tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post8497859668122690905..comments2024-03-25T17:56:01.825-04:00Comments on Insecure Writer's Support Group: Blogging: An Inexpensive, Powerful Marketing Tool for AuthorsAlex J. Cavanaughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-49877298479023968932016-08-03T12:54:18.970-04:002016-08-03T12:54:18.970-04:00Jessica--Those things are fun and they can really ...Jessica--Those things are fun and they can really give you an ego boost. But they tend to be expensive (especially the launch parties and book signings) and don't do much for your bottom line. I figure I can move twice as many books with one guest blogpost, which costs nothing, than with a book signing that costs $250+ plus a lot of time. But if those things are also providing you with needed validation and social interaction, then the bottom line doesn't matter. A lot of beginning self-publishers are still thinking in terms of print books, which are generally only about 5% of a self-publisher's income these days.<br /><br />Debbie--I think control is the #1 reason I prefer blogging to any other social media. You are in charge of your own brand. Thanks! I'm having fun with the new book! Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-47798093770407495282016-08-03T01:05:53.475-04:002016-08-03T01:05:53.475-04:00As always, this is more good advice from you Anne....As always, this is more good advice from you Anne. I've been blogging for some years now and I really enjoy it. One of the things I really like about blogging is the fact that we get to control our own blogs - both the content and how it looks. Our blogs can tell readers a lot about us and it can help build a great community. I look forward to reading your new book. :)Debbie Johanssonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17034949025523317477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-89082728680981628042016-08-02T19:00:07.427-04:002016-08-02T19:00:07.427-04:00Great post! Love your suggestions. I don't thi...Great post! Love your suggestions. I don't think it hurts to become a celebrity in your home town by doing the bookstore signings, book fairs, press releases and interviews with hometown newspapers and radio stations. It's always fun to get friends, family and neighbors involved in these type things, and good to mingle with and get to know your readers. Sometimes it takes quite a while to get dedicated blog readers.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing. Fantastic info.Jessica Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320362797117599955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-19866272070637486552016-08-02T13:51:56.315-04:002016-08-02T13:51:56.315-04:00LD--I think you can combine light and funny with m...LD--I think you can combine light and funny with mysteries. I'm having a blast with my 'Poisoning People for Fun and Profit' blog series which is pretty funny and irreverent, but it is about murder. Stephen King plays in a silly rock band, the Rock Bottom Remainders even though he kind of defines dark writing. So be yourself. That's what an author blog is about. Letting people get to know you. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-37972754345795916632016-08-02T13:46:40.429-04:002016-08-02T13:46:40.429-04:00Leisbet--If you still have your sailing blog, don&...Leisbet--If you still have your sailing blog, don't abandon it. You can link it to your author blog, and you could even combine them. You can convert one kind of blog to another because you can change everything but the url. The longer a blog has been around, the higher it ranks in search engines. <br /><br />Sailing can still be part of your author blog. What you want on your author blog is anything that makes you interesting as a person. Anything you'd put in an author bio, or that you'd mention in an interview can go in the blog, so recipes for your award winning chili or stories about your wilderness trek with your three pet wombats--all good fodder for the blog. You don't have to limit yourself.<br /><br />But you're right. Don't let the blog become your writer's block enabler. The WIP has to come first. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-88641095116373809082016-08-02T09:40:58.284-04:002016-08-02T09:40:58.284-04:00This is a great post and confirms what I have been...This is a great post and confirms what I have been hearing from other successful writers about the importance of social media and having a presence on other blogs and forums to help with promotion and gain readership. I have a (relatively new) blog, but it is all over the place and not successful (yet). My previous - sailing - blog was more widely read. <br /><br />Because my first passion is traveling and living an alternative lifestyle (which is easy to write about) and my second one is writing (I'm working on my first memoir, which is a struggle), I do not have the "right" focus for my blog and prefer (against better judgement) to write posts about anything that strikes my fancy. I hope to focus a bit more on just 1 or 2 subjects in the future, which I think might help. And, I do put too much time in blogging and social media stuff, which takes away from my writing time, or better, is a great excuse not to write in my book! :-)<br /><br />Liesbet @ <a href="%E2%80%9Dwww.roamingabout.com%E2%80%9D" rel="nofollow">Roaming About</a><br />Liesbethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13402741679152508367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-63624144832695928752016-08-02T00:31:52.916-04:002016-08-02T00:31:52.916-04:00Lux--If you're able to monetize an author blog...Lux--If you're able to monetize an author blog, that's icing on the cake. I don't advise authors to go into blogging with the expectation of making money on affiliate marketing or direct sales from a blog. But congrats if you're able to do it. That's awesome. <br /><br />Valerie--A blog will always help your writing career because it will make you visible to search engines. That's super important whether you're planning to publish traditionally or go indie. Even if you're just submitting short stories to magazines, the first thing they're going to do is Google you. If you have a blog, you're way ahead of the game. