Writer’s Relief has a subsidiary company, Web Design Relief, in which we design websites for authors. So, in addition to the writing and targeting advice we’ve offered in our articles, we’ll be sharing tips on Web design, how to establish an online presence, how to best utilize social media, and more. To get the ball rolling, we’re starting with one of the most important features of an author website—one you’ll need to quickly grow repeat visitors. Keep reading to learn how to implement a strong call to action on your author website and build your author platform.

This month’s Industry Influencer is Ron Hogan, curator of Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC as well the lit journal that helped launch the digital literary age back in 1995, Beatrice! He talked with Writer’s Relief about the online literary market, online author platforms, his favorite social media, and offered some helpful tips for bloggers.

Let’s say a visitor has come to your author website. Maybe he/she read one of your pieces in a lit mag and wants to learn more about you. Maybe said person is a literary agent who is deciding whether or not you would make a good client. Or maybe said visitor is someone you met on Facebook or someone who was referred to your site by a friend.

The problem is, when your visitors leave your site, they’ll be gone forever—unless you give them a reason to stay connected. Creating an interactive website is key.

We received this tricky question from one of our readers, and we thought it was a great one!

Hi, I have a question regarding pen names. Your articles are very informative and helped a lot, but there’s still one question I have left. I am beginning my first novel. I chose the pen name Hunter Field for two reasons: First, I’ve always wanted an alias; second, my real name is not easily spelled, pronounced, or remembered. I am about to introduce myself to a group of NaNoWriMo authors in my local area. All of my Internet personas are under Hunter Field (my blog, my forum accounts, my NaNoWriMo account), so I don’t want to confuse them by introducing myself by my real name and then writing, commenting, etc. as Hunter. What do you suggest?

Unfortunately, there is no one simple answer here, but there are options. When you’re building a Web presence, branding is important—so it’s right to stick to an easy-to-remember pen name across all websites and social networks. When it comes to mingling in real life, the situation can change.

Creative writers who wish to go pro should have an author website. A Web designer can help you create a classy, interesting website to showcase your creative writing—or you can create one on your own. A great site can also help you sell books, gain readership, and create a Web presence (not to mention get a literary agent or editor).

GREAT NEWS! Writer’s Relief can help you design your author website. Check out Web Design Relief! We know the publishing industry, and we know great design. Check us out!

Many writers have a business card—even if they don’t have publication credits yet. A business card, like an author website, gives the impression of professionalism and seriousness. It’s an important and inexpensive tool for making great connections and fans.

But many writers think inside the box when it comes to designing and using their business cards. They’ll include their contact information and nothing more. The fact is, your business card is your most powerful tool for face-to-face networking and promotion. And when you couple your print business card with active social networks and a dynamic author website, you’ve hit the trifecta of promotion.

If you’re using a business card to encourage new readers and make new connections, consider these five common missed opportunities.

Most of us who aspire to be career writers are active promoters (or at least, we’re thinking about promoting). Even if you’re not in the “giving book signings” phase, you may be in the “attracting an agent” phase.

It’s only natural that we want people to notice our writing. Adults aren’t much different than children when we’re proud of our work (“Hey Mom! Look at me!”). Lucky for us, social networks like Twitter and Facebook can be a great way to help people get to know our writing.

But here’s the thing: There’s a right way and a wrong way to promote your writing on interactive websites (like social networks, forums, and blogs). And we’ve seen writers do some pretty embarrassing and desperate things to get attention.

Not all writers are annoying. But those who are make the rest of us look bad.

So here are eleven things you should never-ever-in-a-million-years do when you’re promoting your writing online.

Let’s say a visitor has come to your author website. Maybe he/she read one of your pieces in a lit mag and wants to learn more about you. Maybe said person is a literary agent who is deciding whether or not you would make a good client. Or maybe said visitor is someone you met on Facebook or someone who was referred to your site by a friend.

The problem is, when your visitors leave your site, they’ll be gone forever—unless you give them a reason to stay connected. Creating an interactive website is key.