Blogging 101

Our fabulous resident blog expert J.A. Bennett addressed our group last night at our monthly meeting. She gave a fantastic tutorial on how a personal blog can benefit you as a writer, and shared some tips on how to get started.

She began by discussing how having a strong internet presence helps others find you, including publishers. Agents want you to have a blog, as now the standard seems to be publishers will google your name as an agent is pitching them your book.

Having a strong following increases your internet presence, but how do you gain a following?

Jennie shared 3 tips to get you started.

1. Be consistent.
Blog at least once a week, if not more. If your blog runs dry, so will your readership. The more you blog the more search engines will start to pick you up. Expert tip: Don't make your blog posts too long!

2. Comment on other blogs.
Find other bloggers like yourself, who blog things you are interested in. Not only will you gain more followers for your own blog, but you'll create an entire network of support and find loads of helpful information. You'll be surprised what you can learn from other writers!

3. Participate in bloghops.
This is a good way to gain followers for your blog, and to discover blogs that interest you.
Twice a year blogger Rachael Harrie runs a writer's platform building campaign that helps connect bloggers and readers. Many blogs participate in bloghops so check them out!

Other tips to increase your internet presence and following are:
Using Twitter and hashtags. Good hashtags to get you started are #amwriting, #pubwrite, and #mywana. Check out Terron James' blog post, The Hidden Power of Twitter for more detailed Twitter information.

Using these hashtags connect your tweets with other people doing the same things you are. Your network will grow and grow!

Also check out inkpageant.com to find other writer's blogs. You can even submit to have your own blog included.

Thank you to Jennie for her knowledge and advice, and to League President Tim Keller for joining us this month!

As always thank you to Chapter President Terron James for hosting and leading our group!

Good luck and happy blogging!!!!