Top Ten Tuesday (14)

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because they are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of their bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment.

The topic this week is: Top Ten Tips For New Book Bloggers


I suppose I could call myself a seasoned book blogger (even after just a year and 4 months), but I'm still trying to get the hang of this thing.  Believe me there are a ton of bloggers out there way more savvy then me, BUT I do have some advice to impart on you younglings!!

1. Figure out which blogging platform works best for you!  There are two main ones which people use: Blogger and Wordpress.  Both of these have their pros and cons, but it's really what works best for you.  I'd read some reviews of both to gain a feel for them.  Both are free to use and web-based, so they're simple to start with.  
2. Set up a separate email account for your blog!  It is easier to have all your blog comments, email inquires, and review requests come to the same email.  This helps avoid you missing something, and if you ever stop blogging you still have your personal email intact.  This also makes it easier to set up other social networking sites which I will talk about as well.
3. Get on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Youtube, and Pinterest!  Social networking is you friend; it can help you reach a larger audience and allows you to post content in a multitude of places.  If you have to pick one go with Twitter!  It is the fasest way to get information out, and to connect with other bloggers.  Then after that I'd go with Facebook.  The other three are fun, but not as important from the get go.
4. Browse other book blogs and find ones you like!  Do a Google or Twitter search to find relevant blogs.  And there are all kinds out there.  Some specialize in certain genres, others certain age groups, and others that are a mixed bag.  For instance, I read mostly YA book blogs because that's my interest.  To keep all of the blogs you find organized, you can use a feedburner.  there are several out there, but the one I use is Netvibes.  Super simple, and keeps all my blogs in order!
5. Comment, comment, comment!  Once you find those blogs you like, start commenting!  This is a fast way to get followers yourself, and to make friends within the blogosphere.  It's also good manners to comment on a post; the blogger puts time and effort in posting and it's nice to be appreciated.
6. Make a schedule you can keep!  Don't try and be super blogger because you'll burn out.  It may seem easy at first, especially if you start during a slow time in your life, but as you get more and more busy, it becomes harder and harder to keep up.  That's why I suggest keeping a schedule.  Pick days or times you write posts that work with your life.  And don't be too hard on yourself if you miss a post.  This needs to be fun not just for the reader, but for you as the writer; a schedule helps with that!  Some online options are: Remember the Milk, Day Viewer, & picoBeat
7. Write extra posts early!  If you have a free couple of hours then I suggest writing extra posts up and scheduling them to post.  This saves my butt a ton of times!  Usually there's a schedule button that you use to choose both date and time of post.  Very convenient for vacations or busy times .
8. Don't focus so much on what you don't have yet!  This could include the number of followers you have or getting ARCs for review.  This stuff will come, believe me!  Ask any season blogger, and they'll let you know that those things didn't come right away!  It takes perseverance, and time to show how awesome you are!  Because we all know it, but sometimes it takes publishers a little bit of time to find out ; )  Also, if you do the comments thing, you should be getting reciprocal action.  See it's all part of the circle of blogging!
9. Features are fun, but try to find your own thing too!  There are a TON of features to choose from all over the blogosphere (including this one).  Some of my favorites are In My Mailbox, Top Ten Tuesday, Teaser Tuesday, and Waiting on Wednesday.  There are other awesome ones as well.  They are great for pageviews, but original content is really what makes followers stay.  Think of things you really love, and blog about those!  If you like movies, go ahead and blog it up!  Knitting your thing?  Then let us know what it's all about!  When you're a book blogger remember that's not the only thing you are, and your followers are just as diverse!
10. Have fun!  The last thing I have to tell you is just to have fun with it all!  Seriously, that is the one thing I hope the most that you take away from this little list!

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