I like to consider myself a friendly blogger. This could, of course, be a complete lie…but it’s my blog so I CAN LIVE IN MY DELUSIONS IF I WANT. But several people have accusingly thanked me for a) interacting with them, b) commenting on their blogs, c) following them on twitter, d) and being generally awesome. Why thank you.
I work very hard at being friendly on the internet for several reasons:
- When I was a newbie blogger I was ignored by a lot of “big blogs”. (Even though I was a dedicated follower and commented all. the. time.) It hurt my feelings. I swore if I ever took up wizardry and tricked people into liking my blog, then I would pay attention to them.
- I am a 99.6% introvert in real life. Why do you not see my face on the blog? Why am I never at book festivals? Why do I answer life-questions so infrequently? BECAUSE I AM A SOCIALLY ANXIOUS PERSON. Blogging is my outlet. It is my way to have friends without stress. So of course I want to talk to people. You are my friends, you wonderful pineapples.
- It is very very satisfying to get a lot of comments or twitter favourites or instagram hearts.
- I’m not even going to how selfishly number-orientated the above confession is. But it is satisfying. You have to admit. Because it makes your art feel appreciated.
- I want to be famous. Friendly people sometimes get famous. (They also get murdered too, so I’m cautious, don’t be worried.)
- I cannot make awesome tutorials or giveaway tons of books or tell you how to code your blog or write a blog planner or give writing advice — but I CAN GIVE YOU MY TIME. So I consider comment replies and avid social networking that my way to “give back”.
But I wasn’t always grand at social networking. (I don’t actually consider myself “grand” at it now? I just do my best and I’ve learnt a few things.) And today I want to share with you a) how attack people with friendship, and b) how that can grow your blog, and c) things you can do to start down this path of loveable violence.
And by “attack people with friendship” I mean “social network”. But the first sounds better.
Let’s have a DOs and DON’Ts list, shall we? I like lists. You like lists. There is no downside here.
NOTE: Just want to add in here that OBVIOUSLY I am not perfect at social networking. I often fail. But here is what I attempt to do and when I do fail….I just eat chocolate and try again later.
- DO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW YOU EXIST. Because when you pop into the blogging world like a newly born catfish, nobody knows who you are. You can’t expect them to. And you can’t expect them to remember you instantly either. You need to be consistent on the internet. You need to occasionally stop and yell “HELLO MY NAME IS BEAN AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY”. Grand entrances are acceptable.
- DO REMEMBER THAT ALL BLOGGERS ARE CREATED EQUAL. Which means treat everyone like a potential friend. I tend to treat everyone like a long-lost friend, because it amuses me to shower them with all caps and virtual cake as welcome to my blog. (For some reason people keep coming back, though??? It’s weird.)
- DO BE EASY TO CONNECT WITH! And this means be approachable! Tell people you’re open for a conversation…by answering comments or tweets. Make sure it’s easy to comment on your blog. Do you have google+ comments only? You’re probably cutting off all the wordpress users. Do you have ridiculously hard captcha? You’re probably scaring off dyslexic people. Do you only answer your tweets every 12 days? You’re kinda ending a conversation before it starts.
- DO BE FEARLESS. And I don’t mean wearing a tee-shirt that says “I <3 PAPER FURY” and skydiving off the Eiffel Tower. Although I would be flattered. So long as you didn’t die. I mean, if you’re scared of participating in a blog hop, or commenting on a blog, or tweeting that Really Cool Blogger You Admire…DON’T BE. Half time the Really Cool Blogger is actually a dork and wants to screech about books with you. Ergo: this is me, always. Don’t be intimidated! BE A FEARLESS FISH.
- DO FIND A WAY TO GIVE TO YOUR FOLLOWERS. You could make them laugh (I find comedy wins a lot of favour…even if my version of “comedy” is so weird I scare myself sometimes) or you could encourage them or you could freely give blogging advice. But if you GIVE to people…they stick around and they trust your advice and you build a community.
- DO MAKE GOALS AND WORK TO ACHIEVE THEM. Not unrealistic goals like “make my followers love me so much they give me pizza” (although if you’re offering to give me pizza…). But if you want to network more…make a goal to visit one new blog every week. Make a goal to host a blog event. Team up with someone to do a blogging challenge. This promotes traffic and gets people talking and — IT’S FUN.
- DO GIVE ME PIZZA. I realise this contradicts the above. I am not sorry. (But also, honestly, people love to talk about food. My entire army is knit together with quality cake discussions.)
- DO TRADEMARK YOURSELF. People basically think of me when they read a book with cake in it. Is that power or WHAT?! (Basically mind control…but shhh, don’t tell them.) Become known for something and people will remember you. I know bloggers specifically for their photography, or for their motivational writing tweets, or for their dryly awesome sarcastic reviews. Trademark yourself. Hopefully my trademark is funny (slightly odd?) posts and cake. And dragons. And world dominating villainy.
- DO BE RANDOMLY NICE. It’s hard to remember to be randomly nice. I STRUGGLE. And then my randomly nice comments of “aw, you look like a pumpkin” get misinterpreted as something derogatory when I meant it as a nice comment. Hmmph. It costs you nothing to be nice. Remember that.
- DO KEEP UP THE SOCIAL NETWORKING. DON’T QUIT. If it doesn’t appear to be working, tweak your methods. but don’t just go “omg this sucks I’m out of here and moving in with the llamas”. Because it’s about CONSISTENCY remember?!? People need to see you around a lot and then they’ll remember you. And sometimes it takes a while to find people you connect easily with. But they’re there. I promise. Also if you just can’t click with someone…don’t force it. Not everyone is meant to be best buds.
- DO INCITE CONVERSATION. It’s like inciting a cake riot, but with less trampling and calmer cake. Send out questions in your blog posts. Ask for input on twitter. When you write a post…is the topic closed off? Or did you leave it open for questions and discussion? Do you make people feel safe about giving their opinions?
DO ATTACK PEOPLE WITH FRIENDSHIP WHEN THEY SAY HELLO. This might scare them away. But it also might make them too scared to leave you. Ha! Ha! PERFECT! I like to comment on people’s blogs fiercely and show them my support. I shout at them happily in all caps whenever they do something awesome. I am that annoying friend in the background cheering you on and promising you cake if you achieve, okay? I’m 99% sure all my friends are too scared to leave.
- YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE OUTGOING TO NETWORK. Spoiler alert: I am not outgoing. I know you’re laughing at this right now, but guess what?! I am a shy turtle…but when I write online, I am safe and comfortable in my room. I choose to have a slightly shrieky, fangirly internet presence…but you can be serious or dryly sarcastic or poetic or anything you want to be. Just be what you choose. Be what makes you happy. Consistently. And you can be quiet and friendly, don’t doubt this.
- YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE. If I can’t think of a good reply to a comment or a tweet…I come back later. I don’t pressure myself. Network at your own pace.
- WHICH LEADS TO…YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING. PERIOD. It’s okay to not be on all the social media sites. I see people beating themselves up for “neglecting facebook” or “forgetting to tweet”…and it’s kind of silly! I mean, if you WANT to tweet but keep forgetting: you should tweet. But if you hate tweeting and it’s awkward or overwhelming for you…whyyyyy are you doing it?!? Pick one or two social media networks and OWN THEM LIKE A QUEEN. (FYI: I am a twitter, instagram and goodreads fiend. I know that’s three. But I like a challenge.)
- DON’T BE A DERISIVE MELON FACE. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t write controversial posts (you should! Debates are interesting and can be fun!) But it’s super off-putting when a person comes across like everything is attacking them or the woe-is-me attitude. Share your life struggles, YES. But not all the time. Write about a popular opinion you vehemently disagree with. But don’t make others feel attacked. Complain about rules or the world or a book — but balance it with positive posts. The trick here is — DON’T MAKE YOUR FOLLOWERS FEEL SNEERED AT.
- DON’T BUILD FRIENDSHIPS TO ASK FOR STUFF. This should be logical? But it happens to me a lot…and it’s a little frustrating. It’s okay to ask for stuff, of course! But please don’t let it be the sole reason you’re buddying up to a blogger.
- D
ON’T CRITIQUE A BLOGGER!! PLEASE. JUST DON’T. Although you can do this, of course, when a) they ask your opinion, and b) you know them super well and you’re best buds and you’d share the last sandwich on earth with them. But seriously, I’ve had people tell me that my blogging is annoying and irritating (why read my blog then, honestly? I is confused) or my reviews are dumb (“dumb” being a far nicer word than the ones they usually use on me)…and it kind of wrecks my day. Just because I have 2,000+ followers doesn’t mean I don’t see the comments. I DO. I’m pretty sure this goes for most internet people.
- DON’T COPY THE BLOGGERS YOU ADMIRE. This is sooo freaking hard. I DO KNOW. Because if you really want an awesome blog, you want to learn from the Greats, right?! But don’t copy. Because it sucks to work really hard on your blog and then visit someone else and see them replicating what you do. You are no longer special. You must think of another way to stand out. Cue exhaustion. But don’t stress if you’ve done this!! (I have done this when I was a delicate green newbie blogger.) This takes time. My blog didn’t become the blog you’re reading now until I’d been plodding away on the internet for 2.5 years. Write the blog you want to read. Write it in your way and it’ll be grand.
- DON’T TREAT PEOPLE LIKE SUPER HUMANS. Because spoiler alert: no one is. This means don’t be scared of them, but also don’t expect everything of them. And if someone appears to be “ignoring” you, just realise it might not ALWAYS be the case! They might be busy. Or their pet python might’ve swallowed them and they’re a bit tied up right now. Be realistic about expectations on yourself and on others.
I am honestly so socially insecure that I cringe at myself for it… There have been so many instances that I wanted to chat with other bloggers or when I could reply to another blogger and start a conversation, but end up chickening out at the last minute. “What if they think I’m too friendly? Or annoying? WHAT IF THEY DON’T LIKE ME?!??”
I obviously need to boost my self-confidence more. *sighs* Awesome post though, Cait!
DO NOT FEAR!! I HAVE FELT THIS TOO!! In fact, I’ll totally confess to sometimes feeling that way even now, when I’ve been blogging intensely for aaaages. 😂 But practise totally helps! IT DOES. The more you comment and bop around, the easier it does get. Although totally don’t stress yourself and FORCE yourself to do anything you’re not comfortable with. BABY STEPS for networking I say.
And here. Let me give you cake because that is 100% guaranteed to make you feel good.
There are no words to describe how much I love this post. I’ve always used blogging as a way to bypass social anxiety so I know dem feels, pineapple.
Also, I don’t know why some people find it so difficult to be nice. True, social networking takes up a lot of time, but if we all went in with an attitude like yours, the bloggy world would be a much nicer place <3
Omg, HI FIVE for we socially anxious people who still find ways to have friends without stressing ourselves out too much *GIVES YOU SO MUCH CAKE* I love blogging so so much for just being able to chat and have fun with people and yet not have all the pressure. :’)
And yes, omg, I know right?!? Like what does one get out of being mean anyway?!?? It’s just a downer for everyone. Whereas being nice makes you AND the person receiving feel good. Which is so much win.
Yeah, why DO people keep coming back to your blog, Cait? It mystifies me 😉
OOH, the trademark tip is a really good one. I’m hoping people think I’m loony? I don’t even know. Maybe I should work on that more. I’m doing marketing at uni for heaven’s sakes..
Also I’m pretty sure you’re subliminally forcing us to associate you with cake so it makes it easier to achieve world domination. #justsaying
I have no idea??? I think it’s the mind control, tbh. So I must never let that slip or else my blog will suddenly get very quiet. *practises being evil*
BAHAHAH YES. But you are hilariously wonderful and intelligently loony. I am just sayin’. Your posts are AMAZING. I mean, not that you can tell with me being such a stalkery follower, right???? *whistles innocently*
I’m not even going to deny the cake accusation.
This post is amazing! I’m such an introvert. I’ve been following your blog for ages and I was terrified of commenting on your blog, but I decided to take a leap and friend requested you on Goodreads. I was so excited when you accepted my friend request. You really helped a socially awkward introvert gain internet confidence!.
Omg don’t be scared!! I AM A REALLY NICE PERSON I SWEAR, ZARA. *ahem* And I absolutely love all comments. So here, let me welcome you with cake. And omg, that is like the best compliment of EVER. Seriously. <3 Chat about books with me anytime. I LOVE IT.
I’ll definitely take your word for it…along with the amazing virtual cake (because who doesn’t love cake?!). I can’t wait to chat to you about books, cakes and dragons, the MOST awesomest (is that even a word?) things in the world.
Awesomest SHOULD be a word, if not, WE SHALL MAKE IT ONE. *nods sagely*
This is such an amazing list and one I really need to follow. I suck at networking. Like I’m really terrible. Because I’m shy and awkward and let my anxiety stop me way too often. I mean I try my best and make sure to reply to everything that is said to me/on my blog, and make and effort to comment back and stuff, but starting new conversations with people is where I get stuck. I back out of it all the time. The fact that you are so awesome on social media despite similar anxiety issues gives me a lot of hope.
I’m really bad at using Twitter and Pinterest haha. Maybe I need to share more pizza there (Hawaiian and Meatlovers are my go to types. So delicious). My best social media platform would have to be tumblr honestly! I spend so much time on there. After that it’s Instagram.
I think practise helps a lot?! Because trust me: I used to be a horrific commenter and would obsess over everything I typed in case it was stupid. xD But I honestly just decided to forget it all and JUST COMMENT AND LET LOOSE because I, personally, appreciate all the comments on my blog, so I figure other bloggers would like them too. 😂
And social anxiety beans unite!! *hi fives* I mean…not unite???? Because we don’t want to see each other??? BUT I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND IT, BEC.
ER. LOVE THIS. may i be mushy and hereby proclaim that I REALLY respect how much you communicate with your readers, I honestly know only a handful of bloggers who do and it must take up a lot time and BASICALLY YOU ARE A VERY AWESOME HUMAN
and great advice, I’ve recently been tweeting more actively and getting involved in blogger chats and it’s really starting to help me discover new bloggers!
MAY I BE MUSHY AND SAY THANK YOU BECAUSE OMG IT MEANS A LOT TO ME TO HEAR THIS?!?!?? *hugs you with cake crumbs* It can be a lot of work but I love blogging and commenting and everything so so much and I’m really glad to know it pays off. HUZZZAH! And you are awesome too, I MIGHT ADD. Your blog is like…omg. OMGGGG. < -- accurate representation of how much I truly like your blog.
Great post, and v. helpful for one of my new year’s resolutions (stop wimpering on your own in the corner and engage for god’s sake.) Maybe see you on Twitter some time 😉
YAYY!! I hope to see you on twitter too!! (If I haven’t followed you just nudge me and I will! 😉 )
Cait I love this post so much! Pretty much consistency is the key – you don’t build up a huge follower base over night which I think some people expect to! I see people for apologising to use some of their social networks too but it is silly – it’s there as a tool, not an obligation. I absolutely do think it’s important to be friendly and approachable and not like you’re going to attack someone who doesn’t like your point of view. And also it’s super easy to see when people are only blogging for benefits! This post is so great Cait! Great work.
YES!! CONSISTENCY!!! Particularly when you’re starting out, right? And omg, I think a lot of people think that “big bloggers” just spurted out of the earth like that but noooope. Everyone works hard. *nods* But overall I think the community is REALLY NICE around here and I’ve known more bloggers who want to talk/interact with me than I’ve met ones that ignore me. So that is wonderfully nice. 😀
I am so shy in real life, like the only talk when people talk to you shy. So I love the internet and blogging. It lets me talk to people and not have to be scared about it too much.
I had the same thing with you when I started blogging, I was ignored a lot from a lot fo the bigger bloggers (still am really) and that kind of puts you down because you try so much to talk to them or have a convo with them and then nothing. So I try always to talk with people weather it’s on twitter, fb or through blogs. I like talk about anything really but when it’s about things I love – it’s fun and different..
I think that is why I love twitter and blogging so much. I can talk to everyone about things that I love or that they love. It’s hard when you put out something and no one responds or when you don’t get comments on a blog post – but then anotehr blog post gets love and it makes it all up. Twitter is a fun way to talk with people, rant with them, share what you love with them.
I have made so many friends via blogging and twitter, some that I have meet with and talk to daily and some that live across the world.
Thanks for the post Cait
ME TOO, ANGEL, ME TOO. My ultimate goal in life at this point is to be a HOBBIT WITH BOOKS AND QUIET AND NO OTHER PEOPLE AROUND. *collapses* Also mushrooms are divine and hobbits like mushrooms so I think it’s meant to be. Ahem. But what were we saying? OH YES. BLOGGING. 😂
It does put you down to be ignored!! And tbh, I mean, sometimes a blogger is just busy or whatnot, and I do try to get that…but when you put like HOURS and MONTHS into supporting them and get zlich for it…I have to ask what the point is? So yes. 😛 I prefer to put my energy into bloggers who I can be friends with!
