From expanding your current reader base, to connecting with your readers, and marketing your work in a whole new way, blogging provides many benefits for authors.So how does an author go about utilizing their blog as a marketing tool?
First, know your audience. Do you write for moms to be? Or parents with special needs children? From the design to the content, make sure your blog is geared toward your usual demographic.
You should also use the same tone you always do. For example, if write mainly humorous essays on the joys of raising six kids, continue using that same humorous tone on your blog.
Update frequently. A blog as a marketing tool doesn’t help you if it sits empty. Update your blog regularly. Start slowly if you’re new to blogging.
It’s perfectly acceptable to blog once or twice a week then slowly increase your number of posts until you reach your posting goal.
Wordpress or Blogger: Choosing a Blogging Platform
Platform is not that important, rather concentrate on choosing a blogging service you feel comfortable with. While Wordpress and Blogger remain two of the most popular blogging platforms, you may also want to look into alternatives like Typepad.
Many blogging platforms allow you to ‘export’ your content so if you try one platform and don’t like it, you’re not stuck with it.
On Templates
Should you use a free template? No, not if you can help it.
If you can help it, hire a professional blog designer to give your blog a unique look and feel. (Standard rates vary so do a little comparison shopping before choosing your designer.)
If you can’t afford a designer, then take a template you like and ‘tweak’ it to make it your own (Note: there are numerous tutorials on how to edit blog templates on the web).
Regardless of your platform, your posting schedule and your template, remember to focus on your original reason for blogging—connecting with and expanding your readership.
***
Liked this post? Then stay tuned for How to Promote Your Author Blog on Wednesday!
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment