Calling all bloggers…taking a poll
Posted by Gail Barrett on 19 Feb 2008 | Tagged as: Chit Chat
I have a question for all you blog-savvy people out there. Some published writers I know are thinking about creating a new blog. The purpose, of course, is to draw in readers and get some publicity for their upcoming books. But should they bother? Is the blog “market” saturated? Do people still read blogs?
Since I’m not on many blogs myself (and rarely have time to read them), I thought I would ask you: If you read blogs, what draws you to a particular one? What draws you back on a regular basis? Great information? The latest gossip? An interesting guest blogger or a guaranteed laugh?
Or are you sick of blogs? Do you rarely read them? Should these writers forget a blog and move on to the next new thing?
I’d like to know. So if you have a second to post a comment, please do!!!
I may be the exception to the masses, Gail. I read only a small handful of blogs and only because they’re written by friends. I do not visit group blogs, do not run over to a blog because of guest posters, and do not get all excited because my favorite author blogs. I’ve tried reading up to 20 a day and found the topics were repetitious. And yes, I’m sick of blogs. I keep to my handful now.
On the other hand, I do believe they serve a purpose and if you have an audiences that enjoys your blog, then you are keeping the author name/branding alive and well. I recognize that group blogs are somewhat easier time-wise to manage. But then I look at this blog and realize there are a fair number of pubs who committed to this one and don’t participate, so do keep that in mind. Is the rest of your team reliable and a good reflection on the kind of writing you produce?
So, I’m a mixed bag of feelings on the subject, aren’t I?
February 19th, 2008 at 7:32 amPam - thanks for your comment! You make great points. One of the group blogs I’m on is faltering for the reasons you mention — not enough participation and no clear direction.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:24 amI agree with pretty much all that “the Pam” says. I blog once a week. I have about about six places where I blog, and I get a number of people who either read and a lot post responses.
Blogs are repetitive in many cases, although I don’t always talk romance biz, I meander a lot, which is maybe why I actually get visitors. *grin* I know there are a number of readers who visit certain blogs daily, while others visit when some big controversy or news hits.
My biggest issue with blogs is that their original purpose was to share thoughts and opinions. It’s when folks take themselves seriously and act like watch dogs for any industry that they can become subversive and can spread misinformation that is harmful just in the same way rumors of old used to be. The difference is that rumors once passed via word-of-mouth had a limited range, while blogs are instant and worldwide.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:29 amBlogs have their place. I am afraid, however, and I say this all of the time, that many writers spend far too much time blogging. That time could be better spent on their writing.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:34 amI also agree that Blogs really should have a purpose. I frequently scan Blogs of writers and I just don’t see the purpose. Keep us informed of your writing, advertise your coming books, involve the reader with writing. These are great ideas. Telling me about your day and saying you simply had a cup of coffee is not that exciting.
Oh, darn. And I was just going to chat about my coffee…..:)))))
February 19th, 2008 at 10:37 amI try and update my own blog regularly and from the stats I get, it does get visited by a lot of people every day. I like it because it stops my website from being static when I don’t have a new book out.
I also group blog at a couple of other places besides here and I enjoy that too. One of the blogs, Lust Bites enjoys thousands of hits a week and as there are about 14 of us participating, I only have to think of something once or twice a month.
I communicate best when I write, so for me blogging is a good way of connecting with my readers and potential readers. I can’t say it sucks a lot of time away from my writing because I see it as a promotional tool and it goes into that section of my day
February 19th, 2008 at 11:13 amI’ve made some wonderful writer friends through blogging, but other than that I can’t say it’s done anything for me, except given me an outlet. That, in itself, is valuable (and sometimes I like to talk about my tea, Scott ).
If I had more books out maybe that would be different.
I also participate in group blogs. I rarely visit them. Most of the time it feels like the same people are talking to each other. There are probably some successful ones out there but I spend enough time on the internet without adding them to my RSS feeds.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:28 amI see my post didn’t pull up my *grin* I put in after my quip to Scott. :sigh: I should remember NOT to use those brackets that can be interpreted as HTML.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:08 pmKate- What do you think makes Lust Bites so popular? Do you offer prizes? Is it the content?
