Here is a fact that’s going to shock your socks off: PEOPLE ACTUALLY READ MY BLOG.
I know! It surprises me everyday too! In fact I just noticed I have over 4,000 followers on Bloglovin’ and this is not only exciting, it’s extremely worrying because do 4,000 people literally have nothing better to do with their time than listen to me rant intermittently about cake, fantasy novels, why lettuce should be illegal, and what books I’m desperate to own but as soon as I do own them I won’t read them until 2072????
You all need lives.
NO JUST KIDDING! YOU’RE PERFECT HOW YOU ARE! (No joke, please stay. I’ll like…I’ll like totally cry if you go.)
Now I do get occasionally asked questions that I should not answer. Like “how do you get followers, Cait” and “how do you think up blog posts, Cait” and “how do I avoid not murdering that lad who never returned my book, Cait”. Which are all good questions and can be answered simply with (1) luck, (2) luck, (3) murder.
But since it’s my blog, I’m probably allowed to give bad advice now and then. So today’s bad advice is going to be about:
HOW TO GET PEOPLE TO READ YOUR BOOK BLOG!
And I’ll share all the secrets I don’t have and pretend like I know what I’m doing when IT’S MOSTLY JUST LUCK.
1. REMEMBER, BEAUTY IS ACTUALLY ON THE OUTSIDE.
Hmm, what? Did I just…did I just write that out? Wow, that’s bad, Cait. That’s very very bad advice….
…hmm…
Okay now that we have THAT disclaimer out of the way (!!)…HAVE A PRETTY BLOG! And you can go absolutely anywhere and to any advice post ever and they will 500% confirm that an attractive blog = people staying round to read. And by “attractive” I mean specific things LIKE:
- Make sure the visuals aren’t too overwhelming, so now super bright yellows, and no white-text-on-black backgrounds because that hurts our EYEBALLS, son, and we only have 2. You don’t have to be minimalist, but don’t be so complex the eye doesn’t even know where to go.
- Make sure you have a reasonable font that people can read. Aka NOT my header font that says “paperfury” but also looks a little bit like “Papjfkdsald Furry” and I am not actually a furry dog. But, ya know, blog titles can be a bit wild so long as all your OTHER text is reasonable. Also don’t make it too small. gOSH.
- Have visuals within your posts that are nice to behold. A photo. A graphic. A piece of cake. People LIKE visuals. I’m not even going to pretend that we’re not shallow. We want to look at pretty things. It’s like scientifically proven that posts with images do better than posts without. And I mean, like, true studies have been done on that, not just me and a couple of frogs in the kitchen sink making up stats…
as is usual.NO ENDLESS BLOCKS OF TEXT. - Make sure your blog is EASY TO NAVIGATE. Because if I have to spend more than 5 seconds just trying to find your latest post — I am GOOOOOOOOOOOONE. Nobody has time for this. If you’re going to have a main page (like I do here) then make sure the latest post is easy to find. Don’t send me to some intro page that has no clear direction to your blog. Please. Mercy.
Trust me, people LEGIT will stick around if they like how something looks. This is how Instagram functions. This is how clothing shops work. This is how cakeries stay alive. This is why I still have a family because at least I’m adorable.
2. WRITE POSTS THAT MAKE SENSE TO NEW FOLLOWERS.
I honestly can’t stress this enough! Actually I can stress it enough, because if this sentence and I hang out enough, it’ll get stressed because I AM PERMANENTLY STRESSED PROBABLY DUE TO NEVER SLEEPING. BUT IT’S OK.
MOVING FORWARD.
SORRY FOR YELLING. #STRESSED
When I go onto someone’s blog and their first 3 posts are: (1) part 17 of a 67 part story, (2) review of a 5th book in a series, or (3) part of some blogging series that makes literally no sense out of context — THEN I AM OUT, MARGE. I AM OUT LIKE A CANDLE IN A THUNDERSTORM.
For my blog? I always try to have 1 post in the top 3 on my homepage that is 100% fine to read if you’ve never read anything from me before. I mean, you can blog whatever the heck you want — obviously — but if you want new readers? Don’t be referencing things people “should already know”…because you’ve immediately alienated newbies.
3. ALSO JUST…JUST WRITE POSTS. CONSISTENTLY.
I honestly blame a lot of my blogging success on the dark ritual I preformed with 9 oranges under the trees the fact that I blog a LOT. And I’ve blogged for 6 years!! And I’ve not disappeared on 4-month hiatuses. And I am quite a little bit of everywhere. Obviously not everyone can or WANTS to do that. People need breaks! * Take them! Be fine with that! But I honestly am rather a consistent force and I do think that helps.
Nooooobody can forget me. ** Because I am always HERE.
Also probably because I never get freaking off twitter, please someone restrain me, I need to get work done.
* OMG WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A HUMAN PEOPLE????
** This is…actually quite terrifying.
4. NETWORK!
I don’t even know how to network haha…I mean, I do. But I do it badly. I am GREAT at social media — twitter and instagram are the BEST. But the amount of times I actually refer people to finding my blog through them? HAHA HAH AHAHA….yeah, that’s something I should do. HOWEVER. People like my tweets so much (or so they tell me…liars or truthers? WHAT IS THIS LIFE) that they search me out in other places. So it does sort of work.
But my #1 tip for social media is DO NOT MAKE IT ALL ABOUT PROMO. Which seems backwards but here’s the thing: no one really likes being slammed in the face with “read my blog! read my blog! i wrote a new post! reeeead it!” and then a weird Gollum dance at the end. Make social media like 70% fun and 30% promo.
And 0% weird Gollum dances. Where did you even get that idea.
If I tweet small funny things, people will HOPEFULLY come over to my blog to get longer funny things. Like this whole post. WHAT A JOKE. *
* No really. Are you listening to this advice? You need help…away from me.
