Is Your Website Contact Page a Loser? Are You Reachable?

It’s I will do a final ask Judith on Friday the 19th. I’ll include an update on some of the changes new including the new Printing increases from Ingram Spark and glitches from Amazon’s KDP.

It’s one of my top website pet peeves. Last year, I had great fun at my Speaking Unplugged event held in Denver. Sold Out, it was a one-day intensive with 20-plus authors deep-diving into the speaking world. Throughout, hot seats were created for each where I did “up front and in person” laser coaching on their talks—openings, closings, and just structure.Included was a section on websites and the essentials that anyone who is speaking must have and include. Not only a SPEAKING tab that includes a One-Sheet, Introductions, Press Releases, Photos, FAQ, Questions for Interviews, a sub-section for Meeting Planners only … BUT how to CONTACT you.

The truthiness is that too many authors choose invisibility. Or they insist that you fill out a blank message unit via the website … and they will get back to you.

STOP IT..

Websites have snafus. I have had many tell me that they fill out the message side—submit and never hear back I have no idea where the cyber gods send forms to, but I do know that they don’t always work. Authors who desire to speak must have reachability to meeting planners. Don’t include the “fill in the box” as the only option to connect with you.

If someone wants to connect with you—let them know how to do it. Is it via phone? Email? Zoom? Teams? Text? Snail mail?

How? Your business card or information you include on a handout at any speaking or author presentation should include at the minimum: your phone number, email, website, and address along with your name and branding.

Why shouldn’t your Contact Page include the same? Why do you want people to give up in frustration if they want to call you … or email you … or send you a note/card/letter? Yet, that’s what too many do.

Here’s what my Contact Page on TheBookShepherd.com looks like (it also includes a video):

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. In 2025, she was named Author Laureate by the American Book Fest.

Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 48 books including Cooking with Judith, Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Historical fiction novels include The Secret Journey, The Secret Hamlet, and The Secret Rise. Collectively, her books have earned over 60 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.

Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE. The AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Marketing podcast is ranked in the TOP 10 podcasts for book marketing by Mashable and Feedspot.

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her.

©2025 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.