Happy Friday, I have a dumb obsession. Every time I read a book, I go look at the author’s website. I’m always hoping the site will be great—especially if I loved the book. Every time I go look at an author site, I’m kind of hoping “this” will be the author with a great site. Usually I’m sorely disappointed.
Linda, don't worry about the title. Concentrate on great names for chapters. They will be one-liners that Sell the title. My Website Sucks. My headlines: I thought SEO was a new corporate job position / But I love "my little kitty," what do you mean I don't have the copyright ? / Pseudonyms are for suckers / I'm too unique for a brand / What would Marie Kondo do? Make a sales shelf for your books so readers can find you. . . . .
A Step-by-Step Guide for Writers on How to Market and Promote Their Work
by Linda "Websites-R-Us" Caroll
There's your title, babe. You're welcome. Ha-Ha-Ha. ;)
Hi, everyone, my name is J.A. ("hi J.A.") and my website...sucks. Yes, yes it does. All two (3? 4?) of them. As for the workbook, you know we'd get it, but I'm not invested in learning the process, personally. Everyone has their own bandwidth, or they should.
Everyone has their own skillset-threshold, and it takes a wise, humble, and brutally honest-with-herself person to say "Yup, not my thing," while staring out like a deer in the headlights of a Snowcat. 😳😶😬🥴 So I'd buy it and hire it out, have someone design it according to the strategies you lay out in the workbook.
Hi Linda! (*waving wildly*) 2022 is the year of change, growth and 'awesome.' Exciting things ahead! I hope you're feelin' allllll that 'awesome,' too. xoja
There are already many fine title suggestions. Here's mine: "Make Your Website Sell Your Books." Alas, the problem I see with that title right away is that it suggests its about setting up a store for direct sales, and your workbook isn't (strictly) about that. Hm. How about "Make Your Website Win Your Readers."
Something's in the air. Just a few days ago I had an online chat with an author who was complaining about how his publisher's website suck, which ended with him admitting that his own website is a trainwreck. At least he's aware that his website sucks.
And yes, I would love this workbook. I wonder... would the focus be on getting people who land on the website to sign up for the newsletter? Because that's a piece of advice I've seen floating around, that the website should be optimized for getting visitors to sign up for the mailing list, and then, once an author has their email address, they have time to warm them up.
Hi Linda! I am very much interested in your workbook. I can be a beta reader if you are in that phase. I would love to find an audience through my website and never spend another second on social media again. Also, I am interested in hiring you if you are open to new clients. Will send you an email.
Well you're not wrong here. I write only for computers, and my website(s) look like something a five-year-old would reject. I don't build websites, don't want to, and obviously suck at it. I don't rely on the website for much more than bug reporting. You may have motivated me to find a designer to take care of that.
Back to "real" writers, I know two that are very talented and have good following numbers. Both are struggling financially, and rely strictly on platforms like Medium. One has a website donated by a patron, and it looks it. The other has no site. Is this part of the reason they are struggling?
Finally, a cliche-based title: Fixing a Site for Sore Eyes
I know my website sucks. I have a couple of self-pubbed ebooks out there. I'm writing a fantasy novel that I want to use my website to find readers. Your book sounds like what I need.
Heck, YOU are what I need!
You know who has an amazing website? Leigh Bardugo. Melissa McPhail.
Hi Linda, looking forward to your workbook. I realized there's a correlation between the website and writing. I don't feel great about the site and it makes me slack off on writing. I suck at titles too - which is why I didn't submit one. Sigh.
If you're going to include SEO: "Web Site Strategies for Writers" BTW, I've been in a similar business since '94, when dinosaurs walked the "information superhighway," but I've been so burned out that I've yet to build a Site for myself. With all the research, writing and editing you do, for xo Linda and Medium pubs, do you ever sleep?
My website sucks, but then I don’t have a book to sell.
Name for workbook? How about “Website Wizardry Workbook for Writers: Transform a Moneysuck into a Moneymaker”
Linda, don't worry about the title. Concentrate on great names for chapters. They will be one-liners that Sell the title. My Website Sucks. My headlines: I thought SEO was a new corporate job position / But I love "my little kitty," what do you mean I don't have the copyright ? / Pseudonyms are for suckers / I'm too unique for a brand / What would Marie Kondo do? Make a sales shelf for your books so readers can find you. . . . .
