An Author's Time ~ Blogging

Greetings from contemporary fiction author, Deborah Vogts. This past year, I've tried to evaluate the moments in a writer's life. This month and next, I'd like to break this down even further and consider how we spend our promotional time. 

Blogs have been around for many years now, probably the first form of social networking where readers could interact with the author by way of commenting. If I had to choose between blogs or social networks, I'd probably pick blogging.

What I like about blogging is that you can choose your own topics, set your own schedule, and use the site to reinforce "your brand" or your writing. It's a great way to show who you are and give yourself an online presence--even before you're published.

So the big questions are:

• How often should I blog?

• What should I blog about?

• How much time does blogging take?

Some people blog five days a week; some three; some one. There's no right or wrong answer. The key is setting a schedule and sticking to it.

I began blogging in 2005 and initially set up my blog as a website. I updated it with new content on a monthly basis and invited readers by email to view the new content. Once I had a publishing contract, I chose to set up an official author website, (more on that here,) and began blogging on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with Fridays being my recipe day. Which leads us to the second question: What should I blog about?

The answer depends on who you are, what you write, and what you want to accomplish. Do you want to connect with other writers? If so, you might offer writing tips or posts related to the publishing world. You could even have one day a week when you invite a guest blogger to post something relavent to the writing world.

Do you want to promote Christian fiction? If so, you could post reviews or blog about a new release. You might even offer book drawings to your readers.

Maybe you have a specific interest related to your writing that would draw readers, such as home schooling, crafts, animals, farming, recipes, etc.

Or if you want to keep posts related to your books, you might consider blogging on your research, your characters, author events, etc. The key is to find something that interests you enough to keep you blogging on a regular schedule and one that offers your readers enough to want to come back.

I post three times a week on my Country at Heart blog and try to offer something specific on each day. One day I'll promote Christian fiction (sometimes offering a book drawing), another day I'll write about my writing or about something specific to country life, and on Fridays I post a favorite recipe.

Readers are busy, so try to keep the content fresh, short, and always give them at least one visual. More if possible. Take pictures yourself and post them to your blog. Or go to Stock.xchng for pictures you can post on your blog for free.

How long does it take to blog? I can usually write a post in 15-20 minutes, and I like to schedule my posts ahead of time, preparing them in my free time on weekends or in the evening.

So, what about you? Do you blog? What do you blog about and how do you decide how often to post? Share with us in the comments below. Next month, I'll write more about an author's promotional time spent on book signings and author events. Until then, enjoy the moments . . . 

*****

Deborah Vogts and her husband have three daughters and make their home in SE Kansas. Visit her Author Website to learn more about her writing and her books in the Seasons of the Tallgrass series.

Comments

[Jenny]

I try to blog once a week. My topics always surround my chaotic life with kids and a husband. I think the thing that attracts readers to my blog is my authenticity. I write about what I'm really thinking, not just what I think I should be thinking. It is working out pretty well so far. I have a little bit of an audience for when I publish my book. Thanks for sharing the tips. I will be watching for more.

[Deborah Vogts]

Hi Jenny! Thanks for visiting and for leaving a comment. I visited your blog and enjoyed viewing your posts. Blessings to you on your upcoming book release and on your blogging future!

[Jeanette Hill]

Thanks for the tips and encouragement. I am working on a series blogs about stage play writing and production for next month. Want to do it consistently.

[Sherrey]

This was a very timely post for me. I've been offline as as my blog is concerned for a few weeks due to surgery. Recovery time has given me a chance to think about my writing and what I should be spending valuable minutes on. Starting with January 1st, I've decided to try blogging three days/week and doing as Deborah has said by writing ahead and scheduling my posts. Hopefully, this will bring some sanity to my memoir writing and my flute lessons and my quilting . . . did I mention I'm Type A?????

[Deborah Vogts]

Hi Jeanette, and Sherrey! Thanks for stopping in to say hello. Sherrey, I hope you have a speedy recovery from surgery. Best wishes to both you in your blogging efforts for 2012! God's blessings . . .

[Dee for D.I. Telbat]

Hi Deborah,

Thank you for your thoughts and ideas on blogging. I blog for Christian Author D.I. Telbat. We put up one of his fiction short stories, or a serialized novel, every week, then another day per week I post one of his non-fiction articles. Sometimes it will be his Author Reflections on different subjects, a book review, or a challenge to the Christian Church.

Your suggestion to use images is very good and I need to start doing that.

God bless your New Year!
Dee

[Term paper Writing]

Hi,
I am very thankful too you for this sharing..It is very useful for my writing project I get enough information for my writing..!!!