Comments on: Blogging: What Not to Do…

By: NikoleHahn

NikoleHahn — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:05:06 +0000

Good points! I have free fiction online–a book titled, “The Journal of a Mad Woman.” I remember reading a blog on marketing and chose to give away some fiction for free in order to self-promote; to give publishers an idea of my different writing styles. It did surprise me publishers considered any content on an author’s website “published,” but I did know about it. I took that risk with my free fiction. Hey, what good is a story unread, right?

By: Ed Hird

Ed Hird — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:18 +0000

Excellent posting. Mea culpa. I have been guilty at times of a number of these mistakes in my blogging. Thank God that we can continue to learn and grow.

I have forwarded the link for this helpful blog article to the 350 Canadian Christian writers who are part of The Word Guild.

Blessings, Ed Hird+
author of ‘Battle for the Soul of Canada’
http://www.battleforthesoulofcanada.blogspot.com

By: Dawn Maria

Dawn Maria — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:46:28 +0000

I think that all these tips make sense, but I’d like to add one thing. I use my blog as a creative free space. While I’m working to have a web presence and market myself, I still keep the focus on having fun content. The result is that I’ve become a better writer this way. Not all posts are fantastic, but I’ve developed a voice and brought more intimacy into my work through blogging. I could be doing more to build my audience, but for now building my craft is working for me.

By: Krista Phillips

Krista Phillips — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:50:44 +0000

Such great suggestions!

The length one is a biggy… I tend to skim others when too long. Although, I say that, and my blog post today is one of my longer ones (in my defense, it is an author interview so I TOTALLY blame it on Michael Snyder… and it was so darn funny I didn’t have the heart to cut any of it!)

I rarely post excerpts from my book on my blog, but I did a week or so ago just for fun. It was a small section, not even a whole scene and definitely not a chapter.

Is posting ANY content like that a no-no??

By: Katie Ganshert

Katie Ganshert — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:13:51 +0000

These are awesome blogging tips! Thanks, Rachel. I especially agree with one and two!

Blessings,
Katie

By: Rich Gerberding

Rich Gerberding — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:39:03 +0000

Yesterday you mentioned using Facebook/Myspace to let people know about a new post, which I agree with.

A “don’t” in my book is to send a full blown email out to everybody letting them know you posted a new blog.

If you’re sending me an email I’m going to open to read, just include the blog rather than tell me to go read it.

By: Kristen Torres-Toro

Kristen Torres-Toro — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:27:39 +0000

I didn’t realize blog posts were considered published content, but I’m glad I’ve refrained so far!

I definitely have to work on making my posts shorter. It’s probably the one rule out of this list that I break the most.

By: Lynn Dean

Lynn Dean — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:06:18 +0000

What you said about blog posts being “published content” makes me wonder…how about blogs where writers offer a free sample chapter? Do they post those only after their books are in print and with permission of their publisher?

By: Jill Kemerer

Jill Kemerer — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:58:29 +0000

I didn’t know publishers considered chapters posted on a blog as published content. Thanks for the interesting tidbit!

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:50:52 +0000

Excellent post! You’ve saved me lots and lots of shouting from rooftops.