Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Pole Dancing

Actually, it's poll. And I'm not doing any dancing, thank you very much. But how else was I supposed to get your attention, to tell you our poll has officially closed? (Put your dollar bills away, for goodness' sake.)

Last week I asked your opinions on when a writer should launch their professional author website. In case you missed the rollicking good fun (which I've removed to set my format back to rights), the choices were as follows:

*At the very beginning, regardless of published credits (or lack thereof). What better way to spread their name and their words?

*Once they’ve written a book or two, and know what direction they’re headed.

*When they’ve acquired agent representation.

*If they’ve sold or published one or more books.

*They already have a blog. That's good enough for me.

*Whenever they durn-well please.

I have to say, I'm surprised by the results. I really expected to see numbers in favor of agented and/or published writers, but found the two most popular answers to be at the very beginning and whenever they durn-well please (with the latter taking the cake). And I think that's wonderful! It says to me that writers, no matter their stages or goals, will garner your respect and support. How encouraging!

How do you feel about the results?

ETA: Some of you have asked about my own plans for a website. While I like the idea of getting one going and having an exciting new outlet, I'm not ready quite yet. I'll keep you posted!

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's quite the title! You should get a record number of Google hits today. For a second I thought maybe it was Photo Friday or something. ;-)

-FringeGirl

Terri Tiffany said...

That it works any way we do it! I love the flexibility of being a writer and with all our different personalities--we can go at our business whatever way works for us.

Woman in a Window said...

I think they're bang on. Being published does not a writer make. Being driven by word is what makes a writer and that happens every durn day!

Janna Leadbetter said...

FringeGirl - I didn't think about that. I may be in trouble. ;)

Terri - Yes! There's room for us all.

Woman - How very true. Great point!

Lori said...

This poll was a great idea, Janna. Now, when are you telling us about your web site plans?

Janna Leadbetter said...

Lori - I went back and answered your question in the post itself. Thanks for asking!

Kristen Painter said...

Why wait to establish a web presence? The sooner you can get your name out there, the better.

Jenni James said...

LOL! The title was crazy exciting! And I'm very happy with the results. It was a fun pole/poll. I don't think i was able to comment, but I was able to leave a vote! I was for at the beginning! Jenni

Jessica Nelson said...

LOL! Your title forced me to pop on over before I leave the house.
Very funny. I'm not going to get a website until I have an agent, just because I don't want to spend the time or money. I agree with Kristen that our name needs to get out though. I'm hoping my blog is enough for now.

Kelly said...

Durn. Just something fun about that word. I think (if it were me) I'd want a site up in time to print the address in my first book.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I plan to launch mine (or finish designing it) once I finish these current projects. Then I'll have other websites to link to for my design portfolio. If only I had writing links too...

Joanne said...

I think that until I had enough frequently new material to keep a web site interesting to return to, I'll wait. But I agree with others here about a blog getting a name out there, and to keep it very professional. It actually can serve as a great showcase for your work/platform. Another point, too, is that even not having a web site, it's important to register your domain name now for future use.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Kristen - I do get your point, though I know this here blog (and some other networking I do) has helped with that very thing. :)

Jenni - You're so giddy. And I love it. LOL!

Jessica - I think I tend to agree.

Kelly - An excellent point to ponder.

Melanie - But it'll be the best of both worlds for you when you do!

Joanne - Now that's something I hadn't though of: ensuring there's enough "new" stuff to keep it fresh and entertaining. Hm. And great point about registering the domain name, too!

Jody Hedlund said...

Very interesting results! I've always wondered when would be the best time to start a website. I always figured I'd do it when I have something worth putting on it! But I sure would like to hear more about Joann's comment about registering for a domain name.

Helen Ginger said...

I'm with the create-a-website-early crowd. Your blog may turn out to be your main vehicle for promoting yourself, since it changes every day, but authors (and pre-pubbed authors) need a website, too. It takes a while to get the kinks worked out, decide what you're going to put up and how you want it to look, and although it won't get updated daily like a blog, it has to have new stuff going up to make people want to come back.

I know that when I see an author's book and want to check him/her out, I google to find the website, not the blog.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Jody - Have you met Joanne before? She had a fabulous blog!

Helen - Thanks for stopping by! I absolutely see the benefit to both, and will eventually launch a site. Though when it comes to what I see, I like blogs in addition to (not in leiu of) their professional sites - because I like that personal touch a blog offers.

Janna Leadbetter said...

SEEK. That's "when it comes to what I seek..."

Melissa Amateis said...

Yeah, I think a blog for the time being is just as good as a website until the publishing credits start rolling in!

Spy Scribbler said...

Early is good, I guess. I think it can help sell your book to agents and publishers, but it can also not help at all. Blogs are great!

Janna Leadbetter said...

Melissa - I'm cool with that. :)

Spy - And I guess that all depends on what you do with it/how well you market yourself anyway.

The Hat Chick said...

I don't know a darned thing about publishing, but if it were me.....
I would register my domain name, put up my website and include it in my "marketing materials" that I would send with my manuscript.

But what do I know?

Janna Leadbetter said...

Hat Chick - There's something to be said for anything that helps marketing! :)

Tess said...

must.stop.laughing.

The sooner, the better, I say

**thanks for visiting my blog - liked the reminder to write from your own voice. Excellent.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Hi, Tess! And thanks for visiting here, as well. :)

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Aww, sorry I missed the poll! I think at the beginning is good, as well (although I don't have one yet). I do have my blog, and that's a start. I hope to get a site up soon, actually. Thanks for a great post and for visiting my blog! I look forward to reading more of your work.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Lady - Ditto!

scarlethue said...

Birds stealing the dog food?? How strange!! Maybe if you set up a feeder they'd leave the dog food alone? Bird seed is a lot cheaper than dog food, that's for sure.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Color me dull, but I can't see too much difference in a website and a really fine blog. What features could a site have that a blog couldn't? :)