Making the Rounds on Blogs

Debra reflects on posting comments on blogs.

There are a lot of blogs out there. I myself am involved in three of them on a weekly basis. The past couple of weeks I've been making the rounds to two others as I'm participating in some special promotions. I was at KMN Books for the First Kiss event earlier this month, and today I'm over at Heart of Romance with Sarah Hoss. All of this blog hopping is keeping me pretty busy, let me tell you.

I always have to wonder, though, whether it does any good. I often bemoan the fact that I get very few comments when I post blogs or visit other blogs. Although, truth-be-told, it doesn't really surprise me. I used to be much better at commenting on blog posts by other authors. However, as time seems to become more and more precious these days, I usually forgo making these comments most days. And if I'm not leaving comments on other blogs, why in the world should I expect them to leave comments on mine?

If I'm guesting at a blog I'll make the effort to visit for a week or so before and after my post to support other authors. And if I'm involved in a special promotion, such as those above, I'll leave comments for the fellow participants on their days. It's not that I don't want to be supportive of other authors, it's just the system seems to be inundated with blogs. And the same people visit these blogs all the time. And most of the people visiting are other authors, who probably have just as little time as I have to leave comments and such.
It all comes down to the age old desire to reach readers. Sure authors are readers, too, but, an author's first priority is writing, not reading, so telling other authors about new releases maybe isn't the best audience. I'm sure there are blogs out there dedicated to readers. I'd sure love to find a bunch of them. Or specialty blogs. For example, my latest book features a bull rider. Now getting the word out to rodeo people would probably get me somewhere.

I'm thinking this might make a good summer research project.

For those of you who have a 'following' on your blogs, do you tend to see more readers or more fellow authors? And in what way do you find your followers support you?

I'm just curious here as I try to figure out what works for me.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com