Determining if an author blog is right for you

At latest count, there are more than 100 million blogs on the internet today. Traditionally, blogs were web based log or diary entries which included photos, insights and links about what the author found interesting. Today, more and more businesses have also used blogs to send out updates, news feeds and connect directly with consumers. As an author, is creating a blog right for you?

I recently came across a great article titled, “The Author’s Dilemma: To Blog or Not to Blog”  by Claire E. White. In this article Ms. White outlines the different types of blogs, what makes a great author blog and the pros and cons of blogging. The article is a few years old, but the content is still relevant.

This article included a great quote from Jonathan Karp of Warner Twelve:

Writers have to be promoters if they believe in their work. Blogs are a way for authors to communicate directly with readers and establish a personal connection. It’s a way to reach readers who may not attend bookstore events, and it’s more convenient for authors, too. I haven’t met too many writers who were eager to fly to Houston for a day — though I’m sure Houston is lovely this time of year.

Still uncertain whether or not a blog is for you? Here are some points to consider before starting a blog:

1. You must love to write. Blogging requires frequent, interesting entries, responding to posts and leaving feedback on other blogs.

2. You must enjoy surfing the web. Having a successful blog does not end with posting your thoughts. It requires marketing, visiting other blogs, networking with other authors, and staying abreast of news that pertains to your topic.

3. You must have the time to commit to a blog. Having a successful blog requires frequent, meaningful entries that not only capture new readers, but also keeps established readers coming back for more. You must be willing to establish a set schedule for posting and be willing to follow through.

4. You must be transparent. What makes a good author blog is not just providing a platform for a given work, but the insights it provides readers into the author’s day to day struggles and successes. Maybe your dog has been sick and you finally found the right medication to help it? Maybe you struggle with migraines? Maybe you had a dream that inspired your work? Though on the surface, it appears that these topics have nothing to do with selling books, but what it does do is connect you to your readers in a very real and intimate way.

5. You must be fairly comfortable with internet technology or know someone who is. The best author blogs are constantly changing and evolving. Having a blog does require some basic software understanding. Having a blog will require a commitment to growing and learning how to maintain and improve your blog in order to provide the best online environment for your readers.

If you are ready to start a blog, here is an online article with the simplest instructions I have seen as to how to start a blog.

Here, too, is a list of some great author blogs to reference.

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Kimberly Brock
Kimberly Brock Marketing

Kimberly Brock is a marketing professional with more than eleven years experience in the Christian book publishing industry. She has worked with authors such as Joyce Meyer, Max Lucado, Joni Eareckson Tada, Shaunti Feldhahn, and many more. A seasoned professional, Kimberly is astute in identifying market needs, creating actionable plans, and effectively communicating on message for her clients.

Posted in Engaging Culture, Marketing, Publicity, Tools

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