Judging from the comments section of yesterday’s post, it seems that we’re all in agreement that some sort of web presence is necessary for published and unpublished authors alike.
But how much of a web presence is ideal? How much time should an author be devoting to their site? And how much of a difference-maker is it?
I know authors who are incredibly busy, who have day jobs in addition to successful writing careers, and time for book promotion is markedly limited given that they also have to, you know, write books. So what should they be doing with the limited time they have to promote their books? Is blogging and/or working on a website the most effective use of that time?
And, ultimately, does blogging sell books? Are there authors out there who have made “the leap” because of their blog? Or do successful books drive successful blogs? Is the time it takes to build a successful blog worth it?
Really looking forward to this discussion.
Josephine Damian says
Donald Maass told me that it’s what between the book’s covers – the writing, the story itself – that sells books and nothing else, promotion-wise.
I blog to let agents know I’m here, what sort of books/projects I write and what my “platform” is.
Since you can’t (or shouldn’t) sell a book without an agent, that’s my motivation for blogging, to let agents know I’m here.
Will my blog(MySpace/CrimeSpace/Twitter) sell copies of my book if – when! – I have a book out? That remains to be seen. However, I’m glad I have those promotional vehicles in place in case they do enhance sales.
That said, the only thing that gets me to read a book is being grabbed on the first page. I’ve met a lot of cool, fun bloggers, but as friendly as I am with any blogger, unless they wow me on their first page, I won’t be reading their book.
I only read/look at author websites if I’m doing a write up about a book or an author – the website alone will not incite me to buy or read their book, nothing I learn about an author will make me want to read past the first page if the first page didn’t wow me.
Dan says
I think good ideas and writing drive both blogs and books – but the blog definitely grows easier because that’s the nature of the web, but blogging is easier than getting published. There are two things to keep in mind:
1.) Have a blog with regularly updated content (whether its weekly, daily, or whenever the author gets inspiration – so much as people know when to expect new things)
AND
2.) Getting to know other bloggers (because if you write a blog and no one reads it, it doesn’t make a sound). They’ll point to your blog (as many comments posted yesterday said).
###
A well-written blog with the help of a few fans/friends will grow in popularity on its own. Tucker Max is a good example of this – he became an internet celebrity based on his stories and turned them into a book and now a movie (regardless of whether or not you like him, his stories, or his writing style).
People read his stories in college and we pointed our friends to them – and they did the same – and suddenly there were more than a hundred thousand people linking to Tucker’s webpage/blog.
And you can do all this for free, or the price of a domain name.
julcree says
no and yes.
If a writer has a blog with a large audience of loyal readers, yes because the audience is built in.
If a writer has a blog with only a handful of regular readers, no.
December/Stacia says
If my blog readers are to be believed, my blog has definitely sold books. I don’t do a lot of outright promo on the blog because I’m simply not comfortable with it (and I believe an all-promo blog is a boring blog–same as an all-meme blog), but people find it, like it, and check out my books.
Of course they wouldn’t buy the book if it didn’t grab them, but they look for it because of the blog. It’s not the only effective promo tool at all, but it is an effective one. And for me it’s fun, which is the most important thing.
Adaora A. says
I honestly don’t find blogging takes up a lot of my time. I write, I go to school (full-time), I work in retail (part-time), and I maintain a social life. I do all of this, and blogging (and I have two which I maintain), take up 30 minutes or less of my time/day).
I did say yesterday that blogging does put you out there. It gives you an audience. People visit your blog because they like to read your posts and enjoy your insight into the buisness. If you were to publish a book right now Nathan, it would no doubt be a bestseller. The internet is an amazing thing. Blogging gives people a following. The people who visit my blog and comment are people who got a sense of my personality. They (hopefully), like what they read and they connect with it. That kind of thing is gold. People read my gibberish and comment on it, and anyone with the same kind of audience would hope (or imagine), that these are the people who would follow you when you first, second, and third book comes out.
150 says
I’ve bought books(and borrowed some from the library) because I knew the author from her blog. Probably a dozen times or more.