Twitter is pretty fun! I feel like the wordcount limit makes everyone more likely to make jokes than go on rants?! Which makes it a fun space. 😛
Ahhhh! Too much goodness in this post, Cait! I agree wholeheartedly with like everything you said. I know what you mean about being the itty bitty baby blogger that’s too shy to talk to any of the Super Popular And Amazing Bloggers… you don’t know how many months I stalked this blog before drumming up the courage to comment – which sounds way creepier than I meant it to! And yes to trademarks, I always associate people with certain phrases they use etc. I think I need to find myself one…? And ugh to copycats! I’m so sick of copycats in the blogging community at the moment. People need to learn that their unique voices are what make them special! Not taking someone else’s voice and claiming it.
I think the trouble with unique voices is THEY DO TAKE TIME!! You just have to stick with your voice and refine it and get comfortable and the rest honestly falls into place *nods sagely* SO YEAH!! ;D I think you have a pretty unique blogging voice, I might add. hehe.
Yeah, I guess that may be people’s problem… but it sad that people just don’t take that time to work it out! It’s so nice when you can read a random post and know exactly whose written it. Oh! *blushes* Why thank you! I would have that’s something I have to work on so ta for that.
This was a great blog post for me right now. I recently started a blog and I’ve felt like I really should start extra twitter, Instagram etc accounts but for now, blogging is enough for me! I’ll defiantly be trying to incorporate some of these do’s and don’ts into what I’m doing from now now on (particularly the thing about having a trademark-though I don’t know what my trademark is).
On that note I really wanted to say that I like pizza. And cake. Obviously (and all the mentions of cake in this post made me both laugh and feel really hungry) : )
I totally get that!! And it’s okay just to blog…like you shouldn’t feel pressured to network with social media if you don’t want. I AM JUST SAYIN’. ;D And I honestly think trademarks come with time.
PIZZA AND CAKE COULD TRULY BE THE MEANING OF LIFE. WHO CAN KNOW. <3
Awesome post!
I’m pretty terrible at social media, just because I’m too nervous to actually try and strike up a conversation with anyone, so it’s basically me just occassionally posting a link to my blog posts. I’ll definitely have to try out some of these tips (I’m seriously considering just leaping in and attacking people with my friendship just to really face my fears!) and see if I can manage to come across nice and friendly online (people often mistake my social awkwardness for unfriendliness in real life which isn’t great when I work in a shop – I probably scare away all the customers).
You definitely come across as a very friendly blogger though, especially seen as you get so many comments and still take the time to reply and comment back (which must take ages!). So thanks for being so friendly! 🙂
Ooh, best of luck, Laura! YOU CAN DO THIS! I BELIEVE IN YOU. 😂 (Although totally only if you want to! Don’t stress yourself out thinking you “should” do a ton of stuff, right?!) I’m sure my “friendliness” sometimes gets misinterpreted as annoyingness too…so hehe, I think we all have room to improve. And if I’m really really tired and try to network, I end up leaving slightly psychotic sounding comments. Which is awkward. hehe.
Awww, but I’m SO THANKFUL you think I’m friendly. <3 My dastardly plans are working. *happy sigh*
OOH I LOVE THIS POST!! (And I love pizza too, pizza is my true love, I swear. I especially like ham and pineapple as well as spicy chicken pizza, what’s your favorite?!)
I’m quite shy in real life so being able to speak to people on the internet is FANTASTIC! I’m still quite hesitant striking up conversation (HOW DO I WORD) but once I’m friends with someone I could talk the hind leg off a donkey. Once again, I LOVE THIS POST.
You are clearly an exceptionally human bean to love pizza. PIZZA IS EVERYTHING. I WILL TAKE ANY PIZZA!! HUZZAH! okay, wait, I won’t. I don’t do seafood. And I like normalish pizza? Like sausage and cheese? Or MUSHROOM. Omg, hold me someone, mushroom is life. I think I was a hobbit in another universe? Ahem.
AND YES!! I think the internet is a really great outlet for shy people…or even those of us who are just good at typing over talking? *raises hand* I can say what I want to say a THOUSAND times clearer online whereas IRL I’m stumbling and stuttering around. 😂
I AM TERRIBLE AT SOCIAL MEDIA. I love Twitter… but even so, I’m SO SHY. I’ll draft a Tweet it someone, stare at it for a full five minutes, edit it, then decide not to send it at all because I’ve chickened out. >.< GAHHH. I hate it.
DUDE I DO THAT THOUGH TOO AND I LOVE TWITTER. 😂 I honestly draft tweets all the time and just stare at them before tweeting. And I’ve been guilty of deleting things straight after I tweeted because I’m such a deluded melon. BUT TIME! PRACTISE! ALL THINGS WORK OUT. 😂😂
This is an amazing blog post with a lot of helpful information so thank you for finding your time and writing it! 🙂
I think you mentioned everything and I wouldn’t add anything to the list. The commenting part and being frienly is in my opinion really important because when someone is blogging he/she isn’t looking just for readers but also for friends. At least I do. Thanks to my blogging I met so many bookworms like me and so many writers and it’s so nice to surround yourself with people who are passionate for the same thing. Most of my not blogging friends don’t read or write and when I mention one of those things, they look at me as I’m the weirdo. Although they are the weirdos because how can someone not read or write. I mean, is that even possible? My slovak blog is running for 4 years now and I don’t really remember how I got my readers and friends because I didn’t know what I was doing. I bet I was socially awkward and scared because that is the problem I have right now when I try to discover different english bloggers. Man, it’s so hard to be the newbie again.
As for the social platforms, I still don’t get twitter. Instagram is my latest obsession, Facebook is okay but twitter is the death of me. And I tried to get friendly with him but I guess we didn’t click. That’s definitely my weakness.
Another weakness of mine is consistency because I can be quiet on the blog for like a month and then blog every day for another month so I’m trying to work it out.
Omg you are SO WELCOME and I’m really glad you enjoyed it!! *commences happy dance*
And I’m with you! Looking for friends and people who share my interests is one of the TOP reasons I love to blog. And if you don’t tell people you’re friendly and want connections, how will they know?! *nods* I’ve met SO MANY nice people through blogging too!! IT’S RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME. I honestly know zero bookworms in real life. They just don’t understand the agonies and wonders of the bookish life. *collapses*
And it’s totally okay not to be on ALL the social media platforms. If twitter doesn’t work for you? Just ditch it. 😀 Instagram is LIFE. <3 I could not be without my instagram basically. hhehe
This is a fantastic post Cait! The blogging community is a great one and a diverse one, and social media/networking is a wonderful tool to communicate that. I have to admit, I haven’t been so great with commenting lately because of being on a hiatus, but it is so good to see more fantastic posts like this once I come back. Thanks for sharing lovely 🙂
I’M GLAD YOU’RE BACK THOUGH, EUGENIA. <3 But hiatuses can be wonderful, I will not lie. 😂 And yes! I think the blogging community is actually really super nice and if we remind each other to keep up the awesomeness, it just because a really pleasant experience, right?! 😀
Great list. I related to a lot of things on it. It made me wonder though – I guess big blogs just have so much traffic that getting round to replying to everyone is tricky a lot of the time. And of course the more popular you get, the more likely people will stumble across your blog who don’t like it. And people can’t be soo insensitive online. Don’t let it get you down, Cait! Your legion of pineapples speaks for itself – you have something special here. Lovely post. c:
That is so so true! *nods* Like it’s easy to social network when you have like 10-20 blogs to visit per day…when it grows to 50+ it becomes a bit of a circus act at times. 😂 (Hence I’m replying so late!! But I still LOVE reading everyone’s comments so so much.) And I think people get jealous too?? Which makes them bitter little espressos?? Like the “big blogs” often seem like they get “everything” when it’s not always true!! SO YEAH.
bUt omg, thank you Ashana. <3 THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. *gives you pizza*
LOL! Circus act is a perfect way to describe it. I’m sure jealousy has a part to play, which is sad but true. I think big blogs are cool but I don’t envy them much! They must be swamped with bloggy admin duties. O_O PIZZA! Mmm. c:
(… I really want a pizza now D= But I cooked a nice healthy stew yesterday so I’m not gonna!!)
There is a lot of freedom in being a smaller blog…as I’m finding out. 😂 Not that I regret growing my blog though. I’M HAPPY.
Ooh, nice healthy stew. That also sounds delicious. Basically food in general = good.
This is amazing <3 <3
I've always wondered how to make friends with bloggers online because let's be honest, this is a fantastic community with wonderful, creative, painfully nice people. I'm hopelessly shy as well but behind a computer screen… *deep breath* it's a whole. new. thing. No awkward silences! No laughing and hoping it wasn't a question! No wondering if the face I'm currently making is acceptable or..?
BUT gathering the guts to comment on posts and forcing my friendship on people is still terrifying. Especially if they're so interesting and incredible and you've built multiple shrines in their honor and have them sitting on a pedestal in your brain. I'm working on it though!
As a newbie blogger this was an awesome guide so thank you!
Plus you're amazing and I love how unbelievably friendly you are all. the. time xx
Pizza is great. We have similar views on this.
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN. The computer like takes out a lot of the anxiousness for me…like “they’re saying one thing but is their face saying another, omg” fears and awkward silences. OH. And when it gets to much? You can just shut the laptop lid and claim you lost internet connection. 😂 (Yes I’m that evil.) I LOVE THE INTERNET. <3 Ahem.
I think it takes time??! And like practise?! Because when I started I absolutely obsessed over leaving potential dumb comments. And now I realise, pfft, comments are awesome and EVERYONE appreciates them. *nods*
Awww. I'm REALLY glad I come across friendly though. <3 THIS MAKES MY DAY.
I’m bit on commenting on other blogs (because that’s one of the most fun parts of blogging, for me), but otherwise I don’t do social medai-no twitter or facebook accounts, no goodreads etc. I know this goes against what we’re ‘supposed’ to do, but I like keeping things simple 🙂
ha, that’s big, not ‘bit’ lol. Need.more.caffeine.
OH YAYY THEN. You are clearly an epic blogger. CLEARLY, I SAY. And seriously, there should be no “supposed to do”s…it should only just be about what you want to achieve and what you’re comfortable doing *nods*
*gives you caffeine with your pizza because reasons*
I love how you’re shy IRL. I wouldn’t consider myself shy per se, but if someone looks over at my computer screen whilst I’m blogging my mind shrivels up and I can’t write anymore because it’s like YOU MUST NOT SEE THR OTHER ME COME OUT ON THE INTERNET. It’s a strange thing. Great post, you’re stuff is always so much fun to read. I really do hope you receive awesome cakes at celebratory moments of life, like a giant TARDIS made of Victoria sponge or something (if you like Doctor Who)!
Omg I cannot handle people looking at me while blogging. I CANNOT. Or writing. Or anything. *burrows into blankets* NOBODY LOOK AT ME. 😂 Ahem. Aww, but I’m glad you think my blog is fun! That is SO encouraging!! Honestly! And i have not seen Doctor Who. THIS IS A TRAGEDY ISN’T IT?!? What have I be doing with my life…omg, seriously.
Argh, Cait! Quick – amend this monstrosity! (Did you know there are Doctor Who books as well? *waggles eyebrows*).
I love this post! I am terrible at attacking people with friendship on the internet (WIN for rebranding social networking) and I’m working at commenting on things I like instead of lurking in the background like an anxious alpaca. I also love that you reply to comments >>> cue warm and fuzzies 😛
*lures your anxious alpaca self out with delicious cake* YOU GOT THIS. YOU CAN DO IT!! And trust me, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. I used to get stage-fright over comments a LOT. But now I just shriek at people all. the. time and have conversations and it IS GRAND AND EASY. So time! Time will do it!
This is a wonderfulous list, Cait, and VERY helpful as I’m trying to make a name and brand for myself right now. You are the best ^^ And I love your hilarious, off-the-wall style. I swear you make me laugh with just about every. single. post. you make XD
AND YOUR REVIEWS ARE NOT DUMB OR ANY OTHER WORD PEOPLE USE TO DEMEAN THEM. Goodness, I don’t even read all your reviews sometimes BUT THAT’S JUST ME. Don’t let the evil pineapples ruin your day. Focus on the good pineapples.
I SWEAR THIS IS THE NICEST THING TO HEAR OF EVER. *gives you cake* And your blogging voice is SO YOU and really original and omg, Lisa, you are fantastic, I am not even exaggerating here. FANTASTIC.
Aww, you nice bean. <3 And I will ignore the haters. I'm kind of used to it now? I mean it always makes me sad, BUT I don't lose heaps of time fretting like I used to.
omo CAIT NU. I’m not very confident in my blogging voice yet. I know it’s ME but I feel like I haven’t really settled into anything consistent yet. THANK YOU FOR THAT. you’re the best.
It’s ironic because I’m the opposite; I’m an extrovert in real life and a total introvert online. So, this really, really, really helps but I doubt I can achieve such friendliness.
Great post!
I’m glad, Sara! YAYHOOO!!! Although I think honestly practise is the key, as cliche as that sounds right now. 😂 The more you do it the more comfortable it gets.
I can’t believe you’re actually shy in real life! I mean you seem so… outgoing and funny and sarcastic and friendly and just amazing! I know a lot of people says to not be afraid to comment on other people’s blog, but it’s just kind of scary you know? I DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO SAY! If like that post, so what should I say??? I agree with all the points, but if I say that will I came across as copycat or pleaser??? What if I said something wrong?? What if the bloggers don’t reply and just cold and it’s scary…. *hides* But most people on the internet is friendly. BUT STILL. Commenting is scary!
I KNOW, RIGHT??! It shocks people all the time. 😂 And vice versa, when people IRL read my blog they are always so confused. XD I am a confusing being, I will not deny. hehe.
And omg it CAN BE SCARY!! Particularly if the blogger seems like really…omg, I don’t know? Intensely smart? I am in fear of smart people because I’m really a clueless pineapple. NO JOKE. So I do understand the shyness online too, at times. I think it can seriously be overcome by just going “oh whatever, they can’t EAT ME” and going for it. *nods*
I always think of you when I read about cake 😀 Also, I don’t think I’ve ever commented and this post made me do it because your blog is one of my favorites ever and your posts most usually always make my day. If I had pizza I would most definitely give it to you, after having eaten most of it myself.
Awww, I’m SO glad you commented!! *gives you cake because REASONS* And squeak seriously…can I just…omg…THIS COMMENT MAKES MY DAY THANK YOU.<3
No problem! 😀 😀 I’ll try to comment more in the future.
I think this is a struggle that a lot (if not all) bloggers deal with. My blog is still a baby so the max number of people I’ve had comment on a post is three (Thank you for being one of those three). However, they are all bloggers that I admire and that I’ve spent time building relationships with though commenting and e-mailing. And guess what? It’s not a chore. I love talking with these amazing people. They are all my senpais and it makes me squee when they notice me.
I think my biggest struggle is wondering if I have a memorable narrative voice. I try to add a little bit of humor here and there but it’s odd humor. Just over dramatic descriptions of things mixed in with my highly analytical tendencies. Crossing my fingers that people like to read it.
Also, I’m currently prohibited by my parents to have social media (accept for pinterest) so I can’t really network on there, which limits me to just working the blog-o-sphere. One of my goals is to start guest posting but that hasn’t happened as of yet.
Omg! I’m honoured to be one of the three! *happy dances* And I honestly think it can take time? Like I spent about 2 years even getting FIVE consistent commenters on my blog. 😂 But if you keep at it, you’ll see the results. I proooomise.
I think if you write in a way that makes you happy, you’re like 100% on the right track!! I know humour doesn’t work for everyone? And often just super informative and cleverly worded and interesting posts are amazing enough on their own. I think your blog fits that category JUST FINE.
Ah, and I do understand the limitations-from-parents…but I think commenting WILL get you far. I sucked at social media for a long time, but still commented a lot and it worked for me!
Awesome! Thanks for the encouragement. It’s great to know that it even took The Great Cait Ruler-of-All little bit of time to get a following. I’ll definitely keep doing what I’m doing. I love it and that’s the important thing.
I like the policy to ‘attack people with friendship’ – treat them like you want to be treated! I love it when people want to make friends with me, so it makes sense to treat others like I want to be friends with them. When it comes to social networking though, I just do what I can. I am by no means fantastic at it, but hopefully I’m not too awful either! :-/
I have fallen into the trap of being intimidated by super successful/popular bloggers though. People are scary!!!
