The world of novel promotion is rapidly changing. In the past the strategies for promoting your mystery novel consisted mainly of face-to-face contact—book signings, speaking engagements, Writing conferences—and give-aways—bookmarks, pencils, subject-related objects. Enter a new pathway to promotion. Blogging. As a promotional strategy, blogging is fast, effective and pretty much free. Here are 4 ways to use blogging to promote your mystery novel:
1. Create your blog
There are several hosts for blogs out there in cyber space. I like WordPress. Select one you like, use the host’s design support to create your own unique site setup, then start writing posts that relate to your book. I don’t mean you should shamelessly write glowing comments about how fabulous you consider your novel to be. However, I do suggest you update your blog readers on the progress and status of your mystery book. For example, you can list dates of your book releases and book signings.
2. Blog content is important
Write posts that relate to the topic of your novel. In my case, I write mysteries set in various locations around the world. So, I titled my blog, “Global Mysteries.” I post tips on how to write mystery stories. I post pieces about famous mystery novels and writers. I share my opinions on current crimes and infamous murderers. I expand my blog content by posting travel information about points of interest in numerous countries and cultures around the world. I provide site-seeing tips. By the way, it’s important to post to your blog on a regular basis to keep your readers interested.
3. Promote your book on other blogs
In addition to posting to my own blog, I write comments on other mystery and travel blog sites—always careful to provide a link back to “Global Mysteries. I also invite other bloggers to do guest pieces on my site. It’s all about getting your name out there.
4. Other ways to promote your blog
It’s important to promote your blog at every opportunity—on business cards, with links to other social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. For example, in your Twitter profile, list your blog name and URL.
Blogging is an effective, efficient, and cheap way to promote your mystery novel without leaving home. And, oh yes, it’s fun and interesting.
More marketing tips:
How to Market Your Mystery Novel
Global Mysteries 
Good points, NC.
If your readers need additional tips and techniques for marketing their work, they should check out Kristen Lamb’s blog:
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/
She writes engaging posts about author platforms on Twitter, FB, and Blogs.
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By: nrhatch on March 29, 2011
at 4:59 pm
Yup. Kristen is great! She’s the one who showed me the way to blogging and now I’m writing my first mystery novel while doing her Warrior Writers Boot Camp.
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By: Peter Saint-Clair on March 29, 2011
at 7:01 pm
Peter, I checked out your blog site. Very interesting topics.
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By: nancycurteman on March 29, 2011
at 8:43 pm
Thanks for recommending Kristen Lamb’s blog. I will definitely check it out.
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By: nancycurteman on March 29, 2011
at 8:40 pm
Thanks Nancy. Good tips as usual. Maybe I will finish something someday and uses these pointers. :-\
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By: deepercolors on March 29, 2011
at 6:12 pm
@Nancy, thanks for checking my blog out. I’m actually in the middle of transferring to another domain, but yeah, I’m working on my debut mystery novel and found this blog because of that. I appreciate all the good info!
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By: Peter Saint-Clair on March 29, 2011
at 8:45 pm
I agree blogging is fun. I’m struggling a bit with what to write, as I cannot always post a story and my novel isn’t ready to advertise. I do once in a blue moon, write a post about writing problems I’ve come across myself as I edit the novel. Hopefully, if someone is a total newbie to writing, they would find those useful.
I think once I start querying my novel, I will be able to put more into about it.
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By: Alannah Murphy on March 30, 2011
at 12:20 am
Alannah, you might try to blog about things that have to do with your genre. If you are writing mysteries, maybe designate one day a week to crime, one day a week to the craft of writing mysteries and another day to forensics, in the time period you write in of course. I’ve found that constant posting and consistency on a particular subject brings in readers and keeps them coming back. Also, your posts don’t have to be uber long or anything, just long enough to convey the message you are trying to get across. Seriously, though, as nr mentioned above, Kristen Lamb’s blog and book “We Are Not Alone: A Writer’s Guide to Social Media” gives you plenty of info on how to build a platform using a blog, a facebook account and twitter. Check it out!
