Blogging is instant publishing, and it s a real boon for writers, once they get their head around what a blog is, and why it s an invaluable writing tool.
Without exception, within a month of starting a blog, every writer I ve hounded to create a blog has reported: I wish I d started my blog years ago!
Blogs are immensely powerful. If you re not sure how to get started, use the steps I ve outlined for you in this article:
1. Create a small blog
The biggest hurdle writers face in blogging is actually starting. You can spend months even years, in thinking about blogging. This will not help you. Neither will researching blogging and blogging platforms.
Accept the fact that you re procrastinating because you re nervous, and put that nervous energy into blogging.
Just create a blog on any platform. A month from now, or a week from now, if you decide you made a mistake, leave the blog and create another one. Proficient blogger writers have dozens of blogs, for many uses.
I have around ten writing related blogs, and many other blogs I ve created for topics in which I have an interest.
2. Blog every day
You learn blogging by doing it even if you re not sure whether you re doing it right. There are no rules in blogging; a blog is your instant publishing tool, use it as you please.
3. Read other bloggers
To get ideas for blogging, read other bloggers. Get a feed/ RSS reader, and create a collection of bloggers who blog in areas in which you re interested.
If another blogger creates a worthy post, blog about that post, and add your own opinions. Blogging has been called a conversation , and while I think that that s true some of the time, not all blogs are conversations if you want to turn off comments on a blog, do it. It s always YOUR blog.
4. Create a Google Alert for your name
Now here s where writers begin to appreciate the sheer power of a blog. Create a Google alert for your name. You can have alerts sent to you daily via email.
Within a month or so of starting, you ll find that your name is popping up all over online.
5. See who s reading your blog
Create a Google Analytics account, to see who s reading your blog. Not only can you see who s reading, you can see the terms they entered into a search engine to find a particular blog post.
Analyzing your readers is huge fun: you ll be amazed when you see who s reading your words editors, publishers, and other potential clients you could attract in no other way.
6. Want to attract someone s attention? Blog about them
Let s say you re writing a novel. You think Publisher X would be a good fit for the novel.
Start blogging about Publisher X. Just like you, Publisher X monitors the online world to see who s talking about them... and so someone from Publisher X s publicity and/ or marketing department will check out your blog. You may just get a request for a partial (chapters and outline) of your novel.
Many bloggers have gained publishing contracts via their blog. Others gain commissions and clients.
Blogging will open new worlds and opportunities to you as a writer. If you re not blogging, you re stifling your career. So start blogging: you will be amazed at how powerful blogging is, and what it can do for your career. |
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