AFTER THE CONTRACT

stay in touch, build the buzz, keep them coming back

• Your Website must be accessible!
  • see tips http://www.w3.org/WAI/quicktips/
  • enter your website at http://wave.webaim.org/ and click the "wave this page" button. Also, click the "Disable Styles" link at the upper right of the page to see what your page looks like to a screen reader.
  • your readers may access your site from work, so be certain it's "work safe"...if they get fired, they can't buy your books! Anything not "work-safe" should be clearly labeled and not on the front page.
  
  
• Your Website Should Include
  • Your schedule of appearances
  • A link to your blog (personal or group)
  • A bio
  • A press kit
  • Contact information (your email address should be attached to your website--"judy@judy.com," not "judy@yahoo.com")
  • A page for each book or each series
    • Synopsis (hook-based, not full)
    • Excerpt
    • Reviews and Blurbs
  • Extras: Think about extras as the thing that will really entice readers. This is the place your website will differ most from the websites of other authors.
    • multimedia
    • character sketches
    • giveaways/contests
    • short stories

If you decide to go with a professional designer, think about how often you might want to make changes and be sure to go over up front what any changes will cost. Content Management Systems will allow you to make changes on your own. Costlier in the beginning, but over the life of your site may be more practical.

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3. After The Contract
4. K.I.S.S.
5. Resources
6. Don't Forget