I've got one free copy of this e-book to give away - scroll down to the bottom of the review to find out more!
Creating A Blog Audience is the newest e-book by Diane Gilleland, familiar to many of us as Sister Diane from Craftypod.
Very reasonably priced at $13.50, this 62 page booklet and accompanying 8 page worksheet is aimed at craft bloggers wishing to develop their blog audience through 'engagement marketing'. Although the guide is targeted specifically at craft bloggers, don't let this put you off: while there are a couple of parts that specifically mention craft resources, most of the information in this book is applicable to any kind of blogging.
Diane is well aware that many creative people run screaming at the thought of traditional marketing and her solution is to stay well away from old-fashioned aggressive techniques and 'marketing speak' like 'Unique Selling Points'. Instead she offers a more gentle, organic and community-based way to build up a fan base. This is marketing without marketing - what Seth Goldin calls 'permission marketing'. In essence, the idea is that instead of talking AT people, you talk WITH them. But of course there's more to it than that and Diane guides you through the ins and outs with humour and skill.
If you're au fait with Web 2.0 then much of this will be familiar but even an old hand like myself learnt some new tips and tricks. I found Chapter 4: Putting It All Together to be the most useful in this regard but I also had little 'ah-ha' moments throughout the whole book.
Where this e-book really stands out though, is in how useful it would be for beginners. If you've just started your blog or your visitor numbers are languishing and you don't know why, then I think you'll find this an excellent resource. A lot of people come to my blog looking for advice on blogging - my articles on that subject are perennially popular - I would absolutely recommend this book to them and the next time I update my recommended resources list, I'll be adding this book to it.
The book is well written, in a relaxed, accessible style that will appeal to even the most intimidated new blogger. Diane is a confident writer who explains the issues with ease and the book is split into easily digested sections with occasional diagrams and photographs to break things up a little. There are also clickable links to useful resources, including a dedicated page on her blog. Frankly, I enjoyed the writing so much that even though I've been blogging successfully for years, as soon as I'd finished this book, I was immediately seized with a desire to read her earlier guide, Making a Great Blog.
If you'd like to know more, visit the book's webpage or read these reviews from PlanetJune and Dude Craft.
To conclude: if you're new to blogging or not quite on board with Web 2.0, then this book is an absolute must-have but even if you're more experienced, you'll probably find it valuable.
Diane has very kindly agreed to do a giveaway. In proof that her techniques work, I simply emailed her to say I was doing a review and asked if she'd consider giving away a copy and she kindly said yes. So I have one free, personalised e-book available (I'm dying to know how you personalise an e-book btw!)
If you'd like a chance at winning the book, please leave a comment on this post telling me what you hate about marketing, either doing it or being on the receiving end of it. If you've not commented here before, your comment will be held in moderation but I'll approve it as soon as I can.
I'll do a blind draw on Tuesday 15th September and announce the winner next Wednesday.
Standard disclaimer: I consider Diane to be an online friend - we comment on each other's blogs & tweets and she interviewed me for Craftypod - however, I bought my copy of her e-book and she hasn't influenced this review in any way.
julie k
I work in Marketing. I appreciate it when it is done well and hate it when it is done poorly. Maybe my standards are too high? Maybe I know too many tricks? I'm planning to buy the e-book if I don't win, but thanks for the chance to win!
julie k
I work in Marketing. I appreciate it when it is done well and hate it when it is done poorly. Maybe my standards are too high? Maybe I know too many tricks? I'm planning to buy the e-book if I don't win, but thanks for the chance to win!
Talia
To be completely honest with you, I don't (generally) HATE marketing, because something you find out about great stuff! There is only a few times that I hate it, and one of my MAJOR hates is blind marketing.
Like when you're on twitter and someone sees that you wrote the word "mum" and then suddenly your overwhelmed with people offering services for mum's.
If they're read the comment they'd know I was talking about MY mum, and if they'd bothered to look at anything about me, they'd know that I'm not a mum myself!
GAH! THAT is the most annoying!!!
Talia
To be completely honest with you, I don't (generally) HATE marketing, because something you find out about great stuff! There is only a few times that I hate it, and one of my MAJOR hates is blind marketing.
Like when you're on twitter and someone sees that you wrote the word "mum" and then suddenly your overwhelmed with people offering services for mum's.
