Blogging is an especially powerful tool for writers. First and foremost, blogs are written in form and are widely available to readers. Perfect, right?
Second, they are a great way to network, learn, and promote. If you do choose to blog as a writer, whether you share creative writing or enjoy discussing the craft and business of writing, I urge you to do the following:
1) Comment on other writers' blogs.
2) Exchange links to build cross traffic.
3) Reply to all comments made on your blog. You want that interraction, that sense that you value people who take the time to read and comment.
4) Visit the blog/website of everyone who visits you, and be sure to leave a comment there.
5) Update regularly, but not so much that people can't keep up (I do a minimum of 3 posts per week).
6) Strive for exciting/intriguing content. Use pictures/graphics on posts whenever possible.
I guarantee if you follow good blogging techniques, the number of regular visitors will grow. The writers' community will also grow and strengthen. I'm always sad to see folks who take the time to blog, but put little effort into nos. 1 - 4 above. They generate little interest or loyalty and seem to fade away in a few months.
Second, they are a great way to network, learn, and promote. If you do choose to blog as a writer, whether you share creative writing or enjoy discussing the craft and business of writing, I urge you to do the following:
1) Comment on other writers' blogs.
2) Exchange links to build cross traffic.
3) Reply to all comments made on your blog. You want that interraction, that sense that you value people who take the time to read and comment.
4) Visit the blog/website of everyone who visits you, and be sure to leave a comment there.
5) Update regularly, but not so much that people can't keep up (I do a minimum of 3 posts per week).
6) Strive for exciting/intriguing content. Use pictures/graphics on posts whenever possible.
I guarantee if you follow good blogging techniques, the number of regular visitors will grow. The writers' community will also grow and strengthen. I'm always sad to see folks who take the time to blog, but put little effort into nos. 1 - 4 above. They generate little interest or loyalty and seem to fade away in a few months.