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-29675943512341013482016-08-01T22:49:36.702-04:002016-08-01T22:49:36.702-04:00Well, this was well timed. As you now, I've ju...Well, this was well timed. As you now, I've just come back to my blog. But I'm still struggling with what it should be. I like blogging light and funny but how does that connect me with people who read dark murder mysteries and suspense (the stuff I write)? Guess I'll go over and check out those nine tips. LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-22152782086405129772016-08-01T20:37:00.614-04:002016-08-01T20:37:00.614-04:00I'm just now getting started with blogging so ...I'm just now getting started with blogging so I don't know if it will help my career, but I am enjoying reading other writer's posts. Blogs like yours are great! Very interesting, informative and encouraging. Valerie Cappshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693254213178477800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-38197595425548889962016-08-01T06:23:06.468-04:002016-08-01T06:23:06.468-04:00Blogging has indeed worked so much for me. From wh...Blogging has indeed worked so much for me. From what started as just a hobby, it is now one of my sources of income. A great place for marketing and increasing your network.Lux G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00557863683608790087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-12973702546118926542016-07-26T22:12:23.584-04:002016-07-26T22:12:23.584-04:00J. L. *waves* Hi there! I met you way back when we...J. L. *waves* Hi there! I met you way back when we were both starting out with this blogging thing. Yes, an established blog is prime real estate. We can do a lot with it. We tend to forget that. Do incorporate it into your marketing plan.<br /><br />Joylene--Part of the problem is that the monetized blog is beginning to lose its luster, and so people say "blogs are over"--but that has nothing to do with author blogs. Author blogs aren't for selling ads or affiliate marketing or conning people into signing up for overpriced courses on how to make a zillion dollars with a blog. They're just for getting to know people. <br /><br />But hey, saying writers are normal...that might be going too far. Haha! :-) Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-2609714993746455642016-07-26T13:46:01.863-04:002016-07-26T13:46:01.863-04:00Thanks so much, Anne. You confirmed stuff I alread...Thanks so much, Anne. You confirmed stuff I already knew but was beginning to doubt. You are so right. We must join a community and let everyone know we're just normal people like everyone else. Happy Writing!Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-22234397080284701632016-07-26T13:19:26.594-04:002016-07-26T13:19:26.594-04:00Thanks for sharing this information, Anne. So many...Thanks for sharing this information, Anne. So many of us are sitting on prime real estate or are slacking off (self included) on what gives us free visibility. You've convinced me that I need to do a lot better. J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-22133389308261926272016-07-26T12:41:28.628-04:002016-07-26T12:41:28.628-04:00Michelle--You're absolutely right. FB and Twit...Michelle--You're absolutely right. FB and Twitter are continually changing. You have no control of your brand there. Only your blog truly represents you. And the networking you can do on your blog is the most valuable asset of all.<br /><br />Hilary--You're right. Blogging is worthwhile for the audience alone. Thanks! Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-62173172266576203092016-07-26T06:35:51.012-04:002016-07-26T06:35:51.012-04:00Hi Anne and Alex - couldn't agree more ... and...Hi Anne and Alex - couldn't agree more ... and one has an audience built in via blogging friends ... great post and you show how it's worked for you - thank you ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-83140083213584693602016-07-26T05:19:27.270-04:002016-07-26T05:19:27.270-04:00Anne, thank you for the wonderful post!
It reinfor...Anne, thank you for the wonderful post!<br />It reinforces my belief in the importance/value of blogging! <br />I always say that if, for some reason, I were forced to keep only ONE of all the social media platforms, it would be my blog. All the knowledge I've gained about the writing/publishing industry, is through blogging and bloggy buddies. Lots of the bloggy buddies are now good friends. Michelle Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02750092836481599870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-49557772749791070442016-07-25T19:53:04.118-04:002016-07-25T19:53:04.118-04:00Gay--Thanks so much! I'm working hard on Camil...Gay--Thanks so much! I'm working hard on Camilla #6. I've just got to that part at around 35,000 words when you go...OMG, maybe I don't have the right villain! Maybe he/she didn't do it! Haha. I've read that Agatha Christie never knew who did it until the end of the book. