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Blogging: A
Writer’s Journal
Author: Scott Lindsay
A novel way for a writer to keep prospects and fans in
the loop
on their progress as a writer is through the use of a
web log or
‘Blog’.
“This notion of self-publishing, which is what Blogger
and
blogging are really about, is the next big wave of human
communication. The last big wave was Web activity.
Before that
one it was e-mail.” – Eric Schmidt
This online tool has allowed many writers to share
thoughts,
humor, politics, and more with any and all who would
visit.
Since the Internet is a device of connectivity it also
allows
for immediate feedback in ways standard publishing
cannot
offer.
Essentially the web has created a means for someone who
has not
been discovered to find an audience who is interested in
what
they have to say.
For some, a blog is intended to be private in that they
do not
promote the blog for mass consumption, however with the
growth
of blogging it has become more difficult to ensure your
blog
will remain essentially a private journal.
As Eric Schmidt pointed out, blogging has become a form
of
self-publishing. In this case the author becomes the
editor and
publisher and has total artistic control. The use of
Google
Adsense can also provide residual income to help pay for
any
costs associated with your blog.
A blog can be very
useful to a writer. It provides an outlet for regular writing, but it
also allows people who enjoy your work to take in your regular posts and
feel a greater
connection to you. Some random blog-thought has been transformed by
their owners into long form articles and stories. |
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“At its best, blogging is all about change. The format
suits
writers who want to move fast.” – Naomi Darvell
Many blogging sites allow the use of photographs and
audio. For
instance, if you had a book signing you could use photos
from
the event in the body of your blog. If you have a
recording of
a portion of your book that you are authorized to
rebroadcast
it also can be placed in your blog. Links can be
provided to
encourage visitors to check out similar blogs by other
writing
friends – and best of all a blog can assist visitors in
finding
where they may find other work you’ve produced along
with
information on how to purchase any available books you
may
have.
People who enjoy reading blogs will find a circle of
blogs that
entertain, inspire, and make them think or laugh. Having
a blog
that is tied into a personal website can go a long way
in
connecting with those who may already have an
appreciation for
your work.
About The Author:
Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of
FaithWriters
(http://www.faithwriters.com) and many other web projects. FaithWriters
has grown to become one of the largest online destinations for Christian
writers. Please visit the website at: http://www.faithwriters.com
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B-Blogs: A
Business Prerequisite
Author: Scott Lindsay“How does business change when
everyone is a potential
publisher? A vast new stretch of the information world
opens
up.” – Stephen Baker and Heather Green
As a Business Blogger (b-blogger) you do not need to
reinvent
the wheel and you don’t even need to be an especially
gifted
writer. Simple software solutions are available to allow
you to
blog with confidence even if you feel technologically
challenged.
Link and Click
One of the principal benefits of blogging is you can
simply
provide an opening sentence or paragraph on a subject
that may
be of interest to your clients. Once this is
accomplished you
can simply provide a direct link to the story you wish
to cite.
You can also include an associated photo. The client
then has
the ability to see first hand the information you found
so
valuable in relation to your business; it’s services,
goods and
future.
The information you can provide may be tied to the
movement of
stock in relations to a product you carry. New
advancements in
scientific research that has a bearing on a product you
carry
or new uses for an existing product.
Comprehensive Coverage
Many b-blogs have a list of outside links that may be
interest
to visitors. The purpose of a blog is not to withhold
information or to provide that information on a
time-released
basis. For most b-bloggers there is a realization that
the
information they have to share is available elsewhere on
the
worldwide web, so being as timely as possible simply
makes
sense.
“There are some 9 million blogs out there, with 40,000
new ones
popping up each day.” – Stephen Baker and Heather Green
Point of Comparison
Companies that have made blogging a priority have seen
as many
as five million visits to their blog. When you have web
traffic
at that level you can see how a search engine will
recognize
your blog site as authoritative and reputable and
provide your
blog with a higher rank.
“Given the changes barreling down upon us, blogs are not
a
business elective. They're a prerequisite.” – Stephen
Baker and
Heather Green
Commitment
Operating a b-blog takes discipline and an understanding
that
this IS a marketing tool. It is possible that a b-blog
might
take some time to attract visitors and it may be
tempting to
simply give up on the prospect and drop this marketing
element
from your overall business plan. |
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