After a number of false starts, several muttered imprecations, one call to customer support, and some advice about HTML language from my wife, I've completed the revamp of my blog site. I'm not yet satisfied with the particular template and color (I just changed that, and I think I'll keep this one), but I had to "upgrade" to a newer version of Blogger in order to add some features a few of my loyal followers had been strongly suggesting I include. Now, you may notice, you can sign up to get this blog on a variety of RSS feeds (and I'm not sure I fully understand how that works, but it does) and can even leave your email address so I can send you what I'm hoping will be an occasional newsletter with announcements, writing tips, and maybe even an offer of a freebie or two. Now we'll see if it's all been worth it.The question has come up as to whether a website is even necessary if there's already a blog. Oh, the conventional wisdom remains that "every writer should have a website." I have one--it's been up for years, and we've updated it a few times--but most of my time is spent on this blog. Kay is working on the last few tweaks to completely revamp the website, but life and other obligations continue to slow that project down. I think the blog and website accomplish two different things. The website gives you a bit more in-depth information about the owner and (if he's an author) his books and speaking. The blog is more personal and changes more frequently. My plan is to continue both, but I'd be interested to hear your take on the subject.
As for what you'll get if you leave your email address in the space provided in the sidebar, let me assure you that what you won't get is spam. That part of the site is managed by a company that sends me the list but promises solemnly that the addresses will never be shared with anyone else, and other users have been happy with their performance.
For now, feeling as though I've tangled with this monster long enough, I plan to sit back and stop tinkering. Let me know if you think my efforts were worth it.
Posts
2 comments:
I definitely feel that an author should have a website and a blog, if they choose. Though a blog is updated more frequently and gives you more insight to a writer's every day life, a website is good for general questions, particularly about your writing. When readers want to know more about your books, they'll go straight to your website. If they want information about future releases or are simply curious about you, they will look for you in a general location, such as a website (or at your specific address if they know it). And then you can link to your blog from there for readers who are interested in knowing more about you.
I rarely go to author websites because most of them don't keep them up. Blogs are my first choice because they're generally kept current.
As a writer, I've debated the use of a website, but when my name is googled, my blog is listed and has plenty of information on it. For now, blogs win for me.
Post a Comment