Blogging is one of those online platforms that takes very little work these days to set up and begin. It is used as a platform for authors, podcasters, and people who believe they have a message that they want to share. In this episode, we will examine blogging and how this can help your online presence.

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Many authors are told they must have a blog with a large following to get a book contract and while there is some truth in this, blogs take time, work and good blogs have a ton of social media work that goes on behind the scenes.

Blogs crop up daily and I am sure the statistics are frightening. I can write, each podcast I create in the hundreds now are mini-blog posts. They contain the content I will share as well as some well-placed search engine optimization phrases. However, I often find it is easier to podcast than it is to write! Why is this?

Marketing. If you are going to blog you have to market. Sorry. It is a sad truth. Many blogs languish because no one knows about them. Some bloggers write to make money, they get readers by giving things away or they talk about deals with links to said deals. Then, their sites are covered with ads with pop up ads and all types of noise so that you can barely read the writing.

Are you like me with too many ideas and too little time? If you are considering a blog here is what I’d recommend you do:

Reason For Blogging:

1. Purpose
   
2. Can you write?
   
3. Do you have a topic you are passionate about?
   
4. Will you run out of information?
   
5. How often will you post?
   

The technology of Blogging:

1. Can you set up a website or will you hire this out?
   
2. Are you a techie? Will you learn?
   
3. How are your marketing skills?
   
4. Do you have social media accounts that are for your business/blog?
   
5. Will you set up an email with an autoresponder?
   

Do you want your blog to succeed? Here is the secret sauce of the day… you must be passionate about your topic and your topic must be original. You can not copy someone else’s blog or style and call it good enough. How many mommy blogs are out there after the Pioneer Woman made it big? I’m sure a ton of copy cat versions. Now Lee films on the Food Network has a bunch of book deals, a store and so much more. She was real, authentic, humorous and now her blog looks nothing like it first did. But that’s okay! It changed and adapted.

You can look at successful blogs and say, why is this good or why do I like this blog? In that way, you can figure out a style you can live with and that reflects the five points above. The saying if you build it they will come only works in the theatres. In real life, if you build it (aka a blog) you need to be sure your marketing is top-notch or you will be spinning your wheels.

So, here are more questions to ask:

The Bottom Line:

1. Will writing this blog take time away from writing a book or podcasting?
   
2. Will writing this blog be the perfect way to showcase my podcast, service or books?
   
3. Will I enjoy writing this blog and it is a passion of mine?
   
4. Will the benefits outweigh the time constraint.
   
5. Do I have the social media savviness to get the word out?
   

If you begin a blog, stick to it. Give yourself a time limit to get it off the ground and share it with everyone. Don’t give up. Make business cards, hand it to friends, mail them to those you think will benefit. Remember the smaller your niche the better it will go, and have fun with it!

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