A blog is more than just a place to pimp your latest book. It's a place to interact with people who like to read, in a way that doesn't require them to invest money or a lot of time. Your blog is a way for potential readers to decide whether they want to find out more about you. So, what does your blog say about you?
Does your blog tell readers
Or is it really telling readers
"Don't judge a book by its cover" isn't good advice anymore. Readers do judge a book by its cover, in a publishing environment suddenly crowded with books vying for their attention. And readers will judge you by the quality of your blog, too. "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" is the advice we need to remember.
Does your blog tell readers
- I'm interesting. I do interesting things, I have interesting ideas, and I know interesting guest bloggers.
- I'm relevant. I have things to share that don't replicate what other bloggers in my circle are doing.
- I'm authentic. The voice I use in my blog is a good indication of the way I write.
- I'm considerate. My posts are entertaining, aren't all the same length, and don't contain basic editorial errors.
Or is it really telling readers
- I'm long-winded. My blog entries consistently run several screens long, and it sometimes takes me quite a while to make my point.
- I'm repetitive. I post about the same topic over and over, and I have guest bloggers who reiterate my themes.
- I don't write well. Although my stories are in fact well crafted, restrained, and moving, my blog posts are full of basic grammatical and spelling errors.
- I'm an opportunist. I'm only writing this blog as a way to market my book.
"Don't judge a book by its cover" isn't good advice anymore. Readers do judge a book by its cover, in a publishing environment suddenly crowded with books vying for their attention. And readers will judge you by the quality of your blog, too. "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" is the advice we need to remember.
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