Happy New Year! It’s 2013. Did you blog a book last year? If so, I hope you will tell me about it so I might feature you. Are you blogging a book now? If so, I hope you’ve listed it so others will know about it and follow your progress. Did you never quite manage to get started blogging your book in 2012? Then 2013 is the time to start…
But maybe blogging in general stops you from actually blogging your book. Many aspiring book bloggers call me with great ideas, but they are afraid to get moving because the technology of blogging puts them off. Even though blogging involves writing, they are afraid of the actual “blog” itself and what’s involved with setting it up and running it. So they never get started. Or they start and then stop when they feel confused or overwhelmed.
If that sounds like you, it’s time to get over that obstacle. Your blog–and your blogged book–will get you where you want to go in 2013. Blogging can be the path to becoming an author, by which I mean not just an “aspiring” author but a “published” author.
That’s why I’m devoting January on this blog to “Blogging Basics for Writers.” In fact, I’m going to promise to help you build better blogging skills in just 4 weeks. If that interests you, follow along this month to find two posts a week that will help you learn better blogging skills.
Since today is January 1, I have 3 assignment for you.(You’ll be doing most of the work today; I’m trying to take the day off. Not.):
- Get a blog if you don’t already have one. If you do have a blog and it’s a hosted (free) one on anything other than WordPress.org, research switching to a WordPress.org self-hosted blog. There are other platforms, but I recommend that one. If you don’t want to pay for hosting, then get a WordPress.com hosted (free) blog. If you need help setting it up, almost any blogger can help you (including me). For a self-hosted blog, you might need a webmaster. (I can recommend one.)
- Write down the three top things you struggle with when it comes to blogging or that stop you from blogging.
- Ask yourself, “Why?” Answer that question. How much of the problem is psychological and how much is due to lack of knowledge about blogging? If it’s psychological, then you simply need to push through your fear or your unwillingness to take on new technology–or whatever. If you lack knowledge, write down the 3 things you need to learn how to do to make blogging easier for you; then go out on the Internet and research how to do them. (Do that immediately!)
Last, please leave me a comment with the 3 things you struggle with when it comes to blogging or that stop you from blogging that you listed in #2 (above). You can also tell me the second set of things you need to learn to make blogging easier for you (also in #2 above). I’ll try to address some of these concerns during the month.
Most of what stops you from doing anything–including blogging or blogging books–has to do with fear or lack of knowledge. These are easily remedied with action–moving forward through your fear or learning why you have no need to fear and gaining the necessary knowledge. The latter sometimes alleviates your fear as well.
If you would like personal help with your book blogging, sign up this month for 1-1 blog-to-book coaching. After January, my rates are going up, but those who begin in January will be grandfathered in at the old rates. To sign up for coaching, click here.
Also, I have 1 small blog-to-book coaching group starting tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 2, from 12-1 p.m. PST. The group meets every Wednesday for two months. There is only room for 5 people in this group and a few spots are already filled. (Participation in this group grandfathers you into my old rates as well–and saves you $112 on 1-1 monthly coaching rates.) To register, click here.
Nina,
This is a very relevant blog. May I have the webmaster recommendation please? Also, how are the blog posts different between blogging a book and then publishing that blog vs. writing a book separately and using a blog to promote the book? Is my existing blog http://suzy.paluzzi@wordpress.com indicative of what the content should be like to promote my book in progress: “Homage”?
Thank you for your referral & sharing your expertise. I am now a follower of this blog of yours!
Suzy Paluzzi
My webmaster is Linda Lee (Lindalee@askmepc.com); please tell her I sent you! She is affordable, knowledgable and works with many writers.
When you blog a book you actually write your book on your blog, thus promoting it and building a platform for it while you create the first draft. When you promote your book using a blog you write posts related to your book topic, also building platform; this is “extra” work that could take you away from producing a manuscript. Many writers complain they don’t have time to write their book and promote it.
I’m sorry, I don’t have time to go look at your blog, but I do blog reviews during consults and during private and group coaching.
Thanks for following my blog!
I would love to have some pointers on attracting readers to my blog. Also, any and all advice on pushing through the fear is welcomed.
Please search this blog (use the search box) for posts on traffic; I’ve written about this extensively. The first thing to do is produce great content consistently focused on one topic that people are searching for–something that solves a problem or answers a pressing question. Blog often–2-7 times a week for the first 9-12 months of your blog’s life. Publicize your posts on all social networks–or as many as possible.
As for pushing through fear…every day this is a project for you: write a post and publish it. Share it. Just do it. Don’t worry about perfection. Start small…something short. Share on one social network. Then on two…Little baby steps. Remember that fear and awe are the same thing at different ends of the same spectrum. You can hike up a mountain and look at the view and say, “Wow. look at this awesome view. That’s awe inspiring. (God is awesome.)” Step closer to the edge and suddenly you are saying, “Wow. I’m scared I might fall. This is a life or death situation.” No step back on or two feet….awesome. You can see the view.
It’s the same with everything. Step back. Get to awe. Stay there and work. Move away from fear.
OR…move through it, because if you cross that narrow bridge to the other side of the ravine…or stand at the edge of the cliff long enough and realize you survived, you lived, you’ll feel awe again…and exhilarated. And you’ll be full of life and excitement and inspiration.
Hello Nina I think the best way to gain more readers is to engage with them and build a strong foundation, not just on your blog, but your readers blogs as well. You see if you don’t take the time to visit other bloggers who comment on yours you will not increase your readership.
I have meet some wonderful people in the last month that have changed the way I interact and it has worked out very well. When someone takes the time to visit your blog and comment return the favor because they will love you for it. 🙂
Thanks so much for a great article have a wonderful day