5. BRIBERY ALSO WORKS SO YEAH…JUST GO FOR IT.
Look, rewarding people for doing something for you is not only #1 parenting rule, but it’s also a really great mind-training exercise and people do it ALL THE TIME. You go to a coffee shop = they give you free WiFi. Your brain immediately goes “I HAD A FUN TIME HERE. I WILL COME BACK.”
Blogging is 100% the same. You reward people for coming, and this could be ANY number of ways.
For instance:
- Host giveaways on occasion. But don’t break your bank doing this, that’s not cool.
- Lure them in with interactive activities, like quizzes or scavenger hunts or link-ups or games.
- Have content they need to keep coming back for — like woaaaah I’m interviewing FAMOUS AUTHORS someday and pt 2 of this series will be “how to preform a fun spell using only sporks and candelabras and you’ll get more blog followers”.
- Do shoutouts on occasion.
- Reward them by being FRIENDLY and TALKING to them…
…which brings me to #5…
6. BECOME INVESTED IN YOUR FOLLOWERS.
My #2 goals * with blogging is to be someone who’s friendly and interested in YOUR blogs!! And this sometimes doesn’t work for me when I have 60+ comments to reply to, which means 60+ blogs and apparently I still have to function as a human off the internet too. Weird. BUT I TRY TO VISIT YOU ALL!! And I think that’s a huge reason people read my blog because who doesn’t want to say words to someone and have them return the words.
If you support me, I want to thank you but supporting you.
Woah that’s disgustingly nice.
But commenting-back and replying to comments is definitely my chief form of networking and also doubles as a GREAT REWARD for people who want to say hiiii to me. I mean, why not comment? I’ll come shout at you on your blog, shout at you here, shout at you on twitter. It’s like a blessing.
* My first is obviously world domination. Read my tagline, seriously.
7. DO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT TO EVERYONE ELSE. AND BE ENTERTAINING.
This is haaaard. But worth it if you can think it up! Like I will legit follow a blog that makes bookish food just because BOOKISH FOOD. I will follow blogs that post reviews of books everyone else is reviewing so should be boring but you know what?? They’re really freaking HILARIOUS. So I love it!
Be entertaining. Seriously people love humour.
The #1 way you can be different is to just cultivate your own blog’s voice. And this takes time. And your voice will change. Believe it or not, my voice used to be a little more like a deranged hyper puppy on redbull and … no on hush. It’s different now. A little different??? Regardless. Write in your own way and your own style. Make your blog stand out that way.
This is all I’ve got, to be honest, because do you know what my talents are?????????
NOT BAKING ABOUT BOOKS, THAT’S FOR SURE. *
* Okay so there was this one time I made an orange cake and it tasted 100% like salt so I totally discovered nONE OF MY FAMILY ARE SECRETLY DEMONS. But also the cake was less than not good. It was gross.
8. BRIBE PEOPLE WITH FOOD. BE RELATABLE.
No really. I mean who doesn’t like food? Who doesn’t think that talking about food is delicious and relatable? IT IS SO FUN. So I talk about things I know we all like! I have made rather a name for myself by associating me + cake. Which is actually mind control and you’re welcome.
Sometimes I also talk a lot about other hugely relatable things: like pirate and dragons and magic and avoiding people and sometimes murder.
I am relatable. *
Also it’s 500% cool to now and again do some personal posts. I really love bloggers I feel like I “know” a bit better. You don’t have to put all your personal life on the internet if you don’t want to! But occasionally talk about yourself! Your life! This makes you seem really real.
* Except when I write a book in 4 days and then I’m not really relatable…mostly people just want me dead. BUT HEYYYYY. I LOVE YOU TOO, EVERYONE!!!
9. NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER TELL PEOPLE NOT TO READ YOUR BLOG.
I mean…I kind of just did…but I mean this in a DIFFERENT way. Don’t ever say your blog is boring! Don’t apologise for your posts or what you want to post about. Don’t tell people you don’t like your blog. Don’t BE ALL DOWN ON YOURSELF.
Be unapologetically you.
It makes a difference okay? You don’t have to be confident in real life. I will let you in on a spoiler: I am not a confident person. But I am EXCELLENT at psychology on the internet. If I tell you my blog is fabulous and that I love it, you will think the same. So just start manipulating your followers little brains. You do have a good blog. You are a good blogger. You will keep improving your writing and your voice. You are fab at this. You’ll even get better.
And if someone tells you the opposite? PFFFFFFFFT. Tell me who they are and I will eat them for you.
10. STAND BEHIND THEM THREATENINGLY WITH AN AXE.
I’m just…well…look if all else fails, I’m saying there are other options that aREN’T DUBIOUS and WON’T GET YOU ARRESTED SURELY.
You think you got this advice from me?
It was never here.
You can take away ANYTHING you like from this post.
Except me. I’m stuck here in this computer screen. It is my life.
But if you want the condensed version: (1) be friendly and approachable so people enjoy being around you, (2) have an easy and pretty blog to read, (3) bribery or threatening is ok.
Aha, I was wondering how long it would take before I found “stand behind them and threaten them with an axe/knife/broadsword/the-complete-lord-of-the-rings+the-hobbit tome”. It’s the best advice I’ve heard in a while. Thank you.
IT’S LIKE YOU KNOW ME OR SOMETHING.😂I mean, advice #1 – #9 is all a bit…eh. It’s not so stable. But #10 is definite guaranteed success. No one’s even lived to complain about it! Talk about foolproof!
All anyone has to do to keep me reading their blog is make me laugh. So long as I feel comfortable when I comment, I’m probably staying.
Ivyclad Ideas recently posted…Off with Her Head! (My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows)
That’s basically my criteria too.😂 I like being acknowledged by the blogger as well, or else it feels like talking to a brick wall! But otherwise: mAKE ME LAUGH, HUMANS. *follows all the funny blogs*
(I love your blog btw. This feels like a good time to mention that. 😉 )
Thanks soo much for the epic advice, I totally agree with everything!!!!!! OMG, I don’t know how you do it, visiting loads of blogs all the time. You are great!!!!!!!
