A blog that isn't updated is like a broken promise. A lonely, broken promise.
—@DanBlank, author platform/social media consultant
That's the statement that drew me in to the final minutes of last night's #bookcountry Twitter chat. It broke my heart, really. It made me think about my own abandoned blog audience—and I'm not even a writer. What were their hopes for being able to come to my blog and get insider secrets into the publishing world from a seemingly open and transparent book editor? I have let them down for over forty-five days now. Of course I have reasons and rationalizations for why I haven't been consistent, but what was the unspoken promise I set with my blog over the course of time?
So now that I've come to that realization, I'm going to dust my shoulders off, let go of the past, and move on to a better future.
Writers, don't be like me. Man your blog or website with freshness and consistency. You can start with these fantastic tips @ColleenLindsay, of BookCountry and Penguin USA, provided during the chat.
Practical tip #1: ALWAYS have contact information on your website or blog (and not one of those contact forms).
If I can just interject here: As I review proposals or seek out new voices for acquisitions, it amazes me how many potential author websites I go to that do not make it easy for me to contact them. I end up moving on from many of them without ever being able to connect with them. This, to me, is one of the most important aspects of a great online presence--being able to connect.
Practical tip #2: Create a downloadable press kit for your site, w/ high-res photos, book jackets, bio & press clippings.
Practical tip #3: Don't make it hard for readers to leave comments and engage you in conversation. Allow use of Open ID, etc.
Practical tip #4: Have a separate area on your site for appearance information, and make sure it's up-to-date.
Practical tip #5: HIRE A DESIGNER. Make an effort! It's not super-expensive these days to hire a blog designer.
Practical tip #6: Don't be afraid to take control of your comments & delete the [jerks]. It's YOUR blog.
Practical tip #7: Make sure your agent and publicist's contact info is on your blog/website.
Practical tip #8: Avoid graphic-heavy landing pages; they add nothing and just piss off people with older browsers.
Practical tip #9: Don't put auto-play music on your blog or website!
Practical tip #10: Make sure you add links to all your (public) social media presences on your blog/website.
Nancy Lambert (@Nanbits) added to this tip by tweeting: “Pls DON'T link to accts that are personal (family photos) or are unrelated (ex. cutepuppies.com).”
Practical tip #11: Add your bibliography, in the order that the books were published, so new readers can read in order!
Practical tip #12: List any and all awards you've won, whether you're a NYT, USA Today bestseller, etc.
Practical tip #13: Write about other writers you love to read. Pay it forward, especially if you have a strong platform.
Practical tip #14: If you're going on vacation or need a break, ask a friend to guest-blog for you so content stays fresh!
@DanBlank said, “Guest blogging can be nearly as valuable as owning your own blog.”
This was the best few minutes I've spent in a Twitter chat in a long time. I really hope you'll login to Twitter and follow #bookcountry and @bookcountry. Ask them about the transcript for this chat. Then use the tips. It's in applied knowledge that the power lies.
If there are blogs that you love to frequent, then some of those reasons you like to go to that blog can be things you can implement in to your own blog or website.
If there are blogs that you love to frequent, then some of those reasons you like to go to that blog can be things you can implement in to your own blog or website.
What causes you to return again and again to other people's blogs?
