tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post2810242596157462119..comments2024-03-10T05:06:25.309-04:00Comments on Livia Blackburne: Author Blogging: You're Doing it WrongLivia Blackburnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-31962797413841608992013-11-30T12:27:53.893-05:002013-11-30T12:27:53.893-05:00I have read some weird and wonderful blogs and I d...I have read some weird and wonderful blogs and I don't think that blogging is a waste of time at all. I loosened myself up through blogging and shook the fear of writing out of myself, and my blogs became the rough drafts for my two books. Likewise, writers can use blogs to promote their books. I know some successful writers who do.<br /><br />"Hope you enjoyed this post! To be notified of future updates, use one of the subscription options on the left sidebar."<br /><br />You mean on the right?Awang Gonenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893937987435850954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-59594706306175472122012-11-24T00:34:07.107-05:002012-11-24T00:34:07.107-05:00To be honest, i suck at blogging - so my SEO on my...To be honest, i suck at blogging - so my SEO on my Book Community ends up being a problem. I started http://www.risingkarma.net about a month ago to rise above these "MARKETING BLOGS" Authors make, and bring together a better community. That and i want to become a mini publishing "HUB" or "CLUB" where i can do what most people do, design and help other authors. SO yea, i agree this whole new author concept of blogs is retarded, i keep avoiding them because i'm not about to spam them all with "Ooo btw Gackt just started a new band" ... Cause as an author, i'm a total nerd, who even on the Internet is socially awkward. Hanako Stephenshttp://www.risingkarma.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-85591937422861316902012-11-07T12:53:54.508-05:002012-11-07T12:53:54.508-05:00Hi Livia, I do think that blogging can be a waste ...Hi Livia, I do think that blogging can be a waste of time, unless you are very clear and purposeful about it. Some people do it because it's fun. I started mine, reluctantly, for my meditation and writing students who asked for it (http;//sheilaklewis.wordpress.com, "Musings on the contemplative and writing life." I write it fast. The hard part, as you point out, is getting it to the right people and using it to market a product. For sure, all of us in the children's writing field could arguably do a better job of writing our books and stories if we weren't spending so much time in the blog and social networking worlds. Great news about your novel being accepted-traditional publishers still offer a lot of cache and perks. Sheilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056192666803799229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-51532494348957318692012-09-05T08:58:50.714-04:002012-09-05T08:58:50.714-04:00I agree with you. And I had experienced, blogging ...I agree with you. And I had experienced, blogging helps to make our main writing concise, clearer and less erroneous. Bishnnuhttp://bismar.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-1325961253947589632012-09-05T08:58:05.403-04:002012-09-05T08:58:05.403-04:00I agree with you. And I had experienced, blogging ...I agree with you. And I had experienced, blogging helps to make our main writing concise, clearer and less erroneous. Bishnnuhttp://bismar.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-5174872279060055372011-12-23T16:48:08.273-05:002011-12-23T16:48:08.273-05:00You made some valid points. However, blogging isn...You made some valid points. However, blogging isn't just for fiction authors. Blogging brings traffic to websites, increases business, and you can make yourself turn into an authority into any subject as you wish. I host my own <em>SEO Services</em> blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-88879444518680581012011-11-19T15:33:59.929-05:002011-11-19T15:33:59.929-05:00Besides the enjoyment of writing a blog, it provid...Besides the enjoyment of writing a <a href="http://this1that1whatever.com" rel="nofollow">blog</a>, it provides a source of traffic as well as backlinks to your commercial <a href="http://igtsoft.com/buybooks" rel="nofollow">site</a> where you are promoting and/or selling things (such as books). Getting a targeted audience is an extremely important but challenging task. Getting good visibility in search engine results is an effective equivalent to a targeted audience.Davidhttp://igtsoft.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-62135961271269504382011-10-15T20:27:21.168-04:002011-10-15T20:27:21.168-04:00Linda - the followup post is here