I definitely don’t always get there.😂 BUT I TRY.
“And if someone tells you the opposite? PFFFFFFFFT. Tell me who they are and I will eat them for you”, THIS MADE ME MELT BECAUSE YOU ARE SO SWEET. This post is super helpful, and even though I try to do all these things, I… Uh, I don’t. BUT I UNDERSTAND NOW. MY EYES HAVE BEEN OPENED. Thank you, Cait. And I hope you get all the followers and happiness and books and cake in the world.
Have a nice day!
I AM so sweet. Not everyone will offer to eat your enemies for you. I’M THE KIND OF FRIEND YOU REALLY NEED. *nods* And also I’m so pleased you liked the post! *gives you cake to lure you into staying forever*
😂 😉
I agree with all of these things. I just need to work on them! It’s like you can see inside my brain… or have just created your own blog and therefore know the traps well.
I definitely can see inside your brain. 100% THAT IS WHAT IT IS.
(Also so glad you liked the post!!😂)
Cait, you are my spirit animal (more of good looking and delicious cake animal… does that make any sense?) anywayy I love you blog. Let me tell you a few reasons why
1. You are HILARIOUS! Your reviews, posts are entertaining and funny and I just love your post writing style
2. You are relatable I can relate to you because I don’t like people like in real life… on the internet I am like Jesus I love everyone… >.>
3. Your blog is PLEASING to my 2 eyeballs and they want me to keep returning here whenever they see something horrible you are their healer in a way
4. Because YOU are YOU and have your own voice, you are original and helll I love how you never show yourself. I mean it is intriguing and that makes you mysterious and I believe you might be an unicorn or a fairy and that’s why but oh well doesn’t matter I love you soo I love JUST THE WAY YOU AREEE (yeah Bruno Mars…..)
Anywayss summarized YOU ARE AWESOME, YOUR BLOG IS AWESOME, YOU ARE FUNNY AND I LOVE U! <3
I am ALL for being cake, considering my name + cake is very similar anyway. It was meant to be, I tell you.
AND OMG I’M SO GLAD YOU FIND ME FUNNY BECAUSE SOMETIMES I HAVE DOUBTS. The level of peculiar around here is so much I could star in a Ransom Riggs novel. But I digress.😂 But honestly I shall give you cake now, you fantastic bean.
😂😂😂 I LOVE this post!
THANK YOU. I’M VERY PLEASED.😂
I enjoy blogs that don’t post only reviews! Blogs that make click that follow instantly have: 1) gorgeous pictures 2) witty titles 3) love classics 4) threatening in a funny way.
Threatening in a funny way could be on my BUSINESS CARD. (If I had one ahem. excuse me.) But I like your list criteria there!!
CAIT DOES THIS SEEM LIKE A GOOD TIME TO FANGIRL? Maybe. Yes. Help
So I LOVE it when you give blogging tips because HELLO book-blogging queen! SO LIKE GIMME. *makes grabby hands* and you manage to make advice posts FUN? Like hoooooow is this even possible.
My blogging voice is VERY jfkjsfhwj as in I don’t like it. I just can’t find one that’s really unique and ME? LIke why can’t there be a blogging voice generator or like you write a post normally and then put it on this website and it makes it all your blogging-voice? I DON’T KNOW OKAY? My brain is weird.
I actually REALLY like my blog design so YAY! At least I’m doing something right? I’ll definitely tell you if someone says my blog is horrible. OH WAIT, Me! Please don’t eat me Cait. PLEEEEEEASSE?
Also I tried commenting back but I just drowned sooo i just stick with replying.
P.S Where do you get good axes from? Gollum dances – you are actually hilarious.
ilsa @ a whisper of ink recently posted…Ice-Cream Flavoured Books Tag (because i am the regal ice cream queen)
I think your blog design is VERY VERY NICE, ILSA!! *flails over it* And honestly we shouldn’t stress ourselves out with blogging, because that just make sit unfun.😂 So do what you can. We don’t have to be superhumans! (Unless we want to be dragons and then like I totally get it.)
Probably axes made by the dwarves in the mountains are the best ones??? IDK, trying to tweet @ them but they’re not replying.
I loved this!
Thanks, Lisa!! I’m so glad!
Was that…was that someone dissing lettuce?? GASP!! HOW DARE THEY!! Lettuce is delicious!! haha
The thing that makes me come back to a book blog is mainly just the person behind it moreso than the content. Like, through reading posts you kinda get to know a bit of a person and if I like them I’ll keep coming so as to support them even if their posts aren’t my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE THING IN THE WHOLE WIDE UNIVERSE, yknow? Also, humour. I mean laughing tops everything.
Aaaaaand, completely unrelated, but I thought the guy in the last gif was pete wentz for a split second and lemme tell you I was Confused. Looking back it doesn’t even look like him so?? What is up brain?
THIS IS ME DISSING LETTUCE 100% OF THE TIME, CHARLOTTE. I JUST CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY IT EXISTS AND I WANT IT TO STOP.
And toootally agree with liking to get to know the person behind the blog!😂 I follow blogs that I don’t really love the design or whatnot, but I LOVE THE BLOGGER! It’s so fun to make really epic friends. And like lowkey stalk them and their accomplishments. I’m sure that’s…um…normal.
The last gif is Peter from Narnia!
Thank you for this post Cait! Your tips are always hilarious, but I definitely think the ones more suitable for me are bribery and threatening everyone with an axe. How could that not work?
Also, funny story – once me and my mom were baking a cake and we added salt instead of sugar (yup, a very normal mistake). So you’re not alone, I often fail at baking as well :p
Eeeep, I’m SO glad you like them!! I talk like 87% nonsense but hopefully something works here. I mean, if all else fails: axe. It’s foolproof.