Kandis Burns says
I’m not convinced that a ‘blog necessarily sells books. I’m a big fan of Naomi Novik and find her livejournal to be rather charming– but it wouldn’t have gotten me hooked on the Temeraire series–nor, in fact, would the webpage for the series. The books themselves (and, horror of horrors, the cover art) did most of that. That said, a ‘blog certainly is a help– especially if one hasn’t yet earned his or her own wikipedia page– when it comes to letting a reader feel connected.
For those of us who are unpublished, the ‘blog is, maybe, a little more important as a source for encouragement and proof-readers.
Michelle Moran says
I’m not sure if my blog sells any books, since I simply use the Fair Use rule to post excerpts and links to articles about history from across the web, but I can say with certainty that my blog has led to extra publicity. After a casting agent saw my blog, he called me and I shot eight episodes for Fuse TV’s Ten Great Reasons. It was a silly show more interested about sexual escapades in history than the history itself, but it led to other opportunities, including a talk at a large book event.
So I guess I would say… it depends on the content of the blog. Mine has been extremely valuable, and you never know who will see it, read it, and decide they want to interview you. Blogs can be a lot more personal than websites since they are updated more often, and this fresh content leads to return visitors and possibly even more hits than the author’s website itself.
If an author has an idea for a blog which won’t grow stale for them (or readers), I think it can only be a bonus (so long as the author doesn’t embarrass him/herself or create drama in the publishing community on that blog).
Chatty Kelly says
I like to live in my happy place that some agent will stumble upon my blog and be SO impressed with my writing, that they engage me to write something for them.
It could happen you know.
Josephine Damian says
I think for a blog to be an effective sales tool, a first-time author needs to start blogging at least six months prior to book launch, and hit the blogosphere hard with regular, pithy posts in order to building up a large enough following come book launch day.
A lot of first-time authors wait too long to start blogging.
Adaora A. says
A blog is a web presence, a web presence means people who find themselves interested in your work can attempt to conact you. Web presence is advertising. People see you, your work, and it makes them remember you. They could automatically link you to their blogroll and people who read their stuff, are automatically connected to you. It’s a wonderful circle.
Josephine Damian says
Nothing turns me off faster to an author and their blog if their blog is all or mostly BSP about their book.
People read blogs for new, ever-changing, interesting, informative, entertaining content.
BUY MY BOOK!
BUY MY BOOK!
BUY MY BOOK!
is not interesting etc. blog content.
Laurel Amberdine says
I believe there was a good panel on this at the recent WorldCon. (I wasn’t there, but I heard it discussed.)
The consensus was that writers should spend time making their books awesome. Once you have an awesome book, then make sure people can find out about it… but until then, book-spiffing-time is going to pay off better.
(I just noticed the tab for your page truncates the title to say “Nathan Bransford – Lite” … where do get the full-calorie version? *g* )
Yvonne says
Here’s a extract from the Font Agency blog:
https://www.fontlitagency.com/blog
“As some of you know, Font recently ran a Virtual Book Tour (VBT) for Orna Ross’s first novel, Lovers’ Hollow. This book was published in 2006 and was higly successful, getting unanimously good reviews and reaching, and holding for weeks, a #2 slot in the bestseller lists (just below The Devil Wears Prada).
But, as happens with almost all first novels, activity had quietened in the year-and-a-half since publication. The VBT changed all that, as other bloggers featured Orna and her book on their blogs.
“I started receiving emails from readers all over the world who had bought the book on Amazon,” says Orna. “The VBT brought Lovers’ Hollow to readers who would never have heard of me or the book. I now have a long list of people who want to be informed when my new book, A Dance in Time, launches in September so they can buy it. It has been a real boost to Lovers’ Hollow and I will definitely organise another VBT for A Dance in Time.”
I heard about Orla Ross from several blogs that I read, (usually a question and answer session about writing in the comments section) and I’m sure I wouldn’t have heard of her if it wasn’t for these blogs featuring her novel.
Anonymous says
I’m sorry to say that more than once I’ve read a blog and decided against purchasing the authors’ books, because they sounded like such a ____.
(fill in the blank with whatever word you find appropriate.)
In addition, I’ve gone on a blog AFTER falling in love with an author’s book and was disappointed by the self-importance of that author. Now I can’t pick that book up without having to overcome that writer’s personality.
