A blog is a great way to share information with everyone from your mother to readers on the other side of the world. Many writers refuse to blog because they feel it takes time away from the writing that pays the bills. However, done correctly, a blog can put money in your pocket, boost your reputation and increase your fan base.
How? Keep reading.
Writers with blogs have instant access to readers. A blog is an interactive marketing tool. When you post to your blog and people respond to your post, you are opening a dialogue with your readers. If you interact with your readers by responding to their comments, you appear approachable and readers can more easily connect to you. That connection can mean that when your latest book comes out, your blog readers will go out and buy it. More book sales = more money.
Writers with blogs can better track the pulse of their readers. By examining reader’s comments, you can ascertain what your readers want to read, and what they like and don’t like about what you’ve written. If you don’t want to guess, a blog’s a good way to ask your readers what they want to read and what they like and don’t like. That’s the interesting thing about fans – they are honest, sometimes brutally so. But as a seasoned writer, your skin should be pretty thick, so take the leap, gather the information, use what works and disregard the rest.
Writers with blogs can experiment with different writing styles. Most writers find a niche and stick with it, but sometimes we like to try our hands at other genres. Your blog is a good place for experimentation. Just as your readers will let you know if you hit a home run or struck out with your usual writing, they will also let you know if you should dabble on in the new genre or stick to your “day job.”
Writers with blogs have a showcase for their best work. Many writers have websites, but a blog gives you the same Internet presence with the added ability to interact with your readers. So, when your article runs in Forbes, Women’s Day or Popular Mechanics, you can post a copy of the magazine cover on your blog, post excerpts of articles and provide a list of all your publishing accomplishments. In other words, your blog becomes your resume.
Writers with blogs can give random thoughts a home. As writers we research and retain a lot of information. Try as we might, not all the information will fit into the article. This extra information can become fodder for your blog. As an added bonus, the next time you’re stuck for article ideas, you can read back through your old blog content and see if inspiration will strike.
So, go ahead and start that blog. Your current fans will be happy, you’ll gain new fans, you’ll have a showcase for your best work, and you’ll have an outlet for all those stray thoughts clogging your gray matter. It’s a winning combination for all involved.
Kim F is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments. WriterAccess is powered by ideaLaunch.