Pizza? Cait, I thought you’d never ask. I love pizza – the more veggies on top the better. 😀
Thank you for such a lovely (and helpful!) post!
YES! I LOVE IT TOO! I get really squeakily happy when people just attack me with friendship, so it’s like my life goal to do it back to them. 😛 And omg, don’t feel like if you don’t do everything, you’re failing. Just do small things! SMALL THINGS COUNT FOR BIG WHEN YOU’RE CONSISTENT. *nods*
(I still get intimidated by huge famous awesome bloggers. 😂 I try not to…but it is hard, right?!)
Pizza. <3 PIIIIIZZZZZA.
This post is perfection^^ I agree: ALL bloggers are created equally. When I was staring, I followed some bigger blogs too that never commented back, never replied, never paid me the time of day so I’d never want to do that to anyone myself. I also loved hearing about how you’re introverted and socially awkward in real life (LIKE ME)- but that you don’t have to be that way online, which is so true! Not copying or critiquing other bloggers is always solid advice too! Well done Cait!!
*commences happy dance* And I do get sometimes that bloggers get busy and CAN’T do everything they’d like to do??! But when one consistently follows/comments to someone, you kind of want to receive SOME sort of interaction response, right?!? Or what is the point??! *collapses*
YAY FOR SOCIAL AWKWARD PENGUINS LIKE OURSELVES. *hi fives*
I love your gif on Don’t Critique a Blogger. It’s like, “I, Pharaoh, the Morning and Evening Star of Egypt, declare that this comment made me very sad.”
HEHE I’M GLAD. XD I’ve been looking for a reason to use that gif FOREVER. Best. movie. of my childhood. :’)
I really needed this cheat-sheet for social networking. I never leave comments, do guest posts or interviews — basically I do nothing with other bloggers. I try connecting other bloggers but I’m always worried that me and my blog aren’t “perfect”. Not anymore! Thank you so much for this post, Cait.
anna | annaish
P.S: I adore pizza but peanut butter sesame noodles are way better.
OMG YAY!!!! I’m glad this was helpful! And omg don’t feel like your blog isn’t good enough or anything. Doooo not feel that at all. Because the secret is we all sometimes feel that?!? So basically you are among friends here. 😂 And I shall visit your blog DIRECTLY.
(And I will not knock the gloriousness that is peanut butter. I discovered I’m allergic to it though?? so dangit???? MY LIFE IS RUINED??? PIZZA COMFORT ME. Peanuts. <3)
My biggest problem is consistency. I want blogger friends that I constantly talk to and know well, I DO, but I just have so much trouble finding the time to visit other blogs!
Finding time is hard!! I’m actually struggling to find time to do aaall the things these days (ergo I’m replying so late, AGH). But I think even if you’re consistent in a small amount it can make a difference. *nods*
That python line. *nods* Happens ALL the time.
My favorite kind of pizza would be pizza. I’m not picky. It just needs to be pizza of some sort and I will stuff it into my face with no shame. But gosh Cait, now I’m craving pizza. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?
Your “treat people like your long lost friend” is a very effective approach. I know I was so intimidated by your blog the first few times I visited, and I was really scared to comment because how do you talk to a famous person? But then you were so nice and friendly so I decided maybe I was comfortable enough to stay. So that’s what happened. I’m not sure I come across as friendly. I try, but I am not just introverted–I rather dislike most people in general. *hides from the masses* And I’m cynical, so I have to work pretty hard to not sound too cynical online. But I like blogging people–they (including you) are my friends and I am the sort of person who chooses to have as few friends as possible.
BUT HOW COULD PEOPLE BE MEAN TO YOU AND CALL YOUR BLOG ANNOYING AND SAY ALL THOSE AWFUL THINGS TO YOU? Let me know who they are so I can challenge them to a duel. *sharpens swords* I seriously don’t get people who feel the need to say hurtful things. I mean, it’s one thing if they disagree and they happen to disagree so strongly that they have trouble sounding nice, but even that is not so good. But if they don’t even like someone’s blog or reviews or whatever, why don’t they just refrain from spreading negativity. I have to wonder about people like that because it must not be fun to live in their heads. *gives you giant box of cake* Here, I hope this will make it better.
But yes, I totally agree that trademarking yourself is a good idea. I definitely think of you every time I think of cake, and hopefully, at least a few people people think of my blog when they think of coffee. *sighs wistfully*
It’s really unfortunate, those pythons right? Just an annoying hiccup to one’s day. Dangit.
I’m here to torture you. DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YET, LIZ?!?? FOOD TORTURE. THAT IS MY JOB DESCRIPTION. Ahem.
Zomg, I’m dying of laughing here. FAMOUS PERSON??? MEEEE??? I honestly don’t feel like a “big” blogger even though I have a herd of followers. HONEST. I fangirl when people comment on my blog, I DO. Although I’m aware I’m a little intimidating. I kind of want to tone it down sometimes, but ah, whatever. Life is short. Cake must be shared. And btw, I get excited every time you post because YOU ARE AN INSANELY GOOD BLOGGER. So the awe is mutual. 😉 Ahem.
(PS Cynical people are the best. Let no one tell you otherwise.)
I don’t get what people get out of saying hurtful things??? Like it doesn’t make YOU or the person feel good so WHAT IS THE POINT?!? Whereas being really nice makes everyone get the warm fuzzy happy feels…So it’s actually really selfish to be nice. We do it and feel good so it’s like bonuses all around. 😂
I THINK OF YOU WHEN I THINK OF COFFEE, TBH.
Pssssh, you’re totally famous, but in a good way. You’ve wormed your way into so many bloggish hearts. *nods* I mean, obviously this is so you can gain world domination, but still. And you honestly don’t need to tone anything down if you don’t want to–your blog is perfect as is. AND OMG YOU ARE SO NICE I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I honestly still get rather surprised when people tell me they love my blog. Like, excuse me, but I thought you had better taste than that. 😛
Cynical people for the win.
Being nice is so selfish. So, I guess mean people are being nice? *squinty eyes* But seriously, I think it would be awful to be a mean person–like, how do they live with themselves? And why? WHY WOULD ANYONE BE MEAN TO CAIT??? I will fight them. *nods*
OMG THEN I HAVE SUCCEEDED AND MY LIFE IS COMPLETE.
I am 99,6% shy in real life as well. (As in when I’m at church and everyone else wants to play games, I hide and the corner and play dead. Legit.)
AND IT’S SO HARD TO BLOG WITH MY KIND OF HUMOR!! Nobody gets it! I mean, what even?? I HAVE MET ONLY TWO PEOPLE IN PERSONS WHO GOT MY HUMOR!! *sighs*
Also (I just realized that my computer left this part out) I appreciate you so much!! THANK YOU FOR VISITING AND COMMENTING ON MY LITTLE BLOG!! AND FOR RESPONDING TO MY FORGETFUL COMMENTS!! XD
OMG YOU ARE MOST WELCOME, ALYSSA. I LOVE YOUR BLOG. And I wish I could comment on every post, tbh, but I need more tiiiime in my day. MORE TIIIIMe. *wails like a dying moose*
Also playing dead is a legit way to get people to leave you alone. I like to hide, also. I’m great at hide and seek. *nods* Best game ever. And seriously, no one in the family gets MY humour. They just look at me like I’m insane. (Maybe??? I am??? PFFFT.) But the blogging world seems to appreciate it. 😂
Love your post. Follow you on twitter for a while, but never comment on your blog. I should read your blog more often now. One of my favorite places to talk to people is on twitter. Love Twitter, I have many friends there. I have friends in real life too, but no one is interesting in books. How it is possible to not be interested in books I do not understand. Lol. my friends in real life are weird people. Can not even understand why I bother to call them friends 😉 .So for me twitter is a perfect place to come in contact with people who love books just as much as I do 🙂
Awww, I appreciate you reading (and commenting) on my blog! IT MEANS A LOT TO ME, IT TRULY DOES!! hehe And I think twitter is great for connecting. Like it’s quick and it can be really fun, and it’s easy to get into conversations with ALL kinds of people.
(And omg, no one I know IRL is interested in books either. They are strange strange humans.)
SUCH A HELPFUL POST! I wish I would’ve been able to read this earlier – or at least think of it myself – because it would’ve helped A LOT in some situations. It’s never easy to talk to other people but if you do and it actually clicks you’ll be so much more happier. I found so many amazing people through blogging and it’s AWESOME! I love them all. ♥
Also, I’m 100% in love with your blog, Cait! Your humor is BRILLIANT and whenever I read your posts I just can’t help but smile! THEY BRIGHTEN MY DAY! 😀
I wish I’d read posts like this when I started blogging.😂I was an AWFUL newbie blogger, hehe. But yes, I also think it gets easier with practise and time?!? AND THE BOOKISH COMMUNITY IS SO SO FULL OF NICE PEOPLE! it’s ridiculously amazing. :’)
Omgggg, really??! LIKE. I JUST NEED A MINUTE TO FLAIL HERE. Omg you are so ridiculously wonderful. <33
This and more smushy. I couldn’t agree more, you have to find your own niche which is always rule number one. There is no point in trying to copy another bloggers style (bit like me prancing around and eating cake). Anyone reading that would automatically be reminded of you and when it comes to blogging, I think it’s just as bad as stealing someone’s identity.
In my first year, I read a lot of blogs but never took the time to comment until I learnt about blog etiquette. When I did start, I found that so many of what I considered as well known blogs wouldn’t respond or interact with readers in their comments threads, or only the bloggers they considered ‘friends’. It made me realise the importance of being approachable myself as well.
I think blogging will always be a juggling act that most of us will probably never get right. You’ve come pretty bloody close though smushy and that’s a credit to carving your own niche that’s completely you. Smushy, the original.
They’ll name buildings after this girl one day <3
YES. EXACTLY. And I think you know when you get there??!?! Like you have a super unique blogging voice and I LURVE IT. And I thin it’s about presentation too? Because I know bloggers who talk about cake and they’ve been blogging as long as me, but like I talk about cake nonsense-ish-ly and they do it seriously…so it works? I THINK.
But yessss…I had to learn that too. Liek sometimes when a blogger gets their “tribe” (or herd or cult, whatever, I’m flexible with the terms) they don’t want to expand? And it doesn’t really matter. (I mean, I’m all for blogging in a way that makes ya happy.) But it made me realise that if I don’t want to be like that, I gotta do things.
Omggg, did you just accuse me of being nearly perfect? :’) AM I MARY POPPINS, KELLY? TELL ME THAT’S MY SECRET IDENTITY. OMG.
Hopefully they’ll name cakes after me too.#goals
You ARE such a friendly blogger! You were one of the first people who commented on my blog when I was all new and participating in one of my first TTTs.
I have the opposite problem of you though. I’m an introvert, but I actually am outgoing and it’s harder for me to be friendly on the internet. I guess I just have more experience in real life? And I can’t tell how people are reacting or whatever online. But I’m learning! All thanks to blogging. I mean, I used to be scared to leave comments on blogs, but I quickly got over that once I started my own. I still struggle with how to interact on all the different social media (I don’t think I’ll ever understand Twitter), but at least I feel more comfortable on blogs now lol. This all seems like good advice 🙂
Omgggg, I AM SO GLAD ABOUT THAT THEN. :’) I would happily be known as a friendly blogger. HAPPILY. *offers you cake*
And honestly, I’ve had a lot of people say the same thing! About being outgoing IRL but not being able to online. I think it can be a matter of practise?! I HAVE NO IDEA REALLY. I’M JUST RAMBLING. I used to be terrified to comment on blogs too…like it’d take me forever to form one comment and I’d analyse it so much and howl. Now I just comment wildly and have fun with it. 😛 Practise does help, I promise!
Okay I love this post. Since I’ve only been blogging for about a month and a half I’m still kind of wary of the blogosphere. All these bloggers that do so great and their posts are always really good are intimidating. SERIOUSLY IT IS SCARY SO I JUST KIND OF HIDE IN MY SHELL OVER HERE AND POST ONCE A WEEK. Thank you for this list though. I like it.
I KNOW IT’S SCARY BUT COME OUT OF YORU SHELL, I SWEAR WE DON’T BITE. Okay, we might nibble?? But nicely. #legit And, omg, if it makes you feel better, I still get a bit nervous and star-struck around my favourite bloggers. 😂 AND THEN I COMMENT JUST RANDOM MESSES AND DIE OF EMBARRASSMENT. hehe. So you’re not alone. 😉
I am definitely too scared to leave you. I am scared that you’ll throw pineapples at me, ration the internet cake, attack me with GIFs . . . a lot of bad things could happen.
My work here is done then. *nods* I think we’ll be friends until death, Lydia. Out of fear and trepidation.
I try to be fearless. For the most part, social anxiety doesn’t bother me when I’m on the internet…which is why I have waaay more internet friends than I do real life friends. Although, I still do sometimes do the “was I too enthusiastic? Not enthusiastic enough? What if I’m annoying them? What if they don’t like me but I keep commenting on their blog and so they only pretend to be nice to me but really every comment they roll their eyes?” And I still cringe over stupid comments and whatever. But for the most part, there’s not the fear there like there is in real life, which is nice.
And, y’know, it’s pretty easy. For the most part, the book blogging community is one of the nicest communities on the internet. Like, I’ve been insulted for shipping the wrong ship with my various fandoms so I feel like I have to be a bit more careful there, but on the book blogging community I just don’t worry about it.
Saaaame. And I always harbour secret doubts that I’m being insufferably annoying. Plus I’ve been told I’m a bit intimidating and I KINDA AM PROBABLY!??! I’m probably over-compensating at times, for being such a socially anxious mess in real life. 😂 But so long as we have fun right? And the thing I like most about socialising on line is, if it gets too much — you can just shut the laptop and walk away. No pressure like there is IRL in that respect! *nods*
And seriously I think the book blogging community is LOVELY. There are trolls, but I’ve got…what, like 50+ commenters here and EVERYONE IS BEING SUPER NICE. So I’m convinced we are a super nice community. *nods*
Love the advice. Social networking is something that I do not do a lot. To put it mildly. (The fully accurate version is “the only social media I’m on is blogs and Goodreads, and maybe I’ll join Pinterest someday?”) So it’s good to be reminded that it’s ok that I’m not on all the things. Or even most of them.
I like what you said about how you treat everyone like a long-lost friend. I have definitely noticed it . . . and it’s awesome. A little overwhelming, to be greeted with caps and cupcakes and whatnot. But still awesome.
(Also: I have noticed that it’s a lot easier to be outgoing on the internet. Which is rather awesome and one of the million and one reasons why it’s easier to make friends on here than in RL.)
Also, random-ish pizza-related thought: are there Pizza Huts down there in Australia? If there are, have you ever had a taco pizza on thin-and-crispy crust? Because it’s amazing. But sadly going out of fashion- Pizza Hut dropped it from its official menu and now we’re down to one Pizza Hut (near my grandpa’s house) that actually still serves it. 🙁 But it’s really yummy- refried beans and meat and cheese baked on the pizza, and then fresh lettuce and tomato and more cheese on top.
YES!! It’s totally okay to not be everywhere at once. And I even have to remind myself o this when I over extend myself in an effort to do all. the. things. It’s better to be where you’re most comfortable and work hard to build your audience there *nods*
I have been accused of being intimidating quite a few times. *heavy sigh* *eats cake alone* But it’s better than potentially ignoring someone, I feel. 😂 And somehow it is easier to be friendly on the internet???? I don’t think we’re lying, if we’re truly introverts, it’s just an outlet. ALSO. I thin it’s easier because you know people have so. much. in. common with you! Like 99% of the internet people I socialise with are booknerds. INSTA CONNECTION. Whereas in real life, it’s harder to meet people who are so similar to you, right?
Yes there are Pizza Huts in Australia! I never go there though because I eat mostly homemade pizza. BUT OMG once I went to a woodfire pizza place and OMG SARAH, THERE WAS A DRAGON. THE OVEN WAS SHAPED LIKE A DRAGON. A WOODFIRE DRAGON PIZZA OVEN. *hyperventilates with the awesome*
It is definitely better than ignoring someone. And I think most people realize pretty quickly that you’re just being friendly, so it’s all good. 🙂 And YES. I knew, like, maybe three people growing up who loved books as much as I did? And only about two who read and loved the same books I did once I started getting into my true love of fantasy. And then I discovered the internet and OH STARS ALL THE FANTASY-LOVING BOOKWORMS! 😀 (And other bookworms too, of course.)
