Yes, BLOG! What New Authors Need To Know About Building A Platform

Occasionally a new author will write me with a question or problem and I’ll answer it here so we can all learn.

Dear Dan,

I went to a writers’ conference last weekend (which was kind of intimidating) but I learned a lot about writing technique and learned some things about myself. I’m not a good self-promoter. I’m kind of quiet, actually; but one thing they recommended was a blog and/or website. I never had a good impression of blogs because I never thought people would be interested in things like, “I got up and made myself coffee.”

Sincerely,

Blogless Beginner

Dear Blogless,

Not a good self promoter? A little on the quiet side?

Sounds like you’re an author all right!

Let me tell you a secret. MOST people aren’t good self-promoters. There are very few Donald Trumps in the world – he wrote a few books, you know.

(We recently discussed building an author platform HERE, HERE, and HERE)

The folks at the conference who recommended you have a blog or website probably believe a blog is a good platform from which to build a fan base – and they may be right – but you don’t have to do one. If blogging is a chore, it’ll read like a chore, and nobody will want to read it, a lose-lose.

But some blogs are fun to read. Like this one!

My blog has started to become a good one in the last year or so, after I figured out what I was doing. It’s supposed to be helpful and lots of people think it is. I also like to promote other authors and so far that’s worked pretty good for them, too. So anything I can do to help, let me know.

A visual representation of my blog, year 1

(You know what would be good for you to do? But boring? I mean BORING? Go to my archives and see the progression of what I blogged about 3 years ago and what I blog about now. Which posts got comments and which didn’t. Talk about an education! There’s 2 years saved right there!)

There are a lot of ways to do a blog, almost none of them wrong, but you’d never know that from reading people’s complaints about how nobody reads their blog.

And you’re right, nobody wants to read about boring stuff, but think about it: some construction worker somewhere doesn’t want to read about writing and how to do better dialog. But somewhere else, a bunch of nurses would love to share their funny nursing stories – and a bunch of nurses might like reading that, as well as a bunch of other people. (There’s more but this is a start.)

What interests you will be interesting to others, trust me. It’s a chicken-egg thing, but if you blog with enthusiasm about what interests you, people will find it, enjoy it, and tell friends.

REBLOG me! Or SHARE this post on Facebook and Twitter! See those little buttons down below? Put on your glasses. There they are. Click them. The FOLLOW button is now in the lower right hand corner.

Got a QUESTION? ASK IT! Hit the Contact Me button and I’ll see what I can do. (I have lots of smart friends.)

Dan Alatorre is the author of several bestsellers and the hilarious upcoming novel “Poggibonsi: an italian misadventure.” Click HERE to check out his other works.

Published by Dan Alatorre AUTHOR

International bestselling author Dan Alatorre has 17 titles published in over a dozen languages. From Romance in Poggibonsi to action and adventure in the sci-fi thriller The Navigators, to comedies like Night Of The Colonoscopy: A Horror Story (Sort Of) and the heartwarming and humorous anecdotes about parenting in the popular Savvy Stories series, his knack for surprising audiences and making you laugh or cry - or hang onto the edge of your seat - has been enjoyed by audiences around the world. And you are guaranteed to get a page turner every time. “That’s my style,” Dan says. “Grab you on page one and then send you on a roller coaster ride, regardless of the story or genre.” Readers agree, making his string of #1 bestsellers popular across the globe. He will make you chuckle or shed tears, sometimes on the same page. His novels always contain twists and turns, and his nonfiction will stay in your heart forever. Dan resides in the Tampa area with his wife and daughter. You can find him blogging away almost every day on www.DanAlatorre or watch his hilarious YouTube show every week Writers Off Task With Friends. Dan’s marketing book 25 eBook Marketing Tips You Wish You Knew has been a valuable tool for new authors (it’s free if you subscribe to his newsletter) and his dedication to helping other authors is evident in his helpful blog. View more posts

22 thoughts on “Yes, BLOG! What New Authors Need To Know About Building A Platform”

Self-promotion is the WORST thing about being an author. And, for the record – your blog is very helpful indeed, Dan.

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Dan Alatorre AUTHOR says:

November 23, 2015 at 5:13 pm

It’s difficult for most writer-types. (And thanks for the kind words.)

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Reblogged this on The GUNDERSTONE review.

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Dan Alatorre AUTHOR says:

November 23, 2015 at 5:13 pm

Thanks! I hope your readers enjoy it!

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I started a blog because I thought I should have one. I soon discovered I love blogging. It’s a great way to practice writing, share ideas and I’ve found people out there a supportive of the trial and error period. Thanks for the article today.

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Dan Alatorre AUTHOR says:

November 23, 2015 at 5:14 pm

I’d say that probably describes me. If I go a few days without posting a blog I get the shakes. Thanks for the kind words.

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I started on WordPress years ago. What a great way to get your feet wet! It’s free and you can build some awesome connections. I moved to a self hosted site (weebly.com) and build an author’s website. Very cool to see how it’s developing. Twitter is, remarkably, key to its success. So, listen to Dan. Blog what you enjoy! The rest will happen when you’re ready.
Cheers!
Sue

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Dan Alatorre AUTHOR says:

November 23, 2015 at 5:15 pm

Sue, we should talk. I need some education on what flies in a YA story.

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1. Sue, the YA Author says:
  
  November 23, 2015 at 5:18 pm
  
  Absolutely. Happy to do so. What’s best for you? Email?
  
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  1. Dan Alatorre AUTHOR says:
    
    November 23, 2015 at 5:51 pm
    
    Email or Facebook chat, whichever you prefer. You can use the Contact Me button to get things started, then we can trade contact information. Thanks!
    
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    1. Sue, the YA Author says:
      
      November 23, 2015 at 6:17 pm
      
      Sent you a friend request on Facebook.
      
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Brilliant advice like always, Dan!

PS: I’m running a two sentence story challenge over at my blog. Wanna join? ^_^

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Dan Alatorre AUTHOR says:

November 23, 2015 at 4:42 pm

Thank you. You’re too kind.

Of course I’ll help out with a two sentence challenge. Even I have time for two sentences.

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