The Web Savvy Unpublished Author…

I’ve seen a lot of discussion in different places recently about how much or how little an unpublished writer should do in the way of marketing or creating a “presence” for themselves.  As you probably know, in addition to “this writing thing”, I also have a marketing and design business.  I deal mostly with authors and writers at all stages of their career, including some who are unpublished.   I’ve heard from some clients that agents are asking for a website presence prior to looking at a full manuscript. Others hinted that a website should absolutely be in place prior to sending anything to an editor.  The amount of agents doing this, I have no idea. 

Updated to add: I’ve heard from a very reputable NY Times Bestselling author that both her agent and editor told her in no uncertain terms that any agent who requires a website prior to reading your submission is one to avoid. Just wanted to share the information.)

Please note: NOT having a web presence isn’t going to keep your amazing, fabulous, best-seller-in-the-making book from being picked up.  Not by any means.  If you send out a book that an agent MUST have, they won’t let the lack of a web presence stop them.  But once you’ve got the agent and they are getting ready to send that book out, a website or presence is going to move very quickly to the top of your To Do list.

In his post  “Just an Author?”, Nathan Bransford said, “As we all know, these are tough times for the publishing industry yada yada yada. Sure, publishers are buying fewer books, but they also have to make difficult decisions about which books will receive precious marketing dollars and the all-important “push” that can make the difference between obscurity and bestsellerdom. How do they make these decisions?  Often they go for bang for the buck. And one of the best ways to get bang for the buck is to start with an author who is doing everything they can to help out with publicity, thus multiplying the publisher’s efforts.”

Again, the lack of a website isn’t going to stop you from getting a book deal.  But it could give you an advantage.   Writers invested in their own careers–and today that absolutely means having some web savvy, it means being engaged in some way–could give you an advantage over the writer who doesn’t want anything to do with the web.  It shows that you can do your part in promoting yourself, that you take yourself seriously.  That you’ve thought about your career, about what it will take to build it.  Being an author today isn’t just about writing a good book, so at the very least, you need to consider what will be ahead of you.

What Should You Do Now?

If I offered any piece of advice for writers, it would depend on what stage of the game you are in.  Have you finished your first book?  Have you polished it, run it by your critique partners and made it the best you possibly can?  Have you made a list of agents to query? Written and polished your query letter?  If the answer to those questions is No, then stop reading this post and get back to work. 🙂

If you answered yes, if your first book is finished and ready to begin the query journey, you’ve got your letter polished and you’re actively plotting out or thinking about your next book, then keep reading this post: this information is for you.

First: Do A Little Research

It’s pretty easy to check out the available options to see what fits for you.  Mostly, at this stage, you should be focusing on the aspects of building a web presence that fits into your life and will be easy for you to do.  Remember, the ULTIMATE goal is to write the best book you can.  Your focus should always be your writing, but that doesn’t mean you can’t schedule in some time to begin working toward that “web savvy” adjective in front of your soon-to-come title of “Author.”

A Website

A website, at this stage of the game, can be a simple, basic thing.  It should be well-presented, professional, with a graphical focus on what your writing style is and share some information about you.   I look at an unpublished writer’s website as sort of a resume and cover letter:  it presents you in a flattering light and sells the person reading it on what’s remarkable about you.  (And there is something remarkable in each of us, so no shaking your head at that statement.)   Often, I find writer websites with links or resources that provide information to other writers — and let’s face it, at this stage of the game, your working toward building a name in the industry.   In some ways, your target audience IS other writers, because that’s where you’re likely spending most of your time online: in critique groups, on writing sites, on agent blogs, learning as much as you can.  So what can you teach them?  What do you have to share or offer?

You don’t need anything fancy, but it should be professional.  (That doesn’t have to imply professionally made, although if you are so inclined *grin*… http://www.willdesignforchocolate.com.)  You can build a website for free — google “build website for free” and find all sorts of options.  These will be more generic, so when it comes time to really elevate your style and brand, you may want to consider going the route of having someone design it for you.

To Blog or Not To Blog

A blog is a time investment — sometimes a big one.  Before you embark on it, you really need to consider how much time you want to give over to it.  Is it something you’ll enjoy (that won’t feel like work?)  If your writing time is limited, will it take away from the amount of writing time you have?   A blog is not a necessity, it should be something you enjoy doing before you take it on.   And if you aren’t sure, find a group blog and guest spot.  (You’re welcome to start here.  We love new guests.)

Google Thyself

No matter what your choices, you need to google your name…or your pen name, writing name, whatever you think you’re going to publish under.  There is a chance a publisher might ask you to change it (especially if you choose something like Phoebe Bananabottom), but just as good a chance you can keep the name.  So before doing that, know who else has it.  Know what sort of web presence exists for that name.   If there’s another Jane Author out there with a myspace page full of bikini photos, a youtube channel that shouldn’t be watched without a PG13 rating… don’t you need to know these things?  I know it could might seem ridiculous, but agents and editors looking you up wouldn’t know the difference.  Would you want them to think that was you?   Giving Google some way to find you — usually a website focused on you, the writer – helps establish who you are.  Remember, your website at this point is your resume. You’re looking for the “job.” So what does your web resume say about you?

Some things I suggest across the board: Secure your domain name. It’s a $10.00 purchase (per year) at Godaddy.  If the .com, .net. and .org are available, secure all of them.   Grab the profiles at facebook, myspace, twitter, goodreads and whatever others you think are helpful, under your writing name. You don’t have to do anything with them yet, but you should have them. (Protect your name.)

The Book Is Always The Most Important Selling Point

Writing the best book you can is always the most important part of your process, never forget that.  But it doesn’t mean you can’t spend some time learning how to be more web-savvy.