I continue to be amazed by the fact that the majority of writers I know still don’t have a blog. And not of them are old and unwilling to embrace new technology either. Some just simply refuse to do anything other than write. Yet, they say they want to get published. When I ask them why, they respond, “I want to have my writing read.”
Most writers say they write because they “must.” I disagree. I think writers write because they want their writing to be read.
Only seven percent of books published in the United States sell more than 1,000 copies.
The average book sells about 300 copies per year and 3,000 copies in its lifetime.
That means most authors are not getting their writing read even after they get published—at least they aren’t getting read by many readers.
If you blog—or blog your book, however, you could have 300 readers read your work—maybe just one short blog post, or several or part or all of your blogged book—in month, a week or a day. You could have 3,000 readers read your work in a month, a week or a day. You could have many more readers than that stop by and read the writing you publish on your blog every month, week or day.
In other words, if you blog, your writing will get read. And, you will get published. In fact, ever time you write a blog post you hit a little button that says, “Publish.” That releases it into Cyberspace for anyone and everyone to read if they so desire. And at that moment, you become a published author (and a publisher).
So, explain to me why more writers aren’t blogging? Why aren’t you blogging?
|
Learn more about blogging a book in Nina’s new book |
I write and I blog and I’m not young – not by several decades. A lot more people read my blog (more than 800/day) than have read my book. I know the economy is in the tank, but can’t they afford $4? No, matter. I’ll keep on writing and blogging because… well, because that’s what I am – a storyteller. I don’t even think of myself as a writer. Why don’t more do the same. I don’t know? Maybe they aren’t writers or authors or storytellers. They’re just wannabes.
And maybe you hit it on the head. Maybe they just wannabe writers and published and read.
800/day! Good for you. 24,800/month. Way more readers than the average author has for a book.
Do you make money with your blog?
Great blog post. It’s definitely all about the platform if you want to get your words read. I find a combination of blogging, Facebook and Twitter works best for me.
That’s the ticket, Rebecca! You have to combine the blogging with the social networking to build platform (readership). Good luck, and stop back again. I appreciate your comment.
I’m a published author (2 editions–combined over 6500 books with a well known publisher. I’m working on a new book now, but would be concerned that a blog would actually lead many to read the blog, and not buy the book.
When I get to a blog (writing the book is priority #1 now) I will have to be careful the blog doesn’t lead potential book buyers to just read the blog. A blog would be short and maybe cover things new that are not in the book, but encourage readers to buy the book.
Gerald,
If you read what I say in both my book and on my blog (www.howtoblogabook.com) you’ll see that there are many reasons for blog readers to want the book, or blook. First, as you blog the book you have a content plan that leaves some content out only to be published in your book; this attracts readers and publishers. Second, it’s hard to read a whole book on a blog; this makes them want the printed book or ebook. Third, by the time you edit and revise, the finished product is new and, again, has new material, which makes them want to buy it. And, last, if you’ve done a good job, they will want to read your material again. I have many people writing to me and saying they just purchased my book, How to Blog a Book, read it in a few days, and then went back to the beginning and began again. With a blog, what better way to begin again than with a physical book?
Darren Rowse’s bestselling product is his 30 Days to a Better Blog, a series of posts repackged into an ebook. His readers ASKED for it. He didn’t think it would sell.
Nina