Patty
here. I’d hoped to introduce my newly designed webpage and show how I’d
incorporated my brand into it, but technical problems are causing a delay. So
today, we’re going to press ahead and talk about social media, in particular,
your blog.
Now, if
you don’t have a blog, that’s okay. There are a lot of writers who, for various
reasons, hate to blog, me included. It’s one of those things that you either
fully commit to or don’t even want to start. For years, I’ve tried (and failed)
at starting my own blog.
But
recently, my husband gave me a compelling reason to try again. A little
background information—Danny has always been interested in the business side of
my work which is great seeing as I’d rather be writing. So a few weeks ago, I
gave him Edie Melson’s book on social media, hopeful that he could help me get
a grip on my own. He read it in a week between downtime at his job and actually
made a list of talking points he wanted to go over with me. On the three-hour
ride to my mother-in-law’s house, we talked about the list. One of his
questions jumped out at me.
“Why don’t
you blog?”
Because
I’m too lazy. Because I’d rather be making up stories than blogging. Because I
don’t have anything to say. “Because I don’t like it,” I answered, thinking the
matter was settled.
“Besides,
I write once a month for a writer’s blog.”
He shook
his head. “The book says you need to blog at least two to three times a week.
And what about your readers? They don’t read writer’s blogs.”
I was
beginning to dislike Edie and her stupid book. “What would I say? It’s not like
I’m that interesting.”
He reached
over and squeezed my hand. “You’re a lot more interesting than you think. How
many people do you know who actually took a gold-mining class so she’d know how
her characters felt in a book? Or what about the time you talked that WWII
bomber pilot at Love Field into showing you how to take off and land a Spitfire
so you could describe it correctly.” He nodded. “Stuff like that would be
popular with your readers.”
Danny was
right. I never considered that my readers would like the story behind the
story. Danny’s idea had a lot of merit and stayed in line with my brand as a
history nerd. Just because you’ve bombed out of a blog in the past doesn’t mean
you can’t have success with it now, especially if it will help build your
brand.
How
to get started
Before you
start, you need to be ready to commit to writing for your blog at least two
days a week, three if you can. This builds up a trust in your readership that
you will be there for the long haul. Trust is important. Remember, we’re
building relationships.
If you
have an author website, most have an option to add pages. Use one of these to
start your blog. If you don’t have a website yet, it might be a good time to
consider starting one. Most publishers want their authors to have a presence on
the internet. Building a following before your first contract shows them you’re
serious about your work. I use Wix because it’s easy and even someone with my
limited tech skills can build a great looking webpage. Wix (as well as GoDaddy
and Wordpress) have templates to help you design your page. Once your webpage
goes live, you’re ready to post your first blog.
A little
side note—when you start to set up your webpage and other social media, go with
one name across all medias. It makes it easier for people to find you. When
you’re ready to post your first blog, remember to connect it to your Goodreads
and Facebook pages (as well as your Amazon page if you’re published.) It’s a
good way to generate traffic to your webpage.
I’ve
got a blog. Now what?
Consider
your brand. Do you write books that feature bakers or chefs? Then share
recipes. Medical romances? Talk about the research you have to do to make it
realistic or share why you write what you write. Or if you’re a nurse, tell a
funny doctor story. Talk about your favorite writing place—one of my most
commented posts on Facebook were of pictures I took while writing at a local
lake. It was basically the same view every day, but people love it—and my
readers knew I was working on something new.
More
suggestions:
1) The first chapter from an upcoming book of another author.
2) A weekly chapter from a novella you’ve written.
3) Pictures/Videos of things you’re doing.
4) Devotionals.
2) A weekly chapter from a novella you’ve written.
3) Pictures/Videos of things you’re doing.
4) Devotionals.
The
important thing to is be yourself. Your brand is you.
Homework: Check out the blogs of writers in your genre. Come up with two or three ideas that will promote your brand.
Just because you’ve bombed out of a blog in the past doesn’t mean
you can’t have success with it now. via @pattywrites #SeriouslyWrite #Blogging #AuthorBrand
~~~~~~
A multi-published author with Love Inspired Historical and Barbour, Patty lives in North Georgia with her husband of 35 years, Danny; two gorgeous daughters, her son-in-love and a grandboy who has her wrapped around his tiny finger. When she’s not writing on her back porch, she’s spending time with her family or working in her garden.