http://blog.liv...Linda - the followup post is here<br /><br />http://blog.liviablackburne.com/2011/07/author-blogging-youre-doing-it-wrong_21.htmlLivia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-24091101250139725942011-10-14T02:48:43.996-04:002011-10-14T02:48:43.996-04:00Personally I do not think blogging is a waste of t...Personally I do not think blogging is a waste of time. Obviously it matters how you go about it and what you're writing about along with how you interact with your visitors. For many people it is, but for me it is not.<br /><br />What is the blueprint you spoke of near the end?<br /><br />Also I didn't think you ended in a downer note at all. :)Linda Allenhttp://www.yeastinfectionrelief101.com/natural-cure-for-yeast-infection-review/yeast-infection-no-more-review/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-88377950538804972052011-09-15T15:58:14.981-04:002011-09-15T15:58:14.981-04:00It's funny you posted a blog about this, becau...It's funny you posted a blog about this, because a friend and I were just talking about this same thing--how to get her self-pub book out from the writers and into the readers hands.<br /><br />Because one thing I noticed is that writers are trying to sell their books to writers who are selling their own books. Now that doesn't mean writers don't buy books (because we all know writers are avid readers--and if you are not, then you should be) but it is impossible to support all of our fellow writers out there.<br /><br />I still think books are something that go by word of mouth--at least when you are new. If the book is a good read and really captures the imagination of the reader, then they will talk about it and they will tell their friends who will tell their friends, and like a tree, the branches will spread. <br /><br />It's a slow process, but an effective one. <br /><br />So, if you want to sell your book, don't worry about blogging (that does not mean don't network), but write a great story. One that a reader can't put down--that they fall in love with and care about your characters, that they have to stay up late at night until they read the words "The End." <br /><br />Then wait for the branches to spread.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07804306924674002487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-706719809820259142011-09-11T00:01:20.736-04:002011-09-11T00:01:20.736-04:00Okay, trying to not just mimic those before (or ab...Okay, trying to not just mimic those before (or above) me.<br /><br />I like the networking possibilities, since I know NO ONE in publishing. I also like the idea that if people like my blogging they'll like my writing, and therefore like my book, whether they usually read that kind of book or not.<br /><br />Also, every writer I know is a voracious reader, and a lot of them like similar books that I like/write. I'd like to think they'd buy my book.<br /><br />I started my blog because of Writer's Digest. Basically everything in there says that it's a dog-eat-manuscript world and if you didn't already have fans, you weren't going to get published.<br /><br />That said, I DID start my blog with other things in mind. I've been intending to do book reviews all along, and have finally found a book (recently published by a friend of mine) that will work perfectly for a first review. I'm hoping, of course, that this will bring his readers to my book once I get published.<br /><br />I've also been playing around with the idea of posting some short stories. I don't have a lot of them, and I AM somewhat worried about the "First publishing" rights in future contracts. I'm mostly intending to sell books, however, so I'm not sure it'll be THAT big a problem once I get out there. And it'll bring people to my blog who actually want to read my books.<br /><br />Also, it's getting me writing. I don't always have the brain space to be creative when I get home from work, but I usually have an opinion to talk about.<br /><br />All that said, I just finally got my first comment from someone I didn't personally know (it actually lead me here, ironically enough), and I still don't have any subscribers that I didn't recognize their e-mail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-13469891349388984502011-09-04T15:34:31.829-04:002011-09-04T15:34:31.829-04:00Hi there - I've used some of this post of your...Hi there - I've used some of this post of yours to prompt discussion over here http://blackwatertown.wordpress.com/2011/09/04/why-writers-should-not-blog/<br />I'm on the other side of the fence from you, but I appreciate the points you're making. I guess I would say, in a nutshell, that it's not all about sales.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-48145034980007149892011-08-08T02:41:22.979-04:002011-08-08T02:41:22.979-04:00OH. . . this is good. Going to read the follow up...OH. . . this is good. Going to read the follow up now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-73582293833453484982011-08-01T16:54:20.832-04:002011-08-01T16:54:20.832-04:00I think whether a fiction, or children's autho...I think whether a fiction, or children's author should be blogging depends on many factors. Some authors are super fun, and can gain readership through their whimsy and humor. But some are sorta boring when it comes to blogging, and I believe that this actually detracts from potential sales. Through social networking I've encountered three (really big selling) authors that have lost pizzazz in my mind simply because their posts are benign and not worth my time... There's one author I adore, and who holds a certain mystique for me, because I can't drum up much info on her. Her website is spare, but fun, and that's about all you get, besides a random web interview from time to time.