If they're read the comment they'd know I was talking about MY mum, and if they'd bothered to look at anything about me, they'd know that I'm not a mum myself!
GAH! THAT is the most annoying!!!
Gemma
For me it is the tooting your own horn thing. I'm not terribly good at it but from a blog point of view you rather need to market yourself and for someone with rather low self esteem that isn't the easiest thing to do!
Lorna
The returning viewers to my blog have met me (personally and professionally) so I would be interested in learning how to expand my audience.
Lorna
The returning viewers to my blog have met me (personally and professionally) so I would be interested in learning how to expand my audience.
Lesley
I started a blog at a friend's suggestion and with no prior know how apart from an out of date library book the title of which I've long forgotten and returned almost immediately. Instead I've referred to your advice/articles written in plain language and relied on suggestions from within the blogging community i.e. your images are far too small! Interested in this book free or otherwise!
Lesley
I started a blog at a friend's suggestion and with no prior know how apart from an out of date library book the title of which I've long forgotten and returned almost immediately. Instead I've referred to your advice/articles written in plain language and relied on suggestions from within the blogging community i.e. your images are far too small! Interested in this book free or otherwise!
Avital
I don't mind being on the receiving end of marketing as long as I've chosen to receive it. I hate being spammed. I've never tried marketing myself but realise that this is an area I need to learn more about. Thanks for reviewing Diane's ebook!
Avital
I don't mind being on the receiving end of marketing as long as I've chosen to receive it. I hate being spammed. I've never tried marketing myself but realise that this is an area I need to learn more about. Thanks for reviewing Diane's ebook!
Rebecca
I don't hate marketing - I just don't do enough of it. Having access to this book to utilize a more hand's on approach that isn't "in your face" would be terrific.
Thanks for the great review!
Rebecca
I don't hate marketing - I just don't do enough of it. Having access to this book to utilize a more hand's on approach that isn't "in your face" would be terrific.
Thanks for the great review!
Mandi
It's helpful for people to know how to market without saying "look what I relisted" over and over on facebook and twitter. I hate that so I never do it. I'm interested in Diane's approach!
Mandi
It's helpful for people to know how to market without saying "look what I relisted" over and over on facebook and twitter. I hate that so I never do it. I'm interested in Diane's approach!
Kandra
I guess I really just don't do much marketing. It takes alot of time to build an audience and I really need to take the time to do so. I'd like to open an etsy store or something, but would like a good blog following before doing so.
I'd love to win your ebook - but honestly will prob buy it if I don't win. I need to gain a better understanding of the blog community and marketing toward this awesome crowd!
Kandra
I guess I really just don't do much marketing. It takes alot of time to build an audience and I really need to take the time to do so. I'd like to open an etsy store or something, but would like a good blog following before doing so.
I'd love to win your ebook - but honestly will prob buy it if I don't win. I need to gain a better understanding of the blog community and marketing toward this awesome crowd!
Elise
The part I hate is feeling like I'm begging, or worrying that I'm building myself up to be more than I actually am. I want to let people know about me, but I'm afraid of giving wrong expectations!
Wow, I'm so glad I discovered your site from Twitter! I'll be adding to my feed reader now!
Elise
The part I hate is feeling like I'm begging, or worrying that I'm building myself up to be more than I actually am. I want to let people know about me, but I'm afraid of giving wrong expectations!
Wow, I'm so glad I discovered your site from Twitter! I'll be adding to my feed reader now!
Denise
Marketing.. the time it takes I guess is what I don't like.. I sooo wish it was automatic. le sigh.
Denise
Marketing.. the time it takes I guess is what I don't like.. I sooo wish it was automatic. le sigh.
Denise
Marketing.. the time it takes I guess is what I don't like.. I sooo wish it was automatic. le sigh.
Christine
I'm a very humble person, and it's really hard for me to brag about my work, which is what I feel like marketing is. It's not that I don't think my work is good. I like everything I make, and feel like everything is quality-made and cute. It's just SO HARD for me to write marketing materials about my work due to my personality.
Christine
I'm a very humble person, and it's really hard for me to brag about my work, which is what I feel like marketing is. It's not that I don't think my work is good. I like everything I make, and feel like everything is quality-made and cute. It's just SO HARD for me to write marketing materials about my work due to my personality.
