Blogging – What’s the Point?

2012/November by Marji Laine 28 Comments

I’ve been hearing lately that blogging has little effect on a writer’s career. Really? Because when I started this journey, the first few media gurus I encountered insisted that a regular blog was essential.

Hmm.

Now, I’m hearing from authors with thousands of followers on their blogs intimating that all of that work doesn’t really help much. (Jody Hedlund is one – her article is here!)

I’m rather torn about this topic because I really enjoy blogging. I love connecting with folks and I love having an avenue to share insights and glean interesting viewpoints from others. But do blogs sell books? That’s not a question I can answer. Jody certainly has more experience than I do on the subject.

But I bought her first two books because of her blog. I don’t think I would have given them a second glance if not for the introduction she gave them. Not because they aren’t good – they ARE! But they aren’t in the genre I usually read. In fact, as I look at my Nook (what I used when I first started this writing journey) I see several books there that I purchased due to hype on a blog. Sandra Bricker, Elizabeth Goddard, Julie Lessman, and Mary Beth Whalen all received at least one sale due to a blog entry.

Again, not that the books aren’t good. Some of these authors have become favorites, but besides Elizabeth Goddard, who happens to write romantic suspense, I doubt I would have even noticed these gals’ books otherwise.

That said, though, I don’t read blogs as often or with the dedication that I had in the beginning of my career. So I am indeed of two minds on the subject.

Your turn: Where do you fall? How often do you blog or read other blogs?