Top 10 buzz-building secrets every writer should know

Secret #9: Unless you’re writing nonfiction, guest posts are useless. You’re much better off with a few well placed interviews

I’m still trying to figure out who started this whole “fiction-writer-guest-posting” trend. Either way, don’t fall for it. If you are a fiction writer, do an interview. Period.  Write your own questions if you have to. It makes you look more credible.

Why? Because people naturally assume that a person being interviewed is more interesting than a person writing an article. There is no point in having a fiction author write a non-fiction guest post about “the joys of writing” or the “perils of plot” or the literary themes found in Dancing With the Stars. Doing that might get clicks for the blog you’re appearing on, but it ultimately takes the focus off of you and your book, which is the exact opposite of buzz building. Save the guest posts for the doctors and relationship experts. Get interviewed and enjoy being published.

Secret #10: Research, research, RESEARCH. Do NOT just accept offers to go on random blogs and sites. Research site traffic and audience, make sure they match your book audience

Appearing on random websites just to get your name “out there” does not make sense. Ever. Do your research. Go to Alexa.com to see a site’s traffic rankings (you might be stunned at how little traffic some sites get). Check the blog to make sure they cover books in your genre. And make sure you review their requirements so you don’t waste time pitching to people who aren’t interested.