Bloggers often use their blog as a stepping stone to freelance writing, or publishing a book (including ebooks). Let’s listen as Lorelle ( of Lorelle on WordPress) shares what the publishing process has taught her.
7) Many writers/bloggers want to use their blogs to promote their books or turn their blogs into books. As a published author, do you have any tips on this?
Yeah, don’t do as I did. 😀 I’d been working on a variety of books on blogging and WordPress from different angles when I was approached to publish a collection of blog posts on blogging in a small booklet for the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers Conference (SOBCon) in 2007. Within four weeks (one week at the printer), the idea went from previously published articles in a photocopied booklet to original content in a published book. The last three days, the page count went from 50 to 100 to 250 to 200 to 75 to 100 and then I called it quits. I had less than a day to get it edited, proofed, and to the printer. I made the deadline, but three weeks is not enough time to do a book right and I live with the gaffs in the book, awaiting the second printing, which should be coming soon.
I’ve self-published before, and worked with publishers and editors, and have worked as an editor over the years, so trust me when I say, don’t do as I did. This was nuts, but I’m really proud of the book.
The book continues to do very well and I’m so thrilled with the positive response. We’re working on the ebook version and will, unfortunately, be raising the price of the book very soon due to the same reasons everything else is going up: Shipping costs due to fuel prices. So buy it now. 😉
Many of my blogging friends have published books, audio books, and ebooks, and blogging does go hand in hand with traditional publishing. However, like any good project it must start with a plan and a clear definition of your target audience. Then you can use the power of your blog and social networking to market the book, but only if you know who will buy and go after them.
Technically, the size of the book is dependent upon the medium upon which it is published. About 100 pages is good for a typical technical book – not text book. Text books, books like the Dummies and Idiot Guide style of books, will naturally be longer due to the inclusion of screen shots and long lists of tips and resources.
An ebook in PDF format ranges from 25-150 pages. Going beyond 60 pages is risky – and rarely read – though some published works are successful at the higher page count as more and more people become comfortable with reading books on their computers and hand-held devices. Other ebook formats, especially those for handheld computers, can be longer as they have software that can make reading longer lengths easier.
There are many sites offering tips and guides on self-publishing as well as professional publishing, so I won’t echo their advice here, but I want to briefly address the issue of turning your blog into a book.
You can plan a book and write a blog based upon that plan, but the order of the posts will be in chronological order – as you publish them. There are a variety of ways to change this order, which defines the normal “start at the beginning” book reading format, but don’t. The first post in a blog is the most recently published, not the beginning of the book. Think of it as the people wanting to read the “latest chapter.” On the site map or table of contents Page, you can list the posts in their preferred reading order, but don’t manipulate the natural chronological function of the blog.
This also works for you in using the blog to promote the book after it has been published, since people will naturally read the first post on the blog and get the latest news information.
There are online programs that will convert your blog into a book format, but I recommend that serious writers copy and paste their book into a word processing program as they go or afterwards, and edit it before publishing. This gives the author a second chance to clean up the writing, add links and references, play with the structure and order of the blog post/chapters, and clean up the formatting to ensure the best readability and organization of the content.
Don’t expect your readership to buy your book if they’ve been tracking your blog for a while. Building an online community and fan base on your blog without giving them added incentive to buy the book is pointless They’ve already read your stuff for free, why should they pay? Consider your book a gateway to a new audience, beyond your blog, and use your blog to promote your book. Get your fan-base to help you promote it. Build upon their loyalty.
On A Personal Note
Having read Blogging Tips, by Lorelle, I thought, “Oh, how I wish I had access to this valuable information when I started (and continue) to blog.” It would have saved me hours of frustration and online searching.
The creation of “Books I Recommend” (in my sidebar) is a perfect place to include a link to Lorelle’s book. (This is not an affiliate link). Book reviews of this, and other blogging books, will soon follow.
Today’s Assignment
As a blogger, would you like to see your writings published (other than on your blog)? In a book? As a freelance writer? Other?
Have you written an ebook? If so, how was it received?
Do you often purchase books written by other bloggers?
If so, which would you recommend?
