Is there anybody out there?

Hello
Is there anybody out there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?

(Roger Waters & David Gilmour, from Pink Floyd's The Wall)

Sometimes that's the way I feel about blogging.

I was amazed to realize, a few days ago, that Beyond Romance is more than six months old. I remember so clearly, debating whether I wanted to make the commitment to a personal blog. Now it has become part of my routine.

I don't regret starting the blog. It has given me the opportunity to meet dozens of new authors. I can offer some reciprocity when I guest on someone's site. And a few of my posts have generated a good deal of commentary.

Most of my posts, though--as well as many of my guests' posts--seem to go by completely unnoticed, at least if I judge from the comments. I'm gratified that the blog has more than fifty followers, but I don't know how often they actually come read the content. You know the old saying, "If a tree falls in the forest but there's nobody to hear, does it make a sound?"? That's the way I sometimes feel about this blog!

One problem, I suppose, is that I don't promote enough. Lately I've been trying to announce all my guests, but I feel kind of embarrassed posting messages on my groups for every single post. If people were interested, they'd come, right? I don't want to bug them. That's probably the wrong attitude. I guess if you want to be noticed in the crowded world of erotic romance, you have to take every opportunity to shout from the house tops. But that's so not me!

Still, if I look at my own behavior, I realize that the only time I go check a blog, other than the ones with which I'm personally involved, is when someone announces a post that sounds interesting. If I don't have the link to click on, I just won't make the effort. I suppose that other readers are the same way. (If I do read a post, I'll almost always comment--assuming that I have something to say, which is practically a foregone conclusion! I want the author to know I've visited.)

I'd love to know what readers think about this--if anyone is reading this post. Would you like to get a notice each time there's a new post? Or would this just seem like nagging? And if you would like notices, where would you expect them to show up? (on what lists?)

If anybody's out there, thanks for reading!

Blogging Protocol for the Newbie

By Barbara Edwards (Guest Blogger)

I took an on-line class about promotion and found I needed more to understand about blogging. I decided to list what I think it takes. So…

Are you nervous or new to using the 'Net for promotion? What’s the big deal? Ask a few people to be your guests, announce it on-line and let the people come. Hah!

If it were that easy, I’d be doing it with a wide audience of devoted fans. So I have given the method some consideration. Decide what you’ll blog about. Stick to one area or theme. Writing topics are wildly popular, as are guest interviews, not so much personal experiences. Since my book Ancient Awakening was released, I’ve been interviewed on a number of blogs and have strong opinions on the process.

Here’s what I’ve seen work:

1. Set-up a calendar you can live with. Blogging takes a commitment you need to fulfill to keep followers.

2. Decide if you will provide interview questions or have guests write on a chosen topic. Or both. Make it interesting to you. Readers can tell.

3. Ask for guests from various loops. Have a specific list of what you need from each guest. Live chat? Answers to comments? Announcements to her loops, family and friends?

4. When someone responds to your invitation, check her/his website. Specific questions raise interest and show you’ve done your research.

5. Schedule a date.

6. Send the questions. Ask for photo and/or cover.

This is where it gets sticky. The guest needs to respond in a timely manner so you can get the posting ready. If the post is not returned promptly, send a reminder. Check the text before you post it. I've been surprised at the number of misspelled words I've found or images I couldn’t open.

7. Send your blog address to your guest a week before posting. This can serve as a reminder, too. Suggest she write a cute invite or tell her what you intend to use. Remind her you expect answers to comments, promo, whatever.

8. The day before the guest appearance, send your promo to your guest so she can forward it to her contacts.

9. Post the blog. Send out your own promo. Remember to say thank you to your guest. Check the comments. A number are often aimed at the blog host, not the guest. I think it’s polite to respond to each one.

10. Keep a file. I didn’t do this and wish now that I had hard copies.

Do you have other recommendations? I’d love to know what others find helpful. Email me at barbara.edwards2@yahoo.com or visit my blog http://barbaraedwards.net/blog/blog.asp

Visit my website http://www.barbaraedwards.net

Ancient Awakening by Barbara Edwards

Paranormal, strong romantic elements, sensuous

Available from Wild Rose Press.

Blurb

Police Officer ‘Mel’ Petersen investigates a death only she believes is murder. By disobeying direct orders from the Rhodes End Chief, she risks her career to follow clues that twist in circles to her backyard and lead the killer to her.

Her neighbor Stephen Zoriak is a prime suspect. Steve worked for a major pharmaceutical company where he discovered a weapon so dangerous he destroyed the research. He was exposed to a dangerous organism. He suspects he is the killer and agrees to help her find the truth.

In the course of their investigation Mel and Steve find the real killer and a love that defies death.

Excerpt

Legend gave him many names, but the wide halls of his mountain retreat no longer echoed with countless worshipers. He could have ruled the world had his ambition not died with the passage of time. The endless whispers were from the cold winds and the few praying priests. He didn’t care that he couldn’t remember his real name or birthplace.

For an eon he’d regretted the loss of softer emotions. Love had been the first feeling to die, along with the woman who had insisted he would never harm her. He couldn’t recall her features just the merry tinkle of her laughter and the bright smile she had greeted him with every morning. He licked his lips. She’d tasted sweet.

Fierce need flared in his gut and he sniffed the air. Outside his chamber a single acolyte in long brown robes waited to escort him. His mouth curved with a mirthless smile. The silent servants had ignited the flickering wall torches. Shadows jumped and shivered in the drafty halls like nervous virgins.