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Let's talk about blogs, baby…

2008 at 9am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky

To celebrate hump day in Book Blogger Appreciation Week, My Friend Amy has asked us to pause our biblioholic discussions for a moment and spend a little time talking about blogging. Here’s what she wants to know:

What is one thing you wish you knew about blogging when you started or what advice would you give a newbie blogger?

What is your best blogging tip?

Well, I’ve only blogging for 2 1/2 months, so I won’t pretend to be an expert, but I do think I’ve learned a few things. To anyone interested in blogging who hasn’t started yet, I’d recommend spending a couple weeks reading book blogs and getting a feel for what’s out there in order to identify what kind of gap you might be able to fill. Click through the sites you like and see who’s on their blogroll. Check out those sites, also; just let them flow into each other as you take mental notes about what works for you and what doesn’t. Get familiar with the prominent members of the blogging community, and reach out to them.

When you start your blog, you have to find ways to get the word out. Using networking sites is one great way. I use LibraryThing and also have a link to my blog on my Facebook profile, and those both seem to work well. Because my job connects me to educators and fanatic readers, I also sent out an email to a select group sharing the blog link with them, and it’s been fun having yet another way to discuss books. I think the key word is “marketing.” Make yourself visible by participating in memes, challenges, and online discussions, and by commenting on other blogs, which invites those bloggers to visit you.

Tag your posts carefully and think about search terms that could lead people to your blog. If you write book reviews, contact the publicists for those books and provide them with links to your reviews. You’ll be surprised where this can lead.

These are all great ways to build your blog and increase traffic, but the best tip I can give is to stay true to yourself and what you enjoy—when it comes down to it, no one really cares how many hits you get or what your Technorati authority number is. Blogging is a hobby, a creative outlet, and a way to connect with other people who have similar interests. Write in your own voice, share your personality, and be open to feedback.

I’ll keep blogging as long as it remains fun…but if it ever starts feeling like work, I’ll know there’s some important re-evaluating to be done. 40 hours of work a week is enough for me. This is about having a good time.

Don’t forget to cast your vote for the best Adventures in Life story and decide who will win the $25 gift card giveaway.

And if you’re just dying to know more about The Book Lady, click here to read Jennifer the Forgetful Faerie Queen’s interview with me.

Filed Under Blogging

Comments

No Responses to “Let's talk about blogs, baby…”

Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) on September 17th, 2008 9:40 am

I agree with all of the above, but I will have to answer Amy’s question later today after work. Great response though.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaways on my blog.
Chris@bookarama on September 17th, 2008 11:32 am

For someone who just started blogging, you’re doing pretty good!
Rebecca on September 17th, 2008 11:36 am

Aw, thanks, Chris!
Amy @ My Friend Amy on September 17th, 2008 1:46 pm

What fantastic advice. Now…blogging has admittedly felt a bit like work this week. But all hobbies do at times….:)
Shana on September 17th, 2008 7:59 pm

Rebecca, great advice.

I need to tag my posts more carefully.

I agree about letting publishers know when you’ve reviewed their books by providing a link.

Another thing, they (and authors too) love it when you cross-post your reviews to Amazon.

I have never been able to figure out exactly what Technorati is or what it means, so no danger of me being too influenced by it
Anna on September 18th, 2008 12:16 pm

Great tips! I agree that you have to keep blogging fun! Otherwise, what’s the point?