What Authors Say About Blogging

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What Authors Say About Blogging

Transcript of What Authors Say About Blogging

What Authors Say About Blogging

We Asked the Authors

1) Did you start blogging before or after you published your first book?

2) How often do you blog now?

3) What is your favorite blogging platform? Why?

4) Do you use social media to share your blog posts? If YES, what platform provides you with the most interaction?

5) What do you really think authors should blog about?

6) Do you believe that blogging can help the authors to promote their book and/or

sales?

7) What advice would you offer to both new and established authors about blogging?

8) What do you think about blogging from an author’s perspective?

2-3 Blog Posts a Week

Blog Weekly Once

2-3 Blog Posts a Month

Blog Monthly Once

Other

How Often Do They Blog?

Facebook was the top social media platform with Twitter following in second place. Most are blogging 2-3 posts per week with many divisions in how often after that.

WordPress was hands down the winner as for the platform utilized. 14 out of 17 authors started blogging before their book was published.

13 our of 17 authors believe that blogging helps their book sales and platform building.

The Results

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Which Social Media is Helping Them Most

Find the complete article: Top Authors Give Their Advice About Blogging

Amy Shojai Author of Lost And Found: September Day Series Author Website: Bling, Bitches & Blood Blog

Author’s Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging is a powerful but misunderstood tool that too many authors misuse, and it becomes a waste of time and opportunity. Forget SALES. Think ENGAGEMENT. Other writers want to read about publishing/writing--find out what YOUR readers want, and provide that to gain loyal fans."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Remember that your blog should be a CONVERSATION. Sure, share your experiences, the angst of writing, what funny thing the kids said (they'll hate/love you for it!). But remember to ask your readers questions and include them in the blog via comments, suggestions, contests, give-aways, and more. You'll not only develop more avid fans, but also discover what your audience wants you to write--and then you can give it to them."

Billy Coffey Author of In the Heart of the Dark Wood Author website: www.billycoffey.com

Author’s Perspective About Blogging. "For me, blogging serves a multitude of purposes. It lets readers glimpse who I am as a person and not an author, it keeps my writing skills sharp, and it allows me to work out potential story ideas."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "I don't generally like author websites built solely with the goal of trying to convince people to buy stuff. Information regarding appearances or reviews or whatever books you have are great and necessary, but try to provide a glimpse into the person behind those books as well."

Ciara Ballintyne Author of The Seven Circles of Hell series Author website: www.ciaraballintyne.com

Author’s Perspective About Blogging. "No blog can sell the book unwritten - don't pour time into blogging to the detriment of writing."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Don't blog daily. You will kill yourself, and bore your readers. Once a week is fine, twice a week at most. An established schedule can be helpful for both you and your readers - you don't have to rack your brain quite as hard if you know that this week is a certain type of post, and readers know when to check in for the particular posts they're interested in."

Diane Gage Lofgren & Margaret Bhola Authors of Women I Want to Grow Old With Author website: www.womeniwanttogrowoldwith.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging allows an author to drive awareness of book content/author expertise. It serves as a platform for the author to further expand on topics in the book and is a good way to become more visible in searches on the topic."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "It takes time and discipline and can easily slip on the priority list, so it needs to be made a priority."

Ed Cyzewski Author of The Good News of Revelation Author website: www.edcyzewski.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "I know that blogging isn't for every author, but for the majority of authors who are just starting out or are trying to build an audience, a blog provides a great way to reach potential readers with your ideas and to introduce them to your voice and style. It's the perfect place to test out rough drafts and new ideas, providing immediate feedback….”

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Only start blogging if you find that you can't stop jotting down ideas or keep thinking of topics you'd like to write about for a public audience. The sharper your focus, the easier it will be. Don't be afraid of dropping one blog idea for another one. Your second or third attempt at a blog may be the one that succeeds. This is all an experiment, and there's no shame in trying something different if you don't think your first blog can be sustainable."

Eden Baylee Author of Stranger at Sunset Author website: www.edenbayleebooks.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging has helped me establish my author's identity. No matter what I write, whether it's a fiction or promotional piece, I check and recheck my information to ensure the post looks clean and attractive before I publish it. My blog is a reflection of me, so I treat it as a professional calling card each time I post."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Stay true to yourself."

Joshua Graham New York Times Bestselling Author Author website: www.Joshua-Graham.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging is a great way to connect with readers and followers. Ideally, your followers will interact with you and with each other in the comments section, if you have a leading call to action (asking them to comment and discuss.)"

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Be genuine, be open, and don't promote your books too much on the blog (you have other sections of your website for that). Let your readers know you and your written voice. And always be professional. Despite the number of hits bloggers who rant and rave, I still believe being decent is the way to be, online as it is in person."

Kari Neumeyer Author of Bark and Lunge: Saving My Dog from Training Mistakes Author website: www.KariNeumeyer.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "A blog is a tool that can help build community, enhance craft, and sell books. A blog post can lead to an idea that can lead to a book. A blog post can get the attention of someone who might buy your book. The blog itself is not the book, but writers can use it as source material to be explored and expanded into narrative."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Blog about your passions. Don't treat your website like a billboard, but as place to share information. Build community by asking questions in your posts and respond to comments. When people comment on your blog, visit their blogs and comment there. Even authors who don't blog should have websites in their name (not AuthorName.wordpress.com, but AuthorName.com) with information about their books. It helps potential readers see that the authors are ""real people."""

