Photo courtesy of Melissa Bowersock WANA Commons
Yesterday we began the discussion about why blogs are probably THE most powerful social media tool for building an author platform. Today, here are two more reasons writers should embrace the idea of having a blog:
Blogs are Built to LAST
Twitter is a powerful tool for going viral, but tweets are very fleeting. Facebook posts have a bit more longevity, but most people won’t see anything more than a week old unless they specifically go hunting for it. But blogs? Blogs are permanent, and this means that search engines can deliver new fans to your blog every day. Properly tagged blogs will turn up in Google searches. I cannot count how many new subscribers I get every week who found me from some random search. They read my blog, loved it and then told all their friends.
Who wouldn’t love a little of that?
No one will find our tweet from three months ago and be so moved they need to buy all our books. Okay maybe one guy, but he drives a panel van and lives in a basement. Don’t accept any candy from him.
Thing is, if we have to spend time doing social media, why not build something enduring?
Blogs Play to Our Strengths
Writers WRITE! It is what we do. Most writers are not salespeople. This is why a lot of that self-promotion stuff feels weird and creepy. We aren’t in our comfort zone. How many of you want to do this writing thing until that job in sales takes off?
No one?
*crickets chirping*
But writing? Writing is something we do well. In fact, if we are real writers, we should love writing. We should jump at any opportunity to write. Are you ready for this? Blogging involves a lot of writing. What better use of our limited social media time than doing an activity where we are already strong? Writers are gifted at elevating the mundane to the magical. We are gifted at using various combinations of twenty-six letters to captivate readers and elicit an emotional response. Blogs can do the same thing.
Not all writers are natural social butterflies. Most of us HATE self-promotion, marketing and running giveaways. But one thing we love? Connecting with others through words.
If you want to learn how to create a good author blog that appeals to readers not just other writers, please sign up for my next class. Registration is now open and there are all types of packages for every price range. The class can be done at your own pace and in your own time and you will have a team of support.
And, yes there are already too many blogs, but there are too many books, too and, AGAIN, that hasn’t stopped any of us from wanting to write them 
. I am here to help shorten your learning curve and offer you a system of support you likely won’t get from home.
What are your thoughts? Opinions? Questions? How many of you are introverts and this is making you maybe peek out from behind the curtains?
We seeee you.
I love hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of January, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. If you leave a comment, and link back to my blog, and mention my book We Are Not Alone in your blog…you get your name in the hat THREE times. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly.
I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
And also, winners have a limited time to claim the prize, because what’s happening is there are actually quite a few people who never claim the critique, so I never know if the spam folder ate it or to look for it and then people miss out. I will also give my corporate e-mail to insure we connect and I will only have a week to return the 20 page edit.
At the end of January I will pick a winner for the monthly prize. Good luck!
I also hope you pick up copies of my best-selling books We Are Not Alone–The Writer’s Guide to Social Media and Are You There, Blog? It’s Me, Writer . And both are recommended by the hottest agents and biggest authors in the biz. My methods teach you how to make building your author platform FUN. Build a platform and still have time left to write great books.
Kristen Lamb's Blog 
#1 by Joe Owens on January 17, 2013 - 9:22 am
I am convinced and am beginning to see some search engine traffic. I believe I need to invest some time and go back to see what tags I could add to draw in more residual interest in previous blogs.
#2 by jcmarckx2009 on January 17, 2013 - 9:33 am
I am new the the writing game, and have little clue about the publishing game. I would like to publish a novel or two, and I do believe the blog is a good start to all of that. Thanks for your insight.
#3 by Jennette Marie Powell on January 17, 2013 - 9:33 am
Every now and then, I get a comment on a post I wrote months ago, so it’s definitely a way to get into the search engine rankings while building up your content base. Between Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, I like blogs best for connecting with people – both mine, and commenting on other blogs – for the very reason you state.
#4 by Christine Ashworth on January 17, 2013 - 10:04 am
It’s been almost two years since I took your class, and I need to up my knowledge. So I signed up for one of the bigger packages…I don’t know how I’m going to have time, but I’m determined to take my blog to the next level. Thanks, Kristen! Looking forward to the next couple of months!
#5 by Author Kristen Lamb on January 17, 2013 - 10:23 am
I KNOW. I just saw that! Squeeee! *happy dance* Will be fun :D.
#6 by rtd14 on January 17, 2013 - 10:16 am
I appreciate the encouragement. I know I also need to improve my knowledge. Thank you again for your post!
#7 by August McLaughlin on January 17, 2013 - 10:24 am
I’ve been amazed at how wonderful blogging can be, both for my author platform and my mental health. LOL Reading your books after writing my first novel was one of my smartest moves.
If you haven’t taken a class from Kristen, y’all, do it! You’ll have a blast, even if you hate the thought of blogging and self-promotion. I’d bet all the world’s chocolate on that.
#8 by Author Kristen Lamb on January 17, 2013 - 10:39 am
You so ROCK *hugs*
#9 by Michelle Roberts on January 17, 2013 - 10:38 am
Okay, you’ve got me convinced. I just need to finalize a catchy “about” section and get my camera-obsessed sister to take an author photo. Is there a certain platform you recommend? I was thinking of going with WordPress.
