A decade ago, blogging was a relatively new concept. Authors who jumped in grabbed a hold of the marketshare and never let go. Blogging was the hottest new thing.
Fast forward to 2013. Just about every author is told to start blogging when their book is released (or earlier). But does it have the same value that it used to?
I argue that it’s still worth an author’s time. After all, how are people going to learn about an author and his/her book if he or she doesn’t post regular blog entries about topics in the news related to the book’s subject matter. Sure, you can do something similar via Facebook/Twitter, but come on … you’re a writer. You need a place to … you know … write.
But not everyone agrees with me. In fact, I just read an article this morning by L.L. Barkat about why blogging is a waste of time for authors. Here’s an excerpt:
Does this mean I would recommend that everyone stop blogging? No. I encourage new bloggers, just the way I always have. It’s an excellent way to find expression, discipline, and experience. But if writers already have experience, and they are authors trying to promote themselves and their work, I tell them to steer clear. If they’ve already found themselves sucked into the blogging vortex, I suggest they might want to give it up and begin writing for larger platforms that don’t require reciprocity (an exhausting aspect to blogging and a big drain on the writer’s energy and time).
Someone will disagree with me and point to a case like best-selling author Ann Voskamp, and I will point them back to the facts. Yes, Voskamp made it big largely because of the power of her blogging platform, but she had the power of being first. Before blogging was a “thing,” Voskamp was already blogging quietly and steadily in 2003. Before blog networks came of age, she was writing for one of the few women’s sites that also had the power of being first. Time cannot be turned back. Few authors can make of themselves what Voskamp did—not for lack of talent but for lack of timing and sheer cyber-longevity.
Sure, he has a point. Blogging isn’t what it used to be. But is it time to give it up? I’m not sure I would quite go that far yet.
What do you think? Is it time for authors to quit blogging? Tell us your thoughts!