Hello Writers and Crafters! I'm Valerie Ihsan, And I'm Erick Mertz, and this is Episode 108 of the podcast and it's March 28, 2023  as we record this.  Main Topic: Website Basics   PATREON: No new patrons this week. Thank you to our existing patrons for believing in us and in the podcast.  This podcast is sponsored by our patrons at Patreon.com/valerieihsan. For as low as a $1/mo, you can get a postcard from me, a shout out on the podcast, and we can make announcements for you on air. At other tiers, the benefits increase--free books, accountability Zoom calls, scene analysis, mastermind calls, and even free Writer Craft retreat tickets. Become a patron of the arts at Patreon.com/valerieihsan.  Patreon.com/strangeairstories for paranormal mysteries short stories   Comments: email from listener:   Questions from listeners:   Announcements:  1) Next Group Coaching cohort is starting soon! On sale now for $333. April 11- June 7 weekly; Tuesdays 2:00 p.m. (day and time negotiated by cohort) UPDATE:  Valerie:  Coaching and birthday stuff Erick:  website re-do   Just finished:  Pilgrimage by J.F. Penn and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan and The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden. I'M READING: The Blackhorse by Carole Johnstone ; Bones Would Rain from the Sky: Deepening Our Relationships With Dogs by Suzanne Clothier; Wabi Sabi: Japanese Wisdom for a Perfectly Imperfect Life by Beth Kempton.    Up Next:  Erick's Reading:  Fairy Tale by Stephen King; anthologies from mom Dr Who 50th anniversary edition; Dispatches from Anarres   Show Notes:  Website (own your home; renting is risky): URLs that are you. Sitemap shows navigational flow Above the fold: mailing list signup and reader magnet Pages: About/Philosophy, Coaching, Editing, Podcast/News, Shopping, Retreat, Contact Me, Testimonials Home page: tag line/branding; About; Books; Categories of Books; Blog (can be gallery of images, podcast, video blog, showcase); reading lists, featured on... ;  #1purpose: Mailing list capture #2 purpose: keep people there as long as possible #3 purpose: convert to a customer Model after authors in your genre (how to depict self, branding); and in your journey (like, one book or a step ahead of where you are) Buy URL (claim domain name) ~$100 for two years Get hosting (GoDaddy, BlueHost, HostGator, Squarespace)  The bigger the website, the more complex the build.   Resources:  Reading Critique Group for Writers FB Group 3 Bird View FB page Author XP (marketing for authors) (bi-monthly promotions) Raven Publicity (publicity for authors) The Shades of Orange (Rachel, Book Blogger on YouTube) for book recommendations SF/Fantasy/Horror Contact Erick for business-starting advice or building a website. Contact Valerie for coaching for help writing your book. Other Resources: Thomas Umstattd Jr, at Novel Marketing Podcast. Ep255: How to Create an Email Onboarding Drip Campaign Russell P. Nohelty and Monica Leonelle's book, Get Your Book Selling on Kickstarter. Valerie's new day book for the year 2023 is: Meditations from the Mat: Daily Reflections on the Path of Yoga by Rolf Gates. I've published our 2022 Book List on the website: valerieihsan.com/podcast-news   The Author Life Community Passion Planner: https://bit.ly/3AUiJUx (affiliate link) Discount Code: VALERIE188 ProWriting Aid: https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=9378 (affiliate link)   Find Us:   Valerie’s Services: https://valerieihsan.com Valerie’s Author Site: https://valerieihsanauthor.com Valerie’s Facebook Page and Instagram account Erick's Linktree link: https://linktr.ee/erickmertzauthor   Erick’s Services: https://erickmertzwriting.com Erick’s free book on Ghostwriting: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cexki4kp5n Erick’s Author Site: https://erickmertzauthor.com Erick’s Facebook Page and Instagram account  Writer Craft Facebook Group Patreon: https://patreon.com/valerieihsan