UPDATE: July 25, 2016
Since the original publication of this thread, I have since moved many of my websites and blogs into a single site. I have a number of reasons for doing this, but the top among them are 1.) brand consistency and 2.) to create a better user experience for readers. It's going to require a considerable amount of effort to complete, but I'm hopeful that within the next 2-3 months, the majority -- if not all -- of this transition will be complete.

In the meantime, I will be going through all of my external links, both on Nairaland and other websites and forums to be sure that all links point to the new site for your convenience.

I thank you for being a part of my journey thus far, and hope you continue along with me in the months (and years) that follow.

Be blessed!

---

It took a little longer than anticipated, but I managed to finish the site for my upcoming novel and fiction series, the Genesis Covenant, and it will serve as the hub for my author platform and writing online.

It's also where I will outline, discuss and flesh out many of the details of my novel series. It's science fiction series that primarily appeals to US and European audiences, however, I'm also planning to push for a limited release in Nigeria and the greater West African region.

Aside my main series, I'm also working on a few stand alone novels to promote to exclusively to Naija readers, though I need to do a little more research to be sure my facts are accurate.

In addition to highlighting my writing process and discussion the series itself, I will also share updates on my progress. I will let you know what is work and was isn't, in terms of marketing, building an audience, ebook sales and more.

My goal is to leave enough bread crumbs so that beginning or existing writers can quickly determine which strategies work, to save them time testing worthless strategies and tactics.

You can view the site HERE, along with the first blog post HERE.

Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. If you notice any broken links, please let me know so that I can have them fixed immediately.

Be blessed!

Ra

You websites looks good But how did you get AdSense for a new site?

Rockyfancino:
You websites looks good But how did you get AdSense for a new site?

Thank you!

The Adsense account is VERY old. Almost 10+ years old.

radragan:
It took a little longer than anticipated, but I managed to finish the site this evening. I call it "Nightmares & Fairy Tales" and it will be the hub for my author platform and writings. It's also where I will outline, discuss and flesh out many of the details of my novel series. It's science fiction series that will be released in the US and Europe, so I'm not sure how it will appeal to Nigerian audiences. I am working on a series to promote to Naija readers, but I need to do a little more research to be sure my facts are accurate.

In addition to highlighting my writing process and discussion the series itself, I will also share updates on my progress. I will let you know what is work and was isn't, in terms of marketing, building an audience, ebook sales and more.

My goal is to leave enough bread crumbs so that beginning or existing writers can quickly determine which strategies work, to save them time testing worthless strategies and tactics.

You can view the site HERE, along with the first post HERE.

I'm pushing to have another 4-5 posts published by tomorrow, and another 15 or so by the end of the coming week. Normally I would have all of this done prior to launch, but since I didn't decide to start working on the site until a few days ago, I don't have much of a choice. I could wait and publish the content later, but I'd rather not. I would rather win now, not later.

Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. If you notice any broken links, please let me know so that I can have them fixed immediately.

Be blessed!

Ra

Nice blog, I think you should quickly add some posts on your writing as opposed to your marketing etc unless you are trying to establish yourself as a marketing expert.

You can check out my blog here http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/blog/ In addition to writing children's books, I host podcast The Segilola Salami Show and I help aspiring authors make a success of publishing. Because what I do is clearly defined, my blog followers know what to expect from my blog.

I am always open to learning new things, so what strategies do you have in place to build your email list? and drive traffic to your website?

SegilolaSalami:


Nice blog, I think you should quickly add some posts on your writing as opposed to your marketing etc unless you are trying to establish yourself as a marketing expert.

You can check out my blog here http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/blog/ In addition to writing children's books, I host podcast The Segilola Salami Show and I help aspiring authors make a success of publishing. Because what I do is clearly defined, my blog followers know what to expect from my blog.

I am always open to learning new things, so what strategies do you have in place to build your email list? and drive traffic to your website?

First off, thanks for visiting my site!

To explain, this website initially began as a personal project. The original concept was to only blog about my experiences as I worked to self-publish my first book. It was just something I was doing in my spare time on weekends.

After a few readers wanted to know more about my process, so I took the site down to revise and rebuild it. The site you see now is the latest version, and not the site it was 4 months ago. Rather than treating it as a hobby, I am gradually shifting the site to become a more marketable platform. One that is primed for growth and monetization.

It's focus is threefold:
1.) I use it to document my progress as I work to write and self-publish my first book and fiction series. Sharing everything I learn as I go. Good or bad.

2.) It's also where I share the findings from my research. The Internet is filled with a vast amount of tips, strategies, and best practices that promise everything from teaching people how to write better and faster, to becoming better marketers, to building an audience. I'm going to test as many of these strategies as possible, then publish my findings to my blog for free.

3.) There's a lot of talk from "experts" who make it seem as though, all you have to do is pursue something you're passionate about, and success will drop into your lap. That's not true, even in the least bit. So I'm using my blog to show a small group of subscribers on my email list what it really takes (and means) to follow your dreams.

