Small Press Month: Attracting a Fan Base

Attracting visitors to a website can be difficult. It goes far beyond putting your name out and giving people an invitation to visit your main website. They will not visit to join a newsletter or read your website.

There are several ways to get people to visit a website:

1. Share your space with Visitors. Let them tell stories, write a scene for your characters, join in a 'continued story' by adding a scene. Then, publish their work on your website.

This works, but only if you talk with the visitors. The web owner needs to chat with their members. This is not the business where 'if you make it, they will come.'

2. Offer Something Free. I have heard dozens of writers rail against the idea of writing for free. But, most of them never had a good fan base. I also know two authors who write 'extra' chapters for their books, extra stories about their characters, and other free stories. They offer these as 'read by author' for audio feeds and download, and in PDF form.

Most of these stories can be short, 5 pages long will equal a 5 minute feed. Then, ask the audience for feedback, to offer suggestions.

3. Help Me Write. This is another tool that will attract die hard book lovers. They love to offer advice and suggestions about the characters and settings. Many of them have situations that might flesh out the book. Even if their ideas are not used, story lovers enjoy sharing their thoughts and being part of the writing experience.

4. Let visitors post reviews, comment in a guest book, or participate in a forum.




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