Photo Credit: Lorelle’s Logo
Hi Ricardo,
Is this a book you share with the readers of your blog? If so, I’d love to know more about it.
Hi Al,
Who better than a published author to ask, hey? I love Lorelle’s answers, too, and how she described how NOT to do it. She has stressed “planning” in all aspects of blogging, and holding true to her beliefs, planning appears to be the key to a good ebook, as well.
Hi Ricardo,
Sounds fascinating, I’d love to read it.
Thanks for the heads up on ChrisBrogan.com. I’ll check it out.
Hi Scott,
I’ve seen the same buzz about Liz’s book. Hers is the next on my list. Tim’s book sounds good too.
Is that another nonblogger term you just made up: urlless? It’s a good one. 🙂 At least we now can find you on Twitter (one day soon, I’ll have to sign up, too)
Incidentally, I did put together an e-book (though it was more of a collaborative piece with several authors)… It was a very small project/endeavor that I put together so there was no fancy design or anything like that… Anyway, I was surprised to hear some of the responses that I received!
All in all, it was A LOT of fun to put together >> nerve-racking once I hit published >> and satisfying to hear that people enjoyed it. I’d definitely do it again!
Hi Barbara – this was a great topic to cover, and I really enjoyed Lorelle’s answers. I feel like a broken record at this point with the compliments, but yet again I really got a lot out of this post, particularly about the promotion of ebooks.
Up to this point I’ve mainly read free e-books. I’d be interested to see what paid e-books people recommend.
Al at 7P’s last blog post..Do You Know What You Don’t Know?
How about this, I’ll dig it up and send it over after I make some editing touches? It was a piece that I shared when I was authoring a former blog of mine. It was directed at people blogging to market their service.
With respect to reading other e-books, I can’t say that I’ve purchased any. But I’m a pretty big fan of some of the e-books offered on Chris Brogan’s blog at ChrisBrogan.com There are some REALLY great reads there!
I like the idea of extending the reach of both your writing and blog by way of an ebook. It’s like a complementary spin-off.
I won Tim Brownson’s ebook in a competition and his perspective on life and life coaching is a good read.
Liz Strauss’ recent ebook on building a blog community has been creating a positive buzz lately, so I’m going to check it out too.
(PS You’ll see I’ve put in a url along with my name above- it’s my Twitter profile. I felt a little naked travelling the blogosphere url-less! 🙂
Barbara:
When I started my blog, my intention was to turn it into a book, but a year and a half later the book wasn’t written and I realized the information in the proposed book would work much better as a series of email-based workshops.
I’m now about to launch the first of 3 workshops, with an accompanying e-book based on the “Someday Lessons” I give at the bottom of each post.
So, yeah, I’ve used the content of my blog to create two (and will be four) new products, that will enhance (I think) the blog itself.
We’ll see how things go once I’ve actually launched the workshop (of course building customers for that will take a while, so I won’t make any snap decisions).
Cheers,
Alex
Alex Fayle’s last blog post..Expanding Tastes
Good morning, I would love to see my work published, but I have stopped working on all the books I was writing and I’m just focused on blogging….which is why I would like to turn my blog into a book. It could make for good casual or bathroom reading?? I have written an ebook and gave it away for free, people liked it and emailed it on to their friends, nothing to do with blogging. No I don’t purchase books by bloggers…probably because I haven’t come across one that I would want to purchase. I go to the library for most of my books. Will check out L’s book though, hey you never know.
I would like to have something published someday, but I’m more interested in writing childen’s books. For now I’m enjoying writing the blog and writing articles for the new online magazine Root and Sprout. I have not read many books by other bloggers.
I bought some e-books but they are not worth recommending. Isn’t it awesome how anyone can publish and that you don’t have to go through major publishers?
Modern tech…you gotta love it.
I just want to write, write, write. I want to write for my wife, my children, and myself. I absolutely plan to use my blog as a platform for all the projects I have in development. Right now, I have a stack of children’s books sitting on an agent’s desk. The agency accepts only five clients per year. They have told me that they are “seriously considering my work.” But even if they accept me, I can only put out one to two things a year. That’s not enough. I’d rather make less money, do it myself, and keep stoking my fire. We live in a new world where everyone has access. We don’t have to wait for a publisher to grace us with a yes. If we build something of quality, we will also build an audience.
