Blogging is just as important for an author as newsletters and a website. it keeps our name out there, keeps our readers interested, and attracts new readers. I blog here on blogger.com. I tend to not have a plan - I simply share my thoughts, share links to writing apps, and whatever else I think will interest my readers, It is very hit and miss. Today I want to share a review about a book from a writer that I follow - Anne R. Allen. I follow her blog with Ruth Harris (Anne R. Allen Blog), which is excellent, and is where I got the heads up on this book!
This is a guide for authors like me who are very "low tech", but who want to build a blog on a solid platform, but not dedicate our lives to it. (I would rather spend my time writing than blogging.) The first thing I read (I read back covers before I read the book) was that an author blog is easier to maintain than a business blog. Easy sounds good!
I loved the concept that authors blog about different things at different stages of their careers. (Makes sense to me!) Fine-tuning blog topics for genre and audience - that I already do (I think). Also covered are basic SEO tips (my eyes glazed over already), and how to write headers that will grab the attention of Web surfers. (Yup, I need some help there!) And ... essential blog and social media etiquette rules are covered! (Whew!)
I am going to start at the end of this book, then go back to the beginning. Allen has included a page entitled "A Note From Anne", where she recommends several books on blogging by other authors. One of them, "Blog It! The Author's Guide To Publishing A Successful Online Brand" by Molly Greene, talks about using your blog to build your brand. I just purchased it!
I am impressed that Allen makes no bones about learning how to blog by trial and error. I think that is the best way to learn. Some of the topics she discusses in this book are:
- How a blog can help an author's career.
- How to get an online profile.
- Commenting on other author's blogs.
- Using the blogging platform "Medium".
- Tips for starting an author blog (along with steps to be taken).
- How to pick topics for blogging.
- Topics to leave out of your blog.
- How to write a good author bio (mine is always a work in progress!).
- How to write good blog content.
- Writing a series of posts that are published over time.
- Why not to work with a newsletter.
- Making best use of Google.
- Allowing your blog to change as you grow as an author.
- Participating in Blog Hops and Blog Tours (they have their place).
- Making best use of hashtags.
- Guest blogging (my personal verdict is still out on this one).
- Using a pen name (I don't).
There is a lot in this little (183 page) book - all of it usable! It is for those looking to start a blog and those that have been blogging for a while. Make best use of 50% of the information in this book, and you will look much more professional!
(c) August 2021 Bonnie Cehovet
Reproduction is prohibited without written permission from the author.
