This eye-opening memoir from a Vietnam POW was written by Robert Wideman and Cara Lopez Lee. It was published by the Graham Publishing Group.
Blogging is not for everyone. But then, no art form is. Even the best authors have to develop the skill, but when you do, blogging can be an effective way to promote yourself and market your book (or books).
Blogging works as a marketing tool, but there are rules that need to be followed. Blogging is, first and foremost, a long-term proposition. One or two blogs is not worth your time. One or two blogs a week makes more sense, so you have to be up to the commitment. Lots of authors find a 300-400 word blog a huge effort. Others find it a pleasant distraction from the work they put in on their primary job: authoring books.
Some authors enjoy winging a blog on whatever subject catches their fancy. Other authors like to dig into the research of a subject and let the information drive their blog. At Graham Publishing Group, we have found that both can be effective as long as you take the writing seriously. If you come at your blog writing determined to produce something well-written, creative, and accessible to your audience, then you’re on the right track.
Blogging is like most marketing. It is meant to give your book (or books) exposure in an uncertain publishing climate and to create a persona around you as an author. You can choose keyword-specific topics meant to drive people to your website, or you can talk about your craft, review other books, interview other authors, or write about subjects outside your field. In the end, however, writing blogs that no one is going read or know exists does not come under the heading of marketing.
Whatever road you decide to travel, what we have found at Graham Publishing Group is that there needs to be consistency in your approach. Decide on your subject matter – don’t write about cooking one day and proper writing the next. Then decide how often you intend to post. One blog a week, one blog a day, four blogs a month. Whatever the goal, stick with it.
One last thought: If you’re dreading writing your blog, you’re not alone. Sometimes you have to force the issue. Writing is like that. But that’s why you call yourself a writer.