A few weeks ago, some writer friends of mine went to a workshop on getting an agent. Their book was ready, they thought they'd talk about the query process. But one of the topics presented was creating an online presence. Hadn't they done enough? Now they had to think about this? They left feeling discouraged, overwhelmed. But I think the problem was the way the workshop leaders presented the concept. It's hard to talk about blogging without some solid examples.
In the late 80's and early 90's we didn't call it blogging. I worked for one startup and we had individual sites. There was also listserve and bulletin boards. Blogging was a natural outgrowth of forums, its powers to move and influence people have taken everyone by surprise. What makes it different? Unlike websites (which are also needed) blogs combine everything --words, video, music and comments. They're interactive in a different way, and people love to chat. Plus, blogs are easy. You don't have to be a web developer. You can hop on and go.
So here's what I've learned. Having a good blog is sort of like being Dear Abby, David Halberstam and Miss Congeniality at the same time.
The voice has to be engaging. Focus on finding your natural writing style that doesn't seem forced. If you're naturally self-effacing, funny, gently mocking and literate that's all the better. Generally, stay positive. Here are 2 examples: Cape To Rio or The Kitchen Bitch Ponders.
People respond to content. You don't have to be single-content oriented, but what you write should have some direct correlation with what's going on right now. You should also express your opinions. Example: ExPat Jane or Resident Alien
Be timely. Now
Write well. Especially if you're a writer. Don George Don't let that MFA go to waste for nothing.
Post regularly. Citizen Of The Month. Neil has a huge following, know why? He doesn't either. Even when he needles the Mommy Bloggers, is a bit down, or goes on an ABBA splurge, people come back.
If you have an area of interest, then share what you know, like this agent: Pubrants or here's one by someone young with arthritis: The Athritis Blog
Start commenting. Create familiarity with your name by commenting on blogs that are topic related to your own interests. People will come to your blog.
Find new relatives. If you're writing a book, find blogs that relate to it in some manner. Be it by topic or geographic area, make that connection. Ex: John, a writer from Georgia, is writing a book that takes place there as well. He can cultivate a blogging relationship with other southern writers.
Provide links. If someone visits and you like their blog, go ahead and link to it. Here's an example: Patricia Wood. Chances are, they'll link you, too.
Let people know about your blog if it relates to their interests. I put together a fund raising blog for breast cancer. The result? The CEO of a major company who is the publicist for "Lee Denim Day" took notice. The reward? Our tiny skeletal crew of 3 raised over $1000.00 and the blog got noticed by his entire company. We proved to ourself that we could do it.
Learn about all the add-ons, feeds, subscriptions, photos. There is a learning curve and with a lot of time, you'll figure it out.
Remember that there is never any reason to be mean. For a writer, the blog is a tool to show the best of yourself.
And one more thing. If you're writing a book or novel, don't get caught up in too much blogging. Keep your energy focused on finishing the book. Blog when you have time, or just to blow off some mind gunk. Get the book done.
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15 comments:
Thanks for mentioning me as an example of content.
Honestly, as some blogs are so singularly focused I've wondered if I should divide mine up. I see mine as more of a virtual journal where I write about what touches me. Also, dividing things up means I'd be stuck maintaining two or more blogs and wondering where to write what.
When the scandals break, I get a fair amount of traffic and links. That's flattering and helps me see I'm making a positive contribution to the conversation. Usually, when stories break, I like to write about it, but also post a fair amount of links so that people can get into the story and get various perspectives on it. That means I'm updating a lot when I blog about that stuff ;-)
Okay, time to get back to sleep.
I'm thrilled to have been mentioned!
Actually, when I write on my blog, all I'm doing is availing myself of the chance to hog the conversation for a few moments. I'm not a glib person, and what I like about blogging is that I can say what I want to say without having to produce it spontaneously in speech. If we were having a conversation right now, I'd never be able to get out one third of what I manage to say here. Blogging is perfect for shy people with opinions who are always getting interrupted because they are inept speakers.
The reason I visited your blog is because you made me laugh out loud with your comment on the Dystel and Goderich blog (which I love) about the hackneyed plots in chic lit. I figured anyone who could write that would be worth reading, and I was right!
You came up on my google alerts today for your mention of "Ojai!" Couldn't agree more about writers needing to blog. You get a certain amount of street cred and I think when you write knowing others are reading you try a little harder. I participate in group blogs, but I'm taking a stab at starting my own soon (when is there time, though?).
Hi Lisa,I love Ojai and last year we stayed at The Dent House. Ojai is one of those places where I'd love to live.
Mary --Gosh, I don't remember posting that on the dystal site, so I went back and still could'nt find it. So I left some new messages on their board. Theirs is one that I like as well.
Jane -I don't think there's any need to break yours down. The thing that makes blogs so great is that they're "in the moment," and it isn't static --unlike a website. It's a communal effort, its success highly dependent on the 'voice' of the writer, however, it really thrives when others are reading and commenting.
