Improving your Websites and Blogs - a few how tos

Hidee ya'll, Pepper here and I wanted to fill you in on a few tips I learned from author, Jim Rubart, when he presented at The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference a few weeks ago. Great presenter, btw, with lots of helpful info to share. The room was packed to brimming.

First of all, if you haven't visited Literary Agent, Rachelle Gardner's blog, you really need to. It's lovely, and is a good example of a healthy blogsite that has all those 'winning' qualities to keep it popular.

Another great blog to visit is Seekerville, filled with wonderful tips on writing - and just a lot of fun.

Anyway, on to the info :-)

WEBSITES:
People SKIM websites and if you don't get your point across within 7 seconds, the reader usually moves on. Talk about a hook! So what can you do to help people hang around your website? Or at least read it?

1. The top right corner is the prime realestate spot on your page. Make sure you have something very important in that prime spot.
A link to your blog?
Your newest book title.
The link to 'sign up' for your newsletter.
Whatever is the 'catch' for those cyberfish looking for a good read.
Important info on the RIGHT!

2. Write in first person, not third.
Put your bio in first person - conversational tone. First person gives a more welcoming feel to your website. You still want to be professional, but not distant.

3. Think bullet points
What are the most important things about you that you want to describe. Think about the to whom you wish to appeal - what points of interest about you might make them want to learn more?

4. Be creative. Have a message.
On my website, I try to draw people into a conversation. I try to appeal to moms, writers, professionals, and people with a sense of humor. My novels have humor in them, so I want my website to give a hint of what my stories will be like. My 'catch' phrase (or message) is "To Life, Laughter, and the Lord"

5. Be Professional - Jim called your website your "business card on steriods".

6. (MOST IMPORTANT) Your website is really about THE READER, not you. Your job is to get people to like you within 7 seconds, so you appeal to THEM. What will entertain, inspire, or inform them? It's your marketing tool.

BLOGS
The same basic rules apply for blogs, with some changes.
1. Still need a HOOK! Your post needs to grab and hold your readers' attention.
2. Needs to be short - WRITE TIGHT!! A post is considered long if it reaches 450 words (oops). Take all the 'boring' parts out of your post and only put the meat of your topic into it.
3. Have a point to your post.
4. Is it visually stimulating? Lots of text doesn't encourage readers. Placing bullet points, bold, lists, italics, and pictures makes the post more inviting.
5. Blog a minimum of 3 times a week.
6. Give your blog a theme. People come to your blog to learn about....?
7. Be polite - respond to people's comments
8. And remember, the blogs are for THE READER, not you.

A few final tips:
How can you increase blog bites?
1. Comment on other blogs
2. Offer to guest-post for someone or write for free
3. Write interesting things
4. Be consistent
5. Be focused

There are easy ways to create your own blog or website. Blogger and Wordpress are the two top blog options.
What do you find important in a website? Blog?
What turns you off from a website or blog?

What's Up the Street For Next Week?

Well, it's another week here at The Writers Alley and for most of us, school is finally OUT!! Yes, the crowds are going wild. Especially those crowds under the age of 18.
Though I've heard a few victory shouts from employees too (isn't that right, Sherrinda).

June is HERE, so let's see what's going on at The Writers Alley this week.

Monday - Need tips on creating websites and blogs? What else do you have to do over your summer break, right? Pepper takes the information she learned from author, Jim Rubart, and shares it with you.

Tuesday - Want to learn about the Anti-Hero? Sherrinda  will walk you through a crowd of anti-heroes from film and literature and hopefully we will find out why we love them so much!

Wednesday - What to do? What to do? You have loads of things planned for the summer, but you need to fit writing in there too! Mary posts about Juggling Writing and Summer for the perfect blend of real-life mixed with imaginary. Stop by and find out about it.

Thursday - So, what's one of the best parts of a story? The stand off, the climax, good versus evil in a battle to save all. Join Casey today as she discusses Creating Compelling Villain and Hero Final Moments.

Friday - Does 'place' really matter? Join Krista today as she discusses Spectacular Settings: Avoiding bare walls and three-sided houses.

Saturday - Edgy Christian fiction author, Michelle Sutton, stops in to define 'edgy' and explain why she loves writing books 'on the edge'.

SIDEWALK TALK

June 19th – Things get a little suspenseful around here as Margaret Daley discusses the key elements of a gripping suspense novel.


June 26th – Welcome author Lena Nelson Dooley takes us on a journey through her publishing experience, up to her newest release JUST LAST MONTH – Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico

AND HOLD ON TO YOUR STETSON – Mary Connealy starts off July with a visit to The Writers Alley on July 3rd.

THE NEWSTAND

Starting this Monday on Mary's blog, God Loves Kids, the post will provide ideas for you and your family.
Monday: End of the School Year Tips.

Wednesday and Saturday: Who was this governor of Egypt, and how did he know the correct birth order of the Hebrew men? Why did he treat Benjamin special? Come read these exciting Bible stories.

Casey will be featuring author, Cathy Liggett, on her blog Operation Encourage an Author. Stop by for a chance to win Cathy's latest book, Beaded Hope.
 
For the month of June, Pepper will have a Blog Series called “Sizzling First Encounters” on her personal blog at http://www.pepperbasham.wordpress.com/

Some of your favorite authors will answer the question, “What do you think makes a great cute-meet between hero/heroine?”, then provide a scene from one of their books to prove it. Stop by – June 7th starts the series with Linda Windsor, Myra Johnson, and Deeanne Gist.