Friday, June 8, 2012

Armchair BEA Day 5 - The Future of Book Blogging

Design Credit: Nina @ Nina Reads

Today is supposed to be an "Ask The Expert" post when it comes to book blogging, but I'm not an expert. I've only been doing this for around five months, so what you'd get is "Ask the Amateur". That's to say that I haven't learned a few things along the way, but there is still so much that I don't know. If you're interested in my lowly advice, it's free to anyone who wants to read it. It sure has helped me.

  1. NetGalley/Edelweiss are your friends when used responsibly. Unless you have absolutely nothing to do in your spare time, be conservative in your requests. Once upon a time, someone told me that publishers were very unlikely to allow their galleys to go to new bloggers. I have found that publishers are nothing but wonderful, understanding individuals that are very kind and accommodating when it comes to bloggers - and librarians. I did learn this lesson the hard way, but I'm too embarrassed to go into details. Let's just say it's a mess that I'm still trying to clean up. *blushes*

  2. Always be professional - always. The book industry is a business. We may not always be paid for what we do (I'm not), but we should conduct ourselves as professionals. Yes, this is a hobby, and it is a lot of fun. However, people's livelihoods are tied up in our reviews, promotions, and features. The least we can do is behave in a dignified manner and respect our commitments. I'm not saying that no one should crack jokes or have DNFs, but it is important to remember that at the end of the day, we're providing a service. Even if you don't work directly with publishers or authors, people will read your blog. Be a trusted, respectable, and reliable information source.

  3. Make a blogging buddy. Even if you do not have time to network or interact with other bloggers on a regular basis, you should find someone in the book blogging community to be your confidant. I don't have anyone in my personal life that gives two shakes of a stick about my blog, so it's nice to have a few ladies that I can talk to about the ups and downs of blogging. Even if you have supportive family or friends, it's great to have someone that understands what blogging entails. This is also especially important to new bloggers because you can learn so much from the seasoned professionals. Life is so much better when you have a friend.

  4. It should only be your hobby if you are having fun. As someone who has been a writer for a very long time, I can testify to the fact that if you're not enjoying what you're doing, it's going to show up in your work. It's going to sound forced or the quality is going to drop. If something about your blog is not enjoyable or working for you - change it. Nothing is set in stone. This is your baby, and it needs to be for yourself, first and foremost. Once you're doing what you love, everything else will fall into place. I know it sounds vague, but when you get it, you'll get it. Work hard at what you have fun doing, and you will be successful. You can hold me to that.

  5. Get a life. There is an entire world outside of our books, blogs, and computers. Sometimes, we need to just step away from it all, and do things that have absolutely no relevance to the latest releases, who is getting ARCs, who gets which authors, etc. I'm  not saying that you should do it every day but once in a while. The little things won't matter as much if you're not too tied into it all.
That is all this rookie has to offer up to you today. Do you have any great tips that you would like to share with me? I take help and advice anywhere that I can get it. I'd also like for you to leave your link so I can visit your blog, too.

If you're so inclined, there are five open giveaways that you are welcome to enter while you are here.

16 comments:

  1. It needs to be for you first and foremost - absolutely! I couldn't agree more. Absolutely great post!

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    1. Thank you! You have no idea how much positive feedback means to me. :-)

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  2. Great tips, I especially like that you encourage people to be respectful and reliable

    Hope you have enjoyed ABEA

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

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    1. It's the exact same advice that I give my little one. I hope you've enjoyed ABEA as well. :-)

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  3. Excellent tips! thank-you for sharing.

    My post - http://obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/armchair-bea-day-five-future-of-book.html

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  4. Great advice. I especially like the fun/professional/hard work. So true.

    I'm not participating in Armchair BEA (I got exams and a big translation project) but I really enjoy reading the posts, there's so much to learn from both new and experienced bloggers.


    Ivana @ WTSL

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  5. Thanks for the top advice. Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves that we're doing this for fun, we should never feel pressured. And, y'know, put the kindle down and go outside when it's sunny :)

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  6. Great list!

    My favorite is number 3. I started out kind of intimidated...I'd had a bad experience with a rude "big blogger" and didn't really talk to anyone! Then I met a few bloggers who started at the same time as I did. We are very close and talk daily.

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  7. Great tips! Especially with be professional. If our names are on our blog, then anyone can Google us and see it - I definitely wouldn't want to be embarrassed by what they find!

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  8. A blogging buddy is important, as is having fun. So is being professional. Good tips.

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  9. Great post! You appear to have really thought things through. :)

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  10. I love that you are encouraging people not to let their blog take over their life. Sometimes it's so hard to step away from the keyboard. And yay for Blogging Buddies!

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  11. Blogging buddies are lifesavers. You really do need someone to bounce ideas and complaints off of with no judgement.

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  12. Wanna hide your netgalley overload with mine? It's hard not to get over-enthusiastic when you see all those books!

    Spot on about having fun, having those buddies and stepping back sometimes - its great to have some perspective every now and then!

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  13. Blogging buddies are the best! I have found some and I have to say, it feels great to even have one blogging friend who loves books. Also, it is necessary to have fun and not trrat blogging like a chore because then it's really not for you.

    Great to meet you, Kayla! =D

    My Armchair BEA: Sharing My Tips post.

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  14. Oh man, I so agree about NetGalley. I went crazy. We've discussed this, but, yeah, it's a big problem. Also just realized I forgot to put my NetGalley titles in my latest post. Oops. Guess I'll put them in next week's.

    High five, blogging buddy!

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You are going to put words in my box?! *squeezes you* Now I shall stalk YOUR blog!