The one thing I'm trying to keep down is the sidebar stuff. Too much and it gets tangled. So that content will change from time to time.
Anyway, I wrote this because my friends were very confused. But like troupers, after the workshop they all went and started creating their blogs. They haven't taken the public --first they had to decide on a name, then there's the issue of what to write. But hopefully I've given them pointers. And each day I'm learning as well!
Wow thanks for including me.
I blog to give readers a chance to know me. Yes it is self promotion but hopefully readers will like what they see. On the other hand over time I have been a part of many blogging communities that pre dated my being agented and Lottery's sale.
I think it is important to provide a support system for all writers.
hmmm my word verification is "dumso"
I hope that doesn't mean what I think it does...
Pat, I think your blog has provided an invaluable look into the process of taking a novel to print. Amazing. No one else has done that.
I've been having a blast since the Pressmen asked me to write for them. Last week I was talking to Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Al Martinez, whose career has spanned 50 years. He's done everything --foreign correspondence, national desk, local beats and now he has his own column. "I just write about anything I want," he told us.
I that's pretty much what I do here. I've written about immigration, charitable giving, book reviews, Warren Buffett (twice), finances, art, zen, poetry, write obits, politics, even my dogs.
Like Jane, I just like to toss everything on here. Like Mary has observed, it's way more organized than my brain would allow if I were yapping.
Yap!
I've noticed that single-issue blogs are so much easier to promote. My site goes all over the place, much like my life and my thoughts. Much easier to keep posting to, much harder to market effectively.
Ah, pirate man!
Yes, single-topic blogs are easier to market, but usually if they're selling something, talking about something technical, or espousing a cause. But like you, I enjoy a place where I can ramble, and I like reading other people's ramblings. And we never have to worry about being repetitive.
Anyway, the thing that all of the blogs that I gave examples to all have "voice," which includes yours. They're all very different, but engaging.
By the way, pirate man, I think you could market that photo quite well! Why no pirate man mugs, tea cozies, t-shirts? Pair your photo up with a few sound bites and there..... instant millions!
Great advice, Kanani. I look forward to the day we both see our novels in print. All the best...
I'm so flattered that you mentioned my blog and in such a generous way. Thank you. Thanks also for the tips and the links, I will make some time to visit all the sites you mention.
Did you know that Nietzsche prefered to comunicate, even with his closest friends, in writing? I'm very like that too, I can say what I mean when I write, whereas I very definitely can't when I speak. My husband tells me I am a much nicer person when I use the written word.
Well, I'm way more literate on the page than I am in person. I mean, you're reading the words of someone who misplaces her glasses ALL THE TIME.
Do you leave your husband notes? Or maybe just instant message him? ;0)
Yes, I love your blog. I don't know what windfall brought me you, mary, kim and carole but it's been great. I was telling my writer friends all about the three of you today, as well as Dr. Maroon.
I agree with some of the other commenters that "focused" blogs are easier to promote, especially if you are looking to use your blog to make some money. I think the landscape is becoming very much like the magazine world or cable TV -- niche-oriented as more people seem to want to read material that directly relates to them. Unfortunately, like anything else that becomes more about promotion, some of the fun is let out of the balloon when actual corporations start blogging, sometimes even creating "fake" personas. Although people made fun of all the high school girls and mommys that took up blogging early on as personal "diaries," I think in the future that this will be thought of as the golden age of blogging, before it became all so legitimate.
I've always distinguished blogging from "writing," acknowledging the interactive part. The comments and reading other blogs are as important to me as the writing of my own words. I don't think of a blog post as a personal column, in the same way as an op-ed column might be in the LA Times. I like to leave the issues a little open-ended, so others can jump in and finish things.
Yeah, focused blogs have much larger followings. I look at the agent blogs especially.
Bloggers as brands.. or branding... is where it's all going. I think for writers especially, who are expected to have a following before they even pitch their novel or book.
The problem is that while there is oodles to talk about in writing, when you're doing it all the time, you'd rather spout out about whales, ABBA or whatever.
And while I think most of the blogs I enjoy aren't single topic oriented, the bloggers have a consistently engaging voice and they tend to be good at expressing themselves. They have opinions, which makes them interesting to read. I love ExPat Jane's take on hair, or reading about the Kitchen Bitch's Nietzche ponderings, or the recollections of Resident Alien when she taught in Japan.
But it really is changing. With 47 journos walking out of the LA Times two weeks ago, that's more extremely good writers who'll be on the net, expressing themselves, and hoping to suport themselves.
Whether or not they'll create something of their own, or if they'll write for corporate blogs, one doesn't know. But blogging is only going to get more interesting and professional.
....Though "professional" isn't exactly a good thing.
We just have to hope a good core of bloggers always write with heart.
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