If you are a writer, whether published or not yet published, you need a website.
Whether you write fiction or non-fiction, or poetry or music, you need an online presence to showcase your work and promote yourself.
You could start by creating a static website, where you simply have an "About Me" page and showcase your books or other writing you've done.
Or you can start a blog, this way there will always be new content and you can reach a larger audience.
But why is an author website so important, when you could simply gain more followers on Instagram or Twitter?
Here are my top 5 reasons why every writer needs a website - even if you're not yet published!
1. A website makes you look like a professional in your field
You may be on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, but so is everyone else who is not an entrepreneur or business. As a writer, you need to see yourself as an authorpreneur - you are running a business, no matter how small it is.
Even if you haven't published any books yet, having a website shows you are serious about your writing career. Potential customers will want to know who you are and what you write. It's a great way to stand out from the crowd, especially when you are trying to get a book deal - your ideal publisher will see you already have a potential audience.
On the other hand, if you are published, your readers might want to learn more about you and your work. They will want to read your bio and find out about your upcoming books. They will not go directly to your social media accounts; they will first Google your name and explore your website before they even decide whether they want to follow your social or not.
Bear in mind that, for different reasons, not everyone uses social media. Your website is an excellent way to reach those people who simply prefer googling your name.
2. A website enables you to start or grow your e-mail list
If you decide to go for a static website, you can have a newsletter for your subscribers to receive updates on your upcoming books, promotions or giveaways.
If you prefer creating a blog, having a mailing list is a great way to keep your readers engaged and involved in what's happening on your site.
In both cases, you will learn how to market your product to your niche.
Plus, when you have a subscribers' list there is no competition, as happens on social media with their complicated and ever-changing algorithms.
Your e-mail list is the best way to communicate directly to your clients, with no third-party interference. Also, you can rest assured that the receiver is genuinely interested in your content (which is why they subscribed to your list in the first place) so you don't have to worry about being too spammy.
3. You can showcase your writing skills on your blog
This is extremely important for freelancers and indie authors, especially if not yet published.
For a newbie or aspiring writer, having a website with a blog is a great way to write some short pieces of work and publish them online. Writing consistently will be good practice for you before you tackle a major project.
Plus, your reader will get to know what type of writing you do, the genre you write in, and become familiar with your writing style and voice.
It's also a great way for potential editors or publishers to read your short pieces and boost your chances of them accepting your greater pieces of writing.
If you are already published, a blog is a great tool for your website as well. You can share insights about your experience with writing, publishing and marketing. For example, readers will love to learn about your writing process and how you come up with your creative ideas.
4. A blog allows you to grow your network
As a writer, published or unpublished, a website that includes a blog that visitors can share and comment on, is a great way of getting noticed on different platforms and make new connections with other professionals in your field.
You can learn from them or just make a new friendship, with someone who understands what you are going through as a creative.
5. Creating a website is so much fun!
Yes, it is. I can testify to that.
Finding the right theme and colours, adding pictures, videos and animations, creating your own graphics etc. You will learn something new and show you are not just a writer, but you are also comfortable with technology and design.
I spent a lot of time procrastinating by designing this website rather than planning its content, because it was the easiest and most exciting part of the process.
So there you have it. 5 reasons why you must start your author website right now!
Will you be creating your author website anytime soon? Have you started working on it already? How is it going?
Let me know in the comments below and share this post if you found it helpful.
Join The Write Space Forum to start your own conversation if you need any sort of advice or have your own suggestions. You can also join my Facebook group, The Write Community, and ask over there.