Several authors have contacted me asking how to create a blog and become a blogger. The truth is that it takes a bit of time and commitment. I became a blogger about a year and a half ago so I can describe the process I followed with the hope that it will be instructive for others who wish to start their own blogs.

The first thing to do is to research the world of blogs. By this I mean to find out what blogs are out there and what you like about them.  Determine which blogs you do not like as well and why. Discover other blogs that are promoting books, or authors, or writing by searching for your topic on the blog search engines, such as Technorati or Google Blog Search, and looking there for your niche topic. After you have looked at and read a number of blogs, start commenting on blogs. By that I mean,post your own comments on others' blogs to get a feel for what it is like to write for a blog. This will allow you to find your own voice for blogging and will make you much more comfortable when starting to post on your own blog.

After you feel you have a good understanding of blogs and blogging, you need to find a blog platform to use to create and host your blog. There are many to choose from. Blogger, WordPress, Godaddy and other popular blog platforms offer options and help for building and hosting your blog. You will want to select and register a domain name for your blog so that you can create an aura of professionalism around your blog. Selecting a name for your blog then is important because it will help to establish the way you are viewed by visitors.  The name of my blog is the Author's Advocate. It was selected because my goal is to provide support and advice to authors who wish to publish their work based on my years of publishing experience. You should choose a domain name that is, first, available, and second pertinent to the goals and objectives you have for your blog. You should be able to order your domain name through your hosting company.

Your host company will provide a design template for your blog. Choose wisely so that the design looks professional and conveys a sense of who you are and who you think your audience will be. If you are writing about how to best interact with the IRS, you don't want your blog to look free-spirited and trendy. If you are writing about modern parenting, you don't want your blog to look like something out of the Victorian era. Make sure the type you use for headings and for posts is clear and readable.

Think about what you are expert in when creating your blog and while posting content on your blog. You are unique as are your experiences and the message you have to communicate. While you want to promote your book and your writing on your blog, you need to couch those goals in something that will bring readers, traffic, to your site and bring them back time and again. Perhaps you may want to write about how you came to become an author; or the process involved in writing your book; or the process of publishing your book; or if your book is non-fiction, you may want to supply additional information that is educational and informative regarding the topic of your book.

Headlines for your blog posts are critical. Remember to keep them simple and on target. You want people who search for the topic you are specifically addressing to come across your blog post, so make sure the headline describes succinctly and by using key words the content of the post. Be certain your posts are well written without spelling and grammar mistakes.

When I launched my blog, I wrote four basic articles before I went public. These articles were in depth and established my topic and my expertise in the area. They provided basic and helpful information. They created the foundation for my blog. I think this is a great way to begin. It lends substance and authority to a blog. After you start your blog, you need to post frequently to it in order to continue to attract traffic. How often you post has to do with how much time you have available and how much relevant information you have to communicate. But you should post frequently - at least once or twice a week if possible.

Finally if your goal is to market yourself or your book, provide a link for readers to order or purchase merchandise or services. This may be as simple as including a link to an online bookstore or setting up a Paypal account for accepting orders.

Blogging is an effective and efficient way of communicating with thousands of potential readers and supporters. Good luck ahd have fun with your blog.