UGH to these salty cakes we torture ourselves with. I mean, I guess it makes sense since salt and sugar look similar but like hoooooooow. It’s been like 8 years and I’m still traumatised.😭
I’m going to be completely honest, I’m not very good when it comes to checking my e-mail. So I may subscribe to blog posts, but that doesn’t mean I look at them via e-mail. But I like the visuals that come with Twitter, FB, you name it! In no particular order, I liked your blog because 1) books, 1) your posts are relateable (Why doesn’t spell check like that word?) 3) books, 4) your writing voice! (I am now referring to myself as an illiterate fish. Thanks a lot!) 5) book recommendations, 6) they’re fun to read, 7) twitter, and 8) similar tastes in books.
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Omg my MIND CONTROL POWERS ARE WORKING if the illiterate fish is becoming common word usage. :’) I’m so proud. We can all be illiterate fish together. And I love your list of reasons for following a blog! I’m practically the same! Although I confess I often forget to actually hit the follow button but I need to get better at that.😂
Good advice and funny advice – makes for good reading and coming back for more! Your plan worked, a new follower 😉
I like your advice of making Twitter more fun / social. It’s the best place for finding like minded bookish people.
Amanda
AHHHHHHHHHH. OKAY MY DAY IS MADE. Omg it works.😂 I’m the most surprised of us all. 😂😂
*gifts you all the cake for coming*
And totally love twitter for being a place to chat and have fun AS WELL as do the promos. I think it invites people in way faster if they’re following something amusing as well.😂
These are such helpful tips! I’m trying to get better at posting more often and networking because I have a memory worse than a sieve 😅 I have a bad habit of disappearing for months at a time which I really want to change and I’ve made it a goal to be better at being consistent.
I think for me to come back to a blog there has to be a variety of post types. Sometimes I’ll come across a blog that does nothing but reviews and it makes me not want to read it. Reviews are fine and all but I don’t really read them, so if that’s all a blog posts I won’t want to keep up to date with it.
Louise // Exploring by Starlight recently posted…This is Why I’m Broke | July Book Haul 📚
I have a memory like a sieve too! SIEVE BRAINS UNITE *hi fives*
*forgets who we are*
Excuse me.😂
And oh totally agree about the variety of posts! I really like blogs that mix it up. Reviews are definitely fun and I like updates on the latest books particularly, but I prefer tags and discussions and just fun posts. Much more exciting.😂
I definitely have to work on talking more positively about my blog to other people. Usually when someone IRL asks me about it I tend to just start mumbling and try to brush it off… but I’m really proud of the hard work that goes into my blog, so part of me wants to be more vocal about it. I guess I’m just afraid they won’t like it?
Awesome post! 🙂
Holly @ Nut Free Nerd recently posted…What Cats Do | Book Tag
Omg I can’t talk positively about my blog IRL either, don’t worry. Haha. My parents will be like “so I read your latest blog post–” While I’m like…screaming no thanks. AHEM. BUT ANYWAY. It’s still important to be proud of what we do!!
I agree with everything you just said. I’m new and still learning. The best thing about your blog is your voice. Your casual way of explaining things.
I hope mine gets better.
Aww, thank you so so much! And being new and learning can definitely be tough (I mean, I took like 3 years to even crack 100 followers and figure out how to write a review😂) but WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!! And also I love your design. Coming over to visit now!!
I totally agree about people liking things that look nice. I looove the look of your blog, and I think I have finally got on a path to being happy with how mine looks. Unfortunately I am not good at taking nice photos for instagram or doing good twitter posts. I think for me is more about going slow and steady.
Emma recently posted…Sunshine Blogger Award
Aww, thank you Emma! I’m so pleased you like my design. :’) I’ve cycled through a lot but this is by far my favourite. *happy sigh* And hey everything gets better the more you do it! But don’t force ourself onto social media platforms you have no interest in! It’ll just be a drain.
I love reading your posts! I knew I was in for not only great advice but also a good laugh! You truly are amazing at social media! I found your blog through one of your hilarious tweets! I chuckle every time one of them shoes up in my feed! 😂
omggg this makes my DAY. Also actually is a relief to know my tweets are working.😂😂 Because I honestly have no idea.
OKAY BUT CONSIDER ME GIVING YOU CAKE AND ALSO BEGINNING A HAPPY DANCE.
I love the amount of sarcasm in this post. Finding followers is something I struggle with. A lot of the time my new Twitter followers are KJSEHFKSHF and unfollow me if I don’t follow them back. New blog followers are even fewer and far between.
I can attest to the “following pretty blogs”. I can’t tell you how many blogs I follow simply because they’re beautiful. (Yes, I know, I’m one of those shallow bloggers.)
Also, those people who comment on every post are awesome. So encouraging to bloggers. 🙂
ME? SARCASTIC? WELL NEVER. 😂😂
Ugh I hate the whole follow-for-follow mentality. *cries* It doesn’t plague me too much atm, but it does happen and it’s really frustrating. But there are way more good bloggers out there than dubious ones so YAY FOR THAT.
I hate to admit this, but I’ve unfollowed blogs because they were too confusing to navigate or because I couldn’t stand what they looked like…. but if I had that much trouble reading them then I really don’t want to go back and visit that blog again anyway….
I do love when blogs make me laugh!! It’s my favorite thing (and one of the many reasons your blog is so awesome!!).
But really this post is awesome, and your advice is great (I’ll follow most of it… short of axe-wielding….. maybe… hehehhehehe) Fun fact I actually tried axe-throwing for the first time this summer and it was so fun
I totally get you.😂 I have too…or I’ve gone to comment-back on a blog and could not for the life of me figure out their latest post, or, worse HOW to even comment. Like have an easy commenting system omg. Don’t make me cry.😂
Aww, but I’m really glad my sense of humour is actually funny and not just…deranged. SO THIS MAKES MY DAY. Even if you’re going to ignore #10 which is actually the most important one but ok fine. Live your life.
