So you’re a writer and have started a blog because everyone has told you to do so. Now you’re wondering how to go about it.
1) Pick your theme. With themes it’s a good idea to check what they look like on phone and tablet as well, as some themes translate better across devices and people may read your work on their tablet rather than laptop or pc. Personally I like clear uncluttered layouts. The theme used on this blog at the moment is sketch.
2) Choose interesting and related topics. 1)How you researched or created your book (really interesting for historical books) 2)Typical days in your writing life 3) Interview with a character or expert in your field 4) Interviews or reviews of works in your genre that you admire 5) Great news you want to share (be humble though). I currently have a memoir focused blog, a poetry blog and my After Yasi blog. I appeal to different readers on each blog, and feed it back into a homebase blog (via reblogs) to people who like to follow all I’m getting up to in multiplatform storytelling.
3) Think about your readers. Often writers new to blogging wonder who will read my blog? Key groups are: readers and writers of the genre, potential future publishers, other bloggers and people following a tag online (wordpress, twitter). ie topic of interest #cricket #wellbeing #diet #australianhistory #youngadultwriter
4) Adhere to WordPress Advertising Guidelines. Don’t create a blog that is just a book tour blog consisting of already written publicity material to just sell books, but do feel free to blog about your book (as above) and link to where to buy it.
Read these WORDPRESS ADVERTISING GUIDELINES. You absolutely can share the journey and views on your own original book and reviews. The key to this is that you are not sending people off to just buy the work of others (running a publicity business) all the time or doing anything terrible like promoting pirated books and get rich schemes.
On the After Yasi blog I have a wide variety of material, how the book was created, extensions of stories in the book, interviews, and any interesting news.There are side links to resources people reading the book will find interesting. It is as much a resource as the ebook.
5) Edit. Considering who will read your blog, always try to edit your work well before putting it up on line. Although I also like to share drafts of work to give insights into the creative process.
6) Keep it short and regular. Be aware most people don’t read a post over 500 words. If you are going to write something longer (which I do sometimes), you need to keep the reader hooked in with techniques like placing interesting images throughout the post, or posting it in parts.
(c) June Perkins
(Future posts to cover- innovations in blogging- blogging as an art form – legal and ethical considerations, blogging for a daily writing habit )
Gumboootspearlz 
Very handy tips – I agree picking a theme is crucial, I ran through loads of them until I found one that looked good and included all the features i wanted as well.
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The key is to take your potential readers into account as well as personal taste. I’ve tried quite a few too!
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Reblogged this on Blogs by Bahais.
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Really interesting to read!!
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Thanks. Have been pondering this topic a lot lately. Stay tuned for more.
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These are all good ideas June. I should follow them myself – my blog goes all over the place. That’s why I’ve called it Art and Life – I figure that gives me a lot of room. 🙂
One thing I have discovered about blogging is doing challenges on other blogs can bring new people to your blog. The Weekly WordPress photo challenge and their writing challenges are a good place to start. It’s amazing how many people find their way to your blog if you link to these challenges.
Reading poetry and writing can lead to interesting discussions with other writers too.
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Yes, some of those challenges do look good. Might try and do some more of them as well. Thanks for sharing your tip Suzanne.
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This is the link for anyone else interested https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_writing_challenge/
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Will do!! Be sure to check out my blog if you get the chance!!
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Have had a read.
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Thanks!!
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June this was great. Do you place your copywright symbol on every post? I have only been doing it on the poetry but I probably should on the short stories too.
mel
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Always good to remind people to show some respect. I think for the most part people do, but its always hard to be sure. I need to do more watermarks on my images. There’s so much out there now I couldn’t cover it all though.
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I am not worried about my images as I have a different purpose but I am a bit touchy about my writing. do you know I’ve had people copy original web text ie, pages exactly word for word and were so careless they left the name of my client on their website.
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That is just terrible. I have heard similar stories. I feel the same way about any of my art or writing being used out of context. One problem I had was people printing my work and putting on their walls without considering giving me payment for it, and telling me about it as a compliment,
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I agree. I actually reported that business as they were registered with a government agency. The government did follow up with an anonymous investigation. Not sure if anything happened but it was about sending a message.
I am continually astonished at what people do and feel is ok.
You have me thinking now, I am going to make it much clearer on my website that all work (unless stated otherwise) including photographs are my own work and remain at all times my property.
Thanks June.
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Good on you! I want to learn much more about copyright and explore it in some future blogs. Let me know what you learn too.
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Definitely! I already have some ideas.
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