Without any further ado, let’s get to the next six reasons you need a website:

It is the first step to developing your email list – it doesn’t matter whether you are on your first book or your sixth, you need to get the word out there and let potential readers know about your book. Getting them to subscribe to your email list is the best way to do that and to get them to do it, just make them an offer they can’t refuse – a free chapter, for example.

A website is a fantastic place to showcase your work – even more so for those that are new to the writing game. Your website is a great place to showcase your writing skills and give potential customers an idea of what to expect from you.

A website and blog make you write – and it’s a great way of getting you started too. Even if you are between books, adding to your blog or posting updates keep your brain ticking and your fingers moving. It’s an opportunity to improve your voice, your style and it is a great motivator for writing regularly. New writers can use their blog to practice and it can give you some great ideas on what to write about.

Websites with blogs build your confidence and provide opportunities for networking – any type of writer needs to network, to meet up with other people. They need to see what others are doing and they need to stay up to date all the time. You may be a complete introvert or a very shy person, but a blog can get you in front of an audience without you having to be there in person and it’s a great way of building up your confidence.

It can help you to bring in extra income – and everyone needs that. If you are a seasoned writer, you could offer writing courses or a consultancy service. If you are a qualified editor, you can offer that too. Anything that is related to what you do can help bring in another source of income.

It’s an easy way of announcing a new book or a sale - your website is your platform and its where you announce everything – a new book, a special book sale, a book tour or signing, a fundraiser, anything you want that will help you to market and sell your book. If you have great testimonials or reviews from people, post them on your website; let everyone see them. Shout your name out loud from the rooftops because it’s the best way for everyone to hear your voice and to find you.

Having a website really is the most important marketing tool you can have at your disposal. In the final part of this short series, I’ll be showing you the easiest way to set one up at minimal cost. Before that though, there’s one more reason, a very big one, why you, as a writer, need to have that website.