Do You Make These Mistakes

You don’t know me. I understand that. So why would you trust my message? How do you know I’m a good writer with helpful suggestions? I decided to check with the professionals to see if my internet appearance conveys competence, achievement–you know, that I appear to be the writer I am.

I checked with Jordan McCollum (virtually), a guest blogger on the website of (former) literary agent Nathan Bransford. Here’s his feedback:

The Top 7 Things Every Aspiring Author’s Website Must Have
By: Jordan McCollum

Nathan has blogged about author websites, and everything he says is spot on—but, as he freely admits, professional opinions on author websites vary even within the publishing world.

But so far, I’m on the outside of the publishing world. My day job involves learning how to get the most out of your website. So from the perspective of Internet marketing, here are the top seven things every aspiring author’s website should have.(more)

He has a lot to say so I’ll summarize. Let’s see if I have them:

1. A blog–got that.
2. Social media–I have a Twitter account, a LinkedIn presence, a Goodreads account (and an author page), an Author Page on Amazon. Although, I don’t list that. Put that on my Todo list…
3. Search engine presence–kinda, but like Jordan warns, there are a few with my name. Hmmm… I’ll work on that, too
4. Professional design–as much as my level of webmaster expertise allows. I, like so many young authors, am a one-person show. Does my ‘design’ appear professional?
5. An About page–got it. Probably a good place to put my social media. Add that to my Todo list
6. My work–nope. I’ll put that at the top of my Todo list. How’d I miss that?
7. A contact page–I’m guessing the ‘comment’ section of the blog isn’t good enough for a ‘Contact Page’. Another item for the Todo list.

Overall, I don’t think I did so well. I’ll let you rate me:

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Jacqui Murray is the editor of a technology curriculum for K-fifth grade and creator of two technology training books for middle school. She is the author of Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy midshipman.  She is webmaster for five blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for Examiner.com, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, IMS tech expert, and a weekly contributor to Write Anything and Technology in Education. Currently, she’s working on a techno-thriller that should be ready this summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.

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