This article was originally posted on Build a Better Blog on October 5, 2011.
If you are an author, then you should have a blog. Yes, this is more work for you because it does require even more writing, more time, and another project to manage. The benefits, however, are invaluable.
Following are the top 10 reasons why you should blog if you are an author.
1. To sell books
The ultimate goal of any author is to sell books. Outright selling on your site is not advised. However, you can “persuade” your audience to buy books by sharing content and making them “must read.”
2. Create and control your own media
Use your site as your personal media space. In addition to selling books, this is the second most important use of your blog. You can announce your next book signing, radio or TV appearance and anything else you’re doing to promote your book. Be sure to share links to your site with media professionals.
3. Connect with authors and fans
Provide current fans with updates on current projects, including thoughts and experiences about your book writing journey. You can also gain new fans through contests and giveaways.
4. Get ideas for new books
Glean new book ideas from the comments, suggestions and conversations on your site. If your fans give you new ideas that you actually use, be sure to give credit where credit is due and ask permission to use it. Not only are these the best things to do, you can also avoid legal situations.
5. Get feedback on current books
Although people can review your books on Amazon and other book sites, which is good; to have those comments posted directly on your site is great. Once a person leaves feedback – positive or negative – on your site, respond as soon as you can. Depending on what was stated these comments and questions could quite possibly become your next blog post or book idea.
6. Your blog could serve as website
Unless you are a million dollar author, you may not have a lot of money for a website and a blog. Luckily blogs can serve as both, thereby saving time and loads of money.
7. Keep a consistent writing schedule
It’s hard to discipline yourself to sit down and write consistently, even with the best intentions. Effective and profitable writing requires time and consistency. Why not use your blog to help you develop a writing schedule that you can stick to?
8. Become an expert author and book seller
Depending on the topic of your book, a blog can help you become an expert in that particular topic by continuously sharing what you know and providing relevant resources. You may also be viewed as an expert in the book publishing industry by sharing your knowledge and experience of your journey.
9. Write your book
Yes, you can write your book on your blog. Some people set out to do this intentionally while a book sometimes evolves naturally from certain topics on the site. I would advise against putting all of the details of anything you do on your site. Give enough to solicit constructive feedback.
10. Worldwide exposure
A blog will give you worldwide exposure. Your email list and social presence are good, but a blog is so much better. Not only does frequent posting boosts your search engine rankings, you may also get found with only a few major keywords like your name, book title or keywords of your subject(s).