Author Blogs, pt. 2

In part one, I talked about why author blogs don’t sell books. Today I want to discuss why it’s not only okay for authors to blog about writing, but why it may be a good idea.

There are plenty of folks out there who will tell you, if you’re trying to sell books, you shouldn't blog about writing. The argument goes thus: by blogging about writing, you're limiting your audience to other writers.

Can't argue with that. And if your every post is about writing, you may even bore your readers who *are* writers. By the same token, if you have an author blog and all you do is self-promote, you’re going to bore readers too - that is, if you have any. The same is true of any subject, whether it’s you, your kids, your pets, your political causes, or your bathroom remodel.

Rule #1 of blogging: it's not about you. Blogging is about connecting with readers. And you do that by writing something that matters to them.

Still with me? Good. Slap yourself with this (I’d do it, but a virtual smack just isn’t the same). The great majority of blog readers are bloggers themselves. Bloggers by definition write, even if writing means only penning their blog. So a blog that touches on writing every now and again makes sense.

Never forget, writers of all walks are also likely to be readers. And remember too, it’s word of mouth that sells books. If you blog about writing on occasion, and by doing so you lure in other blogger/writers who spread the word about your books. Hey, well done, you!

Conversely, if all you do is blog about your books, and nobody knows who you are, nobody knows how to find you, nobody cares what you have to say because all you do is blog about you, you, you, how much word of mouth do you think you'll generate?

Exactly!

I’ve seen a Janet Reid quote bandied about on a number of blogs, (writer blogs - go figure. Who’d guess anyone would read one of those?) and it’s always written thus:

“If you blog…don’t blog about writing.”

Actually what Janet (Ms. Reid?) said in her post was:

“If you have a blog instead [of a website], don't blog about writing.”

See the difference? Maybe I’m misinterpreting, and she actually meant the former. Maybe I’ll get a threatening email claiming libel, but to paraphrase her advice and probably put words in her mouth:

If you have a blog but no website, in other words no promotional site where your bio and publications live, then you must use your blog for that purpose. So don’t make it a writing blog.

I agree, but with all due respect to Ms. Reid, a far better idea is to GET YOURSELF A WEBSITE and continue to use your blog to connect with others who share your passion. A website doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive (Don’t miss Roni Loren’s awesome post 13 Steps To Creating An Author Website Readers Will Love here). Use your webpage to give potential or existing readers a snapshot of you and your art. That's likely why they've sought you out.

Websites and blogs are different animals. Websites tend to be relatively static sources of reference information, blogs are a dynamic tool to connect you with others. Your website and your blog should not be interchangeable. Even if you don’t want to blog, you should have a webpage. It’s your listing in the internet white pages. Readers who run across your name or one of your publications are far more likely to seek out your webpage than your blog.

When I’m looking for publication deets on an author or an author’s work, I don’t want to read his blog post about how he cross-dressed and went undercover with the girl scouts to expose cookie fraud. Okay, maybe I would want to read about that, but you get the idea.

Now for a splendid example. Anne Gallagher of Piedmont Writer has a great writing blog (although she talks about other things as well). What Anne has to say matters to readers of her blog, and what her readers have to say matters to Anne. Recently, Anne published her first regency romances THE LADY’S FATE and A WIFE FOR WINSBARREN and simultaneously launched her brand new website. Her website includes a bio, her current publications and a link to buy, along with covers, summaries, and excerpts for her upcoming publications. Anne also included a blog page for updates related to her publications. Study the difference between Anne’s blog Piedmont Writer and her website, and you’ll see why a writer, particularly a published writer, needs a webpage even if he or she maintains a blog.

Wow, this post is way too long, especially given this is NaNo month. So sorry. You can take the girl out of the classroom, but you can't take the classroom out of the girl.

What are your thoughts on blogs and webpages? Do you think writers should have both?

Next Monday, my long-time CP 

Rochelle Staab 

will be here to talk about (among other things)

the first book in her brand new Mind for Murder series, 

WHO DO, VOODOO?

Please come say hello!