By: Stephanie Burkhart
Social media has brought the world closer and opened up
markets along with promo opportunities not available before. Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, and other media are excellent marketing tools. Today, I wanted to
touch on blogging, discuss its benefits and how to be an effective blogger.
As I was researching this topic, two important points stuck
out to me: #1 Blogging helps you build a network and #2 it allows you to help
others.
Networking
A blog is a great way to reach out to others, especially
since being on the web has a global reach. So how to you appeal to the global
audience? Find those topics that are valuable and interesting to you. Don't
just talk about your writing all the time. What draws readers to you are the
valuable and interesting topics you present.
Helping Others
A hook to your blog should include a way to help others.
After all, the power of the blog is to inspire, educate, and bring people
together. People and readers are attracted to those posts that talk about the
challenge of weight loss, raising kids, and how others face life's adversities.
As a writer, using blogging as a marking/networking/promo
tool, you've got to find balance. I'm learning it's 80% being
interesting/inspirational/helping others, and 20% promo.
Some items to consider:
Blogging is a great way to ask for feedback. Don't forget to
end your post with a question that your readers will feel compelled to answer.
Share ideas – what I like about Pinterest is how easy and
fun it is to share ideas – especially recipes.
Post regularly. This can be a challenge, but one worth
mastering. You don't have to post every day. I would suggest 2-3 times a week.
I know people who post once on Mondays, but their topics are so interesting,
readers always visit.
Remember:
Facebook and Twitter are blogging-like platforms, too. Ask
questions. These platforms are great for feedback.
Expression
Blogging allows the blogger to expand their creativity and
imagination. Go for it!
What you need:
A pound of passion, a gallon of purpose and a tablespoon of
focus. Without these motivating factors your recipe for blogging will never
reach its full potential.
Suggestions:
Before you blog or if you're in a blogging rut, make a list
of your outside interests. (apart from writing) some ideas include: dancing,
reading, being outdoors, traveling, scouting, swimming, Olympics, everyday
challenges, breast cancer, football, etiquette, or music. Pick a few you want
to explore on your blog. Research them. Write from the heart. Remember you have
200-300 words to keep their attention. End with a question and, depending, a
small promo about your writing projects. Smaller is effective. Trust me. Use a
one line hook., one buy link., and one review quote. Don't bang people over the
head with how good your book is. Get their interest and inspire them to investigate.
Blogging ultimately comes back to inspiring and the more
passionate you are, the more you'll attract readers.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. What's your balance with blogging ? How much is promo and
how much is other material that interests you? Do you have any tips/suggestions
to share?
Author Bio: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD.
Her book, "The Giving Meadow" is published with 4RV Publishing.
About "The Giving Meadow:" Caterpillar learns the
value of caring and sharing as he travels through a meadow.
"A heartwarming story." – 5 Stars, Midwest Book
Reviews
Publishers Buy Link: http://www.4rvpublishingcatalog.com/burkhart.php
