I’ve been trying to defang the prospect of blogging for beginners. Are you considering starting a blog? Or picking up a blog again? People always ask me:

1. Do I have to?
2. What should I write about?

I address both those questions in this week’s blog! I’ve blogged quite a bit about blogging lately, so if you’re intending to start an author’s blog, this is a good “rabbit hole” for you! Dive in!

1. Do I have to? Why should authors blog?

Blogging is a place to hone your voice, be yourself and gather fans and followers — who eventually might be interested in reading more from you — i.e. your book. There are a few reasons people read blogs, so like any good writer, you must keep your audience in mind. Why read a blog?

• It’s entertaining
• It’s useful, helpful information
• It’s inspiring
• They read it and feel seen

What’s the other big reason to write a blog?

Most traditional publishers will look for a “platform” of followers and fans when they determine which books to publish. It doesn’t seem fair, and yet, here we are. A blog and an email list are the easiest way to “collect” people who care about you, and would, actually, be interested if you were to publish a book.

If you intend to publish yourself, that is all the more reason to have a platform! You need to reach people and entice them to read your book, without the benefit of bookstores, promotions and shelving.