Friday, June 5, 2009

Starting a Blog: Final Thoughts

This is the final installment of my article: Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start a Blog.

5. How will I know if blogging is for me?

Blogging takes time and dedication. It can take months, even years, to build a readership. If you already struggle to find time to write, I wouldn’t recommend starting a blog. However, if you’re looking for a way to build a platform and gain a web presence, go ahead and invest the time. An excellent article by Rob Eager—The Dangers of Blogging—might help you decide. Also, Wendy over at All In a Day's Thought wrote a fantastic post, Dissecting the Blog, which might convince you to start one.

If you decide to start a blog, you might notice an unexplainable shift in your attitude after you've posted regularly for a few months. The terror of starting a blog gives way to a feeling of accomplishment. You no longer sweat over every word you write; you trust yourself, especially since you’re writing in advance and allowing time to edit. You also feel terrific about sticking to your schedule. Who doesn’t love to feel confident? I do!

Confidence will prod you to promote yourself. When you reach the point where you feel comfortable blogging, you’ll look for ways to attract readers. You’ll visit other writer’s blogs and leave comments. You’ll want to make your site more visual, and you’ll include more links. You might even add a statistics program to track your visitors.

Curiosity didn’t kill the cat—it made your blog go from amateur to awesome!

Final Thoughts

A blog can be a terrific promotional tool for unpublished authors. Don’t make the mistake of thinking promotion is only for published authors. Everything you release to the public, including a blog, is a promotion of yourself. Whether you want to get published ASAP, or sometime in the distant future, you will have to submit your work to editors or agents to reach that goal.

When nothing you’ve written has been published, having a blog and website can increase your odds of getting an editor or agent to take a chance on you. No, editors aren't trolling the Internet in search of the next great author; they don't have time for that. However, if you make the information available when you submit projects, they may check your blog out. I include my website and my blog address in my letterhead whenever I query.

Even if the editor doesn’t look at my website or blog, she knows I’m web-savvy. If the editor does look at my blog, she’ll see an archive of posts. She’ll know I post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and deduce I can handle deadlines and am dedicated to my craft. She’ll also get an idea of my voice, my writing style, and my skill level in regards to writing mechanics. I’m positive these will only help a new author’s career.

If an editor is undecided between two equal projects, I believe the author with promotional tools in place would edge out the other one. Promotion is a big part of the business; make an editor’s job easy and learn about it before you get published. What are you waiting for? Go out there and start a blog!

Enjoy your weekend!

19 comments:

  1. This has been such an informative series. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey, thanks for the shout out. I agree blogs can be a promotional tool. It helps an agent/editor to know we can come up with creative ideas and post regularly.
    Happy Friday (and great news on the email),
    ~ Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good morning!

    Erica: I appreciate it.

    Wendy: Thanks for posting such a great blog article--I was thrilled to link it.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great blog, Jill! Saw your name on Jennifer's today. I'll try to visit again but my husband's been complaining that I'm on the computer too much. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great series, Jill. I do need to fine tune my blog and these articles will help me in doing so.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Diane: Welcome! Funny how hubbies want our attention, right? Ha! Ha!

    Eileen: Glad to help out, but I think your blog is terrific!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jill, you have such great points today! I totally agree with the editor and agent visits. As we start to query, enter contests, comment on agent blogs, etc., we never know who might pop over to visit! As you know, I had three agents visit. Who knows what editors may start to take a look? It's always better to be ready and professional in the way we present ourselves!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jody, I'm very thankful you've been sharing your journey with us. I know I'm not speaking for myself when I say it's exhilirating hearing about your new duties being signed with an agent.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  9. excellent points here, Jill (and I still haven't figured out the smiley face thing...let you know when I do)

    My ms is out on submission to four editors right now. I googled them when my agent gave me their names and found an interview from one wherein she was asked "do you ever google potential new authors?" and her answer was "Always."

    Interesting. I bet it helps if something writing related actually comes up in that google search and was glad I have a blog when I read it. It's not big or fancy...but I think it all counts.

    Plus - you learn a lot, make new writing friends, and get an occasional laugh (like 'do you want a hot butt?')....how cool is that??

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your information was extremely helpful. I'll be back to read more. As a new blogger, this is just the type of material I need. Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That's a great post. I think also the power of blogs in general is underestamated at present. It's such a powerful tool not just for networking, fellowship, but as far as advertising goes. It's a wonderful thing. I do think staying focused is key.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Tess: How exciting to have your manuscript out there--congrats! And yes, editors and agents want to see platforms, even from unpublished writers.

    Nancy: Welcome! Blogging is a fun and rewarding way to get your name out there. I'm glad you stopped by.

    T. Anne: I agree. What a bonus to have met so many interesting people through my blog!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great series on blogging, Jill! I've been blogging for three years (or is it four?) now and I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Melissa: I can tell. Your posts make me smile.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Again--another good informative post. I don't regret blogging at all. It has enhanced my writing, I've made contacts and learned so much PLUS I've found a critique group. Win Win situation!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Jill--you are awesome! That is one of my favorite things about blogging: I get to run into so many awesome people. :D

    ReplyDelete
  17. Yes - excellent points! A lot of ppl get mired down in thinking that promoting theirself is akin to having a mass ego. But if a writer doesn't get their 'stuff' out there, no one will ever read it. I agree, blogging is an excellent way! LOVE your blog & will return! Thanks, Cher

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a great series Jill. Thanks for doing such well thought out posts. I found them all very informative and easy to follow. Perfect!
    THANKS

    ReplyDelete
  19. Terri: Win-win for me too! And it's encouraging to hear so many positive comments about blogging. I love it, and I'm glad you do too.

    Danyelle: Can we go back and forth like on the telephone "No, you're awesome!", "No you're awesome!" Ha! Ha!

    Playwright Chick: Welcome! Thanks for the reminder that promotion is not a dirty word. Blogging builds promotion skills. What's not to like? Thanks again for checking out my blog.

    Amber J: I'm so glad you read the series. Let me know if you decide to blog--I'd love to check it out!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you!