How a Fiction Writer Can Attract Book Buyers with a Blog

Self promotion is as important to fiction writers as it is to any other business person. Unless you have sold your soul to the muses and have attracted the attention of a world-class agent with a publicist in his back pocket, you will have to promote your fiction. One of the most effective ways a fiction writer can attract book buyers is with an online blog. Next to the author's website, a blog provides marketing and networking opportunities more expansive than most can get, or afford, on their own.

Attract Book Buyers with a Blog - Setting up the Blog

While having the blog platform directly on your own writer's website is ideal, using a companion blog on any of the blogging services such as blogger or livejournal is also useful. These blogs can take advantage of the community features to attract more attention to your fiction work.

Like all online marketing methods, building a fiction writer's blog should be done with an eye for style and usability. Make sure the blog's template matches your website, or at least the theme of your writing. Horror writers can get black and red, romance authors might like pink flowers.

Attract Book Buyers with a Blog - What to Include on Your Blog

Blogs designed to attract book buyers should be updated regularly. The last thing you want to do is put up an advertisement for your book and then forget about the blog. Blogs are meant to be interactive venues where the creator and the public can interact. Updating your fiction writer's blog once or twice per week is ideal.

Of course, you must mention your book on your blog. Hawk it at the end of every post if you want to, but don't let the advertising get in the way of the interesting stuff. You want to create a relationship with potential book buyers. They will come back and buy your book, and any others you publish down the road.

Post about your book, your characters, and your current projects. Let the blog visitors know if you have been published in any magazines or ezines. Include blurbs or reviews about books you are currently reading and invite discussion. Talk about your favorite coffee, writing websites, and books on the craft.