Kent Hinckley Author of Hearts, Minds, and Coffee: A Vietnam Peace Odyssey Author website: www.kenthinckley.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "I have fun with my blogs. I cover subjects that interest me which I hope will interest my readers, and get to practice my writing. It's a win win."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Do it, write blogs well, and realize that they probably won't influence readers when they buy your book."

Lisa Jey Davis Author of Ms. Cheevious In Hollywood: My Zany Years Spent Working in Tinsel Town Author website: www.mscheevious.com/blog & www.lisajeydavis.com/blog

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging not only provides the platform an author needs, it offers a way for them to express themselves beyond the book."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Be consistent. If decide to blog prior to your book's release, you won't begin to see and reap the benefits unless you've been writing them consistently and often for some time. I know there are other schools of thought about this. One bestselling author says not to bother people with blog posts too often, but when you *do* blog, to make it great. I haven't tried that method. I do know that as a result of my blogging, I have been approached by multiple brands to try products (all of which, if I do, they must offer the product in a giveaway on my site).... So - whether you blog often, or not, be consistent. Also, EDIT your work. Pay someone to edit it, if you must. Just be sure your work is pristine. It is your calling card."

Lynne Cantwell Author of Pipe Woman Chronicles Series Author website: www.hearth-myth.blogspot.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging is a great way to let your readers get to know you. People always seem to want to know about the person behind the pen (or computer terminal), and writing a blog is one of the best ways to let your own personality and interests shine through."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Be consistent in your posting times, so that your readers know they can rely on you. And don't just cross-post or share content without any comment on it; give the link a little introduction and/or explain why you think your readers ought to click through."

Michele Rosenthal Author of Before the World Intruded: Conquering the Past and Creating the Future Author website: www.ChangeYouChoose.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging can be an essential component in building and maintaining your audience because it offers an induction into your tribe. For prospective buyers blogging develops trust in your perspective and approach. For readers it allows an on-going and meaningful connection that converts into long-lasting, supportive fans. For you as a writer the energy of community can serve as a source of inspiration, motivation and stimulation that leads to future creative work."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Be smart and creative. Write in ways that make your audience stretch while also giving them a foundation of education they can both rely on and access through posts that are stimulating, inspiring and lead to conversations."

R.S. Guthrie Author of Blood Land: A James Pruett Mystery Author website: www.robonwriting.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging is the author's way of connecting with the peer community. Book readers aren't reading an author's blog. Share. Authors helping authors. We aren't competing as much as you think, even in-genre. People buy a car for 5 years. They turn over a book in a week. There are plenty of readers for us all. The more you help other authors, the more they will assist YOU."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Do it soon, before your book is out---before the first word is written. Talk about your book, the struggles, the things you've found that help the process, etc. Become known, get readers, establish a Social Media presence. ALL of that helps for your first book release."

Richard L Mabry, MD Author of Critical Condition Author website: www.rmabry.blogspot.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "I do it because I've been told an author should, and I'm afraid to stop...but I wish I could."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Be interesting; don't be a slave to it; offer value to the blog readers."

Shirley Hershey Showalter Author of Blush: A Mennonite Girl Meets a Glittering World Author website: www.shirleyshowalter.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging helped me find my core readers, the few who were waiting to read the book when it came out. I found those readers by adding value to them, spiritually and strategically, being vulnerable and sharing details of writing, publishing, and promotional activities. I try to encourage others to be their highest selves, which helps me become my highest self."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "You don't have to do it. If you hate it, don't waste your time. Establish a publishing schedule so that you can batch your blogging/social media work. I'm not good at doing this, but I wish I were."

Steven Ramirez Author of Dead Is All You Get: Book Two of THE DEAD SERIES Author website: www.stevenramirez.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging is like exercise. Everyone says it’s good for you, but sometimes it's hard to make room for it."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Don't post something just to keep a cadence. There is a lot of fluff out there, and I suspect that some authors are posting because they feel like they have to. I am blogging less frequently now as I write more books. But when I do post, I try to make it meaningful."

Victoria Noe Author of Friend Grief series Author website: www.friendgrief.com

Authors’ Perspective About Blogging. "Blogging helped me not only find an audience but refine my message. I tried things out on my blog when considering using them in one of my books. It helped focus the books, too."

Advice to Other Authors About Blogging. "Don't go long periods of time without blogging. Decide on a schedule and stick to it."

Overal l Conclusions

S t a r t b l o g g i n g a n d s o c i a l m e d i a p r o m o t i n g y o u r b l o g s s o o n e r r a t h e r

t h a n l a t e r .

W o r d P r e s s w a s t h e f a v o r i t e p l a t f o r m f o r t h e s e a u t h o r s a n d b l o g g e r s .

M a k e s u r e y o u a r e c a p t u r i n g e m a i l s o n

y o u r w e b s i t e .

M a k e i t e a s y f o r y o u r v i s i t o r s t o s h a r e v i a s o c i a l m e d i a .