Homemade pizza is the best. *nods* And oohhhhh my pumpernickel, a dragon pizza oven? That’s seriously one of the awesomest things ever. 😀 (If you ever go back, take a picture maybe so I can see? Or I guess I could probably Google it . . .) BTW, have you ever had eggplant on pizza? It’s seriously yummy- one of my favorite toppings in the universe. 😀
Thanks for the advice but just like in real life I am afraid of rejection. If I want to talk to someone I don’t know well I have to think about what to say, when to say it and why. I’m afraid people will think I’m weird or a crazy psychopath (which I am both but that may scare people away). The internet only makes it a little but easier for me to talk to people. It’s so much easier if people start conversations with me.
I do understand, I totally do! When I first started trying to social network…omg it was a mess and I made SO MANY MISTAKES and said stupid things and wanted to die. Plus I always felt like I was a newbie squirt while everyone else was fabulous and awesome. 😂 But I kind of learnt that we ALL feel like weird freaks at times!??!? So just join us in our mutual worry of being a weirdo and just be yourself. I actually find it easier to start the conversation than to join in? Because then I don’t have to worry about bothering people and I know the people who join in really want to talk to me! Yayyyy. ;D
PS. You will never be weird here, if you want to chat with me. *gives you cake*
Cait called us her friends. *Big Gapey Smile*
These are great tips, I have done a few of these before, and they work.
OF COURSE, OMG. <3 And you are like one of my most loyal commenters of ever Skye. I'M JUST GONNA HUG YOU NOW.
I am just following your advice. 😉
I’m attacking you nicely with friendship. <3
You are doing a particularly marvellous job. 😉
PRAISE CAIT FOR TEACHING US HER WAYS!! I disappeared in the blogosphere for a little bit, but now I’m slowly trying to come back and do the best I can. You have some great points, though, specifically using your blog as an outlet when you’re shy and introverted. I’m not as shy as I once was, but I am very introverted and sometimes I just don’t want to physically meet/be around people so the internet is the best place for that. I have met great people through the internet, too, so that’s also a plus. But when it comes to a trademark… *eye-covering-monkey.emoji* I don’t think I have what or even know what mine would be?? Anywho, thank you once more for another wonderfully put together blog post! 😊
YES!! EXACTLY!! It’s like socialising with out half the need to expend so much energy and panic all the time. 😂 I love it. And I’m must better at expressing myself through typing too, so the internet rules, basically.
And omg don’t even worry about trademarks/branding too much. Seriously!! That comes with time. I didn’t have any for like 3 years and only accidentally started getting all cakeish and then IT BECOME A THING. So it can happen naturally, just give it time. ;D
PIZZA. GIVE ME ALL THE PIZZA. Pizza is my favoritest food, like, ever, sooo. *makes myself hungry*
I think my favorite social medias are Twitter, Facebook (just the Go Teen Writer’s group, ha), and then probably Goodreads? I’d like to become more active on Instagram but I KEEP FORGETTING TO TAKE PICTURES. Also I don’t have a good camera so I have to use my mom’s and I feel bad when I steal it so often. 😛
But really, you are so good at this social networking media type thingy. I super duper admire how often you comment on everyone’s blogs (including the newbies!) and reply to Tweets and everything you do on the internet. You’re just super kind and give everyone happy feelings so thank youuu! <3 You're awesome.
PIZZA IS POSSIBLE THE BEST INVENTION OF THE UNIVERSE. I AM JUST SAYIN’. Where would life be without pizza?????? WHERE???? Ahem. But back to the topic at hand (although let’s face it, this whole post was just an excuse to talk about pizza), I think it takes time to remember to do all the thing?!? Like you get in routines. *nods* Tumblr is my downfall. I’m actually considering dropping it because twitter/goodreads/instagram take up my time. 😂 I stole my parents camera for AGES too!!
Aww, thank you. <3 This comment means SO MUCH TO ME AJFASLKFDJ I'M JUST GONNA GIVE YOU PIZZA AND BLUSH NOW. YOU ARE AWESOME TOO, WONDERFUL BEAN. JUST SAYIN'.
OY this is everything. I am always so amazed at your nicety AND NOW YOU’RE TEACHING US HOW! You are a very nice queen. I bow down to you.
Omg, thank you. *gives you cake, you loyal nice subject*
*tackles you in a bear hug* I’m doing this friendly thing right, yes?
I love this post. I really, really do. Because
1) I WANT ALLL THE FRIENDS
2) You have awesome tips, and
3) I CAN RELATE, SO MUCH. I’m an INTP, and I’m super introverted irl, and sooometimes have difficulties talking to people. Blogging is an outlet for me as well, and I love interacting with people on the web. It’s not that I’m not being myself in real life and I am here….it’s just that it can be easier to express myself in writing. And that makes interaction easier. 🙂
*tackles you in a pizza hug* YES YOU DO THE THING WELL, ALLY. YOU DO A GOOD THING. Ahem.
Blogging makes it sooo much easier, right!?? It just takes away the awkwardness for me, and if things get too much you can always shut the laptop and walk away. Doing that IRL is a lot harder. 😂 Ahem. But I find it really freeing to be on the internet!
THAT OSTRICH/GIRAFFE MEME!!! Hahahaha
Thank you for writing about this. It’s refreshing to know you worked hard and settled in to your amazing style instead of you being a naturally superhuman amazing cake-throwing person. Which, I totally thought before this read. (Super bah-humbug to people who have said mean things about your blog… I love it so please don’t stop being YOU!)
I think I’m pretty consistent on Instagram though I think it gets frustrating sometimes cause I’m new so I don’t have a ton of “buddy-buddies” yet.. YET! I want them and I shall have them I just know it! But it can be difficult to keep up with it sometimes… Some days I just don’t feeel like it, ya know?
I am the worst at Twitter… I don’t understand it.. Which is embarrassing! Haha Instagram is definitely my preferred method. I try to connect by being genuine, and I think I’m pretty nice. I am a Hufflepuff after all! 😀 I’m definitely still looking for something to set me apart but I am sure I will find it.
PIZZA!! I love pepperoni and pineapple! Mmmm! And I also love black olives and bell peppers on pizza. Just yum.
Cait, I would definitely give you pizza if I could. You rule.
AHHHH YES. 😂 Trust me, I worked hard! I AM NOT A SUPERHUMAN. Oh wait. shhhh. Don’t tell anyone. Of course I’m a superhuman with fabulous hair and endless powers. *flips hair majestically* Ahem. And I shall never stop, but THANK YOU. <3 The encouragement means a lot after receiving ugly comments. :')
AND YES I DO GET THAT!! I think it takes time, I truly do. And I totally picked a ton of people to just stalk. I mean...nicely. 😂 And once I'm like commenting and following and being a dedicated follower to them, a lot of them did it back for me. Which is nice!! It doesn't always work that way, but it's a great way to start building friendships.
OH I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND ABOUT TWITTER. *nods* It took me 6months to even realise you could tweet more than blog links. 😂
PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA IS CLEARLY THE BEST DECISION.
What’s captcha?
And what exactly do people ask bloggers for? Cookies? I’m pretty sure the only thing that you can pass through the internet is cookies.
I’m a shy person in real life, and I’m a shy person online too. Whenever I link back to someone else, or mention them in a post I’m thinking “is this weird? Are they going to think I’m weird?” and then I go and hide under a rock. 🙂
Part of the reason I ended up doing the Ivy thing when I was weighing up the pros and cons was to make my posts different (and, okay, I’ll say it, it seemed like a fun gimmick :P).
*Quietly leaves pizza at bottom of comment and runs away*
Ohhh, it’s word verification? You know like “type these letters to prove your not an alien”. I’ve had CRAZY ones where I had to do sums, and drag fruit into baskets, and gah, it was time consuming and awful. 🙁 It puts me off commenting so much.
I get a lot of requests to promote other people?? Like people who’ll tweet me nicely for like a day or so and then they’re asking me to promote their book or whatnot. 🙁 It’s disappointing because you just feel used?
OH OH I still think “is this weird”…or “am I being too much of an oddball”?? XD ALL. the. time. I think I’ve gotten to a point where I’m just like “Oh who cares. AS long as I’m happy and having fun and being kind” and it’s a good place to be. 😉 But seriously, don’t push yourself to being an outgoing person on the internet if you don’t want! BE YOU. I think you’re marvellous. :’)
I LOVE THE IVY THING, BTW.
*quietly eats pizza*
This is such a great post! I agree with everything! When I first started blogging I didn’t really understand the whole social networking side of things, but joining Twitter was game-changer:P
My best piece of advice (which I think I picked up from you once upon a time, tehe) is to ALWAYS COMMENT BACK! I have always responded to comments on my blog, but now I actually visit the commenter’s blog and leave a comment. I don’t get ridiculous amounts of comments, so it isn’t overwhelming for me to do and it makes such a good impression…or at least I think it does!
SAME! And I was on twitter for at least 6 months before I realised one could actually tweet MORE that links to blog posts. I know…I know…I’m super smart and sharp. 😉
YESSSSS!!! I think, if nothing else: comment. And it does make a good impression. I’ve had people been totally floored over the fact I commented back, and I’ve just come to accept it as a normal thing everyone should do.😂
This is such a wonderful post. I love how you share advice for new bloggers. 🙂 One of my favorite things is helping new people as a slightly less new person. Basically, still remembering what it was like to be in their shoes and to not know half the things everyone somehow assumes you know.
I also think that as a community it’s good to keep in mind that sometimes new people don’t know they’re making awkward mistakes! So we should always assume the best of them and help them out, rather than glaring at them suspiciously. (And hey, I’m totally reminding myself here, too.)
Aww, I’m glad you liked it!! THIS MAKES ME VERY HAPPY. *eats cake of happiness* Ahem. But yes, I think it’s great to pass on advice…not keep it all secret. ;D And I will NEVER forget how awkward and hard it is to build up your audience, omg, so I want to pass on all the advice that was given to me for sure.
YES!! I think mistakes should be forgivable. Like, goodness, I am guilty of SO MANY AWKWARD THINGS. Generic comments that were borderline spammy? = me. I’m so ashamed now, but I did learn!!
I am a scatter-brained blogger. I blame it on being born a blonde. *nods* I am super easily distracted, even when I don’t want to be. So even though I know HOW to do the social networking thing, and have been doing it for years with various different websites and such… I don’t really do it consistently? *laughs*
My favorites of the moment are StumbleUpon (if that can be considered a social network? You don’t really TALK, just like or dislike pages?? Also, when adding this post, it wanted me to tag it as “Dating Tips”.. What even? *lol*), InstaGram (of which I believe my picture taking skills are horribly lacking, but I have followers so maybe they’re okay?), and Twitter. I’m best about posting with Twitter, but mostly it’s “Here’s today’s blog post!” kind of posts, so maybe that doesn’t count… I poke at people and sometimes they answer, sometimes they don’t. But if I post a question or make a comment, no one says anything back.. So…? *shrugs* Not particularly bothered, just find it slightly odd. And then I go back to only posting blog updates which may be part of the issue! *laughs*
Pizza is awesome! But not if it has fish on it. Or alligator, venison or snake. That’s just Too Weird. (And yes, I’ve been introduced to pizza places in various parts of the U. S. that have those as toppings!)
Omg I don’t even know what Stumbleupon is. 😂 So you’re ahead of me! (Now I feel like an old melon…) INSTAGRAM THOUGH. <3 I use instagram all. the. time. And it's actually has my biggest follow...although I rarely direct people to my blog, so whoops. >_> And sometimes, I mean, sooooometimes it does take a bit of consistency to get people to notice you. But I totally am all for just moving on if you really try to make a connection with someone and it doesn’t work. I spent months commenting dedicatedly on a blog and got barely zlich response, so I moved on. *shrugs* But I do know people get busy and you can catch them at a bad time. SO YEAH SOCIAL NETWORKING IS HARD. 😂
Agh, no. Nooo fish. Fish doesn’t belong on anything or anywhere except in the sea far far away from me.
EXCUSE ME BuT No tO thE snKAE piZZA.
I like to have one word goals each year, and my goal this year is CONSISTENCY. I think it is SO important, and I don’t have enough of it. I use twitter, and have just started using goodreads this year (I love it!) I adore having conversations with other bloggers, because that is a big reason WHY I joined this wonderful little community. Pizza? Don’t you mean little slices of heaven? The best love triangle in the world? Thanks for another amazing post, Cait!
OMG THAT IS A GREAT GOAL AND A GREAT WORD!! I love it. It is important and it’s really rewarding, I find?!? Like sometimes it takes longer for people than others (it took me 2 years of consistency to build up even a handful of readers 😂) but I’m like 99% sure it’ll always pay off. GOODREADS IS LIFE. I CANNOT GET OFF GOODREADS I LOVE IT SO.
Of course. Silly me. How can I call it merely pizza when it is, in fact, HEAVEN IN A SLICE.
Such a great post – I loved it and high five you on everything. For me, communication is key in blogging, whether your a big player or a little newbie, and without that you can’t create that community around you. It’s not hard to be nice. I’ve blogged under various domains before settling where I am today and the one thing I’ve always paid importance too (besides content duh) is communication. It’s actually my favourite thing about blogging… But as like you, I have social anxiety and am not like that in real life at all, so it’s nice to sit and chat and not feel like an abundance of books is crashing down on me the moment I start talking (as would happen IRL).
I like the tip about having a trademark. Yes, cake may well be a part of your trademark, but I would say a large part of your trademark is your niceness, your want to communicate, to be friendly and welcoming to anyone and all.
As always, really great post!
*hi fives you back* And zomg, I couldn’t agree more: COMMUNICATION. It isn’t hard to be nice, for sure, and I don’t even see what people get out of being snarky or bitter or stirring up trouble?? It’s so much more rewarding to flail around being positive. (Not to say interesting disagreements can’t be welcome! I’m okay with debates and all that. 😛 So long as they’re calm.)
Also omg, *hugs you because social anxiety* It honestly astounds people when they realise I have SAD because I’m so friendly on the internet, but don’t you find it really freeing?? Because you can do all the socialising on YOUR OWN terms and you don’t have to face people.😂
Awww. OMG. That seriously made my day. I would LOVE to be known for niceness. <3
I definitely agree with the “You don’t have to do everything.” I tried Facebook and Instagram, and that was exhausting. I didn’t really like Facebook and after a while was like, “Why am I putting myself through this?” So I don’t anymore.
I never really thought of the trademark one. Well, I have in an off-handed way, but it was referred to me than as “branding.” “Trademark” makes way more sense though (when I hear branding I think of cattle. . .yeah.). They say you have to have a focus. Focusing is not my strong point. Actually it’s probably my weakest weak point. What were we talking about again? Oh, trademarks. Right, I need to figure that one out a little more.
I do think of you when I read about cake. Also when I think of pineapples (especially the deluded variant), I think of you.
Those were EXACTLY my thoughts with facebook…like I’m doing all this work for 2 people to view my post? Nopity no. So I exited to twitter and that works so much better for me. I think the best part is there are so many OPTIONS and most people can find something that works for them.
Ooh, branding IS the word. BAHAHH. I can’t even remember the real words for things. 😂 I’m hopeless. *ahem*
I’m also very glad I remind you of deluded pineapples. My job here is clearly done. :’)
This is such a great post, Cait. I especially agree with your be consistent and be approachable points. Trademark yourself is also important, because there are so many blogs out there, and you need to be yourself to stand out, not to copy others.
YES! BE OUTSTANDING. Or…just whatever. Do your best. 😂 And I think it’s okay if you don’t know what your voice/trademark is at first?! Like these things can totally come with time. *nods sagely*
Ah the second to last point was so nice. Gosh, this whole post was adorable…all these tips for us newbies! 😀
Seriously though, that point about not copying and you’re all like “write your own way” it sounded SO like a Dr Seuss book! It’s BRILLIANT!
Main way I socialise with all the people is through comments and very rarely through twitter (which, if I think about it, is the only social media platform I have which I directly engage with the book blogging community in outside of actual blogs…whoa). This post has inspired me Cait! Thanks for being here for us! 😀
Aww, thank you. *blushes* I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT. Omg it sounded Dr. Seuss-ish?! 😂 Unintentionally I swear. hehe. But I’m glad you liked it anyway! OH and I think it’s totally fine to not want to be intense with the social networking (I should’ve probably said this is in my post) because blogging shouldn’t be a list of things “you must do”. IT SHOULD BE FUN.
You make it look SOOO easy! I have the hardest time EVER talking to people: online and offline. I never know when I’m being too invasive and when I’m being too cold. I know a lot of people don’t feel comfortable when you start making jokes but only know them for a while, so I always struggle with being FRIENDLY. Ugh. But this post made me create some self-confidence, so I may start screaming from the rooftops now. But I’ll start with just a friendly tweet mention.
