This is a hard topic for me. I've certainly learnt quite a bit since starting blogging, but I'm not sure I can consider myself an expert quite yet. So I'm going to use this post to talk about what I've learnt so far, but also to ask you guys for some advice as well.
What I've learnt- my top 10 book blogging tips
- Network! Make time to talk to other bloggers on their blogs or through social networking sites. Reply to comments made on your blog. Meet up with readers, bloggers and authors wherever you can in the real world. It'll certainly help you learn a lot and you'll meet lots of new friends as well.
- Find youself a niche. I'm still working on this one, but Armchair BEA (and your comments) have certainly helped me think more about this. I think its important because it helps you to stand out in an increasingly busy blogging scene.
- Don't be afraid to take a day off. Its good to post every day, bu we all need a rest sometimes. If possible, tell your readers what you're doing and why- it lets them know you care
- Schedule posts wherever possible. Its good to have something ready to post just in case the unexpected happens
- Link up to old posts. Revisit old ideas and connect them, or let readers know of similar posts they might like.
- Giveaways are great for getting visitors, but you need something else to get them to stay.
- Snappy titles are great for getting people to visit your posts, especially if they sound like they could be contraversial.
- Make it clear what your post will be about in the first sentence (or so). If its a giveaway, make it clear who will be allowed to enter. If its a meme then link up to the creator's site (or explain what others have to do if you're the creator).
- Don't get too hung up by squabbles that may go on around you. Consider the situation, work out your opinion and then decide whether its worth posting about.
- Make your blog your own! The most important thing is that you enjoy what you're doing and it reflects your personality. Have fun!
Ask the experts (that's you!)
However short an amount of time you've been blogging, however small you may consider your blog I'm sure you've learnt something. If so, I'd love to hear what you consider the most important thing you've learnt.
If you don't have a blog then I'd like to know what you think of mine and if you have any tips to improve it. Specifically, I'm interested in the following:
- What is your top blogging tip?
- What do you like most about my blog?
- Is there anything I could do better?
- I'm thinking of making a niche for myself as a independent/self-published physical book reviewer. Would this interest you?
- I'm still trying to create some sort of logo. Any ideas?
Thanks for reading and I hope you've had a great Armchair BEA.
