[5]
Terri Patrick
Oregon writer
Terri Patrick’s blog [6]
Another world is dying, if you believe the buzz. It’s the World of Blog. It birthed, boomed, has reached its saturation point, and is now “statistically” imploding. It is old media, irrelevant, and wordy. Blog World should be shuffled off to its retirement so it no longer embarrasses all who bought property in the neighborhood.
Oh, wait, that news has been clarified. It’s not the entire Blog World that’s dying, only the satellite Moon Blogs used by authors for book promotions, and connecting with readers, and networking with writers. The news is being spread (on blogs!) that this is no longer a valid venue for spreading news. My opinion, of course, is invalid as I’ve been active in Blog World for years and yet – gasp – have not been selling anything! The fact that I had nothing to sell is irrelevant, and the fact that I find blogs highly relevant is of even less interest to the doomsayers.
I’m always fascinated by news articles screaming the lack of value to what is written ever reaching readers, which will only be read by avid readers. So what audience were they expecting to reach?
Blog World developed very quickly and early adopters defined the rules that worked for them, and a frenzy began. Post Daily! Comment Early! Then new stuff happened, and lots of bad stuff appeared, and the early adopters burnt out and shut down. Others moved on to the latest avenue of short quips and saying little, to lots of people, daily.
What’s really dying is the value of RSS feeds, SEO, and many more acronyms and rules that were defined to create a frenzy. Some blogs make money, some blogs promote products, some blogs have a platform, some blogs rumble along in obscurity for a dozen followers, for years, until they are discovered.
The most important thing about blogs is, they are easy, they are free, and they are versatile. The second most important thing to know about blogs is – they are really easy to share on every other form of social media currently in use. Really. Easy. Relevant Blog posts are shared through all the other media networks. What Authors need to know about blogs is – it’s all about the content, and colors, and pictures, but mostly about the content.
Blog World is one of the social media venues where writers can shine, because writers have something to say, and can say it well, on their author blog. This is why an Author’s Blog should be about something other than being an Author. Pets, creative projects, family activities, sports, fun facts, are all great. Mix that up with cool research topics for your current or former books, or interesting ancestors. Location/vacation posts can be fun too, the best blogs are a quick and informative read about something that could interest MANY.
So here’s some pointers about reincarnating a blog:
1. Make a point with your posts, and have fun doing it. Have a reason for discussing what real men like about wearing a kilt.
2. Do not limit yourself with one message, or theme, as variety is the spice of life. Can you wax eloquent about spices?
3. Blog posts can evolve with your career as a writer. Or you can pick something in your own home, and tell a story about why Your Globe [7] is always upside down.
4. Less is often more, for connecting with readers. 500 words, once a week, is a doable schedule. This offers lots of time to read, and comment on, other blogs and find more content to share on your own.
5. Standing on a soapbox can create a lot of suds and bubbles. Politics, finances, and religions, often taste like soap. However, the philosophies behind all of the above can be cleansing when presented in refreshing prose.