{"id":14310,"date":"2016-07-25T05:29:48","date_gmt":"2016-07-25T10:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lisatener.local\/?p=14310"},"modified":"2024-09-30T08:58:37","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T12:58:37","slug":"8-blogging-tips-reach-readers-impress-publishers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/2016\/07\/8-blogging-tips-reach-readers-impress-publishers\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Blogging Tips to Reach Readers &#038; Impress Publishers"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Tip:\u00a0Blogging Can Help You Reach Readers &amp;\u00a0Lead to a Book Deal!<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8459\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8459\" style=\"width: 222px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8459 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/lisa-tener.png\" alt=\"book writing coach Lisa Tener\" width=\"222\" height=\"224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/lisa-tener.png 222w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/lisa-tener-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/lisa-tener-100x101.png 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8459\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Your Book Writing Coach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I&#8217;ve seen first hand what blogging can do for authors<b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\">: <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\">My clients have been\u00a0<\/span>approached by publishers and signed a book deal, because of their blog.<\/li>\n<li>Several clients\u00a0grew their following quickly<b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\">\u2014<\/span><\/b>from almost no followers to a significant &#8220;platform&#8221; worthy of a book deal.<\/li>\n<li>My website and many client sites\u00a0now come up on page one of a Google search because \u00a0of the relevant content in our\u00a0blogs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In my experience, blogging is often the\u00a0easiest way to grow your author platform and develop the kind of following agents and publishers now require for a book deal.<\/p>\n<p>Of course,\u00a0it\u2019s easy to waste one\u2019s time writing a blog no one reads.\u00a0This post will\u00a0help you write a blog that takes off among your target readership.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few of the tips I give my clients, many of whom have leveraged their blogs for successful book deals<\/p>\n<h2>[bctt tweet=&#8221;8 Blogging Tips to Reach Readers &amp; Impress Publishers&#8221; username=&#8221;LisaTener&#8221;]<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14319\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14319\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14319 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"niche audience for a blog: new moms\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_0949-640x427.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14319\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">New moms would be considered a niche audience (and, yes, this photo is a few years old)!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Blogging Tip #1: Pick a Niche Audience.<\/strong>\u00a0For your blog to support book sales, target your\u00a0blog posts to the people who will buy and read your book. In addition to considering what your readers are looking for, think about\u00a0specific age range,\u00a0gender, interests, values\u00a0and\/or\u00a0professions of your readers. Your tone, how technical or deep you go, and your examples should be appropriate to that target audience. Others will read your blog, too, but if you try to write for everyone, you&#8217;ll end up writing for no one!<\/p>\n<p>Some bloggers have success combining more than one interest\u2014food and writing, business and spirituality, yoga and cats. Such a dual approach can work to attract a niche readership, but it can also narrow your reach too much.\u00a0You can lose many readers if they\u2019re interested in your yoga posts but not your cat\u00a0posts. If you have many interests, try to tie back in\u00a0to the central interests of your readers.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-14317 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/google-300x125.jpg\" alt=\"Google\" width=\"300\" height=\"125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/google-300x125.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/google-150x63.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/google-100x42.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/google.jpg 348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Blogging Tip #<\/strong>2. Start Small and Experiment: <\/strong>You may have a longer term goal of blogging for a national news site or network. Starting with a blog on your own website allows you to\u00a0experiment to see what readers respond to, what questions they have and what types of posts do well in terms of sharing and engagement. Starting with your own blog will also:<\/p>\n<p>a) Develop content for your site, which helps your site be found in Google searches.<\/p>\n<p>b) Make your site more valuable and useful to visitors who may likely stick around longer and get to know you.<\/p>\n<p>c) Establish your writing ability and reliability for potential blogging sites . For reliability, post regularly, at least once every other week.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"line-height: 1.5;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-14320 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/PT.jpg\" alt=\"psychology today image\" width=\"144\" height=\"144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/PT.jpg 144w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/PT-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 144px) 100vw, 144px\" \/>Blogging Tip #<\/strong>3: Think Big. <\/strong>After experimenting with your own blog, set a goal for one or two larger forums to approach:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A\u00a0broad-based site, like\u00a0<span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">the <\/span><a style=\"line-height: 1.5;\" title=\"huffington post\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/author\/lisa-535\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Huffington Post<\/a><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">, <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">A more targeted site like\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"line-height: 1.5;\" title=\"WebMD blog\" href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/default.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WebMD<\/a>\u00a0(health information),\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/therapists.psychologytoday.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psychology Today<\/a>\u00a0(mental health information),\u00a0or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mindbodygreen.