<p>Because I am a freelance writer with a couple of book deals on my bio, I get asked a lot of questions about publishing. Among the most popular: "How can I start a blog to get some buzz about the book I want to write?"</p>
<p>Herewith, my recommendations for starting a blog <i>and </i>learning a bit more about the wacky world of book publishing:</p>
<ol>
<li>Sign up for a free blog account with <a href="http://www.blogger.com" title="Blogger">Blogger</a>, <a href="http://www.typepad.com/" title="TypePad">TypePad</a>, or <a href="http://www.wordpress.org" title="WordPress">WordPress</a>.<br />
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</li>
<li>Pick a template for your blog. These are also free.<br />
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</li>
<li>If I've already lost you, read a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/032144972X?&amp;camp=212361&amp;creative=380733&amp;link" title="No one cares what you had for breakfast">book on blogging</a>. Or take a class. Or have a blog-savvy friend walk you through the setup.<br />
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<li>Pick a topic for your blog, a niche you'll stick with. Don't be a generalist. Since you're trying to build a "platform" for your nonfiction book, your blog topic should be the same as that of your book: wrench-wielding women, mimes who love too much, recovering Republicans, etc.<br />
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<li>Pick a relevant, catchy name for your blog.<br />
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<li>If you need inspiration, check out some other blogs by authors to see how their blog complements their book topic, or at least showcases their writing. Some business blogs by authors I know: <a href="http://generationblend.com/blogs/genblend/default.aspx">Generation Blend</a>, <a href="http://alexandralevit.typepad.com/" title="Alexandra Levit">Watercooler Wisdom</a>, <a href="http://www.therenegadewriter.com" title="The Renegade Writer">The Renegade Writer</a>, <a href="http://marcialboher.blogspot.com/">One Person/Multiple Careers</a>, <a href="http://www.totallywiredbook.com/" title="Totally Wired">Totally Wired</a>, <a href="http://www.soapboxgirls.com/" title="Boss Lady">Boss Lady</a>.<br />
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<li>Also check out blogs by people who went from blogging to book deal: <a href="http://www.escapefromcubiclenation.com/" title="Escape from Cubicle Nation">Escape from Cubicle Nation</a>, <a href="http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/">I Will Teach You to Be Rich</a>, <a href="http://lifehacker.com/" title="Lifehacker">Lifehacker</a>, and <a href="http://webworkerdaily.com/" title="Web Worker Daily">Web Worker Daily</a> are a few examples. <a href="http://www.lulublookerprize.com/" title="Blooker award">Here are some more</a> -- these "blookers" were even nominated for an award.<br />
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<li>Read <a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/" title="Mediabistro's Galley Cat">Galley Cat</a> to learn more about who's getting book deals from blogs these days. Sign up for <a href="http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/lunch/subscribe.html" title="Publisher's Lunch">Publishers Lunch</a>. Skim <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/" title="Publishers Weekly">Publishers Weekly</a>. Google "blog to book." And search the <i>New York Times </i>Business section for articles on blogs and book publishing. There are loads of 'em.<br />
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<li>Make sure your About page gives your full name, your email address, and your writing/subject matter credentials. Be sure to include a photo of yourself, and make sure you brush your hair and teeth.<br />
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<li>Start blogging! Preferably posts that are 300 to 600 words (give or take) in length.<br />
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<li>Use photos whenever you can. And links. Especially to other blogs.<br />
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<li>Proofread your posts and check your links.<br />
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<li>Send out a blanket email to everyone you've ever met in your life telling them about your blog. Do this after you've made a few posts you're proud of. Only do this once.<br />
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<li>Add your blog URL to the signature of your email address.<br />
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<li>Join some writing listservs or online communities and contribute to the conversation, keeping that signature in all your posts. Ditto for online communities revolving around the topic of your book.<br />
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<li>Post to your blog at least three times a week. Stay on topic, and don't be afraid to be opinionated, funny, and/or controversial.<br />
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<li>Never post anything you wouldn't want your mother or your clients to read.<br />
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<li>Never apologize for not posting for the past two weeks. No one cares. If you have a lot of readers, a better idea is to <a href="http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/02/21/my-new-book-less-blog-posts-till-early-april/" title="I'm in hiatus">do a post like this</a> in advance.<br />
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<li>If you feel compelled to blog about your cat, try to find the tie-in to your overall blog's topic. Otherwise, maybe skip the cute pet posts.<br />
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<li>Read and comment on other people's blogs. It's the best way to get new readers to come to your blog -- and to raise your Google rank.<br />
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<li>Read articles on how to blog. <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2006/06/how_to_get_traf.html" title="Seth Godin on boosting blog traffic">Here's one that people seem to like</a>, though I tend to shy away from all those Best/Richest/Smartest Blogger Ever types. Here's <a href="http://workyourblog.blogspot.com/" title="Work Your Blog">an even better tip list</a> by travel writer <a href="http://roadremedies.blogspot.com">Amanda Castleman</a>; it includes some suggestions for books on blogging too.<br />
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<li>Get a free tool to measure your site traffic so you can see what posts people like the best and how many readers you have. Here are a few: <a href="http://www.sitemeter.com/" title="Site Meter">Site Meter</a>, <a href="http://www.google.com/analytics/" title="Google Analytics">Google Analytics</a>, <a href="http://www.mybloglog.com" title="MyBlogLog">MyBlogLog</a>. This is not my forte, so I'm sure others will chime in with their suggestions.<br />
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<li>Speaking of, know that blogging means putting yourself out there. Sometimes rude, nasty people with nothing better to do make obnoxious comments on your site, often anonymously. That's the way of the web unfortunately. You have the option to hit Delete. More often than not, though, the comments will be supportive, encouraging, helpful. You may even make a new friend or two. Maybe even a book agent friend. And wouldn't that be nice?<br />
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<li>Above all, have fun. If blogging sounds like a chore, maybe you're better off publishing a couple of well-placed articles on your pet topic instead (think <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/" title="HuffPo">Huffington Post</a>, <a href="http://www.salon.com/" title="Salon">Salon</a>, <a href="http://www.slate.com/" title="Slate">Slate</a>).<br />
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</ol>
2008-02-22T18:39:30Z
2008-02-23T15:16:42Z
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blogging-your-way-to-a-book-deal
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2008-02-23T15:16:27Z
2008-02-23T15:16:27Z
<p>Want to parlay all your hard-won expertise into a book deal? A blog can be a great way to build a platform -- and impress editors and agents with your writing chops. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting started.</p>
Blogging your way to a book deal
0
2009-02-24T09:43:14Z