Comments on: Economics 101–Need Promotion? Blog.

By: Cele

Cele — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 05:41:19 +0000

As a blogger and a groupie of writers and bloggees I have to agree with Kait. Because I know the pain of no one reading my blog I make it a point of leaving even the smallest comment in support of bloggers I read (my morning/evening blog roll is over 21.) And I have blogs that (even if I’m short on time) I will read… as Toni pointed out Mir and Joss are must reads, just like MSW and Trapped.

I have said it here and other places before, but because we’re talking readership and visablity I will be repetative (I know, again) MSW is an excellent example of what to do right with a blog. You have 10 writers, an interesting blog, with fresh daily content, and you work to make it a community of give and take between writers, readers, authors, and fans. It is a place that welcomes exchange, allows the reader a glimpse into your process, even to be a small part of that process, and to be valued by the author.

It’s the same as word of mouth– invaluable.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:48:28 +0000

Karin, I’m still waiting for wedding pictures! And you are so right, blogging is a huge commitment. I’m guessing a lot of authors don’t realize it until they get into it. Unless you have nine other fabulous authors to blog WITH you. Then it’s still commitment, but not as big….

Lee, you are right. It does take time to build an audience, and so you have to be tenacious, and determined, and thick-skinned… Things that SHOULD come natural to writers. LOL.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:46:08 +0000

Alex, good to see you hear. Sorry to hear all that travel has you under the weather, but SO glad you stopped by. I do think there are less germs from a blog tour… LOL.

So DO tell. Who got the agent???? Pen to Press was such a fabulous experience. Unpubbed writers, if you want to meet one on one with writers, agents, and editors, you need to sign up for the next P2P. I promise it’s worth it.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:44:38 +0000

Terry, I know what you mean. I get blog block ALL the time. I have found myself somewhat refreshed with all the new faces here at MSW, so that is cool.

Toni, I agree about Heather. I just love her blog. I couldn’t be that personal, but maybe that’s why she has the readers….

Jen, I think I dragged you AND Karin into it… Hee hee. Oh, and Deborah LeBlanc. I made her do it, too. LOL. I’m a blog pusher….

Amanda, we’ll keep blogging as long as you keep reading!

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:41:51 +0000

Deb,

I think to a certain extent blog tours are somewhat useful, but they can be hard to organize, and you often feel like you are crashing on the couch of someone you don’t know very well.

Margaret,

Hey, I understand the rejection concept. And you ARE really putting yourself out there. You have to develop a really tough skin if you are going to stick it out.

Kait, excellent suggestions! Definitely going to other blogs leads people back to yours. But you really NEED to comment on the blog, and not just post a link about YOUR blog. That’s pretty much spam.

PJ, welcome to MSW, and great comments! We’re so glad you came to visit, and hope you stay!

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:20:59 +0000

It takes time to attract attion for a blog. Over at Chasing Heroes, we’ve been at it for a year, but have within the last six months started to create a rythm to our blogging. Each one of us is very different from the other. I agree on all the above. Blogging in itself can be a real art form. And one that has to be developed and learne.d

By: Karin Tabke

Karin Tabke — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:39:03 +0000

good post, nat. blogging is a huge commitment. i find on my personal blog i usually get up three fresh posts a week. sometimes like this week less. i’m still recovering from the wedding, plus i’ve had to dive in head first into all of the things i let slide. not to mention my lap top is still getting new hardware. hopefully i’ll have it back this afternoon, but the hard drive is lost in space.

both my agent and editor think blogging is a great way to build name recognition. and while that may be true, i blog because i like to hang out with cyber friends.

By: Alexandra Sokoloff

Alexandra Sokoloff — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:57:59 +0000

Hey Natalie – great post and great timing… I’m recovering from yet another bout of flu from traveling, and have been thinking that more online promotion might keep me healthier, so thanks for the push!

(A bit of Pen to Press news – one of our students just picked up an agent from the conference! Hope to see you in person again soon, preferably in NOLA.)

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:57:25 +0000

I love blog-hopping my favorite authors, so you all keep up the good work.

By: Jen Apodaca

Jen Apodaca — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:54:18 +0000

Natalie, you’re the one who dragged me into blogging! And once again, I’m taking your advice and having a blog professionally designed for my “other” personality Jennifer Lyon.

Blogs, for writers, are a way to build a community with your readers, and hopefully, attract more readers.

I have two cautions:

1) They are a lot of work. More than most people think when they start.

2) I would caution authors to think about what they present. Political and religious views may work for some authors and create unwanted controversy that may turn off readers for others.

And my personal motto on blogging–have fun with it!

Thanks for the tips, Natalie!