One of the ways that you can get more exposure for yourself, your business, and your brand is to have an “Author Box” on your WordPress website. Oh, and you don’t have to be a published author to have one.
What is an “Author Box” you ask?
It’s a box at the bottom of your blog posts that gives some biographical information about you, the author, of your WordPress website. It’s like having an “About Us” on every blog post, or page you publish on your website. It uses the information you put into your WordPress Profile for the text, and your picture you have setup with your Gravatar Account.
One way you get an “Author Box” to show up on your WordPress website is to either have a theme that incorporates it into the theme (Both StudioPress Themes* and the Divi Theme* do this).
But if you do not have a theme that does that, there are a few plugins you can use to display an author box. See pic below from the WP Author Box Lite Plugin for WordPress ( http://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-author-box-lite/ ). It also lets you add your social media links in your profile as well, pretty handy to get folks to connect with you.
Here are some Author Box Plugins that you might also want to check out from WordPress.org:
http://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-author-box-lite/ (screenshot above – easy to use)
http://wordpress.org/plugins/starbox/
http://wordpress.org/plugins/fancier-author-box/
And if you run a ‘multi-author’ website, this comes in really handy to showcase the different authors on your site!
Watch this 3 min YouTube Video that Explains it all:
Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about having an Author Box on your website!
*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. And if clicked and purchased, we may receive a small compensation for the recommendation.
love this info. it is perfectly timed. Is there a way to check if a theme I already have, uses/ has author box? Where in my dashboard/info would I look to find out if this option exists? ( I am using parabola theme, which i really like.. but am not an absolute expert re finding all the whistles and bells;)
thanks
Teri
Teri,
Contact the theme designer and ask if they have an author box
Or just use one of the plugins listed above
You will need a Gravatar image for this to work and I see you don’t have one
see my article here:
https://websitecreationworkshop.com/blog/wordpress-tips/what-is-a-gravatar-picture/
heya
yep- thanks.. I went with starbox. cool gig. and, you can actually change the gravatar-avatar within the options in starbox ( assume it changes it in the profile;)… am now trying to figure out how-where it shows up. it is in my blog posts. AWESOME.. now, if I could just figure a better way to manage the optin-form that is mail-chimp, basic copy paste code into the posts- which is less than ideal…– but yeah– I am so glad I discovered your info.. it has been a huge and tremendous help in moving forward with some base level, but important things;)
Teri
Teri,
So glad it’s serving you! And do get your gravatar account hooked up with all your email addresses so we can see your face 🙂
how do I hook up the gravatar? I changed my generic alien, to a live-face, which shows on the website.. it changed in the profile info through the dashboard- but i assume that it doesn’t go.. global?
btw- in the author profile.. linking to book titles? etiquette/worthwhile..?
Teri,
You got your gravatar working! Congrats! Yes it’s global. Yes, link to whatever is appropriate for your author profile. Go for it girl!
yes- I’m a real boy! ( err… girl:)
new question- in the author box- in terms of embedding links..
would it be better to stick a link in to an opt-in form ( I do a lot of blog posts that go through linked in)… so as to get them onto my list, or would it better to use a link to my book?
Assuming best to keep choices minimal- what is the best use of an embedded link in an author box?
thanks so much– this is cool stuff:)
Teri
Check your theme documentation to know for sure
Does this serve the same purpose as Google Authorship and will you get the same sort of display in SERPs.
Thanks.
Anita,
my article was focused on the “human” factor and not the search engine factor. But all roads do lead to Rome. I am not an expert in SEO, but you can check out this article on Google Authorship https://plus.google.com/authorship
Thanks Christina. Really appreciate all the tips and tools you share on your site.
Monica,
Send me a link if you decide to implement an author box!
Excellent video and teaching. Thanks for sharing.
Which software do you use to make your on-screen videos?
Do you recommend that software or another for total beginners?
Steve,
I use Camtasia on a PC to make my videos. If you are on a Mac use Screenflow
I installed the wp-author-box-lite plugin. When I set up my profile for this, will it automatically attach to all posts previously posted without it?
Thank you for all of the great info!
Lana,
I do believe that it should show up. But you will have to see.
Now you just need your gravatar photo . See this: https://websitecreationworkshop.com/blog/wordpress-tips/what-is-a-gravatar-picture/
I set up my avatar and tested it on my blog. I don’t have my about information complete yet, but the avatar, my name, and the latest post list did show up on my previous posts. I really appreciate your help, thank you Christine. (p.s. is there a way to pm you?)
Christina,
I just sent this article and video to my web master. I asked him to do it before but I just looked at my dashboard of my wp blog and I see there is no plugin installed for this.
Thanks for the valuable information!
Susan
Absolutely fabulous as always Christina!
It’s a little embarrassing to admit! But I’d actually forgotten just “how'” useful and practical, the information you provide on your blog is, and your always exceptionally well done videos!
You know, as if you don’t have enough on your plate already! But you should seriously consider putting together a course for beginners, on “how to” make those really cool videos that you make with your family as cast members! They’re great!
And always entertaining!
And you could show us how you put those really cool intros on the beginning of them, and edit them etc! Just saying!
Otherwise, I’ll definitely be sharing more of your extremely helpful content on social media. Great job and keep this extremely valuable content coming!
Mark
Thanks for the kudos on our fun wacky marketing videos
I should consider a special session on how we did that. They sure are fun to do
🙂
Just to be totally sure that I understood your instructions. Since I already have my gravatar, do I just fill out my info in the profile section of my dashboard, then simply install the plugin and refresh my site?
And it should start including my signature in all of my future posts? Will it also automatically start appearing on all of my past posts as well? Thanks!
Mark
Since I don’t know the specifics of your site and your theme I cannot guarantee anything.
Just try it and see what happens
Hi Christina – You imply that Genesis-Prose has the Author Box capability built-in, but I can’t find it. Where is it located, please?
Diana
It’s under the users-> profile
for genesis themes
There is a heck box to turn it in
We are glad to hear that you consider StarBox is a must try AuthorBox plugin. – Squirrly Team
Andreea,
The fact that you came to my blog and commented about your StarBox plugin makes me want to promote it even more! It shows that you all as a company, are very attentive to your users!
Everyone check out StarBox here
http://wordpress.org/plugins/starbox/
I looked at 3 different author boxes..i chose starbox, for several reasons.. and now i am even more glad that i did:0 I like authors that walk their talk, in terms of connecting with their audiences and being real people:)
Hi Christine thanks for the post I was just in the middle of installing this wordpress plugin on my new site and was having trouble with the photo upload, but this has explained it perfectly. Much appreciated. Cheers Kim 🙂
Here is another plugin to create an author box on your website
https://wordpress.org/plugins/author-box-creator/
THANK YOU Christina. I read this a couple of hours ago and got to work right away! Brilliant timing. I always value your contributions. I might play with the wording more but at least it’s up there! http://www.thelifemasteryacademy.com/happiness-inside-job/
Thank you Christina.
I guess I have an author box on my website. I never knew what it was called. Nevertheless, it shows up at the bottom of each page.
Yes some themes build it in. It’s a nice feature to have 🙂
Hi Christina
I think I have an author box at the bottom of my website, especially since it shows up on every page. I never knew it was called an author box.