It’s easy with practise! 😂 Trust me, it took me 2 years to even figure that commenting back was a nice thing to do. YUP I’M JUST THAT DELUDED. 😂😂 And I find it hard to tell how my tone is coming across…so I just joke. All. the. time. hehe. I’ve probably terrified millions this way, though, *heavy sigh*
Just scream. SCREAM, LAIS. It’ll make you feel better.
I think the point you made with the commenting phobia thing is very important to make. I’m quite shy when it comes to commenting because in my head I think I have the greatest idea ever, and then I write it and I start wondering if it wasn’t dumb after all and I hesitate before posting. Yet the fact that you take the time to read and to answer it makes me more confident and want to comment more.
I also reckon that while it’s important to create a trademark so that people remember you, it’s also primordial to be honest and genuine, because in the end people can always feel whenever you don’t believe in what you say. The blogs I love most are the ones underneath which I really sense the passion of the blogger. (That’s why I love unpopular opinions posts so much, I guess.)
As for pizza, as long as there’s a ton of cheese (and possibly salami), I am happy. Also, for the slightly patriotic slash commercial break, there’s this Alsatian reciepe that ressembles pizza a bit, it’s called Flammenküche (basically, cream + diced bacon + mushrooms + onions + cheese) and it’s AMAZING. It should totally be included in every book out there.
YES! All the comments, Delwin! ALL THE COMMENTS. And I’m like 99% sure that most of us think we’re commenting something pathetic at some point, but it’s really not true. *nods* I’ve had flailing meltdowns over comments before…especially if I’m trying to enter an intelligent discussion. I should just learnt to avoid those basically. 😂 AHEM.
But honesty is SO IMPORTANT too!! And it’s easy to tell if the passion is gone, too…and I think often the passion can disappear if a blogger is trying too hard to please everyone and not just be themselves? And A BIG reason why I’m in favour of negative reviews! I trust bloggers who rate books low.
Cheese is like the SOUL of pizza. It entirely is. And I have never heard the kind of pizza you described but I’m 99% sure I’ve BEEN MISSING OUT ALL MY LIFE. OMG MUSHROOMS. I’m a Hobbit in another life I’m sure, because I could exist on mushrooms.
I’m terrible at social networking. TERRIBLE. I am VERY extroverted in real life (my husband would be rolling his eyes because he would say even VERY is an understatement), but totally a hermit crab online. I know I should do that twitter thing, but I’m so bad at it. Not because I am scared of tweeting to other people, but I forget about it all the time. And of all the networks, I really love tumblr. I’m still not great at the networking aspect of the site, though I do have followers now. Yipee.
I have to say that I love your friendliness and that it keeps me coming back to your blog. (In addition to that wit though, you slay me) You seem like a genuinely awesome human being, and it makes me glad to see all the comments & kudos you get. 🙂
Bahahah!! That is hilarious that you and I are like complete opposites in this. 😂 But all kinds of people make the world go round, right?! AHEM. But if you’re scared of tweeting to other people…don’t! Just tweet thoughts or funny things or what ever. I often do that! I start the conversation that way I don’t feel scared about nosing in on someone else’s? 😛
AWWW. THANK YOU, ANNE. <3 I'm really really glad!! AND ZOMG I JUST NEED A MOMENT TO FLAIL HERE BECAUSE YOUR COMMENT IS THE NICEST. <33
I thought social networking was going to be so hard when I started seriously blogging. I was nervous nobody except my parents would read my posts! But after commenting regularly on several different blogs, I found that it was actually really natural. Just like offline friendships, online friendships take work, but if you don’t overthink it, it’ll be easy! I love my commenters and the people who favorite or retweet something of mine on Twitter. But ohhhh my gosh, you’re so right about not building friendships to ask for stuff. I don’t even get what seems like the promise of a true friendship, a lot of the times I just get an e-mail from someone who’s claimed to read my blog regularly but never comments and asks if I can promote something for them. And usually I just do it to be polite, but inside I’m like, “Ummmm…hi? Who are you?”
Yesss, it’s so true! It’s not actually as scary once you get the hang of it and just keep doing it. XD And omg, I STILL freak out with excitement when I get favourites/likes/comments. :’) So I don’t think that novelty ever really wears off?!?!
But the building-relationships-for-stuff reeeally kills me. Like it didn’t happen when I was a smaller blogger, but I get so excited to be friends with someone and then suddenly they’re just asking for stuff? *sigh*
As usual, you have stolen my thoughts out of my head. I’m SUCH an introvert in real life (probably 99.97%) and it’s really hard not to let that persona leak into my online life too. Even though I’ve been blogging for a crazy amount of years, I’m still kind of shy when it comes to talking to new people (esp the “big bloggers”) and putting myself out there. It’s scary! Worse than horror movie scary. But it’s definitely something I’ve tried to make a goal for myself, and so many times, people are way nicer than you’re expecting them to be.
I do always think of you when I read about cake. xD
CJ
I do so love to steal thoughts from your head, CJ. I mean, where else would I get my post ideas EXCEPT DIRECTLY FROM YOUR MIND? MWHAHHAHA. *coughs* Yes. I have no idea what I’m saying. Ignore me.
And zomg, I get shy! I actually don’t talk to many “big” bloggers myself because I feel shy. Even though sometimes I’m on par with them in amounts of followers and such? I STILL FEEL SHY. HALP.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL POST, FRIEND!!! 😀 😀 😀 My big struggles are- I’m not consistent, and I tend to be a sneerer. Kind of. I think. I mean a lot of my posts are about what’s wrong with something, and my reviews often pick books apart to point out the BAD. Does this make me stand offish? Do I scare people!?!? O_O Maybe if I THROW PIZZA AT THEM THEY’LL THINK I’M NICER *throws slices of pie like a mad woman* I SWEAR I’M KIND!
If that doesn’t convince them, I don’t know what will.
Anyways, seriously, great post. You’ve reminded me to be CONSISTENT. I have a bad problem of going on a week long Netflix binge all. the. time. I neglect socializing in both my real life, and blogging life.. aND TO top that off, I sometimes just don’t know what to say. People will start a conversation, but within three tweets all I can think to say is “Cool story, bro.” So conversations and having a ready wit are things I definitely need to work on.
You’re a doll! Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for being a badass overlord who, let’s face it, already has the world within her grasp. Own it!
WELL THANK YOU, SJ. YOU ARE SO NICE. 😀 And omg I don’t think you scare people!! I mean, we probably ALL have the potential?!? I know I’ve done some seriously ranty reviews that potentially scared people away from my blog. *shrugs* But I will do negative reviews. I think the trick is to make sure you don’t make people feel stupid!? BUT IT’S HARD I KNOW. SO JUST THROW THE PIZZA. People tell me I’m intimidating sometimes…So IDEK. WE JUST ALL HAVE TO DO OUR BEST, RIGHT!? 😂
aHem.
The pizza would convince me, btw.
And consistency is really truly the key! I mean if you hang around for a few years and be AMAZING they’ll notice. (And I also think you have a really epic and fun and strong blogging voice. I AM JUST SAYIN’.)
This post is such a wonderful reminder for all of us, Cait, and especially helpful for new bloggers. You’re a fabulous human! *showers you with cake*
*dances in showers of cake* I’m so glad it was helpful. ;D
Cait, your list is right on point! You and I think so much alike. It’s great when you feel you’ve found someone who understands how you feel, and that is the feeling I get when I read your posts. Keep up the awesome work! 🙂
Eeep! Thank you!! AND OMG I AM SO GLAD, MAXINE. CAKE FOR YOU! CAKE FOR EVERYONE!
I loved this post. I also really want to mimic the style of certain bloggers that I absolutely LOVE (like yourself), but I have to hold myself back and BE MYSELF (even if I am not quite sure who that is yet). I totally agree with you, followers should give you pizza (and CAKE) just because of your awesomeness. Great post, and I know I will use some of the tips in the future.
Omg I ABSOLUTELY KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN!! And honestly?! I did too when I started blogging (omg not even started, when I’d been like blogging for 2 years, I was still too heavily being “inspired” by others 😂) So it’s definitely a processes. And sometimes you do find your voice by being inspired from others. The trick is to do it in your way. *nods*
I love this, Cait. It’s crazy to think how long it can take to settle on a blogging style but it took me about 2 and half years to settle into how I wanted to present my blog as well. These are some awesome tips and oh so true. I get way more interaction when I put more effort into sincerely interacting with other people. Of course, there are always days when we need breaks but if we’re consistently interacting with others the rest of the time, those days don’t particularly matter. Thanks for the tips (and for another awesome post that was seriously fun to read).
WOOT! I AM SO GLAD!! *commences wild dance party* I think it took me about 2 years to figure out how to blog as well. I didn’t even know what networking WAS for ages. 😂 And the consistency is the most important part, I totally agree…although breaks AREN’T going to make everyone forgot about you. It took me ages to learn taking a holiday was okay. 😛
You are too good at making lists! I am always more intrigued when I see lists. I am also a huge Goodreads lover, I also like pinterest. It makes me sad to hear you get negative comments. I like to make it a point to not put my time or energy into something I don’t like. I love your blog so much, it makes me happy to know there are other people who love YA as much as I do. Also, YES I LOVE PIZZA! Little Caesar’s is my favorite, because it is always ready to go plus their pizza is FANTASTIC . I only like pepperoni on mine though, I’m a basic person. What do you like on your pizzas (my guess is pineapples:)? Do you have a favorite pizza chain?
LISTS ARE LIFE. So I’m glad you like them too. 😂 honestly, like 90% of my blog is made up of lists these days. hehe. AHEM. Ooh, I love pinterestin!! But I rarely use it for social networking?!? It might be something I should work on. 😛
PIZZA IS BASICALY LIFE. I once went to a pizza place where the woodfire oven was in the shape OF A DRAGON. and basically that is just the best thing of the world.
PINEAPPLE OF COURSE. <3 And I actually mostly eat homemade pizza. :')
Thank you so much for this post, Cait! I’ve been thinking a lot lately about ways to step up my social networking game, and so far it’s been making me feel overwhelmed and kind of like Sisyphus rolling his boulder up the hill. That being said, this post was just what I needed. It’s nice and encouraging and a good reminder that I can take small steps in building relationships without getting panicked about it. Thank you for the inspiration and motivation, and for your excellent blog! 😀
I AM SO GLAD IT WAS HELPFUL!! *flails* I think the main thing is to really not do everything!! Don’t overwhelm yourself because that’s sooo not fun. Aww, thank you for your nicest of nice comment. 🙂
So much good advice in this post, Cait!!! *snatches all the advice* I’m shy, but I can be outgoing if I need to be. I guess I’m just weird that way…?
I have personal social media, but I’m not really sure about social media specifically for my blog, because UGH it’s so much work!!! I especially love that you said to not copy other bloggers — I used to sorta kinda maybe have issues with that. *hides* Thanks for this awesome post! 😀
We are ALL weird, Grace, all entirely weird, so you are basically amongst perfect company here. *gives you weird cake to cement this fact*
And it is a lot of work!! And I don’t think anyone should feel pressured to network if they don’t want to. 😛 And don’t worry, hehe, I HAVE COPIED IN THE PAST TOO. Mortally embarrassing. But the more you blog, the more you know what you want and you can go for it. 🙂
Lovely post! I always comment on someone’s blog when they comment on mine and I try and reach out to new blogs to that I hadn’t commented on before. I’m trying to use Twitter more and I LOVE Tumblr. I’m also on Goodreads a bit more because I’m finally doing the Goodreads challenge. so yeah, I like to “meet” new people and make bloggy friends and have a grand time and I’m trying to use the tools/platforms that I like, as you said. It’s all about what makes YOU happy but don’t be scared. MOST of us are plenty nice. 🙂
-Lauren
I spend sooo much time on Goodreads. XD I basically can’t leave. But omg, Tumblr?! I’m still working on learning tumblr, although I wonder if I’m extending myself too far and might consider backing off. BUT TUMBLR IS FUN TOO. Eeep. It is really nice to meet people, and I often don’t get a chance to just spontaneously visit newbie blogs? But that’s a goal for this year. XD
“When I was a newbie blogger I was ignored by a lot of “big blogs”.” THIS. This was originally the sole reason I started Bloggers Commenting back and networking. One sided conversation is no fun and it makes the person feel bad when they are a dedicated reader but you don’t even acknowledge them. So, I FEEL YOU. Great tips!
OMG AND YOU KNOW WHAt??!?! I totally forgot but I think your commenting-back thing was what made me realise I needed to start!! SO THIS IS ALL YOUR FAUlT, ALISE. 😂 But seriously now, that was the best movement of ever to start. :’)
Great post 🙂 Full of lots of useful advice for any newbie blogger and even though I have some experience, I found this post useful for myself too (though I wouldn’t call myself an expert either). My biggest problem when I started out was trying to do everything at once across ALL social media platforms, which leaves you with no time to do anything really, so I had to shut a lot of them down (I’m still in the process of deleting a couple, StumbledUpon seemed useful at first but now, not so much). Specializing in the few social media outlets you use the most is the best advice I can give
Aw, I am glad!! *flails* AND YES. Doing everything is just not a good idea…at least not until you’re set up firmly? It’s better to concentrate and master one, right?! Plus it’s hard to blog all the time and then lose time/energy to do other things like read or write. I have to still work on managing that. 😂
Honestly, Cait. Same. SAME. On so many levels. I’m shy IRL. When the peeps get to know me, I’m pretty freakish, though. lollll. I try with social media but I’m not always around. Well, actually, I am. I usually silent scroll/stalk through my feed and reblog/retweet the important/fun things whenever I feel up to it, but yeah. This post is so important & truthful & I love it. Thanks, doll. <3 😀
I just run away from humans IRL whilst screaming basically. *nods* The internet is so much more approachable??! And if something goes wrong you can always shut your internet and say “Omg I lost connection” and all the problems can be delayed. :’) AHEM.
I will give you pizza if you distribute those Paper Fury T shirts to us. I can’t skydive but I will walk down the stairs dramatically with cake. Deal?
This was like super helpful I’d also add that it’s important to be helpful. I always try to bring something new to the table with my discussion/culture posts, and when I comment I try to do the same. (I do sometimes critique people though, but more like “hey, mobile design seems to be glitching” or “maybe increase the font size a bit* because I am a blind bat sometimes. But I try to be nice and helpful about it.) Or I scream at other people all the time that I’d like to beta read for them.
PS: I’m curious, what do you think is my trademark? 😛
I WILL TAKE THAT. Particularly walking down stairs dramatically. I will dearly love to see this *nods* Paper Fury tee-shirts need to be coming. OBVIOUSLY.
And yes! Being helpful is awesome too. And adding to the conversation, so it’s not just a teeny tiny comment with nowhere to answer?! THAT IS NICE. Sometimes I get tempted to critique people…but ultimately I let it go. 😂 Particularly if I don’t know them. ACTUALLY EVEN IF I DO KNOW THEM. It’s too scary, unless someone’s particularly asked for my opinion. hehe
Screaming at people to be allowed to beta read is my part-time job actually. SPEAKING OF WHICH ALYSSA….ALYSSSSSSA!?!??! *SCREAMS*
I would definitely say TAKEOUT. I mean, obviously. Because it’s your title and you mention it…and then I’d say really informative and detailed posts that are also funny and clever?!? Like I don’t know how you manage the wizardry. But you do. You also share my love for dragons, so I would definitely think of you when thinking of dragon-loving bloggers. *nods*
Oh, oh, I’ve got one to add!
Don’t leave generic comments at everyone’s blog just for the sake of getting comments back. They will in turn be generic comments and that’s just boring! If necessary, cut down your community participation quantity and work to make it quality, i.e. meaningful, instead!
ABSOLUTELY YES. Generic comments are. so. sad. I always reply back to generic comments on my blog but I don’t go visit back their blog. D: I think one needs to put effort into stuff like this.
This post is everything! I am bookmarking it for future references.
Same as you, it hurts my feelings when “big blogs” ignore me after I nonstop comment and visit their blogs. And I blog for free so I do not have possibilities of giving away books very often so I figured that be friendly and visit orther blogs is the least I can do (plus it is fun to talk with like minded people).
Anyway, I have nothing to add, you said it all perfectly, Cait 🙂
OMG THAT JUST MAKES ME FLAIL, LUCIA. *commences flailing* hehe And omg it’s hard when one doesn’t host a lot of giveaways right? I don’t either. I can never seem to find sponsors or what not (tbh, I’m too shy to ask half the time) so giving away my time is basically all I can do! AND I LIKE IT. ;D
I love this post, and I think that you gave people some really helpful tips!
I’ll definitely refer back to this in the future!
Zomg, thank you!! I AM SO GLAD. I was actually nervous about this post…#irony 😂
HELLO MY NAME IS RAECHEL AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY! Okay, so I really don’t…but that was irresistible 😀
This was a lovely post, and I enjoyed reading it very much. I should like to have some cake right now, and ride my dragon (I do have one. He’s a beauty).