Also, I’ve found that clever writers can have blogs that are so well done, clever beyond clever… yet when you read their books you find that sort of “clever” really is just annoying when it’s presented in a 250 page book format.
(So… I’m with Josephine D. on this, I really just want the book.)
Dan says
Nathan,
Has YOUR blog led to signing a client?
If not, I’m sure numerous readers have at least been helped by your advice even if you didn’t sign them.
Nathan Bransford says
Dan-
Definitely. Here’s one success story.
ORION says
I asked this question to the readers of my blog- The answer seemed to be that a few more books are sold. It can’t be the exclusive reason for a blog. The real advantage for me has been accessibility to book clubs and foreign readers. While I agree with Josephine that a blog exclusively about an author’s book is not interesting to most readers – it does serve as a connection and outreach to other writers and authors.
I can’t post every day but I do post regularly – not so much as to get in the way of my “real” writing…
I think author Tess Gerritsen’s blog is a perfect example of great interaction.
A Paperback Writer says
I don’t know what’s true for the rest of the world, but here are my own personal results:
I’ve bought several books because they were reviewed on bookshelves of doom.
I bought more Neil Gaiman books because I liked his blog so much.
I stopped reading another YA author’s books and blog because she spent so much time on her blog criticizing school teachers who assign classics to be read.
I bought another new author’s book because I liked his blog, hated the book, will not buy another, but continue to read his blog.
So, my personal experience shows that blogs have an affect on me and my book buying. And I expect I am not alone in this.
Michelle Moran says
I agree, Orion. I really enjoy Tess’ blog.
Erik says
I think they can – if the blog is about the author’s motivations and stylistic influences. Some people want additional clues as to what the book is really about, and the blog can explain that. Free samples of shorter works probably help as well for the same reason.
I believe that the whole “author as celebrity” routine is desperately over-played, and if the blog is all about that I don’t think it’ll sell a copy. Self-indulgent people aren’t fun to read about, much less read their craft.
Polenth says
Blogging is a low time investment. You can fit it while you have a moment in the evening. It’s not like you’d be out book-signing or doing a radio interview in that time. And it does work, if the book is good. Loyal blog readers will buy books and blog about it. Their blog readers will buy the book and blog about it. It builds up.
Most of my recent book purchases have been from online recommendations. Some directly from the blogging author. Some from a person a few steps down the line. It does need to be a good blog though. I don’t like blogs that constantly talk about ‘buy my book’ and how many words they’ve written today. I do like blogs that have interesting posts. I also like an author’s website, with sample chapters and the like. I don’t want to have to dig through blog posts for that information.
Kimber An says
My opinion is based on my experience as a blogging book reviewer at enduringromance.blogspot.com
It really depends on the Author and Genre/Subgenre.
Some authors are great bloggers, like Patricia Wood. Some authors are good, but don’t have much time. They do well with group blogs. And some authors really should stay off the Web completely, except for a basic author’s website they have little to do with personally. They may be perfectly wonderful in person, but not have the talent for a web presence.
When it comes to marketing, authors really need to go where their audience is. For example, authors of any flavor of Science Fiction had better realize their readers are computer saavy and all over the Internet. They’d darn well better get themselves out there too! If they’re not so good at blogging, they should explore other options for making a love connection with their readers via the Internet.
RED STICK WRITER says
I would not buy a book solely on the basis of a blog or a website. After discovering a blog or a website that piques my interest, I will search for other information about the writer and works, including reading that ever important first page or few.
The big grab doesn’t necessarily have to absolutely be on the first page, though evidence of quality writing does, but I do like to like to experience whiplash early on. I like my entry into a suspense novel to simulate the back side of the first hill on a great rollercoaster.
That folks are kind enough to spend time on blogs and websites for the piquing is something for which I am grateful. Speaking of piquing, when is Nathan’s book coming out? More research.
Lapillus says
I think author blogs definitely help promote aspiring authors. I’m not very good at it myself but I certainly enjoy reading the blogs of other authors. I have found quite a few authors via their blogs and fully intend on purchasing their books once they are released (many are debut novels.)
