They're one of the reasons I'm drawn to stores like Costco. The management knows if they can get you to sample a product, you might put it in your shopping cart. It occasionally works with me.
Blogging, book excerpts, and details about our writing journey can act like a free sample. The reader gets familiar with your writing voice, your genre, and you as a person. There have been many posts about whether or not blogging is worthwhile. When we reach out to others and give them something that will help them, they'll keep coming back for more. Whether or not they buy anything, the friendships we make enrich our lives.
What are some of your favorite writing "free samples?"
Photo: dcandea
Hi Susan .. I agree we need to offer samples in some way .. and then people will come back for more.
ReplyDeleteI use free postcards that promote pickles and chutneys and include a recipe ... I think more of that sort of thing would be a way forward ..
Postcard poems .. etc
Useful thoughts here - thanks - Hilary
I really like this post today, Susan, especially since I'm about to launch my website. I want to make sure I'm offering plenty of "free samples" on my new site!
ReplyDeleteI love how you can go to amazon and get a real feel for a book too now. That's been wonderful for my decision making process.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
I like your take in this post. Yes, blogging and other such things are free samples of your writing and you as a person. There are so many authors I never would have found without getting some sort of sample of their writing - whether it was from their blog through simple blogging or through receiving a free book of theirs. Yay for free things!
ReplyDeleteI like freebies, of course, who doesn't? lol I offer articles and links on my homeschool co-op site, and also on a homeschool site I manage. Working on adding a writer's help page to my personal site.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday,
Karen
What a great analogy! I do enjoy reading other people's blogs to see "who they are" as well. And, yes, I enjoy those free samples at Costco, too!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy sampling blogs and I enjoy reading about the writer's writing process. Both great freebies.
ReplyDeleteLove this idea, Susan. It's so true. Now that I've been reading more my writing friends' blogs, I'm interested in reading their work. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteGrr! Blogger just ate all my comments!
ReplyDeleteI don't have time to re-write them, but I enjoyed your input. Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I love this, Susan. I never thought about blogging in that light, but you're so right. It's just a little sampling of what readers will hopefully get in our books. :)
ReplyDeleteWow Susan, I like this... blogging is indeed a sample of our writing. I always hope to offer a glimpse of how I think and read and process things. Some readers might like it, others won't...
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah - I did a brief stint in the advertising world. One of the big goals was name recognition. Blogging helps people get to know who you are and what you have to offer.
ReplyDeleteHi Marja - Yes, identifying and reaching our audience is a part of blogging.
Blessings,
Susan :)