The trick, however, will be to figure out how to successfully blend all 3 of these aspects into the site so cleverly, that it appears as one cohesive objective. It's not impossible, as I've done it before in the past, however, it is extremely difficult to do. Right now, I am off to a rough start, and that's fine. Very few ideas launch perfectly. So I'm going to give it 3 months to see how it goes, and if the site is still struggling, I will need to change tactics and alter its focus.

To drive traffic to the site, I'm using Google Adwords, and publishing write-ups to sites like Nairaland and other forums online. As for building my email list, I'm not too focused on that at this point, as I already have a list of subscribers from previous versions of the site. But I do have numerous places throughout the site to capture emails and grow my list should anyone be interested. I'm just not actively promoting things currently, but I will soon.

Thanks again for commenting and viewing my site, and yours is nicely done as well. How long have you been blogging/writing? Is this your first site, or just the latest version of your work?

Looking forward to your response.

Be blessed!

radragan:


First off, thanks for visiting my site!

To explain, this website initially began as a personal project. The original concept was to only blog about my experiences as I worked to self-publish my first book. It was just something I was doing in my spare time on weekends.

After a few readers wanted to know more about my process, so I took the site down to revise and rebuild it. The site you see now is the latest version, and not the site it was 4 months ago. Rather than treating it as a hobby, I am gradually shifting the site to become a more marketable platform. One that is primed for growth and monetization.

It's focus is threefold:
1.) I use it to document my progress as I work to write and self-publish my first book and fiction series. Sharing everything I learn as I go. Good or bad.

2.) It's also where I share the findings from my research. The Internet is filled with a vast amount of tips, strategies, and best practices that promise everything from teaching people how to write better and faster, to becoming better marketers, to building an audience. I'm going to test as many of these strategies as possible, then publish my findings to my blog for free.

3.) There's a lot of talk from "experts" who make it seem as though, all you have to do is pursue something you're passionate about, and success will drop into your lap. That's not true, even in the least bit. So I'm using my blog to show a small group of subscribers on my email list what it really takes (and means) to follow your dreams.

The trick, however, will be to figure out how to successfully blend all 3 of these aspects into the site so cleverly, that it appears as one cohesive objective. It's not impossible, as I've done it before in the past, however, it is extremely difficult to do. Right now, I am off to a rough start, and that's fine. Very few ideas launch perfectly. So I'm going to give it 3 months to see how it goes, and if the site is still struggling, I will need to change tactics and alter its focus.

To drive traffic to the site, I'm using Google Adwords, and publishing write-ups to sites like Nairaland and other forums online. As for building my email list, I'm not too focused on that at this point, as I already have a list of subscribers from previous versions of the site. But I do have numerous places throughout the site to capture emails and grow my list should anyone be interested. I'm just not actively promoting things currently, but I will soon.

Thanks again for commenting and viewing my site, and yours is nicely done as well. How long have you been blogging/writing? Is this your first site, or just the latest version of your work?

Looking forward to your response.

Be blessed!

Glad you like my site, it's the first one and I have been blogging for about two months now.

I love fantasy and when I land on your homepage it has that exact feel to it. When I navigate out, I expect to see fantasy related stuff, so it disappoints when I don't.

Thanks for sharing your tips though. I have focussed a bit on my RSS feed and that is slow growing my subscriber list, even though they don't actually visit my website.

Not found much success with ads, so not bothering any more.

As a fellow author, would you mind reading and reviewing my latest book?

My book Yetunde: An Ode to My Mother follows baby Yetunde as she narrates her mother's ode to her grandmother.

It is free to download in all platforms:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/603700
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1R7OVF3
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1S7GM66
Book page: http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother/
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother-1
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/en/book/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother/id1072179529?mt=11
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yetunde-segilola-salami/1123187693

Many thanks for your time and kind regards,

Segilola

SegilolaSalami:


Glad you like my site, it's the first one and I have been blogging for about two months now.

I love fantasy and when I land on your homepage it has that exact feel to it. When I navigate out, I expect to see fantasy related stuff, so it disappoints when I don't.

Thanks for sharing your tips though. I have focussed a bit on my RSS feed and that is slow growing my subscriber list, even though they don't actually visit my website.

Not found much success with ads, so not bothering any more.

As a fellow author, would you mind reading and reviewing my latest book?

My book Yetunde: An Ode to My Mother follows baby Yetunde as she narrates her mother's ode to her grandmother.

It is free to download in all platforms:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/603700
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1R7OVF3
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1S7GM66
Book page: http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother/
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother-1
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/en/book/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother/id1072179529?mt=11
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yetunde-segilola-salami/1123187693

Many thanks for your time and kind regards,

Segilola

For me, I use ads to test ideas. I invest a handful of dollars a month to create ads with various titles and descriptions. I'm looking to see what people respond the most to.

Then, once I've figured out the kind of ad that generates the click-thrus and page views I want, I create Facebook and social media content around those same ideas. The idea is that it will trigger interest and encourage social shares, which is much cheaper than buying more ads.

And you aren't the first person to say that about my site. Which is why I've held off adding new content, so that I can shift all of my "instructional" content to a single page, and then have more fantasy/science fiction related content in the blog and on the home page. So there will definitely be more fantasy and story related content on the site moving forward.