Quality content, and quality imagery — aka, CAIT. You always keep my coming back because of your wit and humor (I never NOT laugh when I read one of your posts!), and because your images are so, so pretty! *heart eyes*
OMG ROSIE. YOU MAKE ME SO HAPPY I CAN’T EVEN. *flails for at least 900 years* Thank yoooou for being so kind. :’)
Can I just say I adore the way you go about your posts… I think this is one of the main elements that brings people to your blog… you’re down to earth and just you… you have the humor on lock but still get whatever point you’re trying to make across. You are awesome and frankly all you have to be is yourself…. that’s the best piece of advice to give anyone… not everyone will like who you are and how you blog but there will be a lot that do… ‘you do you’ as the saying goes…
But seriously I adore the way you go about your posts…. I definitely need to add more humor into my posts for sure… I just haven’t found the right kinda post to introduce that aspect of myself into yet! One day! One day it’ll happen! 😂
OMG YOU’RE MAKING ME BLUSH. *cries all the happy tears* And I honestly don’t know what I’m doing half the time but being a mad little mite, but I have fun and I think that really really helps us bloggers! When our readers see us enjoying ourselves, I’m totally sure it makes a difference. BUT SERIOUSLY YOU’RE SO ENCOURAGING AND I JUST <3 <3 THANKS, SHANNON.
I love this! Blogging how-to posts are always entertaining and people always read them because like WHATS THE SECRET FORMULA but it’s unfortunately magic and luck and A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. If only there was just one thing. If only. LOVE YOUR BLOG CAIT THANKS FOR THE GUIDE TO MURDERY CAKE.
Amy recently posted…My 24 in 48 Read-a-thon Wrap-Up!
LUCK AND MAGIC <-- the only true answers.😂
This was awesome! I do think that my blog is pleasing to everybody’s eyeballs as it does not have too many visuals. It’s also easy to read and navigate.
One thing I am taling away from this post is that I have to cultivate my own voice and inculcate humor in my post. I really don’t have any idea about this but I guess your blog is the help I need!
Eram recently posted…Book Beginnings on Fridays
I do love our header, Eram!! It’s so pretty and clean. And honestly voice in blogging is something that can totally come with time. *nods* I was blogging like a dead brick wall for like 3 years.😂
This was actually so much of great advice – and then the axe bit came up and Cait. CAIT. I don’t want to get arrested, and that will definitely raise a lot of red flags with a lot of people. Just buying/finding an axe will make people suspicious. Go for something a little less conspicuous.
(Thanks for reminding me I need to bake tomorrow, by the way.)
I’m with Chelsea’s suggestion (waaay up the top of the comments): Use the LOTR trilogy. Much less conspicuous than an axe… but just as deadly. I mean, the weight in those things???
Something that helps to get me hitting that ‘follow’ button is… there BEING an [easily accessible] follow button. Also it probably helps if the blog doesn’t look like an eleven-year-old threw it together over the weekend and is now pushing out two posts a day. (That… will not endear me to it.)
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(Sorry. Was not meant to be a reply. *slaps technology*)
Jem Jones recently posted…Of Cookies and Books
Lol. No, I appreciate the reply and suggestion. Something to keep in mind.
NOW YOU’RE JUST BEING PEDANTIC. I’M SURE IT’LL BE FINE.
*glances out the window at the red and blue flashing lights*
That’s weird…
Don’t get arrested Cait.
If the cops turn up, blame the axe on someone else.
Or something.
*takes notes on this sage advice*
Wait…you think lettuce should be illegal? All lettuce or just iceberg lettuce? Because I could totally get behind outlawing iceberg but am kinda fond of romaine.
Ah, consistency. I’d rather perform a dark ritual with oranges under the trees as consistency is not my friend. Does it have to be 9 oranges or could I use six? Otherwise, I need to go to the store.
Since consistency is not my friend, guess I’ll have to turn to bribery. Hmmm…anyone like cookies? I can bake cookies! No?
Thanks for another awesome post! Totally made my day! Now I need to search Amazon for an affordable axe…
Terri @ Alexia’s Books and Such recently posted…Guest Post: How to Enjoy eBooks without Causing Harm to Your Eyes by Anitya Brown
I’M NOT A FAN OF LETTUCE AT ALL. I THINK IT IS A NO GO. *shakes head severely*
No no it has to be 9 omg don’t mess with the formula, Terri. You don’t want to take those kind of risks.
What makes me coming back to a blog is how interested the blogger is with in their readers, cause I like to recieve some respons. A visit back or replay if I have left a comment 🙂 It’s important also that the blog design are clean and easy to navigate around the pages.
So much agreement! I kind of feel weird if I try to read/comment on a blog a lot and they NEVER acknowledge me…it’s a bit like um, what’s the point? We’re just having a one way conversation. 😭😭 So I’m really big on chatting with people!!
You know, this was genuinely useful to me, as my co-blogger and I try to really nail down our voice and work out what’s most aesthetically appealing for our blog. I’ve got professional photography on my side, but we still have some tweaks to make all around. And you are RIGHT about it taking TIME!
Oooh, pHOTOGRAPHY. 😍 I think that’s super important so you’re definitely on the right track haha. (I mean, WHAT WOULD I KNOW. But I do try.😂)
Thanks for the tips! I really will consider standing behind people with axes. 😝 But, really, I sometimes find myself not finding the time to read others blogs, which can really help with people connecting to your blog.
It is a struggle to find the time!! *cries with you* I’ve been struggling with that a lot this year too haha, but we do what we can right?! We don’t have to be superhumans!
