Blogging for Writers

I have been doing a lot of blogging lately and that has got me thinking about why I spend my time blogging as a writer. It takes up a lot of time, and let's face it, wouldn't this time be better spent on writing my latest blockbuster crime book? So why do I blog as a writer?

Recently I gave a talk, and ran a workshop on blogging. I came up with the following reasons why blogging is important to writers. I am sure there are many more

• Promotes a regular habit of writing
• Can help to focus ideas
• Makes the writer think about their writing
• You will be come a better writer
• Paying it forward
• Sharing ideas
• Supporting other authors
• Book reviews
• Hosting
• Interviews
• Engage with readers
• Develop an area of expertise
• Promotion and Marketing
• It gets your name know within writing circles

Blogging is so much more than writing posts. It is also about reading, and commenting on other people's blogs. I read a lot of writers blogs and have learned a lot from doing so. Leaving relevant comments on other authors blogs is a good way to get known and to engage in the writing community. I say relevant as there are a lot of people out there who do nothing but spam blogs. This is not really the way you want to get known.

Now you are probably wondering why it says blogging tips at the top of the blog and not a tip in site. I am a regular contributor on the Authors Electric Blog for which I wrote a Top Ten Tips for Authors post. You can read it by clicking here

I contribute to the following blogs on a regular basis:

More Than Writers The blog of the Association of Christian Writers

Do Authors Dream of Electric Books A collection of Indie Authors who talk about books and all things writing

Around the World of Inspired Fiction Mainly reviews of Christian fiction

And of course the one you are reading now my very own Bookaholic 

I am going to finish with an excellent resource for all those writers who blog. This is a book called Novel Blogging: A Writers Guide to Blogging. You can buy by clicking on the link below. 

If you buy the book through this link I will be given a few pence payment through Amazon Affiliates. You do not have to buy this way and can go direct to Amazon.

That is it for another week my bookaholic friends. See you all back here soon. Until then keep reading, writing and blogging.

Book Review: Tips for the Sophisticated Marketer by DeAnna Troupe

Today on Bookaholic I bring you a great book for marketing on a budget. I did promise you an eclectic selection of books. 

This book may be small but it packs a real punch for anyone wanting to market without paying out a large amount of money. DeAnna Troupe starts simple and outlines what is meant by the different terms. She then goes on to cover the different methods of free, or low cost, advertising which the small business owner can access. These are not gone into in any great detail. However, this is not necessary as the approach taken will depend on the nature of the business.

The section on writing a press release is informative and useful. The Social media section may be a little less helpful for those whoa re already familiar with Facebook, Twitter etc., but will be useful for those fairly new to these sites. The section on video is short, but informative. Forums, ezines and places to get free advertising are also covered. 

Where this book really comes into its own are the numerous links which are contained within its pages. These take you to many different sites which support the text and these are a valuable resource. There is even a link to Troupe's free course on advertising. So this books reach is way beyond the physical page. 

The one thing I would have to say, is that I found the book to be a little too short. I was finding it helpful and interesting and then it just stopped. In all fairness to the author, this may just be me, as I like my reading material to be longer. Despite this I feel that this book is worth downloading. The links alone are worth the money. 

             

I was given a copy of this book in return for a fair review. At no time was I encouraged to provide a positive review. My review is based on my reading of the book and reflects my fair opinions. 

There we have it for another day my Bookaholic friends. For all those who are running small businesses, and all my author friends this is one for you. See you next time with another great review, of another fabulous book. Keep happy and keep reading.