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-90254257233058016722016-07-25T18:07:22.520-04:002016-07-25T18:07:22.520-04:00I found your blog, started reading it, saw how sma...I found your blog, started reading it, saw how smart you are—and generous with your knowledge. Then I bought into the Camilla series and loved it. Thanks for all you do. Write on!Gay Yellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03563945979041377280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-55126601006495499182016-07-25T14:44:41.365-04:002016-07-25T14:44:41.365-04:00Tyrean--Thanks for visiting both my blogs. Yes--bl...Tyrean--Thanks for visiting both my blogs. Yes--blogs are that powerful. And once a week blogging is just right for an author, I think. Twice if you want to post shorter pieces. But I've never posted more than once a week. <br /><br />Clee--You're using your blog exactly the right way: to make friends. Those friends help you sell and get the word out about your books--and you can help them too. When I almost lost my blog a couple of months ago due to piracy and bad tech advice, somebody pointed out my blog was valued at $24,000, and suggested I sell it. I said "That's like selling my friends. Why would I do that? And nobody would buy it without me writing for it. That's all silly." Because this person was in marketing, he could not understand. He did not get that social media is about people, not dollars on the hoof. This is why blogs sell more books than direct marketing. :-) Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-88932349288088238382016-07-25T13:46:30.344-04:002016-07-25T13:46:30.344-04:00I've established a wide network of support thr...I've established a wide network of support through blogging, and I think the people I interact with through my blog are the very best. They're really more like friends I visit with each week, than people who help me sell books. I'm very comfortable exchanging ideas and insecurities with them, and I hope they feel that way about me. Thanks for your post today.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-44459431070401360042016-07-25T12:51:16.855-04:002016-07-25T12:51:16.855-04:00Wow! I didn't think that blogging could make t...Wow! I didn't think that blogging could make that much difference. I know it makes some, considering that I've lowered my posting rate to once a week this year but I didn't realize how much. <br />I need to check out your post on blogging.<br /><br />And, congrats on making blogging work!Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-42812251640388722202016-07-25T12:21:29.411-04:002016-07-25T12:21:29.411-04:00Thanks for all these comments, which all go to sho...Thanks for all these comments, which all go to show the incredible power of networking through blogs. The IWSG is one of the best blog networks in publishing, IMO. Think of how many people you reach with the annual A-Z challenge--and just with this blog. When you comment here, you get name recognition that gets you in search engines and gets your name in front of thousands of eyeballs. <br /><br />When your books come out, people say. "Oh, I know her! I'll check it out!" much more than they would if they saw an expensive ad from a random stranger. <br /><br />And Ellen--yes, you're a writer. If you keep up a blog, you are already part of an industry. The person hammering away on a WIP in a lonely room is not anywhere near as close as you are to being a professional writer. <br /><br />Ann Bennett--You've made a very good point. In a blog, people can be real. A blog is about people communicating one-on-one. An ad is just broadcasting. It's not personal, so it's easy to ignore. <br /><br />Alex, thanks for inviting me! Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-16825435439917667022016-07-25T11:22:30.550-04:002016-07-25T11:22:30.550-04:00This is great advice and food for thought about bl...This is great advice and food for thought about blogging! I particularly like the idea that you're in control of your blog. I also found it reassuring to see you say that blogging is writing. Because I'm in the process of trying to write my first novel, I don't always feel that I can call myself a writer because I'm not at the point of having finished my first manuscript. I've been blogging for three years now and have to remind myself that it's also a form of writing, albeit so much easier and less pressure filled than attempting to write a book. One of the things I'll need to think about at some point is how to leverage my current blog once (if) I get to the point of publishing my first book. Cheers - EllenThe Cynical Sailorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047491682363507834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-61726593921912907462016-07-25T11:05:10.057-04:002016-07-25T11:05:10.057-04:00Great article/blog! I'm finally facing my fear...Great article/blog! I'm finally facing my fear of looking stupid to hundreds of people and testing the waters out here in Blogland. This site for insecure writers sounds like the perfect place for me! Glad I found it. Now if I can only figure out how to link it and add the badge to my blog site....Valerie Cappshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693254213178477800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-73791947239264173052016-07-25T10:20:48.914-04:002016-07-25T10:20:48.914-04:00I would never have taken the plunge to self-publis...I would never have taken the plunge to self-publish if I hadn't begun blogging. This community is so helpful and giving and kind.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.com