I think John is absolutely correct when he says that blog writing and book/novel writing are two completely different animals. (And I think ebook writing is yet another animal.)
A couple of times now I’ve started writing a post, and then realized that I had way too many ideas to fit into a single post, or even a series of posts; it had to be an ebook. I haven’t written these particular ebooks yet, but I know that writing them will be very different from just writing collections of posts. Likewise, I’m sure that writing a book is very different from writing an ebook.
By the way, has anyone had problems upgrading to WordPress 2.6? I upgraded last night and experienced a heart-stopping moment when I wasn’t able to log in afterwards. I did a search and found some potential workarounds, and luckily the first one worked (clearing my cookies).
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Randy And His Wonderful Pauschisms
Hi Ricardo,
I got your email. I’ll be reading your book real soon. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Alex,
Welcome to the BWAB community! What a great idea – E-mail based workshops in conjunction with an ebook.
I visited your blog and love your “someday lessons”. I’ll be by later to leave a comment or two.
Hi Natural,
Hey, I didn’t know you wrote an ebook. Care to share it with us? If it’s anything like your blog, I know it would be a great read.
Hi Debbie,
That’s a great way to get your name out there – writing for Root and Sprout. By the way, did anything ever transpire from the offer you had from the NY best selling author deal?
Hi Chris,
Oh yes! Self publishing is amazing. Based on what Lorelle said, it does take planning, but with some hard work, an ebook could be a great way to promote a blog and author, plus make money.
Hi Writer Dad,
What a great attitude. I totally agree with your words, ” If we build something of quality, we will also build an audience.”
Hi John,
A Star Trek novel? Who knew? Do you think you’ll ever revive it and maybe turn it into an ebook?
I’ve heard of the two books you mentioned (Aaron Wall and Darren Rowse). Those are other great examples of bloggers who turned part of their blogs into books.
I think your real estate investing series, as well as your other idea for businesses would make great ebooks. Although the information can be found online, often it’s nice to have it all in one place.
Me? I’m contemplating writing an ebook on wood recycling as it something we did for six years, and possibly doing something with my lessons & assignments. Both need a lot more planning, research and preparation (and I need time) before I would release them.
Hi Mark,
You’re welcome! With you being an artist, your art and blog posts would make for a very enjoyable read/look see.
Hello Smiling JEMi,
It is SO great to see you here again. (((hugs & smiles))). Having read your blog from the beginning, I can definitely see how you would have success in the world of being a published author. You go girl. 🙂
Hi Davina,
Yes, as bloggers, we’re writers (duh!), so transitioning into other published work, often becomes “the next step”. That’s pretty cool how at 12 your writings got noticed.
Hi Hunter,
Having written ebooks, you’re already well versed in the world of ebook publishing. Turning post ideas into ebooks is a great way to release your work as “one”. Knowing what will work for an ebook, and what won’t, is part of the battle.
RE: Upgrading to WordPress 2.6. That’s not something I’ve done yet, but not being able to log into our blogs would be “heart stopping”. Thanks for sharing what worked for you.
I think it’s important for bloggers wishing to write a book based off of their blog to note that blog writing and book/novel writing are two completely different animals.
Years ago I wrote a Star Trek novel (yup, I admit it – I like Star Trek). I never got around to publishing it but had learned a lot about writing a novel. So make sure if you plan to write a book based off of articles on your blog, you know what you’re doing.
There are 2 books I still need to read which other bloggers have released: SEO Book by Aaron Wall and Problogger by Darren Rowse. I just haven’t gotten around to reading them yet.
I’ve been thinking of turning my real estate investing series of blog posts into an eBook. I’m not sure if it’s really worth any money? I dunno, what do you think?
Also, we are about to introduce some great articles on incorporation, protecting your assets, living trusts, etc. and I think one day it’ll make for a great book. So I’m thinking…
What about you, Barbara? Any thoughts on a book of your own?
Fantastically helpful advice. Thank you Barbara and Lorelle. I’m thinking about publishing my blog posts in a book eventually – so I appreciate this wisdom very much.
