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  1. I am convinced and am beginning to see some search engine traffic. I believe I need to invest some time and go back to see what tags I could add to draw in more residual interest in previous blogs.

  2. I am new the the writing game, and have little clue about the publishing game. I would like to publish a novel or two, and I do believe the blog is a good start to all of that. Thanks for your insight.

  3. Every now and then, I get a comment on a post I wrote months ago, so it’s definitely a way to get into the search engine rankings while building up your content base. Between Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, I like blogs best for connecting with people – both mine, and commenting on other blogs – for the very reason you state.

  4. It’s been almost two years since I took your class, and I need to up my knowledge. So I signed up for one of the bigger packages…I don’t know how I’m going to have time, but I’m determined to take my blog to the next level. Thanks, Kristen! Looking forward to the next couple of months!

    1. I KNOW. I just saw that! Squeeee! *happy dance* Will be fun :D.

  5. I appreciate the encouragement. I know I also need to improve my knowledge. Thank you again for your post!

  6. I’ve been amazed at how wonderful blogging can be, both for my author platform and my mental health. LOL Reading your books after writing my first novel was one of my smartest moves.

    If you haven’t taken a class from Kristen, y’all, do it! You’ll have a blast, even if you hate the thought of blogging and self-promotion. I’d bet all the world’s chocolate on that.

    1. You so ROCK *hugs*

    • Michelle Roberts on January 17, 2013 at 10:38 am
    • Reply

    Okay, you’ve got me convinced. I just need to finalize a catchy “about” section and get my camera-obsessed sister to take an author photo. Is there a certain platform you recommend? I was thinking of going with WordPress.

  7. I agree with you about building the blog. Do you think an author Facebook page is worthwhile?

    I’ll be living out of a suitcase for the next two months as we travel SE Asia, and a bit of the UK on our way home, but once the dust settles. . . .

    1. The reason I prefer the blog over other is simply because we have greater control. I loved MySpace. Was NOT a fan of FB and had a huge, active following…that evaporated. All social media done well has value, but the blog is by far the most enduring thing we can construct, thus I feel it is the best use of limited time.

  8. Really great advice. I think it also encourages authors to carry on working hard on their own online presence even once they have got a publisher.

  9. Heather WrightFreelance Writer, Editor, Trainer519-744-9482 Website: http://wrightwriter.com LinkedIn Profile: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/heatherwright1/

    Author of Writing Fiction: A Hands-On Guide for Teens http://wrightingwords.wordpress.com

    Date: Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:04:58 +0000 To: wright_writer@hotmail.com

  10. This is such an empowering post, Kristen! I have long believed that the folks you stay with my blog will most likely become the readers of my book. They are already used to my style and my long posts. If they like that, I imagine they’ll dig my stuff in a longer format.

    And yes, I #amwriting. Just took a moment to stop in and tweet your fabulousness.

  11. Encouraging information, and so “right/write on.” I hate sales and marketing. But my blog, http://www.codependencycaringorcontrolling.blogspot.com
    has a powerful message for codependents and addicts alike. My blog offers hope and healing and needs to be read. So I am going to go back and check out the link for your blog class.

  12. I’ve read your answers to everyone’s questions and looked at the class descriptions and am interested in the bronze level course. Is this, like most online courses, something I can do on my own schedule within a set period of time or is it a class set up to meet at particular times? Forgive me if that info is there, but I didn’t see it. Same question with start/stop dates. Finally, I’ve already started my blog. Will your course help me improve it or will I need to start over? (God, please say I don’t have to start over).

    1. You don’t need to start over. Yes, it can be done in your own time. I have students in these classes from all over the world, so sticking to a set schedule just won’t work. If you miss a webinar, they are recorded for you to listen to at your leisure. The class is two months minimum so we have plenty of time to get you where you need to be.

  13. Quick follow up to my previous question – I found the dates part – sorry to be so blind. I still need to know about the meeting schedule within the two month period. Also, would you let me know whether you think the silver option might be better? That’s about the most I can afford but I’m thinking it might work better since I have the blog up and need to improve it. Thanks so much.

    1. Silver is one of my favorites. There is a good deal of hand-holding from me so it gets you a lot for your money. The way it goes is I have a private tribe on WANATribe (you need to join) and I invite you in. In the tribe, I post lessons you peruse at your own pace and lessons you do in your own time. You will have your own page to post your homework so I can review it and so you can get help/feedback from your team. It works a lot like a Facebook group and everything is private. Then, I announce webinars at regular intervals. If you can make it great. If you can’t, I e-mail you a link to hear the recording when you get time.

  14. New to your blog but really enjoying reading you.

    • AH on January 17, 2013 at 12:47 pm
    • Reply

    I love this post! A lot of people reading my blog telling me to write a book but not enough for me to actually go to self-publish. But I love blogging!

  15. I cannot praise Kristen’s blogging classes enough. I was privileged to be in her first class and am also in her blogging course that is just ending. I knew absolutely nothing about blogging but after her first class, I knew what account to use for my blog, I had a blog line, and because she took so much time with us as a group and as individuals, I knew what to blog about and perhaps most important, I knew how to keep blogging. She is incredibly generous with her time and knowledge.

