Book Blogging 411

"I've started my blog, have good traffic, review books, and have not yet receive ARC's. What I'm I doing wrong?"

I think that as a blogger (and this is my opinion) that there should be some standards. Because I have seen it around. Bloggers who get all these followers but never interact. Get ARC's and never review. Or there is no content but memes on their blog. So I have to ask, Are you a worthy blogger?

To me (again my opinion) a worthy blogger consist of this:

1. An active blog.

 Is your blog active? I know we all have personal lives and it is hard to have posts everyday. Part of blogging is to blog. I think having a post every other day is good. Me personally, I read and review ahead of time and have my post scheduled. So in case of anything comes up or if I forget, there is always something ready. Blogger has this feature and I love it. If you have a hard time keeping up with post, schedule them. Take time to read, read, read, and write your reviews, then schedule. It's simple and easy.

2. Good content

Is your blog nothing but meme's? Meme's are good and fun way to show you creative side and also interact with your followers. But if one thing I dislike is a blog of nothing but meme's. Book Blogging is about showing your love for books. I want reviews, opinions, the last news on books coming into movies, etc. Don't ask me to visit your blog and it nothings but meme's. Major turnoff.

3. Good follower count

Now this is a tricky one. Why? Because anyone can have hundreds of followers but none interact. You want followers who actually visit your blog, write comments, and discuss books with you. I have seen blogs with all these followers but no comments. I have also seen blogs where there are few followers but the comments were high. The followers truly enjoy reading the reviews and interact. Now that is a good blog.

4. Reviews

Book Blogging is about reviews so review. Who cares if you don't have ARC's!!! I started off by reviewing books from my own library. I started blogging so I can share what I've read and to hear what others thought. So review what you read at a library, what book you bought or borrowed. Just review!

5. Interacts with others

If one thing I dislike in the blogosphere is people who want you to follow them but they follow no one else. They constantly spam your blog "Follow Me! Follow Me!." Ugh! Just wrong. Follow other blogs and interact with others bloggers. I have learned so much from other bloggers and have gotten some great advice. Interact with others. You can't expect people to follow you if you don't return the favor.

6. Contest

Now, I know not all can hold contest after contest. It gets expensive, believe me I know. But try to at least hold a contest or two. Usually what I do is get books on sale to giveaway. For example, at my local Borders they sometimes have a buy 4 books get one free. It's great because the fifth book is free and I can give it away. I also get books at local library sales, Walmart, Kmart, and Target. You'd be surprise by not only what you find there but also the books are always 3 to 4 dollars cheaper then what you would get them at a bookstore. It's also better to stick to US only because the shipping is cheaper. But if you can do an international giveaway every once in a while.

There are so many other good qualities of good bloggers. If you do all of these things consistently, you will eventually get more loyal followers, more ARC's and your blog will generate more traffic. Remember that Rome wasn't built in one day. It will take time for you blog to grow, for you to get notice, etc. Be patient and have fun. Book blogging is about sharing your love for books. I didn't get my first ARC till about 5 months of blogging. And remember good things come to those who wait.

If you have a any questions about book blogging go HERE!

Happy Reading!