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MindBodyGreen <\/a>(wellness, alternative health and spirituality)<\/li>\n<li>A niche site, specific to your target audience, such as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.parenting.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parenting<\/a>\u00a0(for parents), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autismspeaks.org\/blog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Autism Speaks<\/a>\u00a0(for parents and caregivers of children with autism)\u00a0or The Yoga Blog (yoga).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-14318 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/huff-po-300x120.jpg\" alt=\"huff po \" width=\"300\" height=\"120\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/huff-po-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/huff-po-150x60.jpg 150w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/huff-po-100x40.jpg 100w, https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/huff-po.jpg 311w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Blogging Tip #4.<\/strong> <strong>Connect with Other Bloggers and Pay it Forward.<\/strong>\u00a0If you want to eventually write for the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/author\/lisa-535\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Huffington Post<\/a><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/default.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WebMD<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forbes<\/a>\u00a0<span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">or <\/span><a style=\"line-height: 1.5;\" title=\"psychology today blog \" href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psychology Today<\/a><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">, read posts from bloggers in your field. Subscribe to their column to\u00a0know when they post something new.\u00a0Comment thoughtfully. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">Spread the word about posts related to your expertise through social media. This way, you\u2019ll:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">a) Get a sense\u00a0of\u00a0the type\u00a0of posts that blog picks up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">b) Become part of a blogger&#8217;s community and begin to develop a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">c) Be\u00a0recognized as a trusted voice in your area of expertise. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5;\">If you&#8217;re quick to <a href=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/2017\/01\/a-big-leap-in-author-platform-victoria-dunckleys-big-breakthrough\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">comment on a blog post that goes viral<\/a>, \u00a0your comment (and accompanying link you share) may go\u00a0viral as well. This happened to Dr. Victoria Dunckley when she commented on a Huffington Post article I sent her.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Quick Tips<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Blogging Tip #5: Invite Blog Readers to Engage.<\/strong>\u00a0Old fashioned news is static. Blog posts allow interactivity and can generate valuable discussion. Take advantage of the full power of blogging by inviting readers to engage in the discussion.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-14321\" src=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/writing-color-225x300.jpeg\" alt=\"writing a blog\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" \/>Invite your blog readers\u00a0to share their experiences, posts their questions or offer their own opinions. In this way you develop a tribe<b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\">\u2014<\/span><\/b>an engaged community<b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\">\u2014<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\">and your author platform<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Blogging Tip #6: Make Sharing Easy.<\/strong> Include social share buttons at the top and bottom of your post! Consider adding <a href=\"https:\/\/clicktotweet.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">click to tweet <\/a>to your blog posts!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Blogging Tip #7: Go Easy on the Eyes.\u00a0<\/strong>Use images, white space, headers and short paragraphs to make it easy to read. Make sure your blog uses\u00a0a responsive design<b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\">\u2014<\/span><\/b>easy to read on any device.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Blogging Tip #8<\/strong>: <strong>Give Something \u00a0Away.<\/strong>\u00a0Offer\u00a0a free report at the end of a post. This can help you stay in touch with readers. It will\u00a0grow your mailing list (another author platform builder), as long as you require an email address and name to opt-in. For example,\u00a0<strong>Download My Free Report:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/5-must-knows-before-you-get-started-on-your-book\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><em>5 Must Knows Before You Get Started on Your Book<\/em><\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Your Turn<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Bloggers: <\/strong>Please share\u00a0the blogging tips and strategies that work for you. Detailed examples are welcome.<\/li>\n<li><strong>New Bloggers: <\/strong>What are your burning questions and biggest challenges?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Would-Be Bloggers:\u00a0<\/strong>Not blogging? What&#8217;s holding you back? What do you need to move forward?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tip:\u00a0Blogging Can Help You Reach Readers &amp;\u00a0Lead to a Book Deal! I&#8217;ve seen first hand what blogging can do for authors: My clients have been\u00a0approached by publishers and signed a book deal, because of their blog. Several clients\u00a0grew their following quickly\u2014from almost no followers to a significant &#8220;platform&#8221; worthy of a book deal. My website&#8230;<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/2016\/07\/8-blogging-tips-reach-readers-impress-publishers\/\"><em>&nbsp; Read more<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14319,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,1,167,42],"tags":[43,1074,1024,1843,1842,1841],"class_list":{"0":"post-14310","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-authors-platform","8":"category-more","9":"category-social-media-2","10":"category-writing-secrets","11":"tag-author-platform","12":"tag-blogging-benefits","13":"tag-blogging-tips","14":"tag-blogging-to-book-deal","15":"tag-blogging-to-grow-author-platform","16":"tag-blogging-to-reach-readers","17":"entry"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14310"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14310\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279011,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14310\/revisions\/279011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jodieburdette.net\/lisatener\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}