That’s a great question, Walter. I don’t know how my guest blogger, Nina Amir, would answer this, but I’ll address it from my perspective as this blog’s owner/writer.

I could turn much of this blog’s content into a cohesive, organized, helpful book. It would take a great deal of work, though, to first create a structure and flow. I’d have to decide on the first chapter topic, then search the archives for what I’ve written on that topic — and then on and on, chapter by chapter. A site visitor/reader would have to do the same thing — only that person wouldn’t know where to start with all of the content here. There’s no table of contents that links to all of the content for each possible chapter. In a nutshell, your head would explode if you tried to read this blog as if it were a book.

Let’s presume that someone else is blogging according to a book outline, which is probably what you’re thinking of. If you’re reading along while the content is being posted over the course of several months, you’re getting the information you need piecemeal and slowly. If you’re reading it after all the book’s content is posted in the order it will run in the book, then you’re going to struggle to navigate the site and keeping locating and clicking through to the next post. It’s awkward and cumbersome — certainly not how I like to read.

Finally, blog content that has been turned into a book has been smoothed out, with transitions and often updated information added. It’s a much easier read than going the post-by-post approach.

Also, anyone who isn’t willing to pay a small price for a book that has the information they need isn’t part of the author’s target market anyway.

Sandy

I’m glad Nina’s article was helpful, Jacqueline. Thanks for the feedback.

Sandy

That’s such a big topic, Pushkar — too big to respond to in a comment. You can find lots of info online about that, though.

Sandy

One the best win-wins about blogging is that people find me who search for a topic that I cover. They may land on a post that I wrote 4 or 6 years ago that addresses their current concern. This leads them to read more and — when the stars align — buy my books.

Jan,

Yes, you need a call to action–something free to get them on your mailing list or subscriber list. But sharing your work on social networks–and sharing your incentive–will gain you subscribers.

Debbie,

As I mentioned above, a traditional fiction publisher will likely not want previously published work. But if you prove yourself with a blogged novel, you can land a deal for your second book. The publisher later may publish your first one as well. Your fan base will help you land a traditional deal as well.