Hey Barbara 🙂
Wow I have some catching up to do! I am a fan of Lorelle’s site so it was a pleasant surprise to see this here!
To answer your questions – I would love to see my writings in a book one day. Absolutely.
I haven’t written an e-book but I’ve read writings from other bloggers (go Tim Brownson woo-hoo!) and actually plan to do more of that.
Yes I would like to be published in a book or as a freelancer. Ever since I was about 10 I dreamed of writing a book. Nothing has been published yet, although I wrote an essay once that attracted the attention of a newspaper columnist who wanted to meet me. That was exciting for 12-year-old. I hadn’t planned on publishing my blog, but it may spark a larger future project.
Barbara,
Sadly, I never followed through on it. I did visit his site and read about it, but I could just never get motivated to do it. In addition, it was more a situation where he wanted people to interview and he would write the stories. In the end, I don’t think it was really something I wanted to do. I am still looking for writing work, though. Today I applied for a local job for an article writer. Sounds intersting. I hope something comes out of that.
@ Barbara – no, I’ll probably never revisit my novel. Not only am I not interested in doing so, but the storyline has gone in a different direction on TV.
It all does take a lot of planning and work (aside from everything else we are doing), doesn’t it.
Hi Barbara:
I don’t see a book emerging from one bag nation. Even if the topic were book-worthy, I don’t know that I have the focus or discipline to write a book!
That being said, I think the subject of my new blog might be book-worthy. If so, I’ll have to find a way to get it done.
I’d love to read reviews of blogging books (check your email, we’re on the same page again) and I’d love to read YOUR ebook!!
Hi Barbara: Yes, I want to turn my blog posts into a book, thank you asking Lorelle questions on this topic. If you have lots of useful information in your blog I think even long-time readers would want to purchase it so that they can have all of the information in one place.
@Hunter: You’re the third person I’ve heard about who’s had problems when upgrading to wordpress 2.6, now I don’t want to do it.
Since I spend so much time writing online, I don’t feel the need to publish a “real world” book for now.
Instead I’d like to possibly speak or consult in my blog topic’s field, because I’ve realized how important it is to stay balanced in my life with online and offline activities, which these added actions could supply.
I haven’t read any bloggers’ books yet, but Lorelle’s, Liz’s and Darren’s would be the first on my list. Followed by Barbara’s yet-to-be-written one, of course! 😉
As I travel, it’s easiest to tell people “I’m a writer” in response to the famous question, “What do you do?” They always assume I’m a published book author and tell me that they always wanted to write a book. Usually about their lives.
A lot of people think they have led uncommon lives. While many have, most haven’t. But it’s nice to think that they think so. 😀 However, the difference between someone with a story to tell and a book to write is the presentation. If there is a book worth writing, and they have the writing skills, it will be written. If there is a book worth writing, and they don’t have the skills, it may never be written. If they have money or fame enough, someone can be hired to write it. But most stories go untold – until blogging. 😀
Writing a book is similar but very different from writing a blog. A blog is timely – and incomplete. When you sit down to have a conversation with someone, you don’t tell them the WHOLE story and all the history and facts associated with every event. You start somewhere, questions come up, ideas and information is exchanged, and there is a flow to the story being told. A blog is that kind of communications medium. I start a conversation and the comments are as important to the content as my start. It’s hard to convert that into a book format directly.
Which is why I tell bloggers that the “convert your blog into a book” tools become a lot of work in reality. It’s better to take the content, incorporate the comments, and create a book in the traditional sense of a book, rather than duplicate the blog content exactly. The background story must be fleshed out.
What I didn’t share in our initial conversation, Barbara, is that I’ve been reading ebooks for over five years on my hand held computer. It’s an old Palm T and I use the Tiny Book Reader (TBR) program with automatic scrolling. I love it and am totally lost without it. It goes with me everywhere. I’ve read hundreds of books on it and now when I go back to a real book, it’s a miserable experience.
I just wish I could find a way to convert pdf files to TBR format. SIGH.
