Would You Like to Guest Blog? - AuthorCynthiaHerron.com

Blogging.

When I started seven years ago, I blogged to encourage, uplift, and express ideas.

I blogged to connect with others, build a platform, and hone my writing skills.

Now, seven-hundred and eighty-eight blog posts later (and that doesn’t include guest blogs), I’m still blogging, learning, and growing. Here are a few of my favorite blog posts. Scroll down the page and peruse at your leisure.

From time to time, I’ve blogged about writing, social media, and time management. Since there are bloggers and experts solely dedicated to that sort of thing, I focus on snippets of life, the Ozarks, and motivational vignettes—all with a heartfelt, homespun appeal.

I’ve made some schedule adjustments. For instance—initially, I blogged five times per week (fun, but exhausting), and then, I hit a comfortable stride with three posts per week, which I did for a few more years.

As my writing focus shifted and I concentrated more on my works-in-progress, I downsized even further to two days per week.

For the past year, I’ve posted once a week.

Here’s why. As social media venues continue to limit our reach and manipulate algorithms, authors’ blogs are ours. We own them and control them. Posting at least once a week maintains visibility and availability to those we love—our readers.

Blogging on a regular basis also prompts Google to crawl our websites and search for new content (thereby bumping us up in search engines).

Still, you may ask, with regard to blogging, what other things should authors consider? Should authors even blog at all?

It’s a personal decision. There’s no right or wrong, but your blog is a very important part of your promo package.

Your website and blog represent you, your brand, your books, and your connection to the outside world.

While blogging itself has undergone a bit of a metamorphosis, my personal brand and blogging style have remained unchanged. Though sometimes we chat about difficult things, I always want my readers to leave a little lighter and less stressed than when they initially stop by.

Our words–our blogs (our thoughts)—carry power. We share stories. We inspire. We change lives. And yes—we sell books—to share stories, inspire, and change lives.

I’ll admit, in light of today’s current climate, knowing what to blog about is somewhat of a balancing act. While I don’t stick my head in the sand and ignore world events and pertinent topics, I do choose to see the glass half-full and stress the positive.

Too, another consideration concerning my blog is my personal work. What I just mentioned—books. I write novels. And I need time to write them.

To that end, my writing must come first. In fact, my début novel—the first in a three-book series—releases July 2019. I shared more in-depth about that in my last newsletter, but if you missed those details, stay tuned for more fun tidbits in the near future. Not a member of my newsletter family yet? Join here or in the upper right-hand sidebar. We’d love to have you! (And when you subscribe, be sure and click on the confirmation links that arrive in your inbox. This also applies when subscribing to my blog, and this very important step completes the sign-up process.)

All this to say—I’ve met a new “busy.”

But I also love blogging and connecting with readers here.

To maintain my once-a-week posting schedule, I’ve decided to branch out. To invite others—possibly, you—to weigh in.

Which leads me to ask, would YOU like to guest blog?

If so, please touch base via my contact page and let’s chat!

Here’s some info:

Posts should be 500-800 words in length.

Posts can be an inspirational story—serious or humorous—with an uplifting takeaway.

Posts might also detail your path to publication, a lesson learned, or milestones reached.

If you have an upcoming (book) release, please share!

A giveaway is helpful, but not necessary.

An author bio and headshot interests readers.

No, you don’t have to be an author to guest-blog.

Guest blogs must be submitted a week in advance of post date.

Guest blog slots will be available for several months. After that, I’ll re-evaluate. Right now, it’s a win-win for everyone. I get additional time to write and my guests meet new friends!

Interested? Let me know!

And note—I’m a down-home, unpretentious gal. Come early. Stay late. Wear your PJs…or not. (Just don’t tell my readers.) 😉

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