How to Create an Interesting Blog

I am a serious promoter of blogging. As I counsel authors on their marketing/PR plans, I tell them that if they don't have a blog, they need to get one. It doesn't matter if they work with other authors on it (see www.runningwithquills.com) or have a blog of their own, this online journal is a necessity in a techno-savvy, online marketing age.

The first question is always the same: How do I start a blog? I always send authors to good sites like Blogger, Live Journal, MySpace, or the paid service TypePad, and Amazon Connect.

But the second question is the most important: How do I make my blog interesting?

My answer: Tell readers about yourself, your life, your new novel, promotions for your latest work, and the ups and downs of being you.

This works. My best example is a personal example. I have a blog for writers on writing. I get a good amount of hits, but it caters to writers, not everyone, so my audience is limited. But my personal blog, Singlehood and Other Tales, is where I get the most hits - and meet the most people. I talks about everything from writing to losing my job last year to moving to crazy ladies restrooms I've had the unfortunate experiences to visit. People can relate to this blog on a personal level. I've met athiests who want to talk religion, aspiring writers, people from my hometown that I'd never met. It's fabulous!

Now, keep in mind not everything needs to be public fodder. Here are some things to avoid when using blogs as marketing tools:

• Don't just link back to other sites. This gets really boring really fast. You will lose readers, who could hold it against you come time to buy that latest book you're promoting.
• Don't TMI them/turn readers off. Some topics should be off-limites on author blogs, including profanity, sexual content (erotica writers excluded), drunken photographs, too many silly photographs (leave that to the children's author sites).
• Don't write about the same topic every week. You aren't a freelance writer, writing the same story 12 different ways for 12 different publications. Online audiences have short attention spans, and if they see the same thing over and over again, they will ditch your site fast.
• Don't always publish submissions from other writers. Unless you share a site with other authors, you're content should be your own ALWAYS. Readers are coming to learn about you, not your neighbor.
• Don't be afraid to let it all hang out. Be honest about who you are and what you're life is like. You don't have to give ultra personal info, like names of children and grandchildren if that makes you uncomfortable, but you can be personable. Readers will catch on real quick if everything you write sounds like a news release instead of the real you.

Blogging is a great tool to use as a connector to fans and prospective readers. If you are uncertain where to begin, check out other authors blogs and see what you think of their approach. You are guaranteed to get some fresh ideas of your own.