Okie dokie…random comment done. =)
In Christ,
Raechel
WELCOME RAECHEL WITH YOUR THING TO SAY THAT YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IS YET. Just don’t make your grand entrance by falling down the stairs. 😂 Ahemmmmm. I think cake at ALL TIMES is entirely appropriate. :’)
Those are some awesome tips. I want to connect with people more, but I’m not always the most social person 🙂 I try to be, though, and I’ve been good this year at visiting blogs every day and commenting, AND I get lots of comments in return (yaaaay).
Omg, you comment here all the time AND I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH. *gives you cake* I agree being social takes practise though. I was a snarly hermit for my first 2 years of blogging. 😂
Cait, you are one of my blogging inspirations! Despite your blog’s popularity, you always find the time to personally connect and that’s something I want to keep up with! I’m a pretty outgoing person in really life (despite being an introvert) but online I tend to get SO overwhelmed when I take on too much 🙁 Any tips for that?!
Omg really!??! *blushes* THAT MEANS A LOT TO ME, THANK YOU. <3 And I honestly do have trouble keeping up with everything these days, as the blog grows, but it's my #1 priority to keep being friendly and accessible!! That's why I blog. XD
Ooh, I know how you feel. Totally, I do. When I first got a twitter, I rarely used it and died over it all. the. time. I think the trick is to start small? And to take note of what other people are doing and then mix it with what YOU'D like to do. But seriously, just don't try to do it all at once!!
CAN I JUST SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS POST? I’m HUGE on etiquette and social skills and friendliness and making everyone’s day and treating others like they’re amazing. I love everything you have to say here.
CAN I JUST SAY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THIS COMMENT?!?? LEMME GET YOU CAKE BECAUSE YOU ARE SO NICE. :’) And clearly you are one of the BEST kinds of bloggers of ever, Victoria, SO KEEP IT UP!!
Great post, Cait! And let me say, you do a very good job of being friendly on the internet. 🙂 I love being greeted like a long lost friend with all caps. (Because we are sort of. HORNBLOWER FANGIRLS FOREVER! XD )
FANGIRLS ARE FAMILY! NO ONE LEAVES FAMILY TO BE PSYCHOTICALLY ENTHUSIASTIC OVER A SHOW/BOOK ALONE. :’)
Great post! Quite a timely one for me, I’ve just come back to blogging after a long gap and I’m trying to hide less in my little corner of the internet and engage with people more. I’ve made it one of my resolutions to comment on other blog posts I enjoy rather than reading it and then immediately heading off to do something else 🙂
Brilliant post!
AWK. Well I am utterly HONOURED you stopped by to comment here. :’) And welcome back to blogging!! BLOGGING MISSED YOU. I’m entirely sure it did *nods sagely*
Fabulous post darling. 😀
I blog and do social media a lot because I’m also socially anxious. People connections are so much easier online.
Why thank you, Abi. *beams happily* Social media does get intense, I totally admit, and sometimes I need to step back a bit and just bury myself for a while.😂 BUT IT GETS EASIER. (Although if it’s not something you’d want to do, don’t pressure yourself to do it. 😉
I feel I’m the quite oposite of you – in “real” life I’m very social and friendly… over the internet – no so much! It’s hard, because I LOVE reviewing books and talk about books (seriously, yesterday I recorded a audio to a friend with 16 minutes just about what I thought on “The Mortal Intruments” book x the new series!!)
It’s nice to read some “tips” =) thank you!
OMG YOU ARE SUCH A GREAT FRIEND THOUGH. You are the kind of quality friend this unviverse needs *nods* I’m still trying to convince my sister to read them?? Not so much luck yet. -_- But TMI is like, the best of ever. Ahem. BUT ANYWAY!! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 😉 I think it gets easier the more you do it?!
Ohhh you’re so sweet, thank you!!!
OMG, SHE NEED TO READ IT! LIKE, RIGHT NOW!!! Tell her there are hunky-dreamy guys and a ship that will swoon her heart (*awwww MALEC <3*)… If that doesn't gets her to read, I don't know what will =P
ALL THE LOVE FOR THIS POST, CAIT.
I have this weird personality where I’m pretty outspoken in real life (but people usually ignore me because 70% of the things that come out of my mouth are useless) and sometimes I get scared when communicating through social media (always second-questioning myself and the things I type). But sticking to your Do’s and Don’ts list is something I’m going to strive to do. Your voice and personality just brings a smile to my face and your enthusiasm gives me the same feeling as when I eat a cake. (aka a wonderful feeling.) Never stop being awesome, girl!
Omg, MEEEEEP. This makes me feel so happy, Aila. THANK YOU. <3 But seriously don't be scared...I mean, what do I even blather on about half the time? NOTHING SANE. And yet people still keep reading my blog...so I say talk as much as you want. 😉
I am also a shy turtle. On the internet I just can’t. ITS TOO SCARY. People say, They don’t bite. BUT THATS NOT WHAT I’M WORRIED ABOUT. No. Even if they bit me, their tiny human teeth would be harmless to my scales… well, erm… skin. what I am worried about is that THEY HAVE A WILD BEAST DEMON CREATION THAT WILL RIP ME TO PIECES. Which will lead to death via internet best demon. I am not sure how my family would feel about this. So I’m pretty terrified when comment.
Twitter however. Twitter is the scariest thing I could ever imagine. I dunno what to tweet. I dont even know who would follow me. I like to stay away from twitter. Instagram seems meh. Maybe I will die there too. Maybe I’ll get 0 followers and will drown in tears… is it worth the risk. I dunno. also… may I just say…. I LOVE PIZZZZAAAAAAAAA. And this post obviously!
I am also a shy turtle. On the internet I just can’t. ITS TOO SCARY. People say, They don’t bite. BUT THATS NOT WHAT I’M WORRIED ABOUT. No. Even if they bit me, their tiny human teeth would be harmless to my scales… well, erm… skin. what I am worried about is that THEY HAVE A WILD BEAST DEMON CREATION THAT WILL RIP ME TO PIECES. Which will lead to death via internet best demon. I am not sure how my family would feel about this. So I’m pretty terrified when comment.
Twitter however. Twitter is the scariest thing I could ever imagine. I dunno what to tweet. I dont even know who would follow me. I like to stay away from twitter. Instagram seems meh. Maybe I will die there too. Maybe I’ll get 0 followers and will drown in tears… is it worth the risk. I dunno. also… may I just say…. I LOVE PIZZZZAAAAAAAAA. And this post obviously
Okay, okay *pats shoulder comfortingly* The truth is I’m sure MOST PEOPLE DO have those little wild beast demon creatures? But think about how awkward it is to constantly send them to attack people. Postage for one. Postage sucks. I can’t just post my wild beast demon creature all over the world any time I’m offended. SO. There’s a GOOD CHANCE other people will feel the same *nods* Ergo you can be fearless.
(But lock doors, yes?)
You may say you love pizza. WE CAN SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS TOGETHER! PIZZA! PIZZA FOREVER!
This is super helpful, thank you Cait. (fyi, you are one of the most friendly bloggers I know). I guess I TRY to do this, but I don’t always succeed. I generally ignore posts I disagree with, and so I’m not so good at being fearless. And you’re so right about telling other bloggers about your existence. It took us a few months to figure that one out. Anyway, THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN AWESOME AND FRIENDLY BLOGGER AND YOU ARE SUPER AWESOME 🙂 😀 XD
You are most welcome, Shar! AND OMG THAT IS GOOD NEWS TO ME. I do work very hard to be friendly…and not too intimidating?? The attacks might be intimidating, but pffffft.
I think just passing over posts that rile you up is a good idea. I don’t comment on reviews where I know I’m going to fiercely disagree. Even if I do it politely…what’s the point?!? hehe.
AW THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS THO. <3 You and Shanti are both some of my most LOYAL commenters and it basically makes. my. day. *showers you with cake crumbs*
Well, HELLO CAIT! I’ve seen your blog around for quite a bit now (here’s some pizza for those great friendship attacks), but I don’t think I ever sat down to read many of your posts. But now you have scared me into reading all of them! (probably not because I just made peanut butter granola and that needs attending to, but you get the point.)
What you said in this post really resonated with me, because I feel like I’m always flailing my arms around, hoping someone will see me and be my friend here in the blogging world (I’ve blogged for several months), but this post encouraged me not to give up in my attacks of friendship. And the advice was great! Thanks so much!
FIRSTLY…*gobbles pizza* NEXTLY!! HELLO!!! OMG WELCOME TO THE CRAZINESS THAT IS MY BLOG! I mean saneness. Heh. I’m obviously very sane and logical. *nods* And I will let you choose food over my blog, because I would too. And I can’t get between a person and food. I just can’t. Ahem. And yes seriously, NEVER GIVE UP!! Sometimes you have to find new circles to attack if the current ones aren’t working? But it will work eventually. I’m like 99% sure of this *nods*
*big squishy hugs*
*GIVES YOU CAKE*
I completely agree with this 110% Cait. I think that’s what I like about the blogosphere so much – there are so many kind and supportive people, and it’s amazing to be able to discuss books with people who love them just as much as I do. Getting a kind tweet or a generous comment can make someone’s day – and they don’t take very long to do anyway. And commenting and social media are definitely some of the best ways for you to make new friends. Thanks for sharing this, and fabulous post! ♥
There are!! I love how the community is really so nice. I mean, there are hiccups?!? But overall I haven’t met anyone who’s awful be to be around. 😂 And ZOMG YES!! It’s so nice to just get an unexpectedly kind word. I’m a big fan of random compliment attacks. <3
I’m definitely bookmarking this for future reference. So much great advice all in one place! I’m definitely not fearless when it comes to social media, but I’m working on consistent. I use Goodreads frequently (maybe a bit TOO frequently)…but I tend to forget my Twitter exists for weeks at a time. Working on that one.
Re: pizza – I LOVE pizza, but I’m not a big fan of toppings. I’ll have maybe basil and garlic at most, but I honestly don’t see the appeal of anything else. Here’s the most important pizza question, though: thick crust or thin crust? I appreciate thin crust, but I think thick makes the ultimate comfort food.
AHHH, I AM GLAD, CLARA. *happy dance* And omg I hear ya with using Goodreads all the time. It’s basically the best site the internet has ever invented, so I’m constantly stalking it too. With no regrets. BECAUSE BOOKS. Ahem.
I honestly will take any kind of crust of EVER because I love crust. And I love pizza. I think crunchy crust for sure though?? Soggy doesn’t do much for me. And omg toppings = I love. But not seafood. NEVER SEAFOOD.
“Be a fearless fish” is going to be my new motto, lol. I’m so bad with social media, especially the consistency part – I have my fearless days when I can comment and reply EVERYWHERE, and then I won’t say a word for two weeks. I’m trying to get better at it!
It honestly needs to be written on a shirt. HONESTLY NOW. *ahem* Consistency is really good!! Particularly when you’re like breaking in?! Like I’m on twitter all. the. time. But I’ve backed off on blogging so much (trying to keep up, heheh) and I know people won’t forget who I am between posts. So it pays off the more you do!
I love this! So so so true! I’m not outgoing, but obviously it’s much easier to be friendly online and find people like you who live halfway across the world! P.S. — You can totally nicely attack me with friendship and I’ll nicely attach you with friendship back! 🙂
~Sara
*nicely attacks you forever then* I’M GLAD WE CAN MUTUALLY NICELY ATTACK EACH OTHER. <3 And I also think it's easier to be uber friendly on the internet (if one wants to, that is) when you find people who are into the same stuff as you. One thing leads to another and -- BOOM -- you're fangirling like no tomorrow. 😂
Well I’m definitely a lot more fearless now! I used to be VERY (read: extremely extremely extremely) intimidated by “big” bloggers (like your majesty 😉 but after blogging for a year or so at various blogs..I’ve adjusted my expectations of other bloggers so that they’re a bit more realistic. The only social network I’m really ever on is Twitter. There was a time when I tried to monopolize goodreads (and then I failed miserably and gave up)..but okay the REAL reason I don’t really use goodreads is because I’m still a bit of a loner when it comes to reading and a social network that revolves entirely around reading eventually gets a bit boring for me…I mean I’d rather just go do the actual reading then surf goodreads. I guess I connect with my audience (on twitter) by promoting other people’s posts along-with my own and (trying) being friendly/sociable and interacting with other bloggers. So basically I LOVE TWITTER. AND BLOGGING. AND BOOKS. Yup. That’s me. 😀 (Oh I love pizza by the way >> I usually get giardiniera pizza or anything else that’s vegetarian 😉
YAYYY!!! I’m glad you don’t think I’m scary. 😂 I mean, I kind of still get scared by “big” bloggers?!?! AND I’M SUPPOSEDLY ONE OF THEM. *hyperventilates in the corner* I am truly a melon who has no idea what they’re doing (that’s the secret truth). Ahem. I think I’ve made all the social network taboos of EVER. But I learned? And hopefully improved. I used to spam people with giveaway invites on goodreads. Omg. so. annoying. of me. *dies in a hole*
PIZZA. <3
I DID think of something to brand myself, Cait. IT WAS CAKE. REVIEWS AND CAKE. Then I discovered your blog. Hmph.
I am kidding though, I’m fine with giving you cake (as in the branding, not the actual thing. I’ll eat that myself thank you.) I have no helpful advice to keep people coming back either, but a lot of people responded they thought I was funny for somer reason (????) in my blog survey, so I guess there’s that? I also just do a lot of really random posts like speed reading test reviews when I feel like it, but I’m not sure whether that works in my favor or against me.
Also, blogging has turned me onto twitter! I had an account aaaaages ago, but I never used it because none of my friends was on there and then I created another one for the blog and now I’m slightly BUT NOT REALLY ashamed of the number of tweets that’s shown when you go on someone’s profile page. 😀
YOU MUST BE STRONGER IN YOUR CAKE, VLORA. But tbh, that’s the #1 reason I followed your blog before I even know you because: cake. So it works. Your brand works. Ahem. And now I follow your blog because you’re so ridiculously awesome, omg. And your random posts give LIFE so please never stop doing that.
I thought I’d NEVER tweet until last year…like twitter just seemed too fast and weird?!? and now I’m on it all the time. 😂
this post actually helped me a lot! i’m a newbie to book blogging, and i was kind of unsure about how to talk to people online. (also, it doesn’t help that i’m utterly hopeless at social interaction.) thanks for the tips! :)))
NO WORRIES!! I’m so glad it was helpful! And honestly, it gets easier?! When I first started blabbering online, I felt like I was as stiff and awkward as anything…but the more you do it, the more relaxed and easier it gets. I promise. 😉
Awesome post!! You have a very distinct trademark… anything with the word ‘pineapple’ or ‘dragon’ and I’m thinking of paper fury. DEFINITELY MIND CONTROL. I agree, it is so hard not to ‘copy’ when you see an awesome idea. Pizza wise- hmm, i think my favourite has to be sun dried tomatoes and pesto. MMMMMM it’s like margarita with a touch of GOD.
AHHH MY WORK HERE IS DONE. 😂 Definitely mind control. My power reaches all over the internet. :’)
And YES. It is hard to know the difference between “copy” and “inspire” right?!? I’d like to write an entire post on that one day, because it’s such a grey area.
also: I want a pizza like that. SERIOUSLY. OMG.
OH MY GOSH IT’S SO TRUE THO. Like…the thing about “big blogs” ignoring you and what not. There is something that (not so much hurts my feelings but) really annoys me about popular bloggers who just seem to ignore a SUPER LOYAL follower. IT’S LIKE, UGH. xD So yes, that is an incredibly awesome and admirable creed you got thar. 😉 HAHAH FRIENDLY PEOPLE GET MURDERED. omg. Girl, I think you’ve read too many murders it’s okay you’re gonna be okay. *shares pineapple popsicles because that sounds yummy* You are also like FREAKING HILARIOUS, in case you didn’t know. 😉 And everyone loves hilarious people and that’s a talent. (Among your ginormous pile of other talents.)
omg i think we LOVE being violently showered with cake and being treated like your long-lost friends. I mean, ♥. OH DO YOU HAVE A TRADEMARK. Like…you don’t have to ask that, girl. When I think of AUSTRALIA, I think of QUEEN CAKE AND HER DRAGONS. (it’s true, it’s so true. it’s amazing.) “And you can be quiet and friendly, don’t doubt this.” < aw, wish I was one of them. Fact is, I'm like that in real life?? but on the internet, I don't think it's possible for me to leave a comment on anyone's blog without screaming in all caps. It's just the way that I am. xD
ALL OF THIS is fabulous advice, but I especially love what you said about "picking two or three social networking sites." It's SO TRUE. Because social media can become just like a demanding blog that you don't have time to post on — HERE COMES THE BURNOUT. It can been a real problem. Especially for walking-dead workhorses like me (oki i totally did not mean that like zombie-ish or anything… i mean like when i'm too deep in the work zone it's like I'M NOT ALIVE ANYMORE AND I HATE THAT. alright another rant for another time…and another space besides your lovely blog. I WON'T LITTER xx)
AW MY DARLING WATERMELON DON'T LET THE SCORPIONS GET TO YOU. (no idea where that analogy came from but…the Prince Of Egypt GIF kind of made my day xD) *whistles and twiddles thumbs in the corner* oki so i KIND OF treat you like a super human, sorry ain't gonna lie..BUT THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU, RIGHT?? I mean, you're the queen of us pineapples. And we all know that every good pineapple ought to show great respect for their queen. 😉
LOVE THIS POST YOUR ADVICE IS THE BOMB DOT COM.