Websites on the other hand have been more interesting to me on a post-read perspective. If I really like a book and am thirsting for more info on the book or author I always see if the author has a website.
intotheforest says
Maybe this is relevant: Yesterday I visited Kelly Gay’s blog because she posted the query on it for the book she has coming out next year. I was looking for examples of good query letters. I ended up bookmarking her blog so that I can keep an eye on things and know when the book comes out because it sounded so interesting. I’ve also visited other author’s blogs and decided to buy their books. I don’t decide to buy their books based on blog posts about other topics, but the blog can bring them to my attention so that I know they exist and then I look up what they’ve written and if it sounds interesting I’ll purchase it.
The thing is that walking into a bookstore can be kind of blind. It’s hard to find new authors that way, at least for me. On the other hand, if I stumble across the writer’s blog I can check their work out right there (assuming they talk about it or give links to places where I can learn more) and I’ve actually bought quite a few books based on websites and blogs that I wouldn’t have bought otherwise because I didn’t know they existed or they aren’t available in my local bookstore (a very small store with a limited selection).
Dave F. says
Sure a blog or website can help sell books. It’s like a networking site. The author has to talk up the book or get people interested in some way. I’ve bought books solely based on web chit-chat and recommendations. I have as much luck getting a book I enjoy as my browsing the bookstore.
Mary says
Because of everyone’s comments today and yesterday, I bit the bullet and started a website. So I hope that everyone’s right and it will help me find readers eventually.
I have a question for those who have been blogging for a long time-have you run into any problems from using your real name? I’ve read so much about protecting my identity on the internet, and it worries me to have content out there that’s not scrubbed of all identifying information. Does anyone regret having put all their information out there?
Scott says
I don’t think I’ve ever purchased a novel because of a blog, but I think I’ve bought at least one non-fic book partially because of a review on a blog. The book I’m thinking about was already on my want list, and a blog review pushed it over the edge into a must-have.
Not saying I wouldn’t check out a novel after reading about it in a blog, but I haven’t yet, and the blog itself isn’t likely to make me buy, although it might make me aware of the book’s existence.
A Web site, on the other hand, could be more influential. If, for example, I’m checking out the Web site of an author I recently discovered, and there’s a page listing her other books. I might buy one of them, if it looks interesting, and might even use the Web site to buy it, thinking that the author might see more of the money.
Scott says
Oh, and one other thing. I once had an editor contact me because of something she saw on my Web site. It was ultimately a rejection because the book was for a younger audience than what she was looking for, but in that particular case, it was helpful to have a site.
I understand that it’s rare for editors and agents to go out trolling for authors, but I know first hand it has happened at least once.
Anonymous says
I will not create the web promo machine (author website (myrealname.com), blog, myspace, facebook, tiwitter, tweeter, youtube, etc) until I have signed my first pub ocntract. Then I go. Until then I prefer to remain anon and focus on the writing and getting a deal.
Rebecca says
I’ve certainly bought and read a few books based on blogs I like, but only a few. Mostly it goes the other way around — I google an author and discover he or she blogs. But my opinion of the author’s blog definitely changes my opinion of the author’s other works, at least a little. One writer whose blog is all about his books with heavy overtones of “aren’t I awesome? look how many people have emailed me to tell me that!” I’ve grown really ambivalent towards. On the other hand, another writer whose books I was sort of so-so on turned out to have a charming, lovely blog; now I buy all of her books the day they’re released because I feel sort of like she’s my friend and I want to support her.
I worry for my own blog. I do a lot of media analysis and don’t try and hide my political biases within…I know that can be offputting, but then again, it also informs my writing a lot.
Tracy Madison says
As a debut author whose first book is being released in 2009, and someone who just began blogging this week, I read your post and all the comments with great interest.
I don’t know if author blogs help sell more books, but I think (in most cases) it can’t hurt. More to the point, it gives the author a place where they can connect with readers and writers, and can share their voice, ideas, and hopefully do a bit of entertaining.
Of course, I LOVE blogs. I have a list of them bookmarked I read everyday, and yes, there have been many times I’ve bought a book based on a blog.
Anonymous says
How about a separate website for the book itself (with fancy flash intro, and flash games basedon the book), and one for the author?> OVerkill?
Book trailers?
Erik says
I want to echo the point that blogging is a low-time commitment. I never take more than about 20 minutes to write an entry. Granted, that means there are horrible mistakes such as words that are used twice in the same sentence which shouldn’t be, but in the blog world that is forgiven.
