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A visit to Writeminded is like a lunch out with your friends, a slumber party with the girls, and a drink at the bar at an RWA conference, all rolled together.  Writeminded is a group blog.  A group blog has multiple authors who each write posts on scheduled days.  The authors behind Writeminded are Stephanie Tyler, Amy Knupp, Larissa Ione, Jaci Burton, and Sharon Long/Maya Banks.  The benefits of group blogging are tempting–you don’t have to be responsible for keeping the blog active on a daily basis.  (Many bloggers participate in both a group blog and their own blog, thereby increasing their visibility and sharing traffic between sites.)  There are great group blogs….and not so great group blogs.  Unfortunately, some group blogs leave the impression they’ve been thrown together with little investment, either in time or money, and the postings can be erratic both in schedule and tone, leaving visitors not sure what they’re going to get on any given day…..and just as likely to not bother coming back at all.

Writeminded was one of the first group writer blogs, and remains a standard-bearer today.  The faces behind Writeminded change periodically, but the blog’s style and downright delicious fun remains.  It is, always, like sitting down to one big giant bowl of ice cream.

What makes Writeminded work?

1.  Camaraderie.  There is a sense of playfulness at Writeminded.  Whatever the topic of the day, the tone is relaxed, making visitors feel instantly at home.  It’s clear the bloggers involved in Writeminded aren’t just co-bloggers, they’re friends, and while each blogger has their own voice, the warmth carries consistently through the blog. 

2.  Style and function.  When I first saw Writeminded, they were still using the blogspot platform.  A few years ago, the Writeminded group switched to their own domain with WordPress.  Combined with the higher functionality for visitors, they added a professional design with just the right lighthearted style to showcase the blog’s tone.

3.  Reliable posting.  Writeminded doesn’t let visitors down here–rarely do they skip a day.  They’re organized and prepared.

4.  Contests.  Nobody throws a contest like Writeminded.  Again, they take advantage of multiple authorship to go in together for some of the best contests around, bringing in readers as well as other writers.

5.  Marketing.  The Writeminded bloggers talk about their works in progress, and highlight new releases, but they don’t push a steady flow of promotion at visitors.  They talk about their books just enough for readers to know what’s coming up without overdoing it.  They show that they understand the key concept that visitors won’t click through every day just for commercials.

The takeaway:  A group blog needs a consistent tone throughout the different voices of its authors.  An investment in a stylish, professional domain, platform and design shows your visitors you aren’t just slapping it together–you’re worth their time.  Make the most of multiple authorship to keep the blog active with regular daily postings.  Share the work and expense to create great contests to build excitement.  Do talk about your upcoming releases, but don’t overwhelm your visitors with release information ad nauseum.  Remember that every visitor wants to know one thing–what’s in it for them?  Entertain them.

A group blog is a great way to increase your exposure and build traffic to your own site or blog.  Writeminded does group blogging right.  If you haven’t checked it out, go today.  And let me know what you think.  What are some of your favorite group blogs?

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Tags: Spotlight //