♥,
Pineapple Abbiee
Yesss. It is sad. Like I feel like some blogs can get their “loyal” ones and then they ignore any newbies? And I’m TERRIFIED of inadvertently doing that, ergo I spend so much time answering comments and blog hopping. 😂 Ergo I’m super late doing it right now. HEHE. But it’s worth it to have people tell me I encourage them to keep blogging and things. OMG. HAPPY FEELS.
BUT THAT’S ME TOO!! Like people on the internet snort when I say I’m a socially awkward turtle…because online I just can talk in all caps??? And fangirl??? And screech FOREVERRRRR. *flails happily* It’s nice to have a place to be able to do all that. :’)
And zomg, yes. I’m stretching myself by trying to incorporate tumblr, so atm I’m thinking of dropping tumblr and just being a bit calmer about everything. I need to take my own advice. 😂 Doing EVERYTHING = doing things half baked. 🙁 Which isn’t fun for anyone.
I ACCEPT THIS SCORPION IMAGE. THANK YOU. <3 But pfffffft, every time I go to your blog and die over your gorgeous photos and incredible writing i THINK YOU'RE A SUPER HUMAN TOO. So we're even. 😉
I think this is a brilliant post, Cait! All decked out with awesome and hilarious GIFs as usual. I have such trouble connecting with people. I probably need to be a tad bit less judgmental and maybe more friendly. I’m naturally a sarcastic, half-evil dork so it can be a struggle. It is easier talking about stuff you love, though, and making friends is a lot of fun.
(And we stick around in hopes that the virtual cake becomes tangible and EDIBLE cake).
Omg a “sarcastic half-evil dork” is just about the greatest thing I have ever heard. ERGO YOU ARE THE GREATEST. Don’t be scared to share that. 😉
Hi Cait! I’ve missed commenting, sorry for being MIA, life gets in the way sometimes… Anyways… First of all, PIZZA! The important question: Do you like pineapple on a pizza? I’m hoping the answer is no, BUT, it’s okay if you do. Nobody’s perfect 😉 (Btw, I thought you might want to know – I’m sure this has been on your mind since our little Twitter chat 😉 – that I finally got cake. Crisis averted. Jamaican ginger cake. 😀 )
So, I’m terrible at networking! Online networking is a little easier but still not very easy for me. I’ve always been shy and well just…socially awkward. I’ve gotten better as I’ve got older. It is often easier when someone comes across as really friendly – like yourself – so that always makes it easier to talk to someone online. I often find it actually depends what mood I’m in and sometimes I’m like what the hell, and will tweet a reply to someone I don’t really know. I’m kind of rambling now, lol… Anyway, I completely agree with you: People should just be themselves and do their best to be friendly. Be nice people or Cait will send her dragon after you, lol.
*waves wildly* HELLO CHANTELLE!! GOOD TO KNOW YOU ARE ALIVE!! *gives you complimentary cake* And of course I like pineapple on pizza. COME ON. Don’t you hear me yabbering about pineapple? I am a pineapple advocate.
I’m glad you got cake, but I’m a little disappointed YOU DIDN’T SHARE, OMG, I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS.
Omg, I am STILL shy and socially awkward. Seriously. Very. much. so. So I think it’s about practising and going after what you want? Like I wanted to build my blog so I KNEW I had to be friendly…and the more you do it, the easier it gets. (although I still embarrass myself with awkwardness occasionally. 😂)
Damn it Cait, all this time I was just buttering you up to ask if you could lend me a hemisphere or so when you become Ruler of All Things. Guess that plan is shot. ::Grumbles away::
Okay but for real, this is all SO true! I just never understood why people wouldn’t be nice, you know? It’s just, well, nice. I felt the same way you did, like I was totally invisible. Actually, I still do with “big” bloggers, I think I just care less hahah. I really think it does just boil down to being around, being kind and enjoyable to talk to, and you know, general human decency. Which is sadly not as common as we’d like I guess.
I hid in a corner for about 6 months until another humanperson came and commented on my blog. I was elated, and quickly responded to said humanperson on her blog, and also on mine. Her name was Vicki (I mean, I assume it still is, but she disappeared), and I owe all future socialization to her. ::Waves to Vicki, wherever she may be::
Another way to make friends is to talk about pizza and then actually give them pizza. Just saying. 😉
Pfffft. I am not so easily convinced to give up my LANDS AND RIGHTS. (I mean, they’re not my rights???? But I’m gonna say they are???) Ahem. And omg it just BAFFLES me when people are intentionally cruel. like, why? What kind of pleasure does one get from that? And even though I guess I’m considered a “big” blogger now…I STILL GET NERVOUS OF OTHER BIG BLOGGERS. 😂 But seriously, if everyone is just nice and welcoming and patient, the blogging world would be a perfect place. (Although I think it’s pretty dang terrific as is. <3)
I'm worse. I hid for TWO YEARS.
But strangely enough, the first outside-my-family-commenter on my blog is one of my closest internet friends still, after all this time. 😂
“And you can be quiet and friendly, don’t doubt this.” Finally! Someone gets it! 🙂 Great advice and fun post!
YES!!! I get annoyed when people say only the outgoing ones can network. Not true. Anyone can. 😛
I would still consider myself a little baby giraffe of a blogger, and I found this extremely helpful! Thank you so much! By the way, I LOVE your writing. Keep it up!
Aww, you are a MARVELLOUS baby giraffe, Megan. I AM JUST SAYIN’. *feeds you giraffe cake*
Haha, I was totally just writing a post about book inspired cakes and you immediately popped into my head as someone who would love the post! I have the problem that I have random ‘be nice’ days when I comment on loads of blogs and tweet loads of people etc and then the next day I have forgotten who I commented on/tweeted etc. Kinda hard to start friendships when you can’t remember the persons name! 🙁
I really struggled with the non-copying thing when I started out. Like you said, it’s not that I was purposely copying other blogs, but I would see something on their blog and would think “that’s a great idea, I’d love to do that”. It’s hard to know the difference between copying and being inspired by someone else’s blog.
I’m trying to be a better Instagram person this year! It’s really weird because I use Facebook a lot in my personal life, but my blog facebook is barely used and I much prefer to tweet.
Really great post, I may copy you at some point 😛 (jokes)
SEE??!!? It’s mind control and wizardry. *grins evilly* AHEM. But seriously, cake is really the meaning of life.
And I do get it about remembering people! IT IS HARD. I sometimes answer over 100 comments in a day and visit that many blogs and it does kind of blur? But I mostly answer comments back and read people’s blogs as I answer, so at least I’m not missing people. *nods* I think figuring out a routine for it can help?
And YES. I want to write a post all about inspiration vs copying, because it’s kind a of a grey area!??!? 😛
This is an excellent list! The one thing I hadn’t considered yet is trademarking (which makes me feel silly ’cause hello marketing 101). I’m still so new to blogging I feel like books *are* the trademarks.. Which obviously isn’t true or I wouldn’t be back here commenting on your blog again, I’d be on some rando’s who doesn’t even have CAKE!
AWWWWW. Thank you, though, this means a LOT TO ME. And I don’t really know much about trademarking?? I assume there are professional ways to do it instead of squalling about cake all the time. But it seems to work for me.😂 CAKE!!
Cait, you’re AMAZING! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! I really need to use these tips, because I kind of flounder with social media… especially twitter. I know that it’s something that will only get easier if I actually do it, instead of passively watch on the sidelines, but sometimes it’s hard to get over the fear. Thanks so much for another awesome post!
OMG THANK YOU JORDIN. YOU ARE AMAZING TOO. *gives you amazing cake* And honestly it does get easier?? Like I used to obsess a LOT more over my tweets (like the “omg am I saying something dumb???”) than I do now. So the more you tweet, the more natural it gets. gOOD LUCK.
HEELLOOOOO!
This is the first time I’ve barged into your blog, but I think I still might unintentionally start associating you with cake. (how do you do this?) Welp, I loved this post. <3 Recently I've been trying to figure out how to start blogging more consistently, and this was a great help! Thanks, new friend!
~Caroline @ http://carolinemeek.blogspot.com/
MY MIND CONTROL PLANS ARE WORKING. MWHAHAHAHA. *coughs* *splutters* *calms self* Ahem. But cake is a delightful thing to be associated with so I am pleased. AHEM. But welcome, also!! And thankyou for commenting!! *gives you cake*
omg cake. aww yiss.
an update: i was inspired and spent 4 hours this afternoon redesigning my blog and making The Plan. xD
Girl, I would so give you pizza if you didn’t live on the other side of the world! This post is perfection. I love all the DOS and DON’TS. I want to participate more on twitter, especially chats and so on, but I somehow always miss them! – I blame the stupid time difference… one would think that given that I’m a scientist, I would understand how time zones work, right?
Your point of not critiquing a blogger is so precious, I wish more people actually followed that, because no one makes anyone read or follow someone they don’t like. 🙂
I will take the offered virtual pizza then WITH THANKS. AREN’T YOU NICE. And omg, don’t worry, I miss the twitter chats too mostly. 😂 Or the trending hashtags?!? IT’S HARD WITH TIME ZONES!! I’m usually snoozing while the chats go down, but ah well.
(And omg thankyou! <3 And yes, I'm a big fan of not criticising...since when did it ever lead anywhere good?!)
SLEEP IS IMPORTANT! 😀 (I’m usually asleep when they’re going on too) And Hashtags… what even are those? 😛
Hi! This is my fist time visiting your blog! 🙂 I just wanted to say that these are great tips that I’ll be definitely trying (like I am right now). One of my goals this year is to try to make more blogger friends and participate in more conversations (even though I get a little scared to do so). Anyway, thanks for the tips and encouragement!
HIIII!! *waves wildly* WELCOME!! And I’m glad you enjoyed the post (omg making more bloggy friends is an excellent goal) and I totally get being scared to join the conversation. Me too sometimes!! 😉 But I’m working on it.😂 *gives you cake*
Just saying: If I had someway to find out your address I would totally order pizza to be delivered at your house right now. (They do that there, right?)
So, let’s just say that this comment is cool and not creepy. 😉
OF COURSE. WE ARE PIZZA ENTHUSIASTIS IN AUSTRALIA TOO. In fact there is this one place nearby that does woodfired pizza…now I don’t go out to eat, like, ever, but we did this one time…and the oven was a dragon. A WOODFIRED PIZZA DRAGON OVEN. *dies of happiness*
AHHHHH THIS IS THE BESTEST POST. <3
I really need to work on the whole social media thing, don't I? 😛 #goalsfor2016
*nods* Online friendships are the best and I'm glad I've made so many friends through blogging! On the other hand, it makes me sad to think about how far away most of my friends live… during winter break, I missed being able to just walk up or down a few flights of stairs to talk to my college friends, and… well, I was still able to text them, and text my online friends, but sometimes you just really want to hang out with someone IRL, right? I don't really have friends in my hometown anymore, so YEAH. Clearly I need to meet up with all these awesome online folk I've met someday. 😀
WHY THANK YOU. *beams happily*
I’m quite fine with knowing people purely online. 😂 I’m SUCH a shiny turtle, honest!! But it is cool to imagine blogger met ups and things, right!??! #bucketlist
OH I’m so happy you wrote this post. I am such an awkward person both on and off the internet, and there were times when I felt overwhelmed when people talk to me online and I’ll be like “omg what if I sound like a dork?” And I think it’s true about not copying other great blogs. I struggled through this in my first year of blogging because I wanted to be like everybody else. I wanted to do what they do. But after awhile, I realized that I have my own voice to my blog, and it’s unique and I like it. 😀 And I love your blog too, Cait HEHE. Just telling ya. <3
I think we’re all scared (a little bit at least?!?!) of sounding like complete dorks. XD I AM SOMETIMES!! I think it gets easier the more you comment and reach out though?!?! Or else it gets less paralysing to make horrible mistakes. hehe AHEM. Awww, thank you. <3 And I think your blogging voice is unique and fabulous too!! JUST SAYIN'.
This is such a wonderful post. I am generally quite a shy person and sometimes that does mean I sometimes stand on the sidelines debating all the pros/cons of joining in with discussions. I have found that social media is a great blogging platform. However, I do find some of the big bloggers to be quite intimidating. On the bright side the community has definitely made me feel welcome and I do feel more comfortable now than I did when I started the blog 6 months ago.
On a completely random note I find that time differences is usually a hindrance when social networking. More often enough I am usually asleep when these twitter chats are taking place and so navigating the time zones has been quite the challenge haha.
Sending you a bear hug and my dragon is currently delivering a pizza to you as we speak. Enjoy. 😉
*whispers* I still find big bloggers intimidating??? So I hear ya there. (Sometimes I forget I am considered a “big” blogger because I’m such a random melon and never do anything professional.😂) AHEM. But, omg, yay for feeling more comfortable! And jumping into conversations can be hard…but it gets better. I PROMISE.
And time differences can suck so badly. Gah. I usually catch up with the Americans at my 7:00am (I’m an early riser) or I’ll tweet at like 10:00pm and then wake up to replies and things. *nods* But I do find it hard to live-tweet or connect with my UK friends. 🙁 So it is hard, I do agree.
OMGGGG. *waits eagerly for pizza*
This is a great and super helpful list! I know that I, for one, need to work on consistency…What can I say? I’m a lazy blogger. I’ll work on that…later.
Hehe, I understand. I DO. Sometimes life gets in the way too, right?!??! *gives you cake for motivation*
This is some great advice, Cait. ^ ^ Thanks so much for giving some lovely enlightened wisdom on the ancient art of social media-ing. 😉 I think my brand has become tea writer geek girl. I do adore tea … immensely …
Why thank you!! *happy dance* And writer tea geek girl sounds like an amazing brand, tbh. And I don’t even drink tea but I adore your tea-ish posts. 😂 SO GO YOU!
Gah, every time I come here I delve into some new amazing article you have written and this is one that really hits home! Making blogging friends has literally been THE best thing – we have our own lil fambam going on in here, but I remember when I first started and was so shy, desperately wanting to get in on the jokes. I LOVE it when I receive comments, likes, or anything from anyone – they are all so special. I’ve been getting better and better at social media/networking (I’m still a baby blogger haha), and I’m loving how everything is progressing. I’m trying to trademark my reviews, I aim for funny/hint of sarcasm/capslock, I’d like to be more bold with the things I say though (I feel like I often cushion it, but it gets better with every review!).
ANYWAYS, phew that was so much rambling XD YOU JUST MAKE ME WANT TO TALK OKAY? Amazing post!
PS. I can’t believe people said that about your reviews… What the heck! I FRIGGIN LOVE YOUR REVIEWS!
YAYYY FOR PROGRESS!! YOU DESERVE CAKE FOR THAT, CLEARLY. *gives you cake* And omg, it does get better the more you work at it, right?! I’ve been slogging at my blog for years, so I’m kind of glad it’s paying off.😂 And every like and comment is so EXCITING. STILL!! Humans can be so nice, omg. :’)
And I totally understand the cushioning of reviews. *nods* I even still do that sometimes?? hehe
AND I AM GLAD I MAKE YOU WANT TO TALK. COME AND TALK WITH ME OFTEN, YOU GREAT BEAN. <3
This post was really encouraging! I’m still a small blog and I know how it feels to be discouraged by all the ‘big bloggers’ with all their comments and followers, but this really shows how valuable connecting with other bloggers can be. Thanks!
Yayyy!! I AM SO GLAD, SYDNEY. *gives you cake* And omg, I have been there, I totally have, and sometimes it feels like you’re shouting into the void right?!? But seriously, keep at it, because it gets BETTER. *nods*
First of all, ostriches are awesome! I love fat animals, especially ostriches, so I really enjoyed seeing that gif. Thanks for the smile!
