As a reader, there’s nothing quite as frustrating as wanting to read a great romance books but not being able to find that one book we’re looking for. With so many authors and books out there, sorting through them all can fell like an impossible task. As an author, it’s your job to ensure that readers can easily find your books.
10 Reader Problems with 10 Content Solutions Authors Can Easily Do and Implement
Let’s dive into the 10 most common problems readers face when searching for another romance book and how you, as an author, can update and optimize your author website will help.
Problem: No Author Website
Solution: Create an Author Website
If you don’t have an author website, readers won’t be able to find you. If we can’t find your website, we can’t buy more of your books. Without a website, you’re limiting yourself and making it difficult for potential readers to discover your books.
Make sure your website is easy to navigate and includes all the essential content pages (click here to get a free checklist). A website is essentially your digital storefront, so make sure it’s professional and welcoming.
Problem: Can’t Navigate Your Website
Solution: Learn and Understand SEO Techniques
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your author website and content to make it easier for search engines to find and display your books.
When properly implemented, it can make your website easier to navigate and help your readers to find the info they’re looking for quickly and easily.
Research and use keywords relevant to your author brand to make sure that your content is easy to find. Look for a website builder with an intuitive user interface that’s easy to use, even if you have no prior website design experience.
Problem: Can’t Find the Next Book in Your Series
Solution: Publish a Dedicated Author Booklist Page
Another problem readers face often when searching for a new romance book is finding the next book in your book series.
As authors, you can alleviate this frustration by adding a well-written and properly formatted Author Booklist Page.
Organize your books by series allowing readers to know exactly which book follows which book. This helps readers easily find the next book in the series and discover the other books in your repertoire.
Make sure your Author Booklist Page is easy to navigate and includes the relevant info, including meta date, book descriptions, and links to each book or book series page.
Yes, you could add your purchase links to this Author Booklist Page, but if you decide to link to each book’s corresponding book page, you allows your readers to hang out more on your website and visit more pages. Which is good for your SEO!
Problem: Can’t Find a New Book to Read
Solution: Place Your Newest Release on Your Home Page
One of the biggest challenges your readers have is finding a new book to read. You can help your readers find YOUR latest book to read easily and readily by adding this book front and center on your home page, above the fold.
By placing it front and center, readers will clearing understand which is your current book, and when formatted properly, they’ll know where to go to be more informed about that book!!
Remember to include an eye-catching book cover image, the meta date for your book, a well-formatted book blurb, as well as a brief book description that’ll entice your readers to click and learn more.
Problem: No Idea What Type of Author You Are
Solution: Update and Optimize Your Home Page
When designing your author website, make sure your home page clearly communicates who you are and what type of author you are.
Use relevant keywords to optimize your website for search engines and make it easy for readers to find you and find your books. This also includes the meta data, alt tags, and descriptions that we can’t see.
Make sure your genre and writing style are prominently displayed so your readers get a clear sense of what you write.
Problem: No Idea Where to Find You
Solution: Place Social Media Links Prominently
Social media is a great way to connect with readers and promote your books. Make sure your social media links are placed prominently on the header or footer of your website so readers can easily find what the other content you’ve published online.
Use social media to engage with your readers by sharing additional content, book updates, promotional materials, and behind-the-scenes looks into how you do things and why you do it.
Problem: Can’t Find Your Sign-Up Form
Solution: Add an Email Sign-Up Form to Main Page
Building an email list is an essential marketing tool for authors. If readers don’t know how to sign up for your newsletters, they won’t be able to receive updates about your new releases and promotions.
Make sure your sign-up form is easy to find and clearly communicates what readers can expect from your newsletter.
Problem: No Idea if Your Book is Worth it!
Solution: Post Regularly and Consistently on Author Blog
Blogging is an excellent way to provide your readers with additional info about your books and writing processes. These articles allow a deeper look into the making of your book and your characters.
When you post regularly and consistently to your author blog, you help build a following and establish yourself as an authority in your chosen genre. It’s a great way to engage with your readers and promote your work.
An Author Blog is another way to provide readers with valuable and unique content. Yes, you can use your author blog to post updates on your writing processes, offer writing tips and tricks, and even answer reader questions. But you can also use your blog to share your personal thoughts, your passions, or the events that drive you.
This type of content allows your reader to know who you are as a person and what you love.
Problem: Can’t Find More Info About Your Book
Solution: Provide Ungated Content on Each Book Page
Readers often want more info about your book they’re reading or even considering to read. You can provide valuable content by offering your author’s notes on each corresponding book page in the form of ungated content.
This content can include your inspiration pics, your story’s outline explaining your story, or the map of your community. This type of content your readers will appreciate.
Additionally, including book reviews from satisfied readers can add value to your book page and further entice new readers to give your book a chance.
Problem: Don’t Know Anything About You
Solution: Offer a Detailed About Page
Readers enjoy knowing more about the authors who write the books they love. An About Page is an important page that is all about you!! This is an important page that shouldn’t be neglected on your author website.
By including fun facts about yourself, your inspirations, your awards and commendations, and even your writing processes, readers can connect with you, the author, on a more personal level. This connection can further encourage your readers to become loyal fans of your writing.
Conclusion
When you understand the problems your readers face, and how you can fix them, your readers will come to for the answers they seek and consider you the authority of your own book!! And you’ll have the website to prove it.
What’s Next…
Want a deeper look into how to create content that’s entertaining, educational, engaging, inspiring, and persuasive.
If you’re ready to take your website to the next level, check out how you can Build Your Own Content Library and pick a content template that fits your readers.
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Building your Content to get tips on how to do-it-yourself!
