The awesome co-hosts for the December 3 posting of the IWSG will be T. Drecker from Kidbits, Eva E. Solar at Lilicasplace, and Patsy Collins!
"To Blog or Not to Blog...Is Anyone Reading?"
by Donna McDine
From early on in my writing career I have read about the importance of building one's platform through various methods with blogging being an essential part of those efforts. The central focus of my blog is the children's publishing world, whether it be about my journey or that of my colleagues.
Overall, I am Snoopy dance
I am in awe of fellow bloggers who achieve high comment numbers and often wonder how they do it.
I know one of the key parts is commenting on other blogs, which I need to get back into the groove of doing. As of late, I've been focusing more on my W-I-P than surfing blogs and commenting. It's definitely a balance I'm striving for, but without finishing my W-I-P what's the point of blogging in the first place?
If you visited and read this far, I'd like your advice on how to engage and promote one's blog.
Be sure to leave your blog URL so I can visit and comment at your blog.
Thanks a bunch for visiting and hopefully commenting.
Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author
Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!
Connect with Donna McDine on Google+
A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review
Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Farvorite Five Star Review
The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist
I had to cut back on the amount of time I spent on Blogger. I used to blog two or three days minimum. Now, I'm lucky if I post once a week. I was just losing so much time to keep it all balanced. I don't know how Alex does it - he's the master!
ReplyDeleteHappy ISWG Day!
Elsie
Hi Elsie,
DeleteI hear you on losing time and keeping it balanced. My goal for the new year is to find that balance.
Best,
Donna
Visiting other blogs does help a lot - it reminds people you're there. Posting regularly is also important. If I visit a blog that hasn't been updated for a while I probably won't comment as I doubt it'll be seen. Putting links on Facebook/twitter can help too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and offering up your tips, much appreciated!
DeleteIt's hard to write and keep up online but I do tend to comment regularly on people who comment on mine. My blog is: http://dewdropsofink.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteMakes sense. Thanks for your tip!
DeleteMy blog is basically reviews and does not do well in membership Donna, but I do get comments. I don't know why exactly, except that maybe others are in mind of giving support to their fellow writers/ authors. Asking questions may very well provoke a comment.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I like the idea of asking questions. Sounds like a good way to engage. Thanks!
DeleteI too began in 2007, have had various blogs in that time.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy blogging!
DeleteI'm not really sure how to build more comments on a blog--I've been wondering the same thing. I'm happy with my regulars, though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and lending your support, much appreciated!
DeleteTerrific post, Donna, and great comments thus far. I wish I knew the answer as need to build followers myself. Having said that, my consistency in posting is iffy at best. I'm also striving for that balance but agree with you that writing is of utmost importance and the rest feels for naught if one isn't producing stories/articles/books, etc. So back to that WIP, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWe talk of this often and yep, I'm working on my WIP!
DeleteHi Donna,
ReplyDeleteI also need to visit more blogs. My problem, like many others, is time. I work for an independent bookstore as a supervisor and content creator. I'm also a mystery writer with my own social media.
I love IWSG day for the excuse it gives me to read and comment on other writers hopes, fears and opinions. It's like poking around other artists work areas in their offices/homes without having to leave my couch. Exploring other peoples blogs is fun for me. (Love your layout BTW)
The problem is finding the time. Right now I'm trying to get my blog post written *before* the first Wednesday of the month so that I can free up more time to relax and visit other blogs.
Thems my two cents.
Cheers!
Adrienne
I too enjoy the comforts of blog surfing from home. You certainly have your plate full. Good luck!
DeleteCommenting on other blogs definitely helps because most people will reciprocate. You can also promote your blog on Twitter (using hashtags like #amwriting, #MondayBlogs, and #wwwblogs) and other places like Shewrites and Google + (in groups for writers). Good luck with your WIP and good luck with your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the valuable tips and encouragement, much appreciated!
DeleteTime is always an issue for me. In the past I went through periods where I spent hours and hours commenting and visiting blogs to the detriment of my works-in-progress. I've had to put aside a set amount of time to do social media, only after I have completed my daily word count. I feel far less stressed about finding balance than I did a year ago.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely makes the most sense to work on the writing first then everything else. Glad you are far less stressed and have found the balance.
DeleteWith blogs it's all about reciprocal interaction. As you said, if you want more comments, then you have to spend the time on commenting on other blogs. My question is, what is the true value of having many comments? Because there's a high cost, which is time. Time you could be spending writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and sharing your advice. I agree with you. I must go with work on the writing first then everything else.
DeleteI always wonder too about the lack of comments when there are a lot of visitors. Time, like others have mentioned, may be part of the problem. Or, like me, sometimes I read a blog and want to comment but am busy at the moment and think I'll go back later. Well, my memory's terrible and I often forget.
ReplyDeleteTime is definitely part of the problem. There are so many aspects to a writing career and balancing them all is definitely a juggling act!
DeleteI recommend using clones, and lots of them.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, while I do comment on a lot of blogs (you don't want to know how many a day) I think involvement has a lot to do with it. You joined the IWSG, which is good - look at all the comments!
LOL...you always make me laugh! I like referring them to as Oompha Loopha's. Yes, definitely involvement. IWSG is terrific!
DeleteI'd take Alex's advice any day.
ReplyDeleteThere is no easy answer.
Heather
Thanks for stopping, I appreciate your support!
DeleteComments sigh... I also love comments, but I'm not sure what the magic answer is. Like you said, I do think that when you comment on someone else's blog they are more likely to visit and leave a comment on your post. That's usually how I decide which blog to comment on now--when I first started blogging, I just looked at and read anything that struck me and would almost always leave a comment. But it just seems like it's harder nowadays. Hope you have a great one!
ReplyDeleteNinja Girl
I try my absolute best to always comment back on a fellow visitor comments. Terrific way of engaging and making new friends!
DeleteI hear you. Maintaining a blog has its ups and downs. When I first started one, I didn't know how others had so many visitors and comments. Still, I continue for the love of it.
ReplyDeleteFollowed you, by the way. It's lovely to meet you through IWSG.
Thanks SittieCates...I appreciate your follow. I'm hoping on over to your blog now! Lovely to meet you too!
DeleteDonna, I have trouble finding the balance. I'm only posting once a week on one of my blogs and sporadically on the other one. I don't always have time to visit as many blogs as I'd like to. All you can do is the best you can do.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started blogging I was posting 4-5 times per week. On the average I'm 1-2 times per week. I like that... all you can do is the best you can do. Thanks!
DeleteI've been spending more time writing than blogging for over a year. I realized the only way to get more comments is to give more and blog hops seem to inspire me. So that's all I've do these days. Luckily, there are plenty to chose from.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on blog hops. Have a great weekend!
DeleteLove this post, Donna! I started blogging a couple of years ago...had no comments. Then I visited other blogs and commented on theirs and...voila...I started getting comments. But it is something that builds slowly and you MUST keep it up. My problem was that I was spending so much time, I had no time for writing children's books...which is the dream I am pursuing. I'm hoping that in the new year, I'll have more time since I'll be done with classes. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's what my problem has been, spending my time on visiting blogs and before I know it the done has gotten away from me. I'm striving to do my writing first then everything else. Hope your classes went well!
Delete