building author web presence

Building Author PagesKassia Krozser & Kirk Biglione

Overview

Author information around the web

Author websites

Publisher websites

Retail websites

Challenges and solutions

Helping authors get it right

Why Authors?

Authors Sell Books

What Is an Author Page?

It Depends...

Who Are You?

Author

Agent

Publisher/Publishing Professional

Publicist

Bookseller

Roles

Each Role Has a Different View

Don’t Forget The Users

User roles

Readers/Consumers

Media

Reviewers

Academics

Other authors

Two Views

Publisher View

Author Website

Publisher

Retail

Author View

Author Website

Retailer Publisher

The Author Website

Role of The Author Website

Hub of author’s online activity

Central point of information for readers

Media resource

Key asset in building the author brand

Should be first result when author is Googled

The Basics

Domain name

Basic Content

First, Consider the Reader

Author Information

Bio

Press kit

Contact information

Agent

Speaking Agent

Publicist

Author Content

Blog

Media: video/audio (including podcast)

Interviews

Links to related websites

Book InformationTitle

Cover

Blurb

Excerpt / Sample

ISBN(s)

Publisher

Buy links

Extended Book InfoSeries and related titles

Related media

Interviews

Book Trailers

Link to book mini-site

Reviews

Awards

Marketing Information

Mailing list signup

Event listing

Social media links

Contests

Community

Blog comments

Forums

Wiki

Social features

Content Management

WordPress

Easy to use

Open Source (free)

Social media integration

Design flexibility

Design

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Case Study

Bestselling Author with No Website

The Social Web

Social Media

Extends the author’s online presence

Reaches readers in their preferred environment

Not all opportunities are right for all authors

Leading sites require at least a minimal presence

The Problem with Facebook

Add Up the Faux Steph*nie Meyer(s)

What To Do?

Create a Fan Page not Profile

Create pages for author and books

Link directly from official site

Verify with Facebook

Post on unofficial pages directing users to official page

Work with FB to direct traffic to official page

So, What About Twitter?

Best Practices

Reserve the author name on the main networks (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, maybe MySpace)

Consider reserving common mis-spellings

Point profile to official author website

Link author website to active social profiles

Obtain verified accounts where possible

More Author Pages

The Publisher Website

Why author pages?

Readers love authors

SEO for publisher and book

Improves discovery

Improves author relations (when done right)

Core contentAuthor bio

Photo

Web link

Social media links

Upcoming events

Author RSS feed (caution!)

Oh, and books

Publisher Specific ContentAuthor articles

Interviews

Book related extras

Media: audio/video

Mailing lists

Anatomy of an Author Section

Featured Authors

Author Index

On-Site Search

Types of search

Global

Author

Event

Advanced

Appearances

Author Page

Unique Content

Publisher Specific ContentInterviews: Video/Audio

Original articles

Reading guides

Extended story information (character profiles, back story, etc.)

The Retail Website

Why author pages?

Enhanced information for customers

Enhanced discovery = additional sales

Customer engagement, increase time on site

SEO benefits

What we see

Author name

What we’d like to see

Author bio

Author photo

Link to website and social media profiles

Curated content (interviews, media, essays)

Challenges

Aggregating data

Authenticating data

Maintaining data

Challenges &Possible Solutions

Author Metadata

Author Identity

Numbers: Lots of authors

Content Management

Tech-Challenged Authors

Time-Challenged Authors

Apathy

What To Do When an Author Opts Out?

Just Say No

Helping Authors Get It Right

Who’s Responsible?

Digital Assessment

Domain name

Website

Is it usable?

Is it current?

Social media presence

Quality and frequency of interaction

Website Checklist

Domain name

Hosting

Core content: Bio,Photos, Press Kit, Bibliography

Site management (WordPress or other OS CMS)

Usability and accessibility review (includes browser support & mobile)

Design options (premium themes)

Create Support Resources

Author portal

Digital concierge

Digital media training

Questions?Kassia Krozser: booksquare@booksquare.comtwitter: @booksquare

Kirk Biglionekirkb@oxfordmediaworks.comtwitter: @kirkbiglione

Booksquare Universitybooksquareuniversity.com