#10 by Larry Wilson on January 17, 2013 - 11:10 am
I agree with you about building the blog. Do you think an author Facebook page is worthwhile?
I’ll be living out of a suitcase for the next two months as we travel SE Asia, and a bit of the UK on our way home, but once the dust settles. . . .
#11 by Author Kristen Lamb on January 17, 2013 - 11:12 am
The reason I prefer the blog over other is simply because we have greater control. I loved MySpace. Was NOT a fan of FB and had a huge, active following…that evaporated. All social media done well has value, but the blog is by far the most enduring thing we can construct, thus I feel it is the best use of limited time.
#12 by shellz123 on January 17, 2013 - 11:10 am
Really great advice. I think it also encourages authors to carry on working hard on their own online presence even once they have got a publisher.
#13 by Heather Wright on January 17, 2013 - 11:17 am
Heather WrightFreelance Writer, Editor, Trainer519-744-9482 Website: http://wrightwriter.com LinkedIn Profile: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/heatherwright1/
Author of Writing Fiction: A Hands-On Guide for Teens http://wrightingwords.wordpress.com
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:04:58 +0000 To: wright_writer@hotmail.com
#14 by renée a. schuls-jacobson on January 17, 2013 - 11:22 am
This is such an empowering post, Kristen! I have long believed that the folks you stay with my blog will most likely become the readers of my book. They are already used to my style and my long posts. If they like that, I imagine they’ll dig my stuff in a longer format.
And yes, I #amwriting. Just took a moment to stop in and tweet your fabulousness.
#15 by codependents with hope on January 17, 2013 - 11:24 am
Encouraging information, and so “right/write on.” I hate sales and marketing. But my blog, http://www.codependencycaringorcontrolling.blogspot.com
has a powerful message for codependents and addicts alike. My blog offers hope and healing and needs to be read. So I am going to go back and check out the link for your blog class.
#16 by Elizabeth G. Marro on January 17, 2013 - 11:56 am
I’ve read your answers to everyone’s questions and looked at the class descriptions and am interested in the bronze level course. Is this, like most online courses, something I can do on my own schedule within a set period of time or is it a class set up to meet at particular times? Forgive me if that info is there, but I didn’t see it. Same question with start/stop dates. Finally, I’ve already started my blog. Will your course help me improve it or will I need to start over? (God, please say I don’t have to start over).
#17 by Author Kristen Lamb on January 17, 2013 - 12:00 pm
You don’t need to start over. Yes, it can be done in your own time. I have students in these classes from all over the world, so sticking to a set schedule just won’t work. If you miss a webinar, they are recorded for you to listen to at your leisure. The class is two months minimum so we have plenty of time to get you where you need to be.
#18 by Elizabeth G. Marro on January 17, 2013 - 11:59 am
Quick follow up to my previous question – I found the dates part – sorry to be so blind. I still need to know about the meeting schedule within the two month period. Also, would you let me know whether you think the silver option might be better? That’s about the most I can afford but I’m thinking it might work better since I have the blog up and need to improve it. Thanks so much.
#19 by Author Kristen Lamb on January 17, 2013 - 12:17 pm
Silver is one of my favorites. There is a good deal of hand-holding from me so it gets you a lot for your money. The way it goes is I have a private tribe on WANATribe (you need to join) and I invite you in. In the tribe, I post lessons you peruse at your own pace and lessons you do in your own time. You will have your own page to post your homework so I can review it and so you can get help/feedback from your team. It works a lot like a Facebook group and everything is private. Then, I announce webinars at regular intervals. If you can make it great. If you can’t, I e-mail you a link to hear the recording when you get time.
#20 by joesixsmith on January 17, 2013 - 12:12 pm
New to your blog but really enjoying reading you.
#21 by AH on January 17, 2013 - 12:47 pm
I love this post! A lot of people reading my blog telling me to write a book but not enough for me to actually go to self-publish. But I love blogging!
#22 by KM Huber on January 17, 2013 - 2:18 pm
I cannot praise Kristen’s blogging classes enough. I was privileged to be in her first class and am also in her blogging course that is just ending. I knew absolutely nothing about blogging but after her first class, I knew what account to use for my blog, I had a blog line, and because she took so much time with us as a group and as individuals, I knew what to blog about and perhaps most important, I knew how to keep blogging. She is incredibly generous with her time and knowledge.
A year and a half later, I am in another of Kristen’s blogging classes. The support and quality of the discussions in the WANATribe blogging group as well as the entire WANA community is simply without equal. I had thought the course would be a good refresher but it is so much more than that as Kristen is always cutting edge when it comes to social media. Successful blogging is merely a matter of following Kristen’s instruction.