I couldn’t add anything to the list because I consider myself one of the worst social interactors online. Though I do try to respond to blog comments within a week’s time, I’m not very consistent at leaving comments. Most of the time, I’ll think about commenting only to delete what I’ve written and pretend I was never online at all. I would also consider myself an introvert with a fear of people.
While I’m not very good at Twitter (I wish I was, but I’m not), I do enjoy Pinterest, and most of my blog traffic comes from Facebook.
I also really like the point “DON’T BUILD FRIENDSHIPS TO ASK FOR STUFF.” On any social media platform, I’m 10X more likely to follow somebody if I see a real person, not an advertising blurb.
Thanks for the tips and the great post. Have a lovely weekend! 🙂
YOU ARE MOST WELCOME. ALL THE OSTRICH LOVE! HUZZAH!
Hehe, I have written up comments and deleted them because I thought they were too weird or whatnot. XD YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! I think it takes practise? And believing that you do have something good to say. 😛 And remember that we all get nervous so you’re amongst nervous friends here. hhehe
OH PINTEREST IS GREAT! I love pinterest, but I actually don’t drive a lot of traffic to my blog from it?? So that’s something I actually need to work on a LOT. 😛
And yes. Advertising can be so tricky. *sigh* But it pains me when I’ve been chatting to someone and then they suddenly start trying to sell me stuff. It feels like their offers of friendship were entirely false, right? And I ain’t got time for that.
I LOVE THIS POST, Cait! Sadly for me, my parents don’t want me to be on allll the social sites, so it’s frustrating sometimes when the only blogging advice I come across is “rule the social media!” But I think after reading this, my new weekly goal is going to be to comment on more blogs. I’m a bad blogger sometimes and ignore other blogs and I really need to change that. Thanks for the advice, you Friend Of All The Friends.
I AM REALLY GLAD, EMILY. THIS MAKES ME VERY HAPPY. And ohhh, I do get that…with the limitations. *nods* I think you can do a LOT with just commenting too though…because that was my #1 means of driving traffic to my blog!
Oh my gosh, Cait, you killed it again with your amazing skills! This post is AMAZING—as I’m sure you know already. 😉 All your tips are on point. I especially love the idea of trademarking, that’s an intriguing idea. Right now though, I’m just not sure exactly what my trademark is..!
AWW THANK YOU. *commences happy dance* I think trademarks can take time?!? Like I sure didn’t have one until recently and mine is (I 100% admit) totally accident. 😂
Hi! This blog post is so helpful… Like, I am only on ONE social media and I am still so worried! Sometimes, it feels like I am just this small caterpillar who has already turned into a butterfly but refuses to come out of her cocoon! This blog just makes my day, and your tweets are absolutely hilarious! I am so grateful for all of this advice.
ALSO, I LOVE PIZZA SOOOO MUCH! It’s like, I am willing to become your best friend and do anything if you offer me pizza…
*hopes that that did not come off as strong or weird*
Also, cake….
YOU GOT THIS, LOREVA!! I BELIEVE IN YOU!! *gives you encouraging chocolate* I think being aware that it all takes TIME is a big big thing. Ohhh, and work. 😂 Lots of work. But zomg, I’m really squeeing that you like my tweets. DAY = MADE.
ALSO PIZZA IS LIKE ONE OF THE 7 WONDERS OF THE MODERN WORLD, TBH. CAKE IS ANOTHER.
Great advice! Thanks 🙂
A lot of these do’s I need to work on. *sigh* I’m not sociable.
It does take time!! So don’t push yourself TOO hard out of your comfortzone or you might get overwhelmed and it’ll all crash. SO GO SLOW. YOU GOT THIS. ;D
Oh yes, this I know. I tried forcing it… Took a semester of courses that all forced me to do presentations and actually talk, nearly failed two of the classes because the stress completely overwhelmed me.
Baby steps are absolutely required haha .. thank you!
I really find this difficult. It’s just so time consuming, you know? And if I’m not constantly on Twitter, I find I don’t understand half the conversations going on. There are a few I talk to kind of regularly, but I struggle to keep up with most. 🙁 I’m going to try and do better. Great post, Cait!
Oh oh it IS time consuming. I spend hours blogging and I do realise that not everyone can do that. I think, though, even if you just do a little, it’ll pay off in the long wrong. *nods*
I’m kinda still stuck on your pizza comment. Pizza @_@.
It’s a delicious place to be stuck, if I do say so myself.
You are so cute and I would love to share pizza with you! I love pizza! This post is exactly what I think the world needs more of! Is so easy to say how bad things are and beat it to death on how the blogging world has taken a turn for the worst ( I really don’t see it but what the heck do I know) but like you said if your not putting anything positive out as well…isn’t it just adding to the neg. I’m all for options but I’m also for solving problems. I just rally love this blog and your little munchkin face (not that I have ever seen it but I assume it would be cute like)
❤️Britt @ PleaseFeedTheBookworm.com
I LOVE PIZZA TOO. <3 (I mean, just in case that fact wasn't clear yet...ahem.) But omg I'm SO WITH YOU. I don't actually think the blogging world is as bad as people say??? Like I hear more "oh everything is so negative" then actually SEEING the negativitiy?!? Maybe I'm oblivious. hehe. 😂 But I think niceness NEVER goes astray.
I assure you my face is ADORABLE. #humble 😂😂
As I said in my reply to your comment on my blog (thanks btw! It made me happy!), I would definitely be coming back because YOU HAVE SO MANY GOOD THINGS TO SAY! There are sooo many things I want to say in this comment, but alas, I’m tired and I don’t really want to go all the way to the top to remember everything. I know, I’m lazy like that. But maybe I’ll just say one thing I wanted to….. Well, okay. Yes, I totally agree – don’t be friends with someone just to get stuff, and son’t copy other bloggers! Good stuff. Haha, before I got an email, I was all like, “no! I will not be a time-wasting teenager who spends all her time on the interwebs, and I will not get addicted to social media!” and all that stuff, and I am NOT addicted to social media or anything, but I have developed a good following on G+ amazingly (seriously, it’s amazing. Any of my siblings will you I am not tech-savvy. Heh.). And then I started this blog, and I spend even more time now reading blogs and commenting and stuff…BUT ANYWAY. I think I must follow your blog.
I try to be consistent with my blog posting. What I find hard is that I am on G+(I have a fanpage) Goodreads, Wattpad, and a blog, AND book that I’m working on. I’m constantly forgetting at least one of them(which is why my fanfic on Wattpad has been forgotten) UGH.
Also my favorite kind of pizza is pepperoni, and I refuse on grounds of sacrilege to eat any other kind of pizza XD (although if I’m really hungry and there’s nothing else to eat I will eat the other kinds of pizza…)
It’s hard to balance all the things, right?! Sometimes it’s better just to have less, I think, to manage them all. ALTHOUGH I’M CURRENTLY NOT TAKING MY OWN ADVICE. 😂 I have waaaay too many social media sites going right now. hehhh. Tumblr is the one I always neglect.
Pizza is glorious. ALL PIZZA. Although I’m a teeny tiny bit wary about pepperoni, because I had a very bad experience with it once. Which makes me sad. So ham and cheese = divine.
Yes. Yes to all of this. I’m already plotting (nice) attack strategies and I want to high five everyone who commented on this thread.
*gives you cake* Good luck with your attack strategies! I HOPE YOU DO WELL!! 😀
Well, since I am a new blogger, I enjoyed this post, I love reading your posts and I agree with 90% of what you say,but I think being ignorant (non-attacking way) to others should also be on the DONT list, just my humble opinion, after all I am a faithful pineapple reader, but I love how you showed to be your self. That is CAKE_WORTHY_LOL, Thank you for another good read.
So you mean like being ignorant as in making accidental mistakes? Or not doing your research? Because blunders are acceptable! I try not to judge people for them (since I made a lot of stupid mistakes when I started blogging😂) but when people are spiteful or whatever, it is totally annoying.
Aww, but thank you. <3 CAKE WORTHY IS AN EXCELLENT PHRASE AND I LIKE IT.
I agree blunders are necessary to learn and grow, I mean people that are ignorant in how they “talk” to you, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all, is the kind of ignorant I mean, and it happens frequently sad to say.
Ahhh, yes, that is annoying. And the “If you can’t say anyting nice” is the saying I grew up with 😛 SO I TOTALLY AGREE. I actually don’t know why people go out of their way to leave hate comments and stuff? The other day I had a random commenter just go on and tell me everything that was wrong with my post. I mean, why??? It doesn’t make ANYONE feel good to be rude, so I don’t get it. *sigh*
(Also I’m really sorry I never comment on your blog 🙁 I don’t have Google+ so that’s the only reason, but I’ve read several of your posts. ;D)
I saw an ostrich and giraffe fighting once, just like that gif.
I enjoy a pepperoni pizza, me.
PS I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again but it is SO NICE how you comment back on everyone’s blogs, you have taught me to do this.
PPS And also welcome people on twitter, I remember I made a twitter and you tweeted me a welcome tweet and I said <3 <3 <3
PPPS I mean I didn't actually say "<3 <3 <3" bc I'm not sure how one'd go about that but you get me.
I GET YOU. AND I SHALL SAY . <3333 BACK TO YOU. *gives you cake as well because you're so insanely fabulous* Also I will enjoy the offered pizza. AND ISN'T COMMENTING BACK THE BEST THO?!?! I have made so many friends this way. More <33333!!!
PIZZA YES PIZZA. 🙂 Thank you for being a kind blogger! And onto more pizza-have you tried Italian pizza? I currently live in Germany, so I get to have it a lot and IT IS SO YUMMY. Salami pizza is my favorite. I could blog forever of pizza….pizza pizza pizza….
I thiiiink I’ve tried Italian pizza?! Once I went to this pizza place and the woodfire oven WAS IN THE SHAPE OF A DRAGON AND OMG IT WAS DIVINE. I have no idea if it was traditional Italian pizza, but it was so so delicious. xD Ahem. I could probably eat pizza forever, omg. *sings ode to pizza*
With all the noise out in the world, this post comes at the best time for me Cait! I have been lacking on comment love lately and everyone’s posts that I subscribe to have piled up, but I really wanted to say THANK YOU for this post!!
Sometimes it can be so overwhelming wanting to DO IT ALL. It’s sort of like wanting to READ ALL THE BOOKS, but worse because the books will understand and don’t judge. But people do judge. But you’re right, it’s okay and just keep going and keep trying.
I love your positivity and encouragement and that you love cake and just your whole vibe here! Hence why I follow you and will take to heart your amazingly awesome advice! The hardest thing for me has been trying to find what I really wanted to talk about and be fearless in THAT. Like I thought I wanted to talk about books and review them. But I realized recently that I want to talk about a different aspect of books that most bookish people don’t care about, which is how to write them. As a writer, that’s the part of reading that captivates me so much so that’s what I want to blog about, writing…anyway not to bore you with my recent epiphany, lol! Suffice to say that your post here is SUPER HELPFUL and came to me when I really needed it! Thanks for sharing your experience!!
Omg, I completely concur. 😂 Especially with the “Do it all” mentality…I mean, I still fall into wanting to do absolutely everything and flapping about if I don’t get it done. But we do what we can right?!
And, omg, that is NOT A BORE AT ALL!!! I am a writer too! *hi fives* And I totally understand wanting to blog about writing…I mean, I do a little? But I focus on the bookish part because that’s my top most passion. So I totally think you should focus on the writing aspect if that’s what excites you as a blogger. *nods* Passion is the BEST ABSOLUTELY. *gives you cake* And thank you for saying such nice things. :’) I’m just going to sit here being monstrously happy at your kind words. EEP. <3
Yes!! We do what we can and that’s the important part, that and not trying to stress over what we can’t control. 🙂
*Gives super secret writerly high five back* .< (I'm such a nerd.)
I LOVE your posts on writing!! I love how encouraging and fun they are! And inspiring, because sometimes when I feel in a rut I'll come back here and troll around looking for a smile and then you make me smile and I feel like I can write again.
Thanks for the support! I've been feeling good about the new writing focused direction and I'm excited for where it takes me. I'll still be talking about booksjust in a little bit different way that what I was used to. Seeing people like you who I admire has helped me to come out of my shell and really take charge of my voice and what I want to say and put out there. So I just am really thankful for what you do. I know you say that you're shy, hence no pics of you around (for the most part), but you really are such an ispiration. I'm sure you already know that, but in case you didn't I thougt you should know that the courage you have to come out of your shell everyday and be THIS freaking awesome has inspired me to try to be ME and do that in my space on my own blog. *sends ALL the cake!*
OMGGGGG. I’m literally flail crying over this comment. YOU SERIOUSLY ARE AN EXEMPLARY HUMAN BEAN. <3 I actually feel very self-conscious about my writing posts because I really have no idea what I'm doing. xD So I'm glad you like them! I will keep going with them. ;D
Awwww, this is so inspiring to me. *squeaks* And honestly, yes, I think blogging is about being who you want to be online. I am shy and IRL I’m a hermity stammering mess, but online I can just be ME (the more brave me 😂) and it makes the blogging experience 1000% fun.
YOU GOT THIS, NICOLETTE. I BELIEVE IN YOU. *showers you with cake*
*ACCEPTS ALL THE CAKE and blushes profusely!* Thank you so much Cait!!!
I’m smiling so big right now!! YAS! Please more writing posts. No slash that, just more you! I love reading your blog!! I eat it up like books! Or cake. Lol 😉
I love pizza. Pizza is amazing. Of course, I’m a plain Jane, so… I’m boring when it comes to pizza.
I’m pretty consistent on social media! I try to respond to any comments I get on my blog or Twitter ASAP. I never want people to feel like they aren’t being heard. My biggest platforms are my blog and Twitter, but I do have Facebook, tumblr, and Instagram up, too.
I think the biggest thing to remember is to stay positive with yourself – I’m not a huge blogger, and though I’ve been at it for a year and a half now, I have a decent amount of followers and I’m content with that.
P.S. I love your blogging style; that’s why I keep coming back to comment on your posts! You’re so funny and open and fun! I love that!
Pfft, there is no such thing as a boring pizza. ALL PIZZA IS FABULOUS AND DELICIOUS. (Except for seafood pizza. I…I cannot even with seafood pizza. Ew.) Ahem.
And that is SUCH GOOD ADVICE! It is important to stay positive!! And consistent. And like follow what you want to do?!? I sometimes get caught up doing what I think I “should” do…but blogging is always more fun if you do what you like. :’)
AND OMG THANK YOU. <333 THAT MEANS SO SO MUCH TO ME. EEEEP.
Awesome post! I’ve got a lot to learn from you 🙂
You’re so right about newbies sometimes getting ignored. I’ve been actively blogging since 2005 and I still get ignored, hehehe!
AWWWW. *gives you cake* Being ignored is NO FUN!! I have been there *nods wildly* I SHALL STOP BY YOUR BLOG DIRECTLY. And I’m glad you enjoyed this post. 😀
“Don’t treat people like superhumans.” Well I think you are!! Seriously though, your blog is amazing!! I’m dying of laughter with every sentence I read, and I may or may not be going through ALL your posts. XD I swear I’m not a stalker (mostly).
OMGGG. *gives you cake* YOU ARE SO NICE.😂 But honestly I am definitely not a superhuman! Just one that uses all caps and shrieks far too much. XD
I’m pretty awkward when it comes to social networking. (Small confession) I have yet to understand what to do with my Twitter account. But lately I’ve been trying to do better.
I am pretty awkward too, tbh. 😂 I just make up for it by shrieking at people and pretending I’m not at all shy/embarrassed. AHEM. ;D Twitter is sooo fun once you get the hang of it!
I love this!!! Thank you so much for sharing. As a new blogger, I can feel like there’s no hope to making consistent friends in the blog world because there are so many bloggers but this hit the nail on the head. I’ve met so many kind book lovers and I’m excited to meet more! Chin up, fingers typing, I’m ready 🙂
Thanks!!!
http://www.quiteanovelidea.com
Yayyy, I’m so glad it’s helpful, Jennifer!! And omg, don’t despair! People are more than willing to be friends, honestly! The blogging community is really welcoming I’ve found. :’)
Thank you so much for the advice Cait 🙂 there are lot of advices to digest. I’ll take one step at a time. Thank you 😀
Yayyy! I’m super glad it was helpful!!
I believe I am consistent with posting on my blog, IG, and goodreads but I am deadly afraid of interacting with people haha I like the idea of making it a point to visit a new blog each week, I will keep that in mind! Hopefully that will lessen the pressure of social networking <3
Thank you so much, Cait! By the way, you do have a strong trademark. I always have to be careful when reading your posts in public because they look at me weird… partially due to my laughter. Also, whenever I see a book with dragons, I think of you. 🙂