We are presenting a panel called How To Organize a Successful Group Blog and Connect With Readers.
We decided to post our presentation outline here for our participants and for anyone else who wants to know what we know *g*
In the case that you can't be with us in person, or you are here in person and want to ask us a question but don't get a chance, please post it here in the comments! We'll answer everything asap! Or something. *g*
I. How We Got Started
* Why we did it
* How we did it
* Decisions to be made
II. Chemistry
* You can't plan chemistry
*What we have in common
* Benefits of working as a TEAM - Together We Achieve More
III. Group Projects
* Bonding
* Group Promo
* Supporting one another
* Picking a project
IV. Guest Bloggers
• Why you want them
• Where to find them
V. Pros and Cons
• Group participation - some might, some might not
• Real life often intervenes and you have to deal with it
• You don't have to do it all by yourself
VI. Reader Perspective
Hi girls!
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed your panel yesterday at RT. Yall were so much fun and had everyone laughing,and I picked up some good tips about group blogging that I'm going to take back to my group.
Thanks for a great panel!
Sandy
*sigh* Thanks for sharing a little bit of the experience with us at home! Woot! I'll bet that panel was awesome!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.I hope everyone is having a great time at RT.
ReplyDeleteShould you start a group blog with writers in the same genre? Are you worried about competing with them for the same contracts?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of time committment should you be prepared to make for a successful group blog?
I enjoyed your post. I hope everyone is a fun at RT.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sandy! Thanks for coming to the panel yesterday-- we had a good time too! :)
ReplyDeleteKog, thanks for the question. Kelly and I are going to try to answer :)
Regarding all blog members being in the same genre-- there are pros and cons. Obviously, we chose to go with a variety. That allows cross-promotion and perhaps new audiences to find new authors. It also adds variety to our blog topics and giveaways, etc.
For us we represent contemporary, erotic romance and paranormal. Many of us write more than one genre anyway, so if someone is is looking for paranormal romance they have more than one option with us, and so on.
As far as competition-- Kelly and I can only answer for ourselves (and maybe the other girls will chime in) but neither of us look at it that way at all. We're all actively working (some of us with more than one publisher). If we don't have something coming out it's not because someone else got the contract instead, it's simply because we don't have anything submitted right now *g*. And as for sharing or competing for readers, I think it's *more* likely that a reader who likes one of us will try the others rather than less likely. I don't think readers stop reading an author just because they found another one. I think they just keep adding to their TBR pile! *g* At least, that's what I do!
I'd love to know what the other girls think. Also, what do you readers think?
Great questions! Thanks!
Erin (and Kelly)
Your panel was fun and gave me a lot to think about. However I think I'd rather join an established group blog than try to start one up from scratch. It seems like a very smart way to pool your resources and accomplish a lot.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, all the Naughties there were a hoot. Sounds like you guys have a blast.
Crap, I meant to post that from my Bonnie Dee account. The comment above is from me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for including me in on the panel I had a great time and I hope that to see more group blogs :)
ReplyDeleteDawn, you were the reader on the panel, right? If so, it was a great idea having you there! I love to hear what readers think.
ReplyDelete