I started using it to read work-related technical information and found it so easy to use. I could read it in bed without the light on as the Palm computer has a backlight. I could control the speed of the scroll to exactly the speed I needed, slower for technical stuff, faster for reading for pleasure, and my husband didn’t have to wake up every time I turned a page. My husband likes it for that and the fact that he can now sleep in darkness undisturbed if I can’t put the book down. It soon replaced normal books for me. I love it.
I also think it is really lame that there isn’t a good book reader program for cell phones and iPhones and the equivalent. It’s so easy!
I thought I would never move away from a printed book. I’m a major book junkie and most of the boxes in my storage are filled with books that I long to see and feel and dive into. But reading on the plane, waiting for the plane, traveling, in bed, at conferences (when bored), and everywhere is a whole lot easier with my handheld computer. I’m eager for ebooks to gain popularity.
I told Writer Dad that I don’t have a book in me and he said “sure you do”. 🙂
But I agree with John: writing a blog is VERY different than writing a book. I’m having fun with my blog, but I’m not so sure I would have fun writing a book.
For now, I’m sticking with writing and reading blogs. 🙂
Hi John,
Thanks for coming back and answering my questions. Yes, writing a book would take tons of work.
Hi Ann,
You’ve piqued my interest. Another blog? I checked my email and replied. My ebook? Please be VERY patient! 🙂
Hi Debbie,
I wondered what happened to that “offer”. If your heart’s not in it, it’s best not to get involved. I do hope you get the job you applied for. I’m sure you’ll keep us all updated on your blog.
Hi Marelisa,
You’re welcome! I agree, it’s great when we can have everything in one spot (and not buried in the archives of a blog)
Hi Linda Abbit,
That’s a great idea; to use your blogging as a stepping stone to speaking. You’re right, it would not only give you another use for your blog topics, but would also get you in the midst of people in the real world.
I’m happy to hear I’d have a couple of readers for my (future) book. 🙂
Hi Lorelle,
I love when you come and visit and leave a comment. It’s like a bonus post as you share such valuable information with the BWAB community.
I like how you suggest to take our blog posts PLUS the comments to create “pages” in a book. Since comments add so much value, the book itself, would also be different than just reading a persons blog.
Your Palm T and Tiny Book Reader sounds awesome. With the amount of time you travel, it must come in very handy (plus take up less space). What a great way to get your reading in.
Hi Vered,
Does that make you wonder if you DO have a book in you? Based on your blog posts, you know you have the ability to keep us coming back for more. 🙂
Hi Barbara,
I printed off my blog entries from last year and had them bound. This is something I plan on doing every year. I will always have them. I don’t think too many people would be interested in reading a hard copy of my blog though, so I will just keep it to myself.
My goal is to get a novel published within the next four years. Maybe I am just old school, I don’t know, but I want a traditional big time publisher to put out some of my work. I am working towards that goal in baby steps right now. But I am working at it.
As a blogger, would you like to see your writings published (other than on your blog)? In a book? As a freelance writer? Other?
I’m sure all bloggers would like to see their writings converted into a real book, however I’m also sure that most of them are not really fond of all the work it takes 😉 Would I like to see my writings turned published, sure!
Have you written an ebook? If so, how was it received? Not yet, but judging by my skills, not too well 🙂
Do you often purchase books written by other bloggers? No, I feel more comfortable just reading their blogs.
If so, which would you recommend? Killer Domains by Daniel Scocco from dailyblogtips.com was an excellent read, definitely recommend it! (by the way, I didn’t buy it, got it as a gift) 🙂
I’ve been working on a couple book projects. Lorelle gave some good advice. Don’t expect your blog readers to buy your book. I actually was thinking that would happen, but she’s right. They just want free stuff. The book is meant to reach new people.
Another great nugget!
I think the blog platform is an extraordinarily interesting medium, and quite different to any other. I have written quite a few children’s non-fiction books, and so am very familiar with the process of writing and production – to be able to simply write something, publish it, and then interact with the readers, all within a few days, is amazing! To make all the decisions yourself is also amazing.
Hi Karl,
Yes, that is a great nugget. Although some of our community members may buy our book(s), we need to target a wider audience.
Hi Chase,
I have no doubt you’ll meet that goal Chase, and I do understand you wanting a traditional book, instead of an ebook. Although ebooks will become more popular, a hard covered book is more tangible.