    A year and a half later, I am in another of Kristen’s blogging classes. The support and quality of the discussions in the WANATribe blogging group as well as the entire WANA community is simply without equal. I had thought the course would be a good refresher but it is so much more than that as Kristen is always cutting edge when it comes to social media. Successful blogging is merely a matter of following Kristen’s instruction.

    Karen

    1. Oh! I really hope I can get into one of her classes soon.

      Thanks for sharing your experience!

  16. I’ve been blogging for a year and it has been a great learning experience. And I see how the content adds value, which makes me wonder about the platforms hosting our blogs. Is it better to have the blog on our own website verses on a free blog site? I like the freedom I feel by keeping them separate, but there are downsides to a free blog site that you don’t have when you’ve paid for it. Does that make sense? Ha! Brain is starting to melt. Need more coffee. 🙂

    1. It’s best to do it off your own web site. Learn from me. Remember. I did all the dumb stuff, so you don’t have to :D.

  17. So true why blogs are a great marketing tool. Looking forward to more of your advice on this.

  18. “How many of you want to do this writing until that job in sales takes off?”

    I about spit out my food court salad. I heart you Kristen Lamb. Thank you for helping us!!! From all the corporate America lackies. Thank you!

  19. I totally agree that writers should love to write. I had a revelation the other day that ran along that very line. I considered getting active on a new social network, then realized it would take away from my writing time and felt sad.

  20. Having a Blog is like being listed in the telephone directory of the world and you can add information and even update it. Because of the troubles people are having with Internet connection, some are questioning the longevity of the service and why would you pay for it. It is getting better with the TV cable subscription connection for some. I am wondering how the wireless with tablet PC, if any better connected 24 hours uninterrupted. I promote the Internet as a tool like having your own public library at home. I just used The Library of Congress website for research VIA E-mail for a novel, which I am writing for the “JANO Writers 50K challenge for the month of January”, based out of Springfield, Missouri. Some are asking why I write about places like Washington, D.C. as a location written in my novel, when I have never been there. With the Internet and search engines, I can go to anywhere in the world. What more with blogs where people promote their areas and communities of real and tangible locations for a novel of fiction.

  21. That is most likely the truest and simplest explanation I’ve read about why a writer should blog. It’s very well put.

  22. I first started blogging to let people know I was there and what I do. Now it is the same, but more focussed, esp about who I am with Asperger’s Syndrome. I have decided to turn my blog series about that into articles that I want to epublish, and later on into memoirs.

  23. I have aged into an introvert. How in the world could I conduct a school visit or a book signing if I was too chicken? Blogging has forced me to open up, and you know what? It’s not that bad.

  24. You are right about blog posts lasting. I just had a blog post I wrote 5 weeks ago explode out of the blue. I found out later that the Institute of Children’s Literature had included it in their newsletter that month! And one of our top 5 posts on my group blog is one of our earliest–usually found by searches.

  25. I plan to turn my blog into book. It’s through my blog that I discovered my inherent need to write. I would love that critique. X

  26. I recently started a blog after realising that although I am writing a novel in the women’s fiction genre, it will be some time before anyone actually reads it. I agree that blogging is a fantastic way to build readership and hope that this will help me in getting my book published when it is finished. I have diarised to upload a weekly blog post from this week (mummylovestowrite.com). Great blog Kristen, thank you 🙂

  27. Took the time to re-read “… Author Platform Part 2”, away from writing on my 50K words challenge in the 31 days of January (JANO Writers). I am less than the 3 weeks progress count by more than 4K, but I thought; it was well worth clearing my mind first. I think better, afterwards. Usually, I read Yahoo! News articles of the world. I figured; a motivational blog would be better for today. I realized that you also teach specifics on how to be published and paid writers. Earlier, I expected just a lot of Rah! Rah! Ree! Kick them in the knee. At five-one I would drive to the basket among the redwood trees instead of passing off to the swing guard. I have the basketball and I cannot really pass the ball to anyone for me to complete my own novel. It is good to know, you can teach us to play one-on-one against our own fears of failure and to some, those afraid of success. Like during high school, what would happen if best looking cheerleader said “yes” to going with me to the prom? Better ask someone else. I better go back writing on my novel. My political action thriller is halfway finished, to create an American president.

  28. I find blogging incredibly helpful when I am tackling something in my writing that is taking a lot of my time. It may be a tricky is a problem with editing or writing or even a research point that is proving difficult to track down. I write a blog on that particular subject, crystalise my thought and this helps me move on and also gives me an interesting post for others to read. Thank you for the above. The main points you highlight are definitely why I blog.

  1. […] Yesterday we began the discussion about why blogs are probably THE most powerful social media tool for building an author platform. Today, here are two more reasons writers should embrace the idea …  […]

  2. […] « The Most Powerful Social Media Tool for Building an Author Platform-Part 2 […]

  3. […] 1 // Part 2 // Part […]

  4. […] by Martina BooneThe Most Powerful Social Media Tool for Building an Author Platform – Part 1 & Part 2 – by Kristen Lamb […]

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