The reason every writer should have a blog
Everyone says you should have a blog. If you’re a writer you need a blog. EVERY. WRITER. NEEDS. A. BLOG. But why? I haven’t seen many lists detailing the reasons why, just stating that writers should. So, here I have for you all, as always, a list. Go onward, if you dare.
- HOME BASE
A blog is an independent page. It doesn’t rely on Twitter, FaceBook, or Google+. Using something like Twitter, FB, or G+ as a home base is hard to spread out. You isolate people who may dislike Twitter, or who don’t use G+, or people who hate FB. Your home base should be independent, but also a place that you can link and advertise to your other networks. - THE ABILITY TO CUSTOMIZE
Depending on what blog platform you end up using, you can have complete creative control. Make it your own and let everyone know who you are both as a person and a writer. Pick themes, make themes, edit themes, make pages, edit your blog, and build a platform. - SELF-PROMO IS OKAY
It’s your page. You can self-advertise all day long, but be warned. It should be done in moderation, just like with any other site. Otherwise, you’ll just be considered a bot, and no one will feel your worth following. At the same time, self-promo can be done subtle-y and optionally. Create content that you want to share, content that will help others. Then, you can create pages dedicated to your books and products. If people like your content, then they’ll check out your products. That’s how it should be. Let people DECIDE if they want to check out your products. Don’t shove it down their throat. I can’t stress that enough. - SHARING ORIGINAL CONTENT
That should always be the main point of any blog. There is no better way to share and create original content than to start a blog. Make content, share it, and enjoy the ability to do so. - PRACTICE
You have to write to have a blog, and to keep up with a blog, you have to write lots of content and keep it going up consistently. It’s a perfect opportunity to test out your writing ability. - IT’S REPRESENTATIVE OF YOUR WRITING
With consistent posts, people are able to get glimpses at how you write. It may not be fiction, it may not be what you usually write, but it still says a lot about your voice. Your voice as a writer is ever-present on the blog and within the posts.
Now then, time for questions. Do you have a blog? What do you blog about? What kind of content do you share? What’s your favorite part of having a blog? Let me know, and comment below.
Thanks for reading.
-Lissy
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Beautiful. I’m always telling my friends that they need to practice, and a blog is a good way. My own blog is something I try to do daily. Stories are the source of most of my content. I adore telling them, and my blog has helped me learn how to see things with the eyes of a writer.
That’s wonderful. A blog is a great way to share content, and inspire others to create there own. Awesome job.
I love that you put all the reasons together. When I first heard I was supposed to start a blog I just followed along without really knowing 100% why I was starting a blog. Now my problem is to steal my writing time back from my blog! Ugh.
The blog does end up sucking up some writing time, but it’s a great way to connect – with readers as well as writers.
Yeah, we are often told “you must have a blog” but often not exactly why. It does take time but it is fun to do and useful. Often it is worth reblogging useful posts which your own followers might not have found.
Reblogged this on Library of Erana and commented:
My blog is fairly new and I admit I hesitated before getting one. Why? Well I was worried no one would want to read it, it would take up all my time and I wouldn’t know what to say. I am still not sure about the last couple of points but I have a few followers. Blogs can reflect a writer and a reader, and are more personal that an author page on facebook. I think the advice about not shoving your product in the face of your followers. My books have their page which, of course, I am very happy if people visit but if they don’t that is dandy as well.
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Thanks for the reminder about not shoving your product into the faces of the readers. I needed to be reminded of that : ) Keep up the good work with this blog.