1. Read at your own pace. Don't think you have to post a review everyday, otherwise you risk reader burn-out. When you read, it should be because you want to.
2. Visit other bloggers. Other bloggers can be a great source of inspiration for posts and a great source for your next read.
3. Comment. Don't just throw out a standard "form" comment of "nice review". Actually read the post and make it a quality comment relating to whatever the blogger has just written.
4. ALWAYS warn if you're post has spoilers. I read a post once that didn't and it was a little upsetting.
5. Disclose where you got the book from. Whether from and author, agent, publisher or you won it from Goodreads or a blog giveaway or some other contest.
6. Don't make make your post/review long because you think you have to. If what you have to say can be stated in one paragraph or even a few sentences, that's fine. If you need longer, that's fine too, as long as it doesn't feel like you're forcing some kind of word count.
7. Be honest. Don't just like a book because everyone else does. Also, don't pretend to read a book you haven't.
8. Let your personality show. Reviews don't have to be essay style. Own your voice.
9. It's nice to throw in the occasional non-bookish post. It's nice to know if you're in school or have kids or heading for retirement. I'm not saying reveal your whole life, I certainly don't. It's just nice to know a little about who you're reading.
10. Variety is the spice of life. Take from that what you will
What's your advice for new book bloggers? Are you a new book blogger trying to find your way in the blogosphere?
Great tips. I especially love #1. It's easy to focusing on the writing part of this prompt, but it's a book blog so naturally there is reading involved. Like you said, you don't want to burn-out on reading.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely don't want to feel like you're rushing through a book just so you can throw another post up. The aim should be for quality over quantity.
DeleteYou are the first blogger to mention read at your own pace. That's really helpful! When I first started blogging I felt like I was the slowest reader on earth because a lot of the bloggers I followed in the beginning had a review up every other day.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Loni!
I used to feel like a super slow reader too. It's even slower with the kids. If you want to have more posts, I think that's what memes/hops are good for... like this one :)
DeleteI recently read an article about the dangers of "yes men" on the Internet. People with crazy ideas have their thoughts validated by other crazy people. On that note, if you're crazy so am I because I support all 10 of your tips. ;)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you being crazy with me.
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