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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