I 100% agree about consistency! Over the years this is something I’ve tried so hard to do. That said, I’ve fallen behind a bit lately, but do hope to find a good stride again. I’d also really like to write discussion posts, but sometimes its either a. lack of ideas, b. time or c. feeling like someone else has thoroughly covered a subject. Still, even if we write about the same thing (in terms of the subject), I don’t see it as “copying” rather it’s that we all have a unique perspective (and sometimes we don’t realize X has already covered a topic) to share/chat about.
Also “NO JUST KIDDING! YOU’RE PERFECT HOW YOU ARE! (No joke, please stay. I’ll like…I’ll like totally cry if you go.)” YES! Please don’t go. 🙂 I so appreciate the readers and followers, and consider many friends whom I’ve gotten to know. This community is really fabulous, and it’s been a pleasure to be a small part of it. Commenting on others blogs or hosting giveaways is my small way to say “thanks” to those who take the time to read my blog. And replying to the comments ON my blog also falls into that same opinion.
In re: to social media, I confess, I do tweet blog posts (a lot). Though it’s not an “READ THIS NOW OR ELSE” kind of thing. It’s more tweeting share “what’s new.” I can see where it could come across as annoying (for some) though I don’t see it that way when others in my feed do this, so I suppose that’s why it doesn’t strike me as “wrong” to do it myself. 🙂
Thanks so much for another informative, fun post, Cait.
Rissi recently posted…Lucky in Love by Kasie West – A Golden YALit RomCom Sure to ‘Win’ the Heart of its Reader
I totally hear you about the discussion topics. haha.😂I basically never do them (although I keep up the discussion questions) because I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING NEW.😂 But new shouldn’t necessarily matter, if we do it in our own voice and give our angle. :’)
Pfft, it’s not annoying to tweet your own blog posts. That’s what it’s for! And I get a lot of hits from twitter so like THAT’S EXCITING. Some people rely on twitter to know when a new post is up, so we have to let them know!
I’ve always sucked at networking. Everyone in this community seems to have this close knit group of blogger friends, but I’m terrible when it comes to reaching out to people so haha I’m a bit of a loner….
Kai @ Quartzfeather recently posted…Changing Things Up (Again) – Quartz Gazette June & July 2017
Omg I totally get that. Don’t worry. *feeds you at least 8 cupcakes* I think it can be hard to make connections sometimes! But there are many of us who just want to chat with everyone, so we just all have to find each other right?!
Definitely some very good advice here! I know when I first came across your blog, I instantly knew I wanted to keep coming back because of the lovely aesthetic and your hilariousness. And it makes me extremely happy when other bloggers reply to my comments, so I always try to do the same for my blog.
Aww, thank you JoBeth! That honestly makes my DAY. And hopefully proves my advice isn’t horribly terrible ahahha. Ahem.😂
*bribes everyone* *has axe*
Thanks, Cait. I’ll see you in jail.
:p But this post was hilarious.
Daisy recently posted…It’s All Research {When You’re a Writer, at Least…}
YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK!
I mean wait. No Daisy. Nooooooo.
AHAHAHA, so this was the best thing posted since 1922. I love love loved reading all your book blogging tips xD. And I agree with basically EVERYTHING on this list – especially about the design. I DO like certain blogs with awful designs, but I ESPECIALLY will love your blog if the design is epic. I’m … ah, WORKING on making my blog look epic? I’m just terrible at designing? We shall see what happens? xD
Thanks for this epic post, Cake Queen!
Savannah Grace recently posted…Book Review – Caraval by Stephanie Garber
THAT’S AMAZING. I’M SO PLEASED. And omg all the way since 1922. I’m like incredibly flattered. *sniffs happily*
(I think your blog design is lovely, btw!)
Wonderful post! Your advice is super helpful, even though I doubt I’ll be threatening anyone with an axe anytime soon. 😉 Still, you never know, right?
Right now I’m trying to grow my blog, so this post came at the right time. Usually, I’m drawn to blogs with a clear voice, like you said, that are centered around something I’m really interested in. (So…books. And books.) 🙂
Aww, well, you can skip #10, I GUESS. *sighs* The other methods are boring but good luck. 😂
Omg, it’s like you knew I just started a blog and would desperately need this advice! Thank you so much for sharing your advice, oh Ruler Of All.
I DID. I AM THE ALL-SEEING EYE, CLEARLY.🎉 😂 Haha but really, thanks, Dani! I’m glad it’s helpful.
Man, this makes me wanna step up my game with my own blog. Awesome post!
Ahhh it makes me happy that you enjoyed this! THANKS, LUKE.
I’d like this but I don’t have a like button. 😛 Consider your comment liked!
For me what normally makes me follow a blog is if I find it funny, I will rarely follow if it doesn’t make me laugh. Also it needs to look nice… 😁
Saaaame! I want to be entertained for sure.😂
Thank you for the hilarious yet totally helpful advice!
AWW YOU’RE WELCOME! I’m glad you liked it!
I’m a million times more likely to follow if you are consistent and funny. Especially if you are CONSISTENTLY funny. That is always fantastic.
I agree with pretty much everything you said!! I suck a little more at instagram because it gave me too much stress tbh, but I can deal with twitter because I can just think up some random thought, tweet it, and WOW I DID A SOCIAL THING.
Prettiness is so much more important than it should be, but it just IS. If your blog hurts my eyeballs, sorry no I don’t want to hurt them. I need those for the next 3482 years, thanks.
Being unique is so hard. I struggle with this, and probably always will because there is just SO much content already out there. I weep.
I really want a pizza and a cake now, THANKS FOR THAT.
kris @ lemon-notes recently posted…LIEBSTER AWARD | HUMAN BEANS + CHEESEY
It is fantastic to be amused. :’) I like amusing humans. And honestly no one HAS to be on all the social media platforms. It’s draining (haha says she who is on…all the platforms) just pick some and work more at them than others.😂
Uniqueness is important though! Especially when it comes to not copying favourites. It’s hard but we all have to be careful of that!