Linda Tieu
Marketing is difficult for me because I feel like I'm being a pushy salesman...in a perfect world folks would just find you and love you! Yes, I know, in my dreams. So marketing is very difficult for that fact, even though I realize it's completely necessary.
linda
Marketing is difficult for me because I feel like I'm being a pushy salesman...in a perfect world folks would just find you and love you! Yes, I know, in my dreams. So marketing is very difficult for that fact, even though I realize it's completely necessary.
MissCrafty
I love it when some takes out the time to bother to geniunely personalise their marketing to me.
I hate the fact I can never seem to find the time to do marketing and also the marketing I do find the time to get round to never seems to yield much results from the effort.
MissCrafty
I love it when some takes out the time to bother to geniunely personalise their marketing to me.
I hate the fact I can never seem to find the time to do marketing and also the marketing I do find the time to get round to never seems to yield much results from the effort.
Andi
Like other have said, what I hate about it is the bragging part or being too pushy.
Andi
Like other have said, what I hate about it is the bragging part or being too pushy.
Andi
Like other have said, what I hate about it is the bragging part or being too pushy.
Andi
I love merchandising and setting up booth design, etc. But when it comes to actually talking about my own work at shows, etc, I come up tongue-tangled. However, I can market my friends' work with ease. I'd like to learn to be able to do that for myself without feeling like I'm being that annoying person who is all "look at me look at me". :)
Andi
I love merchandising and setting up booth design, etc. But when it comes to actually talking about my own work at shows, etc, I come up tongue-tangled. However, I can market my friends' work with ease. I'd like to learn to be able to do that for myself without feeling like I'm being that annoying person who is all "look at me look at me". :)
Andi
I love merchandising and setting up booth design, etc. But when it comes to actually talking about my own work at shows, etc, I come up tongue-tangled. However, I can market my friends' work with ease. I'd like to learn to be able to do that for myself without feeling like I'm being that annoying person who is all "look at me look at me". :)
zoepkatz
My goal is to set up a website and a blog this year. It was my new years resolution, my winter goal, my spring goal and my summer goal. Now I am a recovering procrastinator but still I just do not have a clue. I hate to put a piece of garbage out there with my name on it. I would love to have this book.
zoepkatz
My goal is to set up a website and a blog this year. It was my new years resolution, my winter goal, my spring goal and my summer goal. Now I am a recovering procrastinator but still I just do not have a clue. I hate to put a piece of garbage out there with my name on it. I would love to have this book.
zoepkatz
My goal is to set up a website and a blog this year. It was my new years resolution, my winter goal, my spring goal and my summer goal. Now I am a recovering procrastinator but still I just do not have a clue. I hate to put a piece of garbage out there with my name on it. I would love to have this book.
Angela M.
My latest pet peeve is people who "market" their wares on Twitter by providing updates every time they add something to their Etsy shop... and nothing else. No conversation, no personality. It makes me want to go to the other extreme -- no self-promotion. But I'm sure that's not the best solution either.
I really admire Sister Diane & enjoyed her first e-book. I would love to win this one -- thanks for the giveaway!
Angela M.
My latest pet peeve is people who "market" their wares on Twitter by providing updates every time they add something to their Etsy shop... and nothing else. No conversation, no personality. It makes me want to go to the other extreme -- no self-promotion. But I'm sure that's not the best solution either.
I really admire Sister Diane & enjoyed her first e-book. I would love to win this one -- thanks for the giveaway!
Angela M.
My latest pet peeve is people who "market" their wares on Twitter by providing updates every time they add something to their Etsy shop... and nothing else. No conversation, no personality. It makes me want to go to the other extreme -- no self-promotion. But I'm sure that's not the best solution either.
I really admire Sister Diane & enjoyed her first e-book. I would love to win this one -- thanks for the giveaway!
Gemma
For me it is the tooting your own horn thing. I'm not terribly good at it but from a blog point of view you rather need to market yourself and for someone with rather low self esteem that isn't the easiest thing to do!
Kirsty
Post authorI think this is hard for many artists, Gemma. Have you considered partnering with other artists & marketing yourselves as a group? I found that helped immensely, especially when I was starting out. It has become easier to market myself but in the beginning it made me absolutely cringe.