Thursday’s profit tip for authors

Authors generally place a great deal of emphasis on website navigation, making it easy for website visitors to locate desired pages. At a glance, first-time visitors must be able to locate the information they desire. However, there are times when authors may want to deliberately limit access to certain pages, for example:

• Pricing and terms for coaching and consulting. Authors may not want to make their pricing and payment terms publicly available, where their competition can see them. Many authors prefer to discuss fees only after they have spoken with a client.
• Personalize the content. Instead of using a single, generic, “Presentation Handouts” page, create separate, audience-specific pages. When appropriate, reference the specific event, i.e., “Thank you for for attending my Boston Sales Seminar presentation on October 13, 2008.”
• Presentation and speaking follow-up. Authors may want to offer a premiums, such as e-books or copies of their presentation visuals to individuals who have attended one of their speeches or presentations.
• Premium content. Authors desirous of creating long term relationships with their readers frequently offer bonus content, such as worksheets, templates, or chapter updates to their readers.

Although there are several ways authors can limit access to specific website pages, using passwords or using membership site management software, the easiest way to limit access is to simply to avoid including the pages in the site’s navigation.

Tips for creating hidden pages
Here are some suggestions for implementing hidden pages:

1. URLs for hidden pages. When creating the pages, use short, simple, easily-remembered names, i.e., “fees,” “eventname,” or “eventdate.” An example might be: www.publishedandprofitable.com/terms
2. Sharing the pages. Once you’ve qualified the individual’s right to access a hidden page, share the URL verbally, and encourage them to write it down as you repeat it. You may also want to send them the URL via e-mail–perhaps with a reminder/request not to share it with others.
3. Tiny URL. To make it easier for your prospects or readers to access your hidden pages, authors can explore sites like www.tinyurl.com where long URLs can be simplified.

Hidden pages make it easy for authors to enhance their credibility and build their equity and pre-sell future projects by limited access to pricing details to qualified prospects and by using bonus content to reward readers and event attendees. It usually costs nothing to set up a hidden page, yet the rewards can be significant.