Blogging for Writers

A Few Stories About Blogging & Writers

As a means of encouragement I like to pick up stories about how other writers have used blogs to compliment their traditional publishing careers.  Book author Lydia Teh's post, Blogging for Writers, gives a quick overview of a workshop panel she participated in. A monthly column, a television series and a book title were direct results of the panelists blogs. Take minute to read her post and plant some blogging ideas in your writing brain. Then, go get your blog on.

Online Resource for Helping Writers Use Technology

Update Nov. 2009:  I just noticed Ten Keyboards is no longer active. Bummer.

A subscription to Ten Keyboards is was a must have for your virtual reference shelf. The mission of Scot Herrick's blog is "helping writers use technology to market their  work." Mission accomplished. One of the most helpful parts of the blog is th e Writers Resources page. This is where he neatly compiles posts in topics including: 

• Technology for Writers - includes tips on keeping your computer running well
• Blogging for Writers - finding your voice, marketing, feedback, etc.
• Blog Parts -parts is parts, but what about blog parts?
• Blog Plans - including reasons not to have a blog

That's just a bit of the info available. Schedule some reading time to hang out on Ten Keyboards. Bookmark or subscribe to it. Then, go get your blog on.

Offbeat Bride: Blog for Book

Ariel Meadow Stallings, another BlogHer '07 speaker, started her Offbeat Bride blog to promote her book of the same name.

Her quick list of why she chose to use Google Ads on her blog gives some insight into the experiences of book authors who blog.

Your Web Presence

"If authors have a strong web presence, whether it's just a website, or better yet, a blog that they regularly post to and update, then they're driving readers who already have an interest in their topic to to their site. If authors can get linked into the communities that comprise their readership, then they're way ahead of the game."  Brooke Warner, acquisitions editor at Seal Press, in the June 2007 Writer's Digest

I stumbled upon this article right before my ETCWC presentation. I couldn't wait to share it with other writers. According to the article, Seal Press encourages authors to set up websites before their book comes out. There are a few things I see stand in the way of this: money, skills, and time.  Blogs can break down those barriers because they require minimal money and skills. You still have to make time, but you have to spend time marketing your book anyway.

The focus of the article is how much of your content to give away, so Jenna Glatzer covers more than just blogs in the piece. A big take away from the article would be to limit your promotional time, whether through blogs or other means. "If you spend more time on your blog than writing your book, something's off, " she says.

That is something to be aware of, but don't let it deter you from blogging. Barbara Curtis and Susan Albert are two examples of how blog writing and book writing can co-exist in an author's life. Though a lot of their blog content is either directly or indirectly related to their books, that's not a hard and fast rule. For example, Jenna (the article author) takes her "promotional cap off" on her blog and talks more about the non-writing parts of her life. Either way readers become a bit more familiar with the authors through their blogs, which is strengthens the authors' web presence. Can people find you on the web?

Now, go get your blog on.

Blog Building: Add a Sitemeter Counter

I just added a Sitemeter counter to this blog. It took under 15 minutes. Thanks to the handy dandy Typepad Widget Sitemeter has available.

What is Sitemeter? They keep info on who comes to your blog and how, among other things. Blog stats are helpful in showing people, like agent or editors, you have an audience.

Thought Typepad has stats available on their control panel, I like using Sitemeter because there is more info - and cool charts, if you're into that kind of thing.

The ladies at Blogging Basics 101 have a short post on stat counters, including links to several options for counters you can install. (I wonder how many people will come to this post looking for info on how to install counters, as in kitchen. I'll be able to find out from Sitemeter.)

Now, go get your counter on.