I've downloaded a copy of your book. I'll dive into it later today and let you know what I think. I plan to have the first snippet of my series published this week. I will forward you a copy when I do.

radragan:



For me, I use ads to test ideas. I invest a handful of dollars a month to create ads with various titles and descriptions. I'm looking to see what people respond the most to.

Then, once I've figured out the kind of ad that generates the click-thrus and page views I want, I create Facebook and social media content around those same ideas. The idea is that it will trigger interest and encourage social shares, which is much cheaper than buying more ads.

And you aren't the first person to say that about my site. Which is why I've held off adding new content, so that I can shift all of my "instructional" content to a single page, and then have more fantasy/science fiction related content in the blog and on the home page. So there will definitely be more fantasy and story related content on the site moving forward.

I've downloaded a copy of your book. I'll dive into it later today and let you know what I think. I plan to have the first snippet of my series published this week. I will forward you a copy when I do.

perfect, I like that

if you give me a child friendly version, I can post a snippet here for you http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/category/sunday-snippets/ or
you can post your book blurb here http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/submit-your-book-details/ #indiesupportingindie

SegilolaSalami:


Nice blog, I think you should quickly add some posts on your writing as opposed to your marketing etc unless you are trying to establish yourself as a marketing expert.

You can check out my blog here http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/blog/ In addition to writing children's books, I host podcast The Segilola Salami Show and I help aspiring authors make a success of publishing. Because what I do is clearly defined, my blog followers know what to expect from my blog.

I am always open to learning new things, so what strategies do you have in place to build your email list? and drive traffic to your website?

I'm kinda a fan of Yours, I've been trailing you through all the threads, I'd love to learn from you and know the best possible way to publish my ebook

lordseb:

I'm kinda a fan of Yours, I've been trailing you through all the threads, I'd love to learn from you and know the best possible way to publish my ebook

Awwwww bless, sob sob, you do know how to bring a smile to a girl's face

First, subscribe to my blog http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/blog/, go through all my previous posts or at the very least, listen to my podcast show. There is an amazing amount of very useful info in it.

Once you have done that, ask yourself what is success for you? Once you know what you want to make you succeed as an author, the next thing is to set SMART objectives.

Feel free to ask me questions via the comments on my blog or twitter. I would be more than happy to help you out.

If you would like to seriously proceed in your career as an author and you would like one to one consulting with me and access to my contacts, then drop me an email here http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/contact/. This is not a free service but you can get a free initial consultation via email to establish your requirements

Check out the reviews for my latest book here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28388212-yetunde It was released in March
Check out this post about my podcast http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/appear-on-the-segilola-salami-show/ it was a top 3 literature podcast on iTunes
My book is free at the moment, so you can download a free copy on any platform
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/603700
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1R7OVF3
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1S7GM66
Book page: http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother/
Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother-1
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/en/book/yetunde-an-ode-to-my-mother/id1072179529?mt=11
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yetunde-segilola-salami/1123187693

If you need to know anything else, just drop me a line

SegilolaSalami:


perfect, I like that

if you give me a child friendly version, I can post a snippet here for you http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/category/sunday-snippets/ or
you can post your book blurb here http://www.segilolasalami.co.uk/submit-your-book-details/ #indiesupportingindie

Thanks, but I'm not sure this particular story will be suitable for children. But I have PLENTY of content to work with on my computer, so I'm sure I have something. For what age groups do you write/target with your site?

radragan:



Thanks, but I'm not sure this particular story will be suitable for children. But I have PLENTY of content to work with on my computer, so I'm sure I have something. For what age groups do you write/target with your site?

All ages, I don't discriminate eheheheheh even non-fiction works go on there especially for women and parents . . . so I would say my website is more for the family unit . . . no hardcore things

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to post a quick update to all those who are currently viewing and following this thread, that I have suspended my website, Nightmares & Fairy Tales.

Part of the reason for this was because I've discovered another author who already owns a well established brand of the same name, and I didn't want to invest my time and resources developing a web property that could become a legal liability. Not saying that it would, but the possibility is there, and I want to avoid any potential brand infringement issues before they happen.

In the meantime, I am building a new site where I will continue sharing my experiences in writing, but also promote my own works in fiction and self-publishing.

You can view the new site HERE. It's still undergoing work, but you can at least get an idea of the direction I'm moving in.

Feel free to comment and ask questions.

Thanks for joining me and being a part of this adventure.

Be blessed!

Hi Everyone!

I've made some progress with consolidating my websites and updating my backlinks on the web, and I have now begun the process of reducing the number of active threads I manage and publish to on Nairaland.

Moving forward, I will no longer be actively publishing to this thread, and will only publish an update to keep new readers aware of any changes to my current strategy on Nairaland, or on my websites in general.

If you are interested in following my future updates, you can view the thread located HERE, or by visiting my blog at www.GenesisCovenantSaga.com/blog.

Thanks for reading!

I hope to connect with you again soon!

Be Blessed!