"My Website Sucks!"
A Step-by-Step Guide for Writers on How to Market and Promote Their Work
by Linda "Websites-R-Us" Caroll
There's your title, babe. You're welcome. Ha-Ha-Ha. ;)
Hi, everyone, my name is J.A. ("hi J.A.") and my website...sucks. Yes, yes it does. All two (3? 4?) of them. As for the workbook, you know we'd get it, but I'm not invested in learning the process, personally. Everyone has their own bandwidth, or they should.
Everyone has their own skillset-threshold, and it takes a wise, humble, and brutally honest-with-herself person to say "Yup, not my thing," while staring out like a deer in the headlights of a Snowcat. 😳😶😬🥴 So I'd buy it and hire it out, have someone design it according to the strategies you lay out in the workbook.
Hi Linda! (*waving wildly*) 2022 is the year of change, growth and 'awesome.' Exciting things ahead! I hope you're feelin' allllll that 'awesome,' too. xoja
I'm interested in learning how to make a website that doesn't suck :) Possible title:
Create a Website Worthy of your Book(s)
Yes please. My website is non existent. . 'The Ultimate Website for Writers '
Hahaha I find it coincidental that this is your newsletter in the same week that I publicly admitted my website sucks 😁😁 Did I inspire you?
There are already many fine title suggestions. Here's mine: "Make Your Website Sell Your Books." Alas, the problem I see with that title right away is that it suggests its about setting up a store for direct sales, and your workbook isn't (strictly) about that. Hm. How about "Make Your Website Win Your Readers."
Something's in the air. Just a few days ago I had an online chat with an author who was complaining about how his publisher's website suck, which ended with him admitting that his own website is a trainwreck. At least he's aware that his website sucks.
And yes, I would love this workbook. I wonder... would the focus be on getting people who land on the website to sign up for the newsletter? Because that's a piece of advice I've seen floating around, that the website should be optimized for getting visitors to sign up for the mailing list, and then, once an author has their email address, they have time to warm them up.
Hi Linda! I am very much interested in your workbook. I can be a beta reader if you are in that phase. I would love to find an audience through my website and never spend another second on social media again. Also, I am interested in hiring you if you are open to new clients. Will send you an email.
Possible Title: Is Your website sucking Wind? This workbook will fix that!
I was just thinking today that my website sucks and was about to buy an elementor page template to fix it. LOL. As if…
Yes! Please, I would love your workbook. I can’t wait to use it to transform my site.
Hmmm… title for the book. Maybe, “How to Wake up Your Dull Author Website so Your Books Sell” or something like that.
Hi Linda, I'm interested in your workbook...also, are you for hire?
Well you're not wrong here. I write only for computers, and my website(s) look like something a five-year-old would reject. I don't build websites, don't want to, and obviously suck at it. I don't rely on the website for much more than bug reporting. You may have motivated me to find a designer to take care of that.
Back to "real" writers, I know two that are very talented and have good following numbers. Both are struggling financially, and rely strictly on platforms like Medium. One has a website donated by a patron, and it looks it. The other has no site. Is this part of the reason they are struggling?
Finally, a cliche-based title: Fixing a Site for Sore Eyes
A Website Workout For Authors
(subtitle) Making it Work For You.
I know my website sucks. I have a couple of self-pubbed ebooks out there. I'm writing a fantasy novel that I want to use my website to find readers. Your book sounds like what I need.
Heck, YOU are what I need!
You know who has an amazing website? Leigh Bardugo. Melissa McPhail.
OMG.
Hi Linda, looking forward to your workbook. I realized there's a correlation between the website and writing. I don't feel great about the site and it makes me slack off on writing. I suck at titles too - which is why I didn't submit one. Sigh.
If you're going to include SEO: "Web Site Strategies for Writers" BTW, I've been in a similar business since '94, when dinosaurs walked the "information superhighway," but I've been so burned out that I've yet to build a Site for myself. With all the research, writing and editing you do, for xo Linda and Medium pubs, do you ever sleep?