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By: Peter Saint-Clair on March 30, 2011
at 5:43 am
Alannah, Consider making comments about your pending novel in the context of your postings. For example, you can reference the setting or the character personalities and plights when posting on related topics. I referenced my novel when writing about my trip to South Africa because one of my books in progress is set in Khayelitsha Township outside of Cape Town. I posted about camel races in Australia’s Outback and referenced some of my earlier novels’ characters who participate in a camel race in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. The possibilities for mentioning a book in progress are endless. Try it.
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By: nancycurteman on March 30, 2011
at 8:41 pm
Good advice, Nancy, and watching your blog grow, I can see you are getting the job done!
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By: Richard W Scott on March 30, 2011
at 10:35 am
[…] Alibis and Motives Can Make or Break a Mystery Novel How to Write “Killer” Scenes in a Mystery Novel How to Write Character Arc in a Mystery Novel 4 Ways to Use Blogging to Promote Your Mystery Novel […]
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By: How to Write Turning Points in a Mystery Novel « Global Mysteries on April 5, 2011
at 8:40 pm
Nancy, all great points about blogging. I recently was picked up by an exciting literary agent (she’s in Connecticut–I’m in Vermont). She said, “Ann, your books are ready for big publishers, but you MUST BLOG! Get your name out there. Everything she said? You are saying. Now that I’ve found your site? Will follow. Thanks. (Oh, I have a novel of suspense “The SEED” and a series of historical adventures featuring Johnny Vic. My website: http://www.annrichduncan.com
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By: annrichduncan on April 8, 2011
at 12:37 pm
Ann, What a delight to hear from you. I went to your website and browsed a bit. What a terrific site. Did you create it yourself? I love to learn more about it. I currently have what is called a website in waiting. I’m not quite ready to complete it. Good luck with your new agent.
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By: nancycurteman on April 8, 2011
at 3:17 pm
Hi Nancy,
I am delighted with your blog! I was drawn to your site because I am about to launch a new travel-oriented mystery series. The amateur sleuth is a travel writer for an adventure magazine. I found this post particularly interesting because I am trying to figure out if I want to start a blog. My website and Goodreads both offer blogging tools, but I see you are using WordPress. Do you think having a separate blog is better?
I am looking forward to browsing through all of your archived blog posts. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I will also look for your novels!
J.E. Leigh http://www.jeleighnovels.com
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By: J.E. Leigh on April 15, 2011
at 7:07 pm
I’m so happy you enjoy my blog. Congratulations on your new travel-oriented mystery series. A travel writer seems like a really neat sleuth. Male or female? I visited your website. Very nice. As for a blog, I think they are terrific tools for promoting your book especially once you have several subscribers and lots of people who hit on it. As to whether it needs to be separate from your site, I would say that your decision would be based on the kind of tools you want to meet your objectives. Choose a certain blog provider that offers what you need. It is critical to link your blog to your website. Again, Welcome to my site.
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By: nancycurteman on April 16, 2011
at 11:42 am
Thanks for the advice! I decided to develop a separate blog site using my POV character as the blogger. Check it out: http://www.seetravelmag.com
Thank you again for the ideas.
J.E. Leigh
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By: J.E. Leigh on May 1, 2011
at 6:26 am
[…] 4 Ways to Use Blogging to Promote Your Mystery Novel […]
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By: Ebook Publishing: A Great Market for Mystery Writers « Global Mysteries on August 4, 2011
at 11:13 am
I’m just getting started, looking for info, you’ve provided some good stuff. Hope you’ll take a look at my blog. Would love your comments!
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By: Marcia Applegate on August 4, 2011
at 11:41 am
I need to get serious and blog twice a week.
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By: Hurricane River Publishing on January 6, 2012
at 10:15 am
I think twice a week is certainly adequate for an author whose main interest is writing and promoting his novel.
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By: Nancy Curteman on January 6, 2012
at 10:42 am
I have two blogs http://www.jimparrishavitator.co and http://www.jimparrishavitator.com I average over 40 visits per day but rarely recieve comments. I am wondering how to change this. Is the only difference between website and blog the abilty to sell on the website? Just started reading your site and very much enjoy your tips and articles.
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By: Jim Parrish on August 28, 2012
at 10:46 pm
Jim, Thank you for visiting my blog site. I browsed your website. Great visuals. I hope my tips and articles are useful to you.
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By: nancy curteman on August 30, 2012
at 4:23 pm