…. Geez. It’s mostly luck. OKAY, that’s what I’ve been doing wrong. 0% luck over here. *sigghhhhs*
Thank you anyways, Cait!
YOU JUST NEED MORE LUCK CLEARLY. And an axe.
Oooo, yes! An axe. That would help. Then I can lop off everyone who doesn’t look at my site’s heads!
These are all generally pretty great tips, but I particularly want to agree with the tip to not undermine/insult your own blog. It sounds kind of obvious once you put it out, there, but I see people do this ALL THE TIME. And if you write on Twitter or on your own blog about how your writing is boring/not good/unoriginal, etc., then, no, I am not going to check out your blog. If you think your blog is unoriginal, work at fixing that, but please don’t go around telling other people you are unoriginal! Focus on what you do well!
Yes! It’s so ridiculous when I see bloggers talking down about themselves and it happens WAY TOO MUCH. It’s not humility, it’s degrading to oneself!
I would try to follow that advice, but I’m not really a book blogger. I just can’t do it. Sure, I can occasionally write something exciting about other people books, but not constantly. (ironically I wrote posts this week and they were all book releases.. I also actually got comments.)
One tip you didn’t mention is that you must have a way for people to subscribe to your blog. I was independent and did my own website and it turns out a blog signup form isn’t part of all the basics. So I’ve had it since about Febuarary and no one could subscribe.
Fair enough! This was aimed mostly at book bloggers, but I think the having an attractive and accessible blog and being friendly are tips that can cross all niches of blogs. 🙂
And YES to the subscribing! Although I guess I forget because I use bloglovin’ and you can follow a blog whether they’re signed up or not there, so that’s helpful.😂
Wow! This is some really great advice! I just recently started a book blog and definitely plan to use some of this. Thank you so much!
No worries, Katie! I’m so pleased it’s useful!
I think that this is all pretty good advice! Like, I’ve been blogging for 3 years now (as of next tuesday) Which is kind of crazy. I will follow a book blog if they have something fresh and awesome to offer, like you said, even if it’s the same opinion, how they present it. Constant promo also really puts me off. I like it when a blogger can surprise me with how they write or what they write about. I haven’t though much about the familiarity for new readers thing–that’s probably a good thing to put in at least for recurring features. Anyway this was somewhat helpful and quite amusing so thank you!
Shanti recently posted…Books I read this year + stats
Three years is intense and AMAZING which probably makes you like an ancient blogging queen, too, btw. And presentation is basically a HUGE thing when it comes to blogging. I think we can all post about the same topics, but if we say it in our words/our voices and with our twists…then it makes a huge difference!
Mmmh, very good advice, thank you. Very timely for me too being new to the blogging world.
I think consistency is a really good point, I know I am always more likely to keep visiting blogs where new things are happening all the time, but as a blogger it is so hard to find the time.
I wish I had a time machine…… although then I would literally only exist on weekends as I would fast forward all the boring bits….
Anyways, thanks for the very interesting post 🙂
Oh oh welcome to the blogging world! Has anyone given you cake yet? I’LL GIVE YOU CAKE. *sprinkles crumbs in your hair*
I totally agree it’s hard to find the time though! I mean, kI’m literally like 5 days later answering comments *facepalm* But we do what we can and try to have fun! That’s super important.
This was literally SO HELPFUL because I need to just,,, TAKE ALL THE ADVICE! For me I think that that “STAND BEHIND THEM THREATENINGLY WITH AN AXE” thing will really work for me. . . I mean,, I’ll just pop over to the shop and purchase an axe now!
EXCELLENT. I’m sure the axe tip is honestly the only helpful thing in this post. The rest is…eh.😂
AHAHHA! I mean…. its not ALL eh eh but the AXE is probably the best thing on there 😂 JK it’s a great post 🙂
Gah I love this!! Um I wish I had known half of this when my 14-year-old self started a blog and failed miserably BAHAHAHA.
So tragic
It took me a while to get the hang of blogging??? Yours was the first blog I found and loved AND THEN YOU COMMENTED ON MY BLOG.
And I was like HEY INTERACTION. How about that 😂😂 I didn’t know how to find other bloggers and I’m pretty terrible at twittering consistently tee hee. And then there was bookstagram and things started happening and I was like OMG THINGS WORK. I have been guilty of taking a hiatus or two but no more!!
Suffice it to say: This post would have been such a godsend back then. 😂
Esther @ Queen of Fantasy recently posted…Rainbow Books Tag!
I wish I’d known it when *I* started blogging.😂😂 It took me like 3 years to realise answer comments is actually a polite thing to do instead of just ignoring everyone.😂 AWW BUT DUDE. I’m so glad you found my blog!! I love yours!!
Hey Cait! This post was sooo helpful, and I definitely picked up a tip or two. Thanks so much!
Also, speaking of networking, I actually mentioned you in one of my recent posts! http://bit.ly/2uMBkOZ
Pagan recently posted…Paper Wishes – Book Review
Aww, thanks, Pagan! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Also I shall go check out this post immediately. 😱😱
I came here as soon as I’ve seen you have this post in my email. Thank you for sharing these bits of wisdom, we are not worthy.
But seriously all good advice, thanks. I’ll try to apply them on my own even if I know I’ll fail somehow.
Jennilyn V. recently posted…Wandering Thoughts: This Is Me Talking Myself Out of Writing Mean Reviews
Aww, seriously?!? THAT MAKES MY DAY. *gifts you at least 9 cakes* 💕💕💕
Honestly, the whole post I was laughing my ass off and getting really confused like:
At first, I thought you’re a non-human who can visit/blog-hop/teleport to SOOO many blogs
And then (a shrivel) of your humanity surfaces with the orange cake (sugar-free, full salt)
But FINALLY! I’ve come to the conclusion: axe-wielding dragon. Yep, that about right. 😂
Seriously tho, I love how informative and entertaining this is. And also, I’m really sorry but I’m not restraining you from Twitter. How will I get my bookish tweets from you then???
