RSS 101: Why Would I Want This on My Blog?

When you're marketing your book, you're not only competing with other authors, you're competing with other forms of entertainment, including on the Internet. If you put together an engaging, witty blog that gives people a taste of your work, you might get them once, even if they like what they see.


If you give them an easy way to know when there's new content, you might get them much more often. That readership is a way for you to personally touch your readers, especially if they comment and you respond.


In addition, if you publish non-fiction, your blog can be a great tool for proving yourself as an authority on your topic. Providing periodic tidbits can entice people to purchase and read your entire book.


And regardless of what you publish, if you build readership, you can use your blog to entice others who reach your audience. If you're a mystery writer, maybe you can barter with another mystery writer to guest blog for each other, that gives each of you access to a potentially favorable audience that you wouldn't otherwise have. Using RSS will keep people coming back, which will increase your blog's value and add to your ability to barter.