A few weeks ago I wondered whether an already practicing author blogger should start an additional blog using Amazon's blogging feature.
Over the last few weeks I've come to this simple realization: Amazon blogs serve a very different purpose than your author blog on typepad, wordpress, or any other blogging service. Here's why (almost) every author should blog at Amazon:
It's a chance to talk to your customers in your own words at the point they're making their purchase decision.
Think about that power. You can't simultaneously stand in every one of the thousand plus Barnes and Noble and Borders stores and other retailers 24x7 on the off chance that a customer will come in and want to hear what you have to say about your book.
So specifically:
- Don't like the descriptive copy on Amazon (which is so hard to change) that your editor and the marketing dept wrote? Describe the book in your own words in a blog entry.
- Disagree with a reviewer? Write a polite post that explains why people should buy the book in spite of a poor review or two?
- Technical authors, write an occasional mini-article post on something new or neat that isn't the book, give the readers a little freebie to prove your worth.
If you already blog, this will be a lot different than your usual blog. Use it for a different purpose. Don't expect it to have the same "conversational" feel as a blog does. Although readers can post comments, don't expect too many. You won't post every day, maybe not even every week.
Now, why do I say "almost" every author should blog on Amazon? If you have anger management issues, are confrontational, or are going to dispute every negative review on Amazon, blogging there will do you more harm than good so don't do it.
Richard York continues to use his Amazon blog very well.I'm sure there are many other good examples but his comes to mind first.
Everyone else, go sign up now!
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