Author Marketing Report: How Your Blog Can Help You Sell More Books
I’ve been in marketing since 2010, and if there’s one piece of advice I give to every author—whether they’re just starting out or already making waves—it’s this: add a blog to your website. Seriously, it works wonders.
If you’ve done everything on your checklist—from writing a captivating book to building a versatile, fully-loaded website—but you’re still not seeing sales? Don’t panic. You’re in the right place at the right time.
Today, I’m going to walk you through how the blog section of your site can actually sell more books. So, grab a pen and paper—this is one of those things you’ll want to remember.
Opening Shot: The Hidden Power on Your Website
We get it, stop ranting; you did everything you could on your part from etching your soul into pages to polishing it in edits until it gleamed like obsidian. Even after making a sleek, professional website to help with reach and sales, you’re still met with silence.
No clicks.
No movement.
No spark.
It’s like throwing a party and forgetting to send the invites. Or worse, sending invites and realizing nobody showed up for you. Sad!
Here’s the truth, genius: a beautiful website without a blog is just a billboard in the middle of the desert. Nobody sees it. But a blog? That’s your way of getting attention. It shows readers – and search engines – that you’re out there. It helps bring people to your site, builds trust, and quietly tells potential readers, “Hey, this book is worth checking out.” Without it, you cannot sell more books, you’re just waiting — and hoping — in the dark.
Blogs Aren’t Dead — They’re Just Smarter Now
You probably heard “Oh Blogging is OuTdAteD. NoBodY ReAds bLoGs AnYmorE” Now that’s cute, isn’t it? But also, morbidly wrong (If nobody reads them, then why are you reading this?). The thing that’s dead is blogging like it’s 2008 — rambling diaries, keyword-stuffed nonsense, and content that doesn’t serve anyone. That’s what got buried in the chronicles of the internet.
But Smart Blogs?
They have a strategy, soul, and correct SEO. They provide actual information that would actually help you out. They’re thriving. They work overtime, 24/7 — attracting readers while you sleep, warming them up while you write your next masterpiece.
Welcome to the Blog Renaissance
Blogging isn’t about dumping raw thoughts onto a page. It’s about creating targeted, relevant, and emotionally attractive content that hits your readers like a hammer hits a nail. When done right, your blog becomes the bridge between discovery and purchase.
Do you know why this happens? Because blogs show that you’re active and serious.
Publishers, book reviewers, podcast hosts, and even potential collaborators will often vet authors before offering them opportunities. If your last blog post was from 2017, it doesn’t inspire much confidence.
But a current, consistent blog says:
“I take my work seriously. I show up. I engage with readers.”
This credibility can open doors—media interviews, guest posts, awards, and book deals.
You Can Repurpose Blog Content Across Platforms
One blog post can be turned into:
- 5-10 social media posts
- A newsletter
- A YouTube or TikTok script
- A podcast episode
So even if you’re not a daily blogger, each post you create multiplies your content presence across the internet, which will eventually help you sell more books.
What Makes an Author Blog Actually Sell
Wanna hear some cold, hard facts? Your reader doesn’t owe you their time — you have to earn it. Fascinating, isn’t it? If your blog is just about random updates and word count, don’t be surprised when no one shows up.
Here’s how you can earn your reader’s attention.
1. Stop Writing for Yourself — Start Writing for Readers
Your ideal reader doesn’t care that you wrote 3,000 words before lunch. They care about what’s in it for them. This isn’t about you, Einstein, it’s about them. Are you entertaining them? Teaching them something? Or solving any problem? If you want to sell your books make sure to keep these questions in mind when writing.
Tip: Ask the professional author website services that created your site to do the blogs for you too.
2. Create Connection, Not Just Content
What gets people to buy books isn’t just curiosity — it’s connection. Pull back the curtain. Share how your main character was born, or what real-life pain shaped that heart-wrenching plot twist. Write like a human, not a salesperson. If they feel like they know you, they’ll trust you. And trust sells more books than any CTA ever could.
3. Google Is Your Best Publicist
Don’t even think about paying for ads when Google can do your legwork for you, but here’s a catch: it will only work when you give it something to work with. When done right, blogs can be a game-changer for you. Each post is an opportunity to show up, stand out, and bring people into your world before they even know they’re looking for you.
4. Get Loud: Promote Your Blog Like a Pro
You’ve written a perfect blog, uploaded it to your site, and made sure that it got indexed. Now you’re getting the sales of your dreams and living happily ever after, right?
Wrong!
Even the best-written blogs wouldn’t save you if no one knows they exist. If you want your blog to actually do something (like, oh, I don’t know, sell more books), then you’ve gotta get loud—smart loud. (Hey? Come here, let me tell you a secret, author website design services can also do this for you with minimal charge and ease. But shhhhhh don’t tell this to anyone)
5. Don’t Just Post — Tease, Tempt, and Share
You hit “publish” — great.
Now what?
Clip the best one-liner and drop it on Instagram with a moody caption. Turn your opening into a thread that hooks. Pull a spicy quote and turn it into a reel with a voiceover. Good content deserves a second life — or ten. Promote it like you’re launching a Netflix show.
6. Partner Up for Power Plays
Collaboration is currency. Swap blog mentions with a fellow author. Guest post on a genre-specific blog. Slide something valuable into a bookstagrammer’s inbox. When someone else shares your content, it comes with built-in credibility and fresh eyeballs. Lots of ‘em.
Conclusion: Your Blog Is the Weapon You Forgot to Wield
Let’s not sugarcoat it — writing a great book is not enough. Building a website? Still not enough. In today’s world, silence is a sales killer. Visibility is currency.
And blogging? That’s your visibility engine that puts you on the first page of Google and helps you sell more books. It builds trust, draws traffic, seduces search engines, and creates a connection no Amazon ad can replicate. It’s not just a “nice to have” — it’s your secret weapon disguised as a tab on your site.
So, what now? Don’t just nod. Don’t just say, “Hmm, that’s interesting.” Pick one blog idea. Write it. Publish it. Share it. Promote the hell out of it.
Do this consistently, and watch what happens. Your book won’t just exist — it’ll start to move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How often should I blog as an author?
Aim for 1–2 posts a month to start. Quality > quantity. One killer post that converts is worth more than five and vanishes into the void.
Q2: What should I blog about?
Simple — anything your readers would care about. Behind-the-scenes stories, writing challenges, bonus content, listicles like “Top 5 Books That Inspired My Novel,” and even character interviews. Give value, tease your book, and be real.
Q3: Do I need to know SEO to blog?
Short answer: No — but it helps. Use natural keywords that your readers might search. Tools like Ubersuggest or even Google Autocomplete can guide you. But don’t sacrifice your voice for robotic optimization.
Q4: I hate writing blogs. Can someone do it for me?
Yes, you glorious delegation genius, you can hire it out. Many author website services offer blog writing as part of their packages. Just feed them your voice, ideas, or even bullet points — and let them spin the magic.
Q5: How long should a blog post be?
Aim for 800–1200 words — meaty enough for SEO, but not so long your reader taps out. Break up the text with headers, bold lines, and punchy sections to keep it digestible.