One of the most common questions I get from authors is, “What should I blog about?” Blogging is recommended as one of the best marketing tactics out there, but many writers are unsure of how to make it work for them. In the hopes I can help somebody out there, I decided I would put together a list of 8 topics to blog about for authors.
If you are still unsure if you should even start a blog, check out my last post here.
1. Reviews of books and movies in your genre
As a writer, you probably read a lot. Sharing your thoughts on the books you read and the movies you watch are great ways to connect with readers who would be interested in reading your book.
It is also a great way to encourage feedback. Everybody likes to have their voice heard. Asking for their opinion after reading your review gives them the perfect excuse to leave a comment.
2. Interviews
Interviewing other authors can help you build your writing community, as well as reach new readers. However, you can also interview people related to your books that are not writers.
For instance, if you are writing crime novels, an interview with a police officer could shed light on the investigative process your readers might find interesting. If you write fantasy, you can interview a local college professor who teaches a class on myths and legends.
3. How-tos
Some people think that newbie writers shouldn’t write advice-driven posts, but we all have something to teach others.
Maybe you were a social media manager before you started writing. You could write several ‘how-to’ articles on building your social media platform. (ahem, sound familiar? It’s what I do). Or maybe you are a project manager. You could write posts on time management or productivity.
Even if you just started writing, you have something you can teach your audience. Just try to find a creative way to apply it to your ideal readers.
4. Curated lists
These are some of my most popular posts. They provide outbound links, which are great for SEO purposes and help you network with the people who own the products you link to.
With so much noise on the internet, they attract readers since they can find all the information they are looking for in one place. These types of posts can vary. One post can be “The 10 Best Fantasy Books for Kids”. Another could be “Reading Accessories Ever Bookworm Must Have!”
Since you can create a list on just about every topic, this strategy works great for fiction and nonfiction authors.
5. Behind-the-Scenes/Personal Journal
This is how blogging originally gained popularity over the last twenty years. Stories about your personal life and day-to-day routine can give your readers an insight to who you are as a person, not just as a writer.
There is a reason that tabloid magazines remain so popular. People find the lives of those they see on television, or who wrote their favorite book, fascinating. Publishing these kinds of posts gives you writing practice and it helps you connect with your readers on a human level.
6. Where you get your inspiration
For these posts, you can write about where your inspiration comes from. Say you are getting ready for a book launch and want to drum up some excitement.
You can write a character sketch or talk about the world you created. Who are the people your audience will be reading about in your book? What inspired you to create THIS world? Why did you base your story on Norse mythology or Chinese culture?
CHECK OUT THE WRITER’S PLANNER BY QUILL AND TOME!
Get the planner and organize your life and your writing!What you can find inside:
- Plenty of writing space in a vertical layout
- Undated weekly and monthly pages you can start using any day of the year
- Reading and Writing Trackers
- Writing Tips
- and so much more!
7. Your Research
To piggyback off of the previous idea, you could also blog about your research. How is it going? Did you travel anywhere or take any pictures?
Some of the information you learn in your research will not make it into your book, so write a blog post on it or a series of blog posts.
8. What are you reading, watching, or writing?
This one is a little different than the Personal Journal idea in that it can be considered more of a ‘fan-girl’ post.
For instance, I love Harry Potter. I grew up reading the books and I reread/re-watch them every so often. Now, every time I post about Harry Potter, the other thousands of readers who also grew up with Harry Potter will be able to relate.
This tactic can be used with every book, movie, TV show. You name it. There are other people out there that like the same things you do.
Final Thoughts
The idea of blogging, specifically for authors, is to connect with your ideal readers. Make them see you are not just a name. You are a real person who has hobbies and interests just like they do.
People are much more likely to buy a book (or any product for that matter) from somebody they can relate to than a stranger.
Over to You
Hopefully, you found this helpful!
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Do you have any topics to blog about for authors to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!