If I did a real edit it might take me 30 minutes tops to do an entry. Your blog shouldn’t take any longer than that, which is to say you can do it while eating lunch.
Jessica says
Coming from a reader’s point of view, most author blogs are useless and pointless. I don’t want to hear all about their new book.
However, I am a faithful reader of Joshilyn Jackson’s blog. Because of it, I knew when her second and third books came out. And it definitely keeps her on my radar. But the reason I like her blog is because it’s a really good blog, plain and simple.
I don’t think an author should go about blogging unless they have something good to offer.
Anonymous says
The other reason I prefer to remain anon until I gave a deal is becasue I don’t want my real name coming up under goog searches about writing novels if I’m not published. OTherwise it just looks like an embarrasing hobby that might nmake prospective dayjob employers wonder about me.
So, pre-deal, I skip the web promo. POst-deal and pre-pub, I go into major web promo mode.
Heather says
I've bought books based on reader blogs. That's usually how I discover the author and his/her Web site/blog.
>For example, authors of any flavor of Science Fiction had better realize their readers are computer saavy and all over the Internet
Oh my gosh, that is *so* true! Heh heh. *waves to Kimber An*
Speaking of this topic, Smart Bitches has a great post about it right now as well.
Mary, no one can guarantee that using your real name will not result in any kind of problem/danger. That’s always going to be a risk. However, I’ve encountered more and more people using their real names so I think the risk is less than it might have been years ago. I also think setting limits and establishing clear boundaries can go a long way toward protecting yourself.
Stephen Parrish says
Maybe the question isn’t so much, “Is blogging effective?” but rather, “Will not blogging make me look out of the loop?”
Lupina says
I’ve been contacted by two different publishers who found me from my Web sites, and I received book assignments/contracts from each. They each also BOUGHT stuff I had posted on the sites and I had to remove the material. It can and does happen. I believe publishers with specific needs will go a’Googling for them like anyone else.
I did not spend a bundle on designers, either. My Web sites are made by moi, not flashy, but content-rich.
Elizabeth says
Do author blogs “work”? I think that depends on the author, the book, and the blog.
If an author has a boring blog, I’m going to assume they also have a boring book. Is that unfair? Probably. But if an author can’t keep my attention for 200 words, who’s to say she can keep it for 70,000 or more? There’s more to life than the tuna fish sammich you had for lunch or your hubby’s addiction to Activia. That’s all I’m saying.
I’ve bought several books after having found the author’s blog. I’ve also made sure to never buy certain authors ever again after reading their blogs.
If a blog is well-written and entertaining, no doubt I’ll have more interest in the product she’s trying to sell.
But if all she wants to do is whine about her publisher, her agent, her lack of sales, the negative review someone left on Amazon.com, etc, etc, etc, I’m gonna look the other way. Again, that’s probably unfair, but that’s how it is. Too much “woe am I” melodrama makes me think the author doesn’t take her job seriously. And if she doesn’t take it seriously, why should I?
Luc2 says
Personally, I have little time and even less inspiration when it comes to blogging. Writing a blog is different from writing a novel. My blog sucks, and better no blog than a bad blog. I’ll just focus on writing the best books I can.
Ameya says
Well, I know that Stephenie Meyer’s web presence definitely influenced me to get into her series. I friended her on myspace and scoured every inch of her site before I made the leap and started reading her stuff. I thought it was too cool that she was so web savvy (I’m showing my age there).
That kind of connection is important these days. I follow blogs of a lot of other YA authors, and every single one of them I hadn’t heard of until that blog, but then I found and read their stuff. So, for me, yes, it definitely does. Especially on the smaller authors who communicate with the fans on said sites. I have no problem reading a mediocre book by a blogger I like. I go to a bookstore and I library and the sheer volume of books i’ve never heard of can be intimidating so while the spines of their books might not stand out, those authors do, and I will be more willing to spend my time and money on them.
The Podler says
It all depends on how the blog is handled. And its worth remembering that posting the wrong thing on that blog could also cause people to stop buying that author’s books.
