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Two years of blogging and what have we learned? ( including Musical Monday)

5/11/2014

Dog on Pile of BooksIt is now just on two years since I started this blog. That’s pretty amazing. The last two years have been a wild ride for me. There are lots of things I would have done differently if I had known back in 2012 what I know now. (As I don’t own a time machine that’s just bad luck isn’t it?)

I know people who regret their publishing journey and I don’t feel that way. There are certainly things I regret (choices, actions and of course lack of action) but not the whole journey.

I thought I’d make this post not about the publishing but about the blogging. What have I gleaned over this time period?

1. Consistently coming up with content is hard.

2. Many more people read blogs than comment on them – you do very often feel as if you’re chit chatting to your self.

3. You can lead people to your blog, you can even get them to comment but if you have something to sell (eg books in my case) that doesn’t mean they will do so.

4. Lots of people who you think in the beginning will read your blog do not.

5. Having regular memes (eg Musical Monday, Writers on Wednesday) makes it easier for you to generate consistent content.

6. As a writer hosting other writers, reviews or industry people is a great way to create blog content and hopefully draw new audiences to your blog. I am sure this is true for cooking, mothering and fishing blogs as well. Be generous and welcoming to others and they will reciprocate.

7. Even though you may not think your blog impacts your business (see point 3) when you don’t blog you will see a downturn in sales. (I do).

8. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

9. Try and be consistent. Even if you only blog once a week do it regularly and like clockwork. (OK I don’t always do this but I have learned that I should 🙂 )

Any other bloggers out there what do you think are the key rules for success?

And for Musical Monday the lovely Norah Jones singing a song that was integral to the writing soundtrack and the story of my first novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels now celebrating it’s 2nd birthday.

 

Comments

louise
5/11/2014 04:59:00 pm

That’s honest, and sometimes number four is definitely true with me!
I began blogging because I wanted to this author platform that everyone told me I needed, and somehow blogging has become part of my life. I love it, and I guess that helps.
Reply
Monique
5/11/2014 05:15:45 pm

I did the same Louise. I find there are times I love it and others it feels like just one more thing (as many things do on the writer’s journey). overall it’s a a great way to share who you are as a person/writer beyond your books.

Jana
5/11/2014 07:23:36 pm

No. 5 sounds great 🙂
My blog is new and I don’t post regularly, but I do believe that consistency is very important.
Reply
Monique
5/11/2014 08:07:37 pm

I think the best blogs are consistent (not citing mine as an example FYI)…lots of people I know only for one or two posts a week but they are for example every Monday and every Thursday and people know that and stop by then. Also it looks very efficient and organised.

Courtney
5/11/2014 09:58:57 pm

I agree with consistency. People will keep coming back if you give them something interesting to read about and they know they’ll be something new and fresh up there the next time they visit. Happy Monday all!
Reply
Monique
5/12/2014 08:55:09 am

I agree Courtney. The challenge is to come up with that new content every time.

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