Today I decided I needed to get some elementary school teachers to beta read the ‘Bright Blue Ball’ children’s picture book I wrote. But I don’t know any elementary school teachers. So why not just pop in on an elementary
school in my area and solicit one or two? Even with covid protocol still in full effect surely they wouldn’t mind an aspiring published author stopping by to solicit their teachers opinion on a book that may help entertain and possibly educate their students. I began searching for local schools in my area and put on some pants. Just one problem comes to mind, credibility. Covid aside, with all the issues surrounding school security these days who’s to say I am who I say I am.
So before I go to the schools I decide it’s time to have some business cards printed. That should do the trick! So I visit the local business card maker in my small town. I was greeted by a gentleman who presented me with a book of all things print. Printed envelopes, letterhead, if it could be printed it was available for custom print in this book. Now all I had to do was to go home and send the e-mail, for some reason he couldn’t take my order there in person, with my phone number, email address, etc. Once home I eagerly signed into my e-mail and began to type the specific information required to have these business cards created. Then I would be legit. Right? Wait a minute. The personnel email address I’m using doesn’t look professional or business like at all. That’s not legit. Nothing matches my author information. What I need is a new email, a professional email. One that utilizes my pen name or business. Yes, that will fix it. Then I can order my business cards I think I am in dire need of. So I began to search the internet for email hosting services.
As I began to search the internet for a simple email hosting service, I found that these companies also offer website hosting. I recalled a time, long ago with a company called AOL, that I had built my own web page. Mostly just cause I could, not for a specific business purpose. So I know I can do it. Now instead of looking for a simple website solution, I decided to look for a website host where I could have email as part of the package in my own registered domain. That’s the way to go, I thought. I can build the website as I go, and add my book promotions as I become published. What could be more credible than that?
Now I’m onto something. I began to seek a company to host a website. One company kept showing up. WordPress. Reviews for WordPress claimed 40 percent of all websites have been developed by their company/software. The software is free. Going through the process I find that while the software is free, services, as well as some website development plug-in tools, are not. I keep searching for my solution and find numerous website development companies.
As I write this blog I find myself wanting to tell you I put in the time. I looked at all my options. Researched every company. Selected the best website hosting service for the money. I did not. As I looked through my options it dawned on me that I am a writer. I am in the business of writing and becoming published. While I might have fun developing my own website, I am in no way a web designer. What mistakes would I make along the way? What possibilities of website capability will I not know about and therefore not take full advantage of available functionality? Not to mention the time learning and developing a website on top of learning about literary agents, publishing, writing, writing conferences, and marketing literary work. Once again I’m faced with the fact that I am a writer and that’s what my business needs me to do.
Cutting to the chase I decided to reach out to Bluehost because they had an easy to fill out form that advertised someone would contact me to discuss my specific needs. I needed a company to partner with, to take care of the tedious task of registering my domain, hosting my website, building my website with future expansion and development in mind, and making my website internet presence visible. I’m not trying to make this sound like a commercial for Webpage or Bluehost just outline my journey.
That said, the Bluehost representative was professional, and proposed more than what I thought I needed, and definitely more than I wanted to pay for, but still an affordable solution. I would be provided with a website hosting service that scales across all devices, (Mobile Phone, Tablet, and Computer), with access not only to my own marketing website designer, but also a marketing social media campaign developer. They would also register my domain, and ensure my website is visible through internet search engines, provide 24/7 customer support, plus monthly marketing and website progress meetings. The representative made the plan easier to afford and implement immediately by breaking down the initial cost of
website development and social media marketing into affordable payments less expensive than most new car payments.
Like I said before, I’d like to tell you I continued to shop around. I did not. I accepted the opportunity offered to me because I needed to be off loaded of all of those tasks so I could get on with the business of writing. So far they have delivered on every promise and timeline. I won’t bother telling you about their design capabilities because if you are reading this blog chances are you have seen the website and can decide for yourself.
So since you don’t have any books published why do you need a website? Why don’t you just wait, you ask? Very good question!? I’ve learned through writers and publishers blogs, and podcasts, that developing a writers website early on can allow the writer to experience a gentler, smoother learning curve. Allows the writer to develop methods for attracting followers who just might purchase those books when they are published.
Remember from my previous blogs that publishers want the writer to have an established following because the writer, not the publisher, is responsible for selling the books. More followers, more book sales.
Then there’s that credibility I talked about earlier in this blog. Well, now those would be beta readers will be able to see my online presence, read about my writing projects, and take me more seriously than they may have otherwise.
I’m glad you’re here, reading my blog, and following my journey to become a published author. One never knows where a journey will lead.
Oh, and remember those business cards I decided I needed right away for credibility. I still don’t have those, but they are finally on order as my website they led me to create goes live.
Now, It’s time to write.