My most popular blog posts in 2024
Not to show off, but I get lots of lovely messages from readers of my blog saying how interesting they find it and also how reassuring and helpful 😊
Last week I pulled down some data out of curiosity (I did this last year too) to see which were my most popular blog posts from last year and I thought perhaps I’d share them in a blog post (heh, how meta) in case you guys were:
a) interested
or
b) might have missed some of them.
I’m not going to add any wise and wonderful commentary on this list - other than to say that my Harrogate post got more traffic than the next three blogs combined - and I STILL get comments on it when I meet other writers.
The lesson I take from this is that being vulnerable and honest and authentic is so important.
Anyway, here we go - a really mixed bunch of topics, which I find SO interesting:
Some honest thoughts about the Harrogate Crime Writing Festival
Why Squarespace is the perfect web platform for authors in 2024
How to add an Events calendar to your Squarespace author website
Why I use Squarespace (not Mailchimp!) for my author newsletter
My number one tip for coping with life as a published author
I’m curious - if you’ve been a regular reader of my blog, which posts have you enjoyed the most?
I’d love to get any feedback so that I can continue to provide you with useful and hopefully enlightening content!
Why blogging can be useful for authors
Obviously, I blog for my web design business, as it helps bring traffic to my website and helps expose more authors to my work.
But what about authors blogging on their author website?
It’s a question I get asked A LOT.
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, blogging is still a really valuable tool for authors to connect with readers, build authority, and expand their reach.
Look at the humongous rise of Substack - which is basically a blogging platform!
Substack for authors: interview with Emma Rowley →
It proves that people still want to read good quality content.
Whether you’re a writer with years of experience or you’re just starting out, a blog can have a massive impact on your online presence.
But blogging is definitely not right for every author.
I’m going to take a little look at its benefits, whether it will work for you depending what kind of books you write, and the realistic time commitment involved.
The benefits of blogging for authors
Builds your author brand: A blog provides a platform to showcase your expertise, voice, and personality. Over time, this builds trust and familiarity with your audience, making them more likely to purchase your books.
Engages your audience: Blogging allows for direct interaction with readers through comments and feedback. It’s a way to nurture a loyal readership that will support your work.
Boosts discoverability: This is probably its biggest benefit! With strategic use of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), blogs can rank high in search results, driving organic traffic to your site. This is especially beneficial for authors in niche markets, and non-fiction authors. However, SEO needs to be done properly to be effective, and that’s a whole other minefield in itself.
Generates income opportunities: Beyond book sales, a blog can become a source of revenue through ads, affiliate marketing, or offering paid resources like workshops, templates, or exclusive content. Many authors are making money through paid subscriptions on Substack (did you know you can also paywall your blog content on Squarespace? Here’s a bit more about it →).
What kind of author benefits most from blogging?
Blogging is a fantastic tool for non-fiction authors, educators, and thought-leaders who want to share insights, advice, or expertise in a specific field.
If you write about business, self-help, health, or education, blogging is an incredibly powerful way of establishing you as a trusted authority on your topic.
What about fiction writers?
While I think blogging is much more powerful for writers of non-fiction, fiction authors can benefit by blogging about their writing journey, character development, or behind-the-scenes content.
It’s a powerful way to build connections with your readers, however, I often find that the fiction authors I work with who start blogging find it more difficult to stick to a regular consistent posting schedule in order to maximise their ROI.
That’s because it’s not always easy to find topics to write about.
Many fiction authors start blogging about the writing process, but actually, most readers are NOT writers, and this isn’t always what they’re interested in.
For fiction writers, I actually think the best type of blog is one of the oldest around: a book-review blog.
Time commitment and realistic expectations
One thing is for sure: blogging does require consistent effort. Doing it well, and doing it long-term, requires the same kind of commitment that writing a book does.
Writing high-quality posts, optimising them for SEO, and promoting them on social media or through your author newsletter can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours per week.
However, posting even once or twice a month can yield results over time, especially if posts are evergreen - content that remains relevant for years.
The key is to treat blogging as a long-term strategy rather than expecting instant returns. Consistency and quality matter more than quantity!
FAQs
Do authors need a blog?
While definitely NOT mandatory (so please don’t panic if you can’t bear the thought of it!), having a blog can significantly enhance an author’s visibility and engagement. If you’re looking to grow your audience, and show a bit more of the ‘face behind the words’ then a blog is a powerful tool. Blog content also has a much longer shelf-life than social media content, as it can be discovered for years (I wrote a review of a baby product on my baby blog way back in 2016 which still gets more than 2000 hits each month and remains number 1 on Google for the search term ‘Sleepyhead’ 😱).
Why is it important for writers to have a blog?
A blog establishes your online presence, builds your brand, and creates opportunities to interact with your audience. It’s a platform where you control the narrative, unlike social media algorithms.
Are blogs still relevant in 2025?
Yes, blogs remain relevant as they serve as an enduring resource for information and storytelling. As I said before, unlike fleeting social media posts, blogs can generate traffic and engagement for years.
Is it better to start a blog or write a book?
This depends on your goals but if you’re a fiction author and time is an issue, I’d always say that writing your next book is the best marketing you can do!
