I am a huge fan of blogging. I love it. I must do, else why would I have been doing it for over five years? I think starting a writer’s blog is especially good for writers because writing regular posts – and there’s not much point in starting a writer’s blog unless you’re going to make regular posts – means you exercise the writing muscle. Bloggers are in the habit of posting usually once or twice a week, anything up to 1,000 or even 2,000 words. It’s a lot of words when you add up the posts, a lot of practice in writing for publication and for an audience, in editing work to make sure it’s the best it can be, and in developing your voice.
One of the things that got me hooked when I started my own writer’s blog was the ‘Publish,’ button. Scary though it is in the beginning, you just hit ‘Publish,’ and your work is out there on the net for anyone to read – and people will read it. The longer you blog, the more connections you make and the more readers you have.
I was also hooked in by the design opportunities. Being something of a failed artist, and loving everything to do with design and the visual world, I couldn’t resist all the playing with colour and thinking about how the blog would look. In fact even now I have to stop myself from constantly trying out new looks as I think it can be disconcerting for regular readers. Although I can definitely feel a change brewing.
In my newsletter this week, which you can sign up for here, scroll down on the right (it’s free and spam free) I offer ten things to consider when starting up a writers blog. If you don’t receive my newsletter but would like to read about starting a writer’s blog continue here
10 Things to Consider when Starting a Writer’s Blog*
1. Think hard about your title – remember you’re stuck with this, it can be changed but frequent changes are not good for people following you– your name is good if you can get it, then people searching for you will find you easily
2. Purpose – what do you want your blog to be? A diary? A writing journal? A place to publish your work ? Although be careful if you’re entering competitions as usually the work must be unpublished and publishing on a blog counts. You can however post small extracts and you can certainly talk about your work in progress. Do you want your blog to be controversial, outspoken, political? Helpful? Inspiring to others? Beautiful? Look at the blogs out there and decide which you like and ask yourself why.
3. Voice – let who you are come through. Be true to your writing self, this will make your blog unique and you will find over time that you develop your blogging voice.
4. Write well- always make the writing the best you can because your blog showcases your work as a writer. This means taking time to fine tune the words and edit your posts, just as if you were offering them to a magazine or a competition.
5. Write short as well as long – in the main people are more likely to read what you’ve written if it’s in paragraphs and has a good amount of white space. Also if it’s not too lengthy it can help, although a mixture of long and short can be good. People will read on if they’re interested or if they’re finding something useful in it for themselves. Post regularly.
6. Audience – who are you writing for and what is it you have to offer? You might write for yourself to begin with but in time you want to build an audience. Who do you think will be interested in your blog and why? What will make readers come back? Information/book reviews/commentary/humour/your personal journey/a new challenge/ – these are all possible ideas. I’m not sure I thought much about this when I started out but I did have a sense of wanting to share what I learned – my writing journey – and to inspire others
7. Look – how do you want your blog to look? Develop a house style. Find blogs you like the look of and ask why they are attractive. Although content is undoubtedly of prime importance, the way your blog looks can attract readers. If it’s your platform as a writer then you want it to look as professional as possible.
8. Research – look at the other blogs out there – comment on them –this is the best way to get others to comment on your blog. Always reply to people who comment.
9. Connect – there is a world of writers out there and your blog can connect you to it. Join forums, or writing challenges that will connect you with other writers. Link their blogs to yours. Go global.
10. ENJOY! I love my blog. I really enjoy writing it. It’s not a chore, nor should it ever be so. Blog because you can’t resist it and enjoy what it brings.
HAPPY BLOGGING
*Blogging is free via WordPress or Blogger, just go to these sites and they will guide you through the process.
