Do You Really Need a Blog?
So, you’re published. And you’re learning the promotional ropes. You’ve heard words like branding and have been told that you need a website (you do), a newsletter (another must) and a blog.
But do you really need a blog?
Brace yourselves folks, no, you do not need a blog. In fact, the more authors that have a blog, the more diluted the pool of potential readers.
There are so many blogs out there these days. So many people send me promotion about their blog, the new contest on their blog, the latest post about what they ate for breakfast…I get a little overwhelmed.
So here are a few things to consider when deciding if a) you want/need a blog and b) if you should keep your blog.
Ready? Let’s get started.
First of all, how often do you blog? The blogs that work the best in terms of getting attention, repeat visitors, and work hard for your overall brand are very structured blogs and/or blogs that get updated daily.
If you don’t blog daily, do you blog weekly? And do you readers know to expect a new post every week?
Second, are your blog posts top quality? Be honest. Are they: helpful, informative, funny, creative? Or are they ramblings, pictures of your kids, and a recap of what you had for lunch?
Now, ramblings can be…well, nevermind… Pictures of your kids are appropriate if your blog is a family style blog that you use to keep your extended family in the loop. A recap of what you had for lunch is good if you’re on a quest to lose weight or something of that nature.
But take a hard look at your intended target audience. Romance readers. Yes, they want to get to know you, but how much is too much? When is enough enough? Could a good biography and a few frequently asked questions along with links to interviews work better for you? Would it save you time?
Third, what do you hope that your blog will achieve? What’s your reason and motivation for a) having a blog and b) continuing to post to your blog? If it’s just a hobby for you, great. If you’re doing it to keep track of your personal progress, great. If you’re using it as a promotional tool to help you capture an audience and further your brand, all the better.
Fourth, are you achieving your goals? Only you can answer this question.
Your options
You have options if a personal blog is no longer in the cards.
Take a vacation from blogging. Post a note that says you’ll be back from vacation in a year. Take a year off and see how you feel.
Join a group blog. But make sure that the group blog has an audience and intends to do more than write vanity letters about their latest release. Blog visitors don’t want a hard sell. They want information, to be entertained, to learn something new.
Guest Blog. There are great blogs all over the internet looking for guest bloggers. Sign up. And then offer them a valuable post.
Join your publisher’s blog.
Write articles for the RWR, your RWA Chapter Newsletter and/or all the various article websites out there. Associated Content is popular right now.
Say when
At the end of the day, only you can decide if a blog is right for you, if you have the time and the resources to devote to it. But in case you’ve been agonizing over that little piece of internet real estate, you have permission to freeze it, shut it down, pull the plug. Find another promotional option that will do more for you with less effort, something that you will enjoy more. Free reads, anyone?