<br /><br />I have both a website and a blog, (my blog being unrelated to my writing--and not really out there for promotional reasons) but still wonder if going the mystery route might be a bit more effective...Jane G Meyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02604599012397877776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-58571360951936753642011-08-01T12:24:32.034-04:002011-08-01T12:24:32.034-04:00I stopped blogging myself partly because of this i...I stopped blogging myself partly because of this issue. I was writing about writing and not reaching my audience and not getting a lot of my novel done and really? I didn't want to do it.<br /><br />I think if we're going with the writing conference analogy we might want to consider if it was a giant writing conference are we using our blogs as the lobby conversation or as if we are presenters? Not everyone at the conference needs to be a presenter. For me Twitter and blog comments keeps me in the conversation area enough that for the meantime I don't feel like I need to be keeping a blog.Wendy Delfossehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16614782334273299261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-26605322405923027562011-08-01T12:05:00.388-04:002011-08-01T12:05:00.388-04:00What I like about blogging is that it got me writi...What I like about blogging is that it got me writing regularly, and gave me the confidence to try to write something of length. I blog for a completely different purpose and audience, and I keep my other writing self separate.Rachaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11830325396109187423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-9962292413887543452011-08-01T06:09:40.429-04:002011-08-01T06:09:40.429-04:00blogging might be inefficient on its own, just lik...blogging might be inefficient on its own, just like it would be inefficient to try to cycle from Land’s End to John O Groats on one wheel. Add another wheel, some handle bars, a frame, some brakes etc and it’s more efficient. So there you go - it’s one tool among many. Add it to the library events, photo shoots, literary festivals, facebook, twitter, signings etc etc, and it begins to mean something more. You just have to do whatever you can . . . Also, I tend not to blog too much about actual writing – I try to cast my net a bit wider and make it interesting/funny/dramatic rather than the old ‘My 10 writing tips’.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-5033778321497774852011-08-01T05:35:36.411-04:002011-08-01T05:35:36.411-04:00I started my blog four years ago in order to promo...I started my blog four years ago in order to promote my own writing which I do but mostly I write about other aspects of writing and review books. And it’s true, virtually all my regular readers are also writers but the fact is that all writers are readers, not all readers are writers. I suppose I have quite a successful blog but it does take a lot of my time because I write lengthy essays that take days to research but this is me just educating myself in public. I pick a topic, research it and write about it. I actually rarely write about novel writing preferring to stick to articles on poetry or topics that affect all writers (I’ve just written one on boredom, for example). The bottom line is that I wouldn’t have sold <i>any</i> books without my blog. They would all be sitting in the proverbial drawer.<br /><br />I agree with Sascha Illyvich’s comment above about SEO and periodically I write about understanding the mechanics behind the Internet to the limits of my knowledge; it’s a subject I wish I had a better grasp on. Blogging can be a colossal waste of time if no one is reading you and I do wish more people understood that the if-you-build-it-he-will-come approach to blogging is all wrong. I blog more than I write fiction or poetry but I’ve never been a prolific writer – five novel in eighteen years I think is good – but now I can do something constructive with my downtime: I can promote what I’ve already written. When I settle on my next project it’ll take precedence and I have enough posts in hand that I could take a month off to write and no one would realise; that’s planning ahead.