Hi Rajaie,
Never underestimate your skills. Although your age (14) can be a disadvantage, just think of how many years you have over the rest of us.
Thank you for the recommendation.
Hi Evelyn,
That would be exciting to see you write a book on personal development. You blog would make the perfect stepping stone. Please do keep us posted when you get it written. 🙂
Hi Robin,
I didn’t know you were an author of children’s non-fiction books. How exciting! That is amazing how online publishing/blogging works, isn’t it. It’s instantaneous!
Hey Barbara, thanks for doing this series. I am learning quite a fair bit. Today’s post is no exception. I’d be interested to write a book on personal development one day but at this point, I don’t know where to start. Hence any prelimnary info is great!
I think that the appeal in a book or ebook lies in the fact that the gist of what is being shared on a site is distilled down. I am one who likes to go over stuff that is important. So I like the idea of reading short clips on a website and also carrying a book around with me, while waiting for my girls’ classes to end.
Thanks for sharing,
Evelyn
Until I really started blogging, and found that people (real people, not family and friends *grin*) really enjoyed my style it never occured to me to freelance. However, this has certainly become part of my thought processes. However, it is part of an overall business plan (doesn’t pay as well as my current 9-5 job!), so am taking the time to ‘do it right’ so to speak.
Hi Urban Panther,
Yes, we do want to “do it right” (or would that be “do it write”? 🙂 ) As Lorelle has reiterated throughout this interview, we need to plan. Without a solid plan, we could easily fall on our face. I’d say you’re on the right track.
We never know where our blogging will take us. Just remember to enjoy the journey.
Barbara,
I would love to write a book some day. However, I don’t think that my books is going to be about the same subject as my blog. I have many varied interests…raw foods just happens to have been the thing I have chosen to blog about over the last 2 years, mostly because that was what I was dabbling in right then.
I don’t know what I’m going to write about yet. So I’m slowly figuring it out as I grow and mature. 😀 But yeah, someday when I grow up I’d like to be a writer!
Hi Sara with an “h”
Haha. I hate to tell you this, but you’re a writer already. And a good one, at that. 🙂
Hi Lorelle,
Based on what you said about procrastination justification, I see I have a time “issue”. Would I love to blog full time? Oh Yeah! Can I? Not at this time. Will I someday? Definitely!
You are so right! There is a lot of “meat” in the comments to this series. Myself, I am using them to extract ideas for future blog posts. They’ve taught me lots, and from what I’ve learned, I will share.
Good catch, Barbara! Yes, bloggers are writers, as are commenters.
Those who can write business letters are also writers. Those who write personal letters to friends and family to bring them up to date on the news are writers. Anyone who can connect more than a few sentences together coherently can be a writer. The difference comes with the word “publish” which is why WordPress uses that word on their Write Post Panel. Click it to send your blog post to the WORLD.
Once your writing is public, everything changes.
Writing, like so many things, looks much easier from the outside than from the inside. While working on an article early in our lives together, my husband learned a valuable lesson when a 5 person interview article I was working on got cut from 5,000 words to 1,500. You do the math. That’s 300 words each. It was an indepth cover story on these 5 photographers who specialize in photographing wildlife and nature in Africa. That’s barely enough words to describe what they do let alone their equipment, their tips, and special techniques for photographing and leading tours in a war torn and really wild place.
After two days without sleep slicing and dicing words off every page in agony, he said, “I hated writing. All those years at university, all the papers I had to write – 1,000 words due on Thursday on blah blah – I used to wonder how professional writers do it. How do they come up with all those words. Now, I know the secret. It’s not how many words you come up with. It’s how many you take away that really matters.”
He was so right in so many ways. Editing is the magic in good writing.
As I read through all these comments, I hope everyone rereads them. In fact, I hope they go back to ALL the comments on all the posts within this series.
Do you see all the excuses? Do you see the procrastination justification?
Yet, do you see the possibilities. Do you see the hope?
The great thing about bloggers is that they love to rip and tear things apart, but they love to create. It’s the magic of ripping and building in the process of creation that makes blogging so much fun. I love the truths that are coming out in all these discussions. Wonderful.
Oh, this is so much fun!