Why Aren’t You Blogging
Do you understand the potential benefits
of blogging? If you aren’t blogging, then you probably
don’t. Before you begin, it’s important to determine the
time needed to maintain and promote your blog.
With a blog, you can communicate with
your potential customers and keep them coming back to read
interesting and motivational content. Each time they visit
your blog, you have the chance to drive them to your
website and to build interest in your books. Blogging will
help keep your books in their mind.
Good content on your blog is an
invaluable way to educate your customers. When you give
them more information, you have the opportunity to prompt
a purchase. Giving potential readers a chance to get to
know you and feel comfortable about you and your books can
promote their buying decisions.
Blogging Is Easier Than You Think
Something that may stop you from
creating a blog is the idea that it’s expensive and
difficult. There are many free blogging sites and numerous
free ways to promote your blog. (There is a partial list
of blogging sites on the next page.)The most popular
blogging sites are user friendly. Once you register, the
site content walks you through each step of the process.
Some blogging sites offer a tour of the site and the
features you can use to create an individualized blog.
Start Blogging About Your Books
When you’re ready to enter a new blog
comment – log into your account, enter your thoughts,
proofread and click to submit. Make sure the content is
good and motivating, but actually getting your thoughts
online is easy. When you compile your blog post, remember
that potential readers are interested in your writing
style along with your grammar and spelling skills.
If you’re very busy, it’s possible to
hire a freelancer to handle the blog. The person would
need to be able to convey the personality and content that
you want your visitors to read. Even if someone else
writes your content, it needs to reflect your personality
and your books. As a writer, I would hesitate to do this,
but it’s an option you could consider if necessary.
Remember – the content doesn’t have to
be perfect and highly professional, but you need to avoid
grammar and spelling mistakes. Keep it casual and
conversational. The entries don’t need to be long and
drawn out. They can be short and to the point. Or, they
can be a short blurb and a link to one of your web pages
or other information that would benefit your visitors.
Possible Blog Sites
These are some well known sites where
you can establish your blog. There are many free options.
The sites usually offer additional services for a charge,
but you can get online and establish your blog for no
charge.
www.blogger.com
http://www.blogtopsites.com/
http://www.bloggator.com/
www.blogspot.com
www.diaryland.com
http://www.freeweblogs.org/
http://www.incoblogs.com/
www.livejournal.com
http://www.blogcatalog.com/ -
All Sorts of Blog Resources
Blog Directories
Once your blog is established, you need
to get the word out. You need to list the blog link on
your website, your signature block, business cards and so
forth. Each place that you list your website needs to list
your blog.
There are also blog directories. People
use these to find blogs that pertain to subjects they want
to read about. Many blog directories are free. You should
be listed in all of these. Make sure that you list your
blog under the right categories.
Some of these include:
http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Internet/On_the_Web/Weblogs/
http://dir.yahoo.com/Computers_and_Internet/Internet/World_Wide_Web/Weblogs
http://www.masternewmedia.org/rss/top55/
(Long list of directories.)
You’re well on your way to having an established blog that
people surfing the internet can find and visit.
Nikki Leigh, Fiction and Non Fiction
Author
http://www.nikkileigh.com
