Is It Time For You To Have a Blog? The Pros and Cons Per the Experts

By Terri Lively

Blogging is part of the writing business. Many authors maintain a blog in addition to their professional endeavors. Many aspiring writers do, too.

So, is it time you had a blog, too? It depends upon what you think of the pros and cons.

The Pros

Opposing viewpoints exist on the issue of blogging and are out there on the World Wide Web. Ironically, many express these opinions in blog posts.

For example, The Huntsville Independent Press, a publisher in Alabama, explains in "Top 10 Reasons Authors Should Have a Blog" that having one provides value to a writer's career.

The publisher says a blog is a valuable tool. It showcases the writer's reputation and readership, indicating their popularity and potential book sales. Blogs also help writers establish themselves, test new ideas, and refine their style through feedback. Additionally, regular blogging enhances writing skills and creative flow. 

Business-wise, blogs are valuable, too. They serve as a press resource, offering easy access to book information for media. Blogging aids networking with industry professionals and other writers, possibly leading to agent or publisher interest. A blog's mailing list provides a ready-made marketing tool for book promotions. Additionally, a blog can showcase the writer's talent and generate supplemental income through ads. 

The Cons

Not everyone has such a positive feeling about writer's blogs. Writer's Digest writes in "5 Ways an Author Blog Can Kill Your Writing (And What You Should Do Instead)" their case for skipping it.

The general sentiment is writers should spend more time writing, not blogging. Blogging steals valuable writing time.

Also, blogging skills aren't the same as storytelling skills. The time invested isn't doing your regular writing any favors (unless you want to be a blogger, of course).

So, What Does This All Mean to You?

Starting a blog is a personal choice, and choices have pros and cons. However, if you do move forward with your author’s blog, The Guardian published a list of things to do for a successful blog:

• Focus on marketing: Promote your blog by engaging with other bloggers, writing about popular topics, and contributing content to influential blogs to increase visibility.
• Encourage interaction: Encourage comments and respond to feedback to build a friendly community.
• Use images: Make your blog visually appealing and use pics to break up text.
• Give posts punchy titles: Titles should be intriguing and searchable.
• Keep it regular: Update at least two posts weekly to maintain reader interest and improve SEO.
• Get social: Leverage the social media platforms.
• Allow easy following: Provide follow badges or links to your RSS feed.
• Proofread: Good spelling and grammar enhance credibility and SEO.

So, it might be time for you to start a blog —unless, of course, you hate the idea. If you hate it, skip it; spend the time writing something else. If you like the idea of a writer's blog, then jump in. It could be worth it, and if you invest the time and energy properly to make it successful, it could help your career.