On one of my other group blogs, I saw a guest post recently where the author wrote a couple of lackluster paragraphs that were basically an excuse to introduce her book cover and blurb. I started reading and immediately glazed over.
Needless to say, I never got to the cover or blurb.
There’s lots of discussions among writers debating if blogging is “worth it.” As in, does it raise the author’s profile, gain readers, sell books, etc. Some say yes. Some say blogging is dead.
I contend that blog posts work when they’re done well and are worthless when done poorly. So – even as I’m intensely aware that this very blog post could be considered flawed – I’m offering a list of common blogging sins I, and a few other people, have noticed.
I’d love to hear about any you think I missed!
Write a Post that’s Thinly Disguised Book Promo
This is the one that set me off. If you’re slapping a couple of intro paragraphs onto your buy links, just… don’t. We can go to Amazon for that.
Write Walls of Text
You know what I mean. You click on the link and the solid onslaught of text is so intimidating that you simply close the window again. No one has time for that.
Expound on the Them of “All Writers Should…”
No, no, no. There are no one-solution-fits-all rules. Maybe it feels informative, but really you’re just dispensing bad advice. People won’t come back for that.
Dispense Advice You Clearly Don’t Follow
One friend mentioned a prominent writer who frequently posts about the importance of editing – and then puts out books full of errors. People notice these things.
What else have you all noticed?
Finding a good balance of interesting posts is a challenge, that’s for sure. I struggle with that too. Hosting a weekly guest author helps a lot.
One blogger I liked to follow has changed her blog to nothing but book reviews and giveaways. She no longer posts about writing or the writing life, and those are the things I really like to see. It’s what helps us connect with the blogger on a more personal level and in the areas that interest me most. I also like to see humor on a blog once in a while. Some folks take themselves way too seriously.
Thanks for the comment, Patricia! For some reason I didn’t get the notice… alas. Really good point about reviews vs writing life stuff. And humor! totally agree!