Blogging versus Online Content Strategy

By Elaine L. Orr

Some months I don't feel like posting, but I don't want to let go of a blog I started at the end of 2011. When I'm in a 'why do I do this mood,' I look to other bloggers for enrichment. 

Inevitably, Jane Friedman's name and content pop up every time. This time, her updated post on "How to Start Blogging" appeared. She notes a blog may not help too much to promote an author's work, so it's important to be sure it's something you want to do.

Consistency is key. Why would people read your blog (which is now often termed simply content) if they can't rely on you doing it regularly? The second year I did the Irish Roots Author Blog, I had 54 posts. Fifty-four! Most were short and many were direct promotions of my books or sales. I don't use the blog for such direct marketing now. Hopefully, mention my work in the context of a post's topic does bring readers.

My numbers fell off. In 2016, there were sixteen posts. I did have a hip replacement and knee surgery that year, but surgeries aren't a good reason not to blog. It was more that I had to squeeze the writing itself into less time because writing does not compete well with opioids. Maybe for some people...

I finally settled on trying to do thirty posts a year. I don't always make it, but the goal is helpful. If nothing else, I may publish three posts near the end of the month -- like this month.

What I balance (in my mind) now is whether to post only about writing. Can't do it at the moment; I get too angry at what's going on in the United States. If I don't let some of my opinions out in the blog they may come out in less appropriate places. Like when I want to yell at someone in a store who doesn't believe in equality. (T-shirts are a giveaway.) I like the concept of treating people fairly. 

I just hit more than 20,000 views in the last month, so perhaps controversy is a good policy in terms of readership. 

The index to The Irish Roots Author Blog has five categories -- reading, writing, publishing, marketing, and musings. The latter are my favorite posts. Blogs can be what we want them to be.

Start one.

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Why Do Readers Like Some Books More than Others?

By Elaine L. Orr

To be clear, I have no idea why readers like some books more than others. 

I like the kind of mysteries I write, and I like to read those others write. But I've been surprised that books I think will grab attention (and sell well) may move off the shelves slowly, while one I thought would draw fewer readers is very popular.

When I moved to Illinois I decided to write a book set in central Illinois, and did not intend to make it a series. I've never laughed so much when writing as when drafting Tip a Hat to Murder. I liked the characters so much it became the first book in the three-book Logland series. And the only one to have more than 100 reviews. I think the second book, Final Cycle, is one of the best of the forty or so mysteries I've written.

Reviews are good, but the series is not a true cozy series. The primary sleuth is a small town, female police chief and I describe the series a 'police procedurals with a cozy feel.' I suppose that tells readers the books aren't as gritty as other police procedurals, so readers who like those books don't pick up the series. Conversely, people who read my amateur sleuth mysteries aren't looking to read about a professional crime solver. 

There is a goat in a fraternity house dining room early on in the first book, and that's a bit off topic for me, too. So is t he occasional swearing (mild words). 

The message I get is don't try to mix sub-genres. Readers can't focus as easily -- in my opinion. While I wanted to write something with a sleuth who had a reason to investigate crimes. the books' structure also means there is no other profession or hobby to focus on. My family history series draws readers with that interest, my Jersey shore real estate appraiser gets in all kinds of trouble when she goes into uninhabited houses. And she's really involved with the local business community. A police chief is sort of always on duty.

However, I still laugh when I think of future books, so I plan to add to the series. To attract more future readers I put the three-book series in a box set on Kindle Unlimited. People have a chance to get acquainted with the books an I can occasionally offer the box set free. There's always more to learn about what to write.

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Reading to Soothe the Soul

By Elaine L. Orr

I was fortunate to be introduced to books very young and to have been around adults who enjoyed books. Reading is the best stepping stone to a writing career, and there was a library in walking distance. I doubt it was 600 square feet, but it was heaven.

When a friend recently entered an Alzheimer's care facility I noted the activity calendar showed people read books to residents so I asked to join the reading team. It's a fascinating opportunity. People from a wide variety of careers (physicians, teachers, book publishers, homemakers) have very little comprehension of what's going on around them, but they like to be read to.

I choose books for very young children, and started with Billy Goats Gruff. My only criteria is that the books have to tell a story rather than just amuse. Attention spans are very short. 

Every now and then something in a book will click a memory in a resident. Last week, a story mentioned (only in passing) collecting syrup from maple trees. Suddenly a man I'd never heard speak raised his head and described the process to tap a tree, hang a bucket to collect sap, and use the sap for syrup. Then he ducked his head and grew quiet again.

I pick relatively short books with good illustrations and walk around the room to show the pictures. The natural ham in me tries to act out character voices.

The library in Chatham, Illinois has a large selection of used books and children's books are usually fifty cents or a dollar. I decided to buy the books in case a resident wants to keep one. Occasionally they do.

Sometimes I'll take a second book that's a jumping off point for conversation. One about truck stops let us talk about taking vacations when cars traveled on two lane roads rather than interstates. Mostly I mention things they might have seen and get some appreciative nods. The key thing is never to ask the residents if they remember something. Some folks can perceive that they used to know more than they now do, and it would be frustrating to ask what they can recall.

Today it's almost 100 degrees in central Illinois, so I took The Snow Monster by Jodi Dee -- a story about a little girl who likes to eat snow and mistakenly made a wish about eating all of it! We can then talk about blizzards and making snowmen as children.

It may sound as if I'm doing something noble. I'm not. As with most forms of volunteering, I get a lot more out of reading than the residents do by listening.

If you're interested in doing something similar, check with a memory care facility. The one I go to likes to have readers in the hours before lunch and dinner, because the residents are waiting to eat and it makes the time go faster. You'll get more than you give.

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 Check out Elaine's web page or sign up for her newsletter.