As an author, your primary goal is to build a loyal readership and engage with your audience. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by offering a reader magnet—a free piece of content that entices visitors to subscribe to your email list.
But WHERE should you place the signup form for your reader magnet? The answer is simple: on your author website. Here are 10 reasons why adding a signup form to your website is crucial, as well as the best places to put it.
10 Reasons to Add a Signup Form on Your Author Website
Increased Visibility
Reason: Your website is your digital home base, where all your content and information are centralized. This makes it the perfect place for visitors to notice and interact with your signup form.
Enhanced Credibility
Reason: Having a signup form on your website adds to your credibility and professionalism as an author. It shows that you are serious about building your readership.
Higher Conversion Rates
Reason: Visitors who come to your website are already interested in your content, making them more likely to subscribe when presented with a reader magnet.
Direct Access to Your Content
Reason: Your website offers direct access to your books, blog posts, and other content, making it easier for readers to see the value of subscribing.
SEO Benefits
Reason: A well-placed signup form can help improve your website’s SEO by increasing user engagement and time spent on your site.
Data Collection
Reason: Having the signup form on your website allows you to collect valuable data about your audience, which can be used to tailor your marketing efforts.
Control Over Design and User Experience
Reason: You have complete control over how the form looks and functions, ensuring it fits seamlessly with your brand and website design.
Integration with Analytics
Reason: Placing the signup form on your website allows you to track its performance using web analytics tools, helping you optimize for better results.
Opportunity for A/B Testing
Reason: You can experiment with different form placements and designs to see what works best for your audience.
Enhanced Engagement Opportunities
Reason: A signup form on your website can be complemented with other engaging elements, such as pop-ups, banners, or call-to-action buttons.
Ideal Places to Put the Signup Form on Your Website
The actual placement of your sign-up form is important too. While there are several ideal places to put your form, pick the one (or more) places that work best for what you’re trying to do.
Main Page
Placement: Above the fold or as a prominent call-to-action.
Reason: This ensures maximum visibility to all visitors.
Author Booklist Page
Placement: At the top or alongside the list of your books. Ideally, this would be a simple digital download.
Reason: Readers exploring your booklist are already engaged with your content.
Blog Articles
Placement: Within the content or at the end of each blog post allowing readers to take a little bit home with them.
Reason: Readers who find your blog posts valuable are more likely to subscribe.
Each Book Page
Placement: Next to the book description or purchase links giving your readers the opportunity to dive deeper.
Reason: Visitors interested in a specific book are prime candidates for your reader magnet.
Book Series Page
Placement: Near the series overview or individual book details.
Reason: Fans of a series are likely to want more content and updates.
Which Reader Magnet is Right for Your Readers?
Look at your marketing strategy, choose the reader magnet that is right for your readers. Here’s a few choices:
Simple Author Booklist
Upgraded Author Booklist
Bonus Scenes
StoryBook Guide
What’s Next…
Want a deeper look into how to create content that’s entertaining, educational, engaging, inspiring, and persuasive.
Still wondering about the benefits of offering quality content? Take a look at this article.
Make sure to add the essential content elements to your author platforms!
Learn to master your reader magnets in the Ultimate Guide to Mastering Your Reader Magnets!
