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I found even when I was working with a publisher, I had to do a fair amount of marketing myself–especially when it came to making the blog rounds! Aside from already knowing some of the best blogs/podcasts to contact, the work has pretty much been the same. I grabbed your download–thanks for the tips! You’ve given me some new ideas.
ReplyBelinda,
Thank you for the informed post, as well as sharing “The Smart Author’s Guide to Guest Blogging.” I skimmed through the guide, I but will spend more time with it this afternoon.
My dilemma is I began my blog to garner more name recognition by writing book reviews, recently adding author interviews (in fact I have my third author interview today), I’m preparing to start guest blogs, and I also have some of my musings on my blog. Although not nearly enough. Just as I have three manuscripts sitting collecting dust while I manage my blog and other social media sites. My dilemma is that while I have over 7,650 Twitter followers, my blog numbers are disappointing.
I was recently asked by the Women’s National Association of Books to write a guest blog, which I agreed to. My guest blog is due July 1st, which I am hoping will draw more writers to my blog. Aside from crossing my fingers and hoping my guest blog brings a following to my blog, I am at a loss as to how to get more writers and readers to my blog.
I do not want to write book reviews for the rest of my life; I am a writer and want to get back to work on my manuscripts. Do you have any suggestions? Please feel free to follow my blog at https://dbmoone.com. You too, Rachel, please?
On a side note, I realize your post is more for the published author’s self-promotion, but when you speak to blogs and numbers, I had to reach out.
Sincerely,
Donna
Hey Donna, thanks for your comment! I hear you, promoting blog posts is hard – Rachel has some great tips in this post here: https://badredheadmedia.com/2017/06/helpful-tips-for-promoting-your-blog-on-social-media-you-need-now/.
This is why guest posting is so great – you’re blogging on a site that already has traffic. The key is to have a compelling sign up offer in your bio, to convert readers into email subscribers. Then, when you have a post on your own blog (or another guest post), you can share it with your list and ask them to share it with their networks too.
Book reviews are great to do on your own blog – make sure you’re letting the authors know and ask them to share the review if they liked it, as that can help you get in front of more new people.
Hope that helps!
ReplyThank you for outlining the steps to generate publicity and also for the free download. I plan to blog on my author website and certainly expect guest blogging to be part of that. Blogging isn’t new to me. Prior to creating my author website, I ran a film review site for 3 1/2 years. I enjoy blogging and look forward to writing posts on new subjects. Podcasts may take more time, because of the need to buy and master new equipment. I understand they’re an important part of publicity now, so I’ll factor them into the mix.
Sincerely,
Dana Lemaster
Hi Dana, great to hear you’re embracing guest blogging. Don’t let the tech put you off podcasts, all you need is a decent mic and possibly headphones/ear buds. I have heard of some very successful podcasts that started with just the built-in mic with their Mac, although I would check the quality of your sound before doing that. If you’re the guest, as I recommend in my post, you don’t need to worry about editing software or anything like that, as the host will take care of that side of things.
Go get stuck in!
ReplyI’ve had a lot of people ask me if I listen to podcasts – and I’ve only done one – which was interesting. I know blogging is changing, but I’m having trouble making the transitions from website and separate blog and Medium to a blog + Medium. I’m certainly willing to try a podcast…but my writing is both non-fiction and fiction – I seem to be more focused on non-fiction. I could use the help!
ReplyI’ve been working on reaching out to those with an established platform, who aren’t authors, so I can reach a new audience. Thanks for the download and the advice 🙂
ReplyGuest posting is definitely on my agenda, but I’m not sure about podcasting. Not sure I’m ready to branch out into voice quite yet!
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