<br /><br>Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-68357175872803112592011-07-30T02:41:55.557-04:002011-07-30T02:41:55.557-04:00By blogging and maintaining a web site, I think un...By blogging and maintaining a web site, I think unpublished authors are demonstrating they at least know how to use the tools, for when the day comes. I started my site simply for that reason, but then ... I really enjoyed it. I don't kid myself that I'm working though, when I'm playing "publishing house" with my blog. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-64943635462629735452011-07-29T19:19:29.329-04:002011-07-29T19:19:29.329-04:00Definitely not a waste of time. Unless you make it...Definitely not a waste of time. Unless you make it one.<br /><br />http://www.taylornapolsky.comTaylor Napolskyhttp://www.taylornapolsky.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-6367635981558702092011-07-29T18:50:38.313-04:002011-07-29T18:50:38.313-04:00I've had this thought about blogging authors f...I've had this thought about blogging authors for a long time. It has never made sense to me that authors blog about writing as a promotional tool since I don't think readers necessarily care about the details in the craft. Any ideas on what you *should* blog about to attract readers? I think they'd like to hear from authors, but not about the craft of writing.Mayanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-13573883614980376042011-07-29T15:41:48.776-04:002011-07-29T15:41:48.776-04:00To rejoin the convo after vacation (which included...To rejoin the convo after vacation (which included no blogging, by the way).... <br /><br />I disagree, Phibble, that there is one thing you "have" to do. If you are a middle grade author or a picture book author, branding just for your readers is a losing battle based on how those demographics use the net (probably teens, too, based on a lot of what danah boyd has demonstrated). However, you can offer up a lot of content that gets you to people who can reach those readers in other ways. You can forge relationships with reviewers, press of all sorts, librarians, teachers, parents, AND all the folks one nexus away from them. I'm not saying you do this randomly (after all, everyone is one or two steps away from a parent, I imagine), but it's not hard to forge relationships that matter and can help you build your career.<br /><br />Thinking through all the ways connections can help makes setting goals a lot easier. There remains the time concern (some goals are easier than others for sure), but I don't think there's only one way for social media to help an author.Greg Pincushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449684160718426340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-70853327510471624042011-07-21T23:24:48.107-04:002011-07-21T23:24:48.107-04:00Michael -- There are several ways to get following...Michael -- There are several ways to get followings. One is to socialize -- follow people, hope they follow back, comment on their blogs and then they reciprocate. The other strategy is to be content focused and write sharable posts -- that's less relationship focused and more information focused. They both work, but the second is more scaleable.<br /><br />Najela -- I think the days of author recluses are over :-P Maybe Jk Rowling can be a recluse, but for the most part, the marketing has been pushed to the authors.<br /><br />shoshana -- Good point -- booksellers and librarians have a direct link to readers.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-56753761752680749462011-07-21T21:29:59.705-04:002011-07-21T21:29:59.705-04:00One advantage of the literary community is that it...One advantage of the literary community is that it's small, and many people who have an interest in reading writer blogs might also be booksellers, librarians, or others with some influence over what people read. I know that if I've seen a new book mentioned in blogs, it'll be on my mind and I'll be a little more likely to handsell it.Shoshanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05280318814624346561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-15680422880701747562011-07-21T17:01:05.534-04:002011-07-21T17:01:05.534-04:00I think blogging is only a waste of time if you do...I think blogging is only a waste of time if you don't actually won't to do it. If people are only doing it because that's what the industry has been saying, then they are wasting their time. They should be working on their book. A part of me wonders if I have to be connected to social media if I were a big time author. Didn't author's used to be recluses back in the day? <br /><br />At any rate, I blog because I enjoy it. I don't have any writing advice, but I like to read,so I post book reviews and it's mostly a way to keep track of the books I've read. I could do it privately, but it's not nearly as fun. <br /><br />What did authors do before all this platform pushing was created? And what the heck do fiction writers blog about if not writing? I don't see the point in blogging about the same thing millions of other authors are blogging about.Najelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03529650047480022627noreply@blogger.com