You've heard of the Cloud, right? I'm the last person to get technical about the Internet, but imagine everybody's presence in that "cloud." You have no website and no blog. In all those names floating around, yours is teeny weeny little in scattered places. Nobody goes directly to you. You're at the mercy of other sites, yet they have no way to link to you in other than a mention, and maybe a link to Amazon. No growth potential.
This makes for a lousy first impression. Let's see how this comes across to others:
1. You do not care about the reader.
Without giving the reader a clean, crisp, easy place to land and learn about you, and whatever you do, he has to Google and search other sites. Trust me . . . as fickle as online surfers are, the search will be promptly abandoned.
2. You do not respect the Internet.
In this day and time, that's interpreted as out of touch. When half the readers in the United States are reading their books on electronic devices, out-of-touch is a kiss of death.
3. You don't care about your product.
Lack of promotion means you wrote it for you and the friends and family around you, unconcerned if others will take an interest. If you aren't interested in sweating over the promotion of your work, then you possibly can't care if it sells. So . . . why should anyone bother reading it?
Of course, nobody I've spoken to feels this way. They worked hard on their story, love it when readers enjoy it, and they don't understand or don't have time for the Internet. However, unless they have a unique method of selling their work otherwise, they best get on board the Web. They best create a website or blog to serve as a starting point. And they best learn that readers watch the "cloud."
There are just too many great books out there these days to think readers will just gravitate to yours. Make it easy for people to find you. Start with a home base.
5 comments:
Hope--I agree with you. Whether you like it or not, you have to work via the internet, along with any other hooks and crooks you can snag to sell your book.
I was reluctant to create a website when I published my book. Then I did it- thanks to your advice and used your wonderful designer, Shaila Abdullah-- and have already found how useful the website it -I can direct people there to find out about me, the book, what else I've written, buy the book, etc Still working on the social media marketing but the website and blog are very important.
Popping over from Elizabeth's blog to say Hi! Great post - we do live in the age of the Internet and have to take advantage of it!
It is really hard to believe that there are writers who believe that having a presence on the internet is unnecessary. They might as well forget all distribution methods and just expect people to show up at the front door of their home and ask "can I get a copy of your book, I'm sure it is good."
Crazy!
I think it might be intimidating for people or they're worried they'll have to spend a ton of money. In 2008 I learned how easy it was and that it was FREE and there was no stopping me. Having a home base is fun and gratifying.
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