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Video is one of the most popular forms of content online today, especially when it comes to YouTube. Videos are widely watched on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, too. Because they tend to reach more people than traditional posts and even photo posts on social media, videos have become one of the best ways for authors to market yourself and your books. As with any form of marketing, there are pros and cons. You can decide for yourself whether the pros outweigh the cons for you if you want to use video to advance your readership.
PRO: You don’t need a marketing budget, just a webcam or mobile phone.
Years ago, people spent big money on producing videos. While you certainly still can create videos with high production values, it’s not necessary, especially as an author. Actually, many people watching videos online today prefer videos of people just being themselves and talking about things. You don’t even need a script, you can just hit record and talk about a topic related to your books or about writing. Be sure to not spend the whole video trying to sell. Leave that for the very end of the video.
Read more: Pros and Cons of Using Video to Advance Your Readership
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Are you trying to increase your book’s visibility, grow your audience, and jumpstart sales? One strategy many indie authors consider is offering their book for free—whether permanently or as a limited-time promotion.
But is giving your book away for free a smart marketing move or a waste of effort?
Let’s dive into the myths and facts behind free book promotions so you can make an informed decision for your author career.
Myth #1: Free Books Attract Loyal Readers Who Will Spread the Word
Fact: Free Books Often Go Unread or Unappreciated
The idea here is simple: offer your book for free, and readers will fall in love with it, tell their friends, and boost your visibility organically. In theory, word-of-mouth marketing kicks in and your sales skyrocket.
But in reality, most free books suffer the fate of digital clutter. Just like that free spiral slicer you got with your grocery purchase—it seemed exciting, but now it’s gathering dust in your drawer. Why? Because people tend to value what they pay for.
📉 Free book download ≠ reader engagement. Many readers hoard free books they never open, let alone finish or recommend.
Read more: Should You Give Your Book Away for Free? Myths vs. Facts for Indie Authors
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As a new author or an author that’s just starting to build momentum around your books, it’s a good idea to have a dedicated author website. However, in the beginning it’s advisable not to spend too much money so that you don’t get yourself into debt over your head while trying to promote and advertise your books. One of the ways you can control your costs is by choosing a free web hosting package at one of the many free hosting providers, like Weebly, Joomla Launch, Wix and Infinity Free. While free accounts are limited, they typically provide enough options for the beginning website.
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Maintaining an active blog is one of the most effective ways to drive organic traffic, build brand authority, and keep your website relevant in the eyes of both readers and search engines. But a common question for content creators, marketers, and business owners alike is: How often should you update your website’s blog?
The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all—it depends on your goals, your industry, and your resources. Let’s break it down into the most important factors.
1. Know Your Audience: Consistency Builds Loyalty
If you have a regular audience or are working to grow one, blog update frequency plays a crucial role. Loyal readers expect consistency. Whether you’re publishing new articles weekly, bi-weekly, or daily, the key is to be consistent.
- Beginner Tip: Start by publishing 2–3 blog posts per week to build traction and engagement.
- Advanced Strategy: Once your readership grows, adjust your schedule based on what your analytics tell you. Which days and topics get the most traction? Use this data to refine your publishing rhythm.
Why it matters: Consistent blogging not only helps retain readers but also gives them a reason to return. This builds trust, which in turn boosts your website’s domain authority and user engagement—both key SEO factors.
2. Optimize for SEO: More Content, More Opportunities
If your primary goal is to rank higher in search engines and bring in organic traffic, content volume and frequency matter a great deal.
SEO experts recommend updating your blog at least 11–16 times per month for maximum visibility and lead generation.
Here’s why:
- Fresh content signals to Google that your website is active and relevant.
- Each blog post is another indexed page, increasing your chances of ranking for different keywords.
- More blog posts mean more internal linking opportunities, which improve crawlability and user experience.
Think of it this way: the more fishing lines you have in the water, the higher your chances of catching more fish. The same principle applies to content and SEO.
3. Stay Relevant with Timely Updates
If you blog in a news-driven industry—like tech, finance, health, or politics—your blog update schedule may need to be more frequent. In fast-paced industries, posting several times per week or even daily helps you stay ahead of competitors and keeps your audience informed.
Even in slower-moving industries, occasional updates to older posts can improve SEO. Google favors fresh content, so updating blog articles with current data, new images, and internal links can give older content a rankings boost.
Pro Tip: Use a content calendar to track news trends and schedule both new posts and updates to existing ones.
4. Analyze Your Competition
If your industry is highly competitive, your blog needs to stand out with better quality and greater frequency. Run a content audit of your competitors:
- How often do they post?
- What topics are they covering?
- What keywords are they targeting?
If your top competitors publish 10 posts per month, aim for 12–15 high-quality posts. Don’t just post more—post better.
Competitive niches include: digital marketing, SaaS, health and wellness, and finance.
5. Balance Frequency With Quality
While quantity helps SEO, quality should never be sacrificed. Thin or poorly written content can hurt your rankings and your brand’s credibility. Google’s helpful content update emphasizes that content should be written for users—not just for search engines.
Always prioritize:
- Original insights and expert commentary
- Actionable advice or how-tos
- Proper keyword research and on-page SEO
- Mobile-friendly formatting and fast load times
Recommended Blog Posting Frequencies
|
Goal |
Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
|
Build an initial audience |
2–3 times per week |
|
Maximize SEO traffic |
11–16 times per month |
|
Compete in saturated niches |
3–5 times per week |
|
Maintain brand awareness |
1–2 times per week |
|
Low-competition industries |
2–4 times per month |
Final Thoughts: So, How Often Should You Update Your Blog?
The best blogging schedule for your website depends on your goals, your industry, your resources, and your competition. Whether you're aiming to build an audience or improve SEO rankings, consistency, strategy, and quality are your three pillars of success.
Action Step: Audit your current blog frequency. Are you meeting your goals? If not, it might be time to update your publishing strategy.
Bonus: Tools to Help You Stay on Track
- Google Search Console – to track keyword performance
- SEMrush or Ahrefs – for competitor analysis
- WordPress Editorial Calendar Plugin – for scheduling
- Grammarly & Hemingway – for polishing drafts
If you'd like more help, here's a blog frequency planner template that you can download. Download Blog_Frequency_Planner_Template
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As an author or a small business owner, part of getting the word out about your books and/or services is having a website where people can anonymously view your pages and read information about your services. If you are just starting out, you probably don’t want to pay for a website or even a hosting package because you want to control your overhead. Websites with domain names can run hundreds of dollars a year, depending on your chosen provider. One of the places you can get a free drag and drop website is Weebly, which is perfect if you don’t have any coding skills and you want something that is super simple.