Karen
#23 by J. L. Mbewe on January 17, 2013 - 2:25 pm
Oh! I really hope I can get into one of her classes soon.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
#24 by J. L. Mbewe on January 17, 2013 - 2:19 pm
I’ve been blogging for a year and it has been a great learning experience. And I see how the content adds value, which makes me wonder about the platforms hosting our blogs. Is it better to have the blog on our own website verses on a free blog site? I like the freedom I feel by keeping them separate, but there are downsides to a free blog site that you don’t have when you’ve paid for it. Does that make sense? Ha! Brain is starting to melt. Need more coffee. 🙂
#25 by Author Kristen Lamb on January 17, 2013 - 3:53 pm
It’s best to do it off your own web site. Learn from me. Remember. I did all the dumb stuff, so you don’t have to :D.
#26 by Natalie Aguirre on January 17, 2013 - 2:59 pm
So true why blogs are a great marketing tool. Looking forward to more of your advice on this.
#27 by Jess Witkins on January 17, 2013 - 3:05 pm
“How many of you want to do this writing until that job in sales takes off?”
I about spit out my food court salad. I heart you Kristen Lamb. Thank you for helping us!!! From all the corporate America lackies. Thank you!
#28 by MaLinda Johnson on January 17, 2013 - 4:05 pm
I totally agree that writers should love to write. I had a revelation the other day that ran along that very line. I considered getting active on a new social network, then realized it would take away from my writing time and felt sad.
#29 by danielocceno on January 17, 2013 - 5:17 pm
Having a Blog is like being listed in the telephone directory of the world and you can add information and even update it. Because of the troubles people are having with Internet connection, some are questioning the longevity of the service and why would you pay for it. It is getting better with the TV cable subscription connection for some. I am wondering how the wireless with tablet PC, if any better connected 24 hours uninterrupted. I promote the Internet as a tool like having your own public library at home. I just used The Library of Congress website for research VIA E-mail for a novel, which I am writing for the “JANO Writers 50K challenge for the month of January”, based out of Springfield, Missouri. Some are asking why I write about places like Washington, D.C. as a location written in my novel, when I have never been there. With the Internet and search engines, I can go to anywhere in the world. What more with blogs where people promote their areas and communities of real and tangible locations for a novel of fiction.
#30 by CrisCoursey on January 18, 2013 - 12:30 am
That is most likely the truest and simplest explanation I’ve read about why a writer should blog. It’s very well put.
#31 by jadwriter on January 18, 2013 - 6:05 am
I first started blogging to let people know I was there and what I do. Now it is the same, but more focussed, esp about who I am with Asperger’s Syndrome. I have decided to turn my blog series about that into articles that I want to epublish, and later on into memoirs.
#32 by Lauri Meyers on January 18, 2013 - 10:14 am
I have aged into an introvert. How in the world could I conduct a school visit or a book signing if I was too chicken? Blogging has forced me to open up, and you know what? It’s not that bad.
#33 by Kerry Gans on January 18, 2013 - 7:58 pm
You are right about blog posts lasting. I just had a blog post I wrote 5 weeks ago explode out of the blue. I found out later that the Institute of Children’s Literature had included it in their newsletter that month! And one of our top 5 posts on my group blog is one of our earliest–usually found by searches.
#34 by muddlemummy on January 20, 2013 - 4:14 am
I plan to turn my blog into book. It’s through my blog that I discovered my inherent need to write. I would love that critique. X
#35 by mummylovestowrite on January 20, 2013 - 11:29 pm
I recently started a blog after realising that although I am writing a novel in the women’s fiction genre, it will be some time before anyone actually reads it. I agree that blogging is a fantastic way to build readership and hope that this will help me in getting my book published when it is finished. I have diarised to upload a weekly blog post from this week (mummylovestowrite.com). Great blog Kristen, thank you 🙂
#36 by Daniel Escurel Occeno on January 22, 2013 - 12:03 am
Took the time to re-read “… Author Platform Part 2”, away from writing on my 50K words challenge in the 31 days of January (JANO Writers). I am less than the 3 weeks progress count by more than 4K, but I thought; it was well worth clearing my mind first. I think better, afterwards. Usually, I read Yahoo! News articles of the world. I figured; a motivational blog would be better for today. I realized that you also teach specifics on how to be published and paid writers. Earlier, I expected just a lot of Rah! Rah! Ree! Kick them in the knee. At five-one I would drive to the basket among the redwood trees instead of passing off to the swing guard. I have the basketball and I cannot really pass the ball to anyone for me to complete my own novel. It is good to know, you can teach us to play one-on-one against our own fears of failure and to some, those afraid of success. Like during high school, what would happen if best looking cheerleader said “yes” to going with me to the prom? Better ask someone else. I better go back writing on my novel. My political action thriller is halfway finished, to create an American president.
#37 by Debbie Robson on February 22, 2013 - 6:33 pm
I find blogging incredibly helpful when I am tackling something in my writing that is taking a lot of my time. It may be a tricky is a problem with editing or writing or even a research point that is proving difficult to track down. I write a blog on that particular subject, crystalise my thought and this helps me move on and also gives me an interesting post for others to read. Thank you for the above. The main points you highlight are definitely why I blog.