced ad campaigns.

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Are you struggling with what you can do to make your books a success? Are you overwhelmed with what you need to do to get eyes on your latest book-baby? Join USA Today bestselling author Tina Glasneck as she gives practical advice on what you can apply to your writing career to find readers and gain success. This webinar will dig into the basics and provide practical tips that you can implement right away to start you on your successful author journey.

You can join in this conversation on September 24, at 8 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on finding readers to gain success. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!