Do I need a website before I get a book deal?
I’ve just finished building my first ever website for an author who has yet to sign a book deal. I’m going to keep her identity under wraps for now, but while we were working together it got me thinking a lot about when, as a writer, is a good time to launch a website.
If you don’t have a book deal yet, do you even need a website?
Technically speaking, probably not.
However, there are quite a few reasons why I think it’s a good idea to get your website up and running before you get your book deal. So, let’s go through them, shall we?
1 A website allows you to share extra info about your book
True story: my agent found me through my website.
Yes, really. I had sent my manuscript off to a colleague of hers, who didn’t think it was for him. But he then passed it on to my agent. She didn’t have my contact details (as this was in the Olden Days, when MS were printed on paper) and so she googled me. She found my website, and got in touch.
I remember seeing her message come through and thinking it must be spam. But it wasn’t!
My case is quite unusual, but the point still remains, that having a website is a great way of sharing extra information about yourself and your book, so that interested agents and publishers can find out a bit more about both you and the story behind it.
I also think it gives a good impression when you’re on submission. If you have a website up and running already, publishers will know that you’re tech savvy and keen to market yourself.
It’s not going to make or break whether or not they want to publish your book, but it looks good, which leads me on to…
2 It makes you look professional
So, you might not have a book deal yet, but if you’ve written a novel, you are still a writer.
You still write in a particular genre, you have still completed a novel. These things matter!
Having a website up and running makes it clear you take your writing seriously, that you are treating it as professionally as you would any other job, and that you are in it for the long-haul.
These are all important messages to send to publishers and agents. And on that note…
3) It sends an intention out into the world
If this is too woo for you, then feel free to skip this point. However, I do believe in the power of manifestation, and having a website up and running for your author career sends a positive intention out to the universe. That this is what you want to do, and that you’re taking it seriously.
This kind of thing really helps with your own mindset, I find.
But if you’re not one for that kind of chat, let’s get more practical…
4) It saves time when you do get a book deal
Having your website up and running before you land your book deal can save you a huge amount of time and angst when you do finally get offered a contract.
I often hear from authors who’ve left getting their website sorted until the last minute, when they’re overwhelmed with finishing off copy-edits, writing content for the PR and marketing teams, trying to find an accountant and organising their launch party etc etc… the list of jobs for new authors is pretty long!
The last thing they need to worry about in this crazy busy time is setting up a website from scratch too.
Getting your website sorted when you might have a bit more breathing space - perhaps your book is on submission and you’d like a welcome distraction - is a really good idea, and you will be very grateful to your past self in the future!
Last but not least…
5) It gives you a head-start in multiple ways
Having your website up and running as early as possible gives you an advantage in several ways.
It allows you to start building a mailing list - I know I bang on about this all the time, but mailing lists take a long time to grow, so the earlier you start gathering addresses the better.
In the same vein as opening your social media accounts before you get a book deal means you can start building an audience and networking with the writing community, you can also use your website to host a blog, and start building fans and readers of your writing.
I’ve blogged more about blogging (meta!) here>
And from a very uninspiring but nonetheless significant point of view, the earlier your website is launched, the better its SEO will be.
One of the factors taken into consideration when your site is ranked by Google is how long it’s been around. The older the website, the better!
If I’ve convinced you not to put off launching your author website any longer, and you’d like some help with it, then take a look at my three design packages here>
