Blogging with purpose

A blog is a great way to connect with your readers and an excellent way to reach a wider audience. If the content of your blog is interesting and updated frequently readers will subscribe to your blog, or at least you hope they will J

We, as writers, need to realize that getting readers interested in what we have to say is important specially if we are to create a buzz about us as authors and even more so if we want to create a buzz about our books.

So, all this sounds great, doesn’t it? But here’s the catch, no great outcome will come to pass unless you have the motivation and time required to commit to a blog. So, let me be honest here: Blogging is not for everyone. And, that’s okay.

Let’s say, however, that you decided 2014 would be your year to start blogging, there are some important questions you need to ask yourself first. See below:

Who is the blog for?

Don't try to be all things to all people. It's best if you narrow your focus. If you’re like me, a romance writer, then your focus should be to reach readers of the romance genre, or perhaps even other romance writers.

What does my audience care about?

Remember that your blog should be about what your audience finds interesting, not what you think is interesting. So, do a little bit of research see what other writers are blogging about and soon you’ll formulate your own unique ideas for a blog.

Where would I blog?

Many bloggers choose to have their blogs integrated into their personal websites, while others use third party blogging services, such as Wordpress or Blogger. The choice is yours.

Who will write the blog?

You, the author!

Let me extend a challenge: Why not start a blog today and commit to writing one entry a week for a month, just four weeks (I’m starting my four weeks today J)? Now, if you don’t think you can commit to that, then blogging may be for you.

Whether you love it or hate it, there are definite benefits to having a blog, which might explain why so many businesses and organizations have jumped on the bandwagon.

Make 2014 the year to start blogging!

Until next time friends,

Maria