Perhaps if it is an adjunct to the books, giving more information relating to the book, then it may make sense, but who wants to read just random thoughts about the writer’s life? Added a new section to your house? Cool, but why should we be interested in that?
Erik says
Wanda, I want to echo how important it is to not treat your blog like a kind of diary. I think it is far better to not have a blog than to have one that has entry after entry reading something like, “Today I had the large latte at Starbuck’s” or whatever small thing was going on.
Narcissism doesn’t look good on anyone, but it’s especially bad when you’re trying to sell something we might call “intellectual property”. That generally requires intellect.
BTW, wanda, could you send me an e-mail? I’d like to chat and yours is anon. If you don’t mind being less anon, that is. Thanks.
Jen says
My experience as an unpublished author: I started a website a few years ago (back in 2004) because I wanted feedback on my writing from people who didn’t know me.
I found software that let me protect my novels, so that only those with validated accounts could read them (and so I could keep track of how many people were reading).
I’ve just recently started looking for an agent, but I can tell you that my website and the visitors who keep coming back are the ones who keep me writing.
There is no better feeling as an unpubbed writer than knowing I’ve hooked someone who has no reason to be nice to me, or encourage me in any way.
Today, I have a very active website, a great pack of beta readers, and over 1,000 fans in 17 different countries.
If I never see my books on a bookstore shelf, I’ll probably be a little disappointed. But knowing there are people in other countries talking about my characters…that’s pretty awesome in it’s own right!
Not to mention, there isn’t a single one of them who wouldn’t jump at the chance to be able to lie on their couch, the beach, or their bed with a paper copy of my books. And I can say that because I’m harassed, on regular occasion, to use a POD press and publish them myself. 🙂
So for me, having a website has been an amazing source of support and a hell of a lot of fun.
Sam Hranac says
Well said, Josephine Damian. To that, I would like to add that it’s kinda like fishing. A good book is the bait, so it comes first in attracting attention. The blog-sphere is the pond. (Man, I’m really reaching here – stay with me.) So you dangle your good book into the pond and sure enough, some fishy readers start nibbling. this activity increases interest, and soon more readers swim up to see what’s going on. Now you’re using your blog to increase sales on an existing book.
A good example of this is the Monster Blood blog (https://monsterbloodtattoo.blogspot.com/).
Kara says
For me the determining factor is – is it a good blog? If, as an author, you’re going to have a blog there’s no point in doing it half-heartedly. You can tell the difference between authors who have a blog because they ‘have to’ and those who actively use theirs to engage with their readers.
Two of my favourite authors have recently branched out into a new genre. It’s not one that I would ordinarily purchase, but because I enjoy their blog so much and, in a weird virtual way, feel like they are friends, I’ll be buying their new book. If it wasn’t for their blog and the great way that they engage their readers with it, I can confidently say I definitely wouldn’t be.
There are a lot of great authors out there, whose writing I enjoy equally. For me, a great blog, is one of the things that helps catapult some of those authors from the ‘will be nice to buy if I get around to it’ category up to the ‘am pre-ordering on Amazon so I get it as soon as its out’ few.
Because I don’t live in the States, I purchase a lot of my books on Amazon and don’t always have the opportunity to do the ‘first page’ test
So, if there is a debut author and I’m tossing up between buying their book or going with a ‘tried and true’ author, one of the first things I will do is Google that new author to see if they have a blog, and if so have a read. There are definitely a couple of new authors that I recently took a chance on simply because I enjoyed their blogging style.
Kara
sex scenes at starbucks says
One thing I’m not really seeing addressed here (I read half the comments, so apologies if I missed something) is that blogging is as much or more about “going calling” at other blogs as it is about writing pithy posts and sitting back waiting for adoration. The best bloggers (by which I mean: the most fun to read) are often the best at visiting.
Also, I simply can’t stand bloggers who don’t reply to their readers. I don’t mean reply to every single commenter, but sometimes drop in your own comment trail, for pete’s sake.
Nathan Bransford says
I’d like to second SS@S — good blogging is incredibly time-consuming, especially in the beginning. The networking, commenting, getting the word out, spending time writing something people will want to read…. all of that takes time, and it adds up fast. If someone is just dashing off blog posts they’re either already at a level where they don’t need to invest as much time anymore, or they’re not doing it right.