February 19th, 2008 at 1:22 pmI think it’s the content (naughty wink) we have a huge variety of opinions and writers who cover erotica and erotic romance both in the UK and the USA so we get readers from all over the world. And trust me, there is no sexual topic that a brave Lustie isn’t willing to cover for the glory of the blog. I’m one of the sweeter contributors!
February 19th, 2008 at 2:50 pmForgot to add, we do hold contests fairly regularly because there are a lot of us and we write a lot of books. We vary those contests, for example the Valentine’s day one was for Flash Fiction, show us your best erotica in 100 words.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:53 pmGina - my experience is similar to yours. But from Kate’s input, it sounds as if some blogs do generate a lot of interest — if the content is interesting enough.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:32 pmWhat the blog’s like Kate’s Lusties do well, it seems, is have lots of content that is rapidly changing.
For any website to draw visitor (and I’m counting blogs here), you have two options: static, informational types (such as the static pages of RWA Online) and dynamic content - new stuff all the time, to draw the consumer back repeatedly.
Many people can’t manage that drawback. I think the blogs that generate a fair amount of traffic are ones either where the content is titillating/edgy/snarky/or otherwise dramatic, because a lot of hits are by visitors just looking for a little something to thrill their day.
Reading about Gina’s tea just ain’t what they’re looking for.
Otherwise, the blog/content has to teach or otherwise have some personal impact on the reader. I visit up to three different tech gadget blogs a day, several times a day, so that I’m always abreast of the next best gadget out there. Because that’s what interests me.
For an author blog, group or singular, to interest an audience, it has to be dynamic and be of interest, be kept up to date, just to name a few.
Many people just jump in feet first, without realizing that it takes time to construct a good blog entry, for example. They should treat a blog entry much like a short story and too many don’t do that.
oh, enough preaching…
February 19th, 2008 at 4:23 pmThat’s not preaching, Pam. That’s great advice. I agree with you!!!
February 19th, 2008 at 4:49 pmI check two or three blogs regularly. I like Romancing the Blog because they talk about writerly things I can relate to, and I keep up with a couple of agent blogs, mostly to keep learning about the “other” side of this business.
February 19th, 2008 at 4:58 pmLike “The Pam”, I have a few blogs I follow because they are friends. I’ve added a couple of blogs recently of authors whose books I’ve really liked. Of those I consistently read, I like seeing a bit of their personal world. Whether it be about tea (no offense Scott), knitting or the occassional “I got nothin’ ” blog. A blog that is strictly “informational” is not going to hold me for long. I prefer an “entertaining” blog. And I love blog entries that recommend books because I always like to hear about new authors and stories. A blog entry trashing an author or book - not one I would frequent.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:48 pmThanks, Chessie and Laura! I appreciate the feedback. And Laura, I agree. I don’t read the trashy ones, either. I just can’t get enjoyment out of those, mostly because I sympathize with the writers whose books are being trashed. I can hardly read movie reviews anymore, either, now that I know how hard it is to write….
February 20th, 2008 at 4:31 amGail,
Blogs have to be entertaining for me to read them. If they’re all business, all the time, or preachy, then I stay away from them. I hate “authoritative” blogs. You know, the my way or the highway kind of information that some people dole out. They come across as pompous and honestly, they sour me toward that person’s business.
I don’t want to know all about your writing. I want to know about you. Can you make me laugh and tell me a story about something in your life? Doesn’t have to be too personal, but it does have to feel personal.
I try very hard to blog daily. I skip a lot on the weekends, but I still try to blog at least one day on the weekend. So far this month, I’ve had 5200 blog readers. In my mind, those are pretty solid numbers. They grow every month. I spend very little time talking about my writing. I just try to entertain. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. LOL
February 20th, 2008 at 4:59 pmI’d say you’re doing a fabulous job of entertaining with those numbers, Mel. I am impressed!!!!!
February 21st, 2008 at 5:16 amI read about a half dozen blogs regularly, and that number has actually gone up from where I was a year ago. The ones I read either challenge my ideas on the industry or purely entertain. And I will seek out a writer’s blog if I enjoyed a book.
February 23rd, 2008 at 8:59 pm