Well I am PLEASED with your conclusion. Even if I did let out that I really suck at baking. I mean??? It’s so rude of me?? I love cake and yet sometimes I try to poison people with it. (Wait this seems like my aesthetic.)
ANYWAY. I’M GLAD YOU ENJOYED THIS. EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT HELPING MY TWITTER ADDICTION.
Thanks for these tips! I’ve been using my current blog for 4 years, but not many people read it. I guess that’s okay because I don’t know when I’d have time to answer 60+ comments. You must have super blogging powers.
Aj @ Read All The Things! recently posted…The Sunday Post #109
Haha, answering lots of comments can take a lot of time! It is really exciting to make lots of connections and grow though *nods* But it honestly depends on what YOU want out of your blog. That’s the important part.
Love these tips!! I’m still sort of a newbie to the blogging world, so I always love to see these types of posts. My biggest struggle is definitely posting regularly. I don’t have free time often, but when I do I usually waste it all away on Twitter or the depths of Netflix. Hopefully I can improve that soon! 😛
Posting regularly can be really hard!! I totally admire your dedication to blog with a super busy life too. 😉 Scheduling is your FRIEND though. Honest. I schedule posts so that when I’ve got the free time, I can mass write and then just have them go up at good times.😂
Great advice (as usual)! I liked what you said about always having a post in the last 3 that a newbie could read without feeling like they’re missing something. That’s not something I’ve ever really thought of, but it’s really true!
Emily Seals recently posted…#TheReadingQuest Reading Challenge
Ahh so glad you like it, Emily! It’s actually strange how many blogs I’ve gone to try and connect with but always feel I’m too “new” and that everything is just aimed at long-time followers. It’s not inviting to new readers for sure. *howls*
Plz eat everyone of ever with your dragons cait
I will, Minna. It is #1 on my to-do list I promise.
Awesome tips! Humor definitely draws me back to blogs – who doesn’t want to laugh? I think another thing I enjoy are people who are themselves… and willingly to be gushy and passionate about the things they like or review.. It makes it interesting to read. All of this is great advice!
I know right?! People do like to come back for something that makes them feel good.😂Although my sense of humour is questionable by faaaar. But I try.😂
Great post…no, really! I’m not just saying that because of the promised food (that never came), or because that last suggestion that we never read here is something I’d actually contemplate doing ( just kidding… or am I? 😐). No, I’m saying that becausebecause it was great… great fun, great advice, and wholly filled with greatness. Thanks! 😊
Gina recently posted…STORYBOOK SUNDAY goes Back to School with Disney Hyperion, Penguin Kids, and Brightly!
That last suggestion is really the ONLY suggestion here. The rest are just…eh. Take it or leave it. BUT GO FOR THE AXE. *nods wildly* 😂😂
These are some really great tips!!
I really like how you make it a point to visit the blogs of people who comment on yours. That’s one thing I really want to be better about.
I’m kind of embarrassed to admit that if a blog isn’t very nice looking, I often don’t stay to even read anything!! It’s kind of pathetic, but real. And then the pretty blogs I’ll sometimes follow just so I can look at them xD.
I would also add that it’s important to try to be somewhat happy or positive on your blog. I mean, you don’t have to be, like, giddy, but I think coming across as happy goes a long way to making a blog enjoyable. There have been a couple blogs i followed for whatever reason, but they ended up being full of complaining and not much else. I don’t know, what do you think?
Wonderful post!!
Thanks, Lenna!! I mean, obviously the only important one is #10 but the others are ok too I guess.
And SAME with the blog-needing-to-look nice. It makes absolutely all the difference.😂 And I think that’s fair. We humans like pretty food and pretty books and pretty blogs. It’s just life. :’)
I agree so much about the positivity! I do enjoy reading serious blogs too, at times, but if a blog is continually quite down, it’s hard to stick around. I’ve read blogs where the bloggers talked about how much their life sucked all the time…and I felt really bad for them, but what can I even say that doesn’t sound cliche or tacky? I ended up not staying.😭
This really helped, so thank you! I’m still relatively new to book blogging (despite having my blog for almost a whole year) and one of my biggest problems is networking with others. I never want to seem like I’m bothering people so don’t generally comment much on other blogs. Thank you for some of the other tips too, they were really helpful 🙂
Comments are NEVER a bother! I’m like 98% sure we all look forward to them most desperately!😂 Don’t be afraid to chat to people. It’s so fun to start conversations. 😉
This was hilarious and a lot of fun! This is the first time I’ve ever read your blog, and I will definitely be back. Thanks for the good advice and the good laugh!
Oh! Oh! Hello and WELCOME, Catherine!! It’s really nice to have you here amongst all the intense um…madness. *quickly offers you cake so you stay*
I love this so much 💕
Caryl (Mrs Bloggs’ Books x
AWW THANK YOU!
Great suggestions, any ideas on where I buy an axe?
The blogs I like best seem to have personalities, and I think that’s what you’re saying here, so hi, so glad I stumbled across a reference to you on a tweet by damyanti biswas. Nice blog.
YOU SHOULD BUY THE AXE ONLINE FOR EASY COMFORT IN DELIEVERY AND YOU CAN ALSO USE TI TO CUT PIZZA SO THERE’S SO MUCH WIN IN THIS SITUATION–
Wait. I mean. That advice doesn’t come from me. This is…somebody else typing. *coughs awkwardly*
Also I’m so glad you stopped by!! I offer cake and slight strands of madness!
My sister read the title of this post, and was like you need to read this. You really need the help.
I did find this post super helpful. I think your really good at being invested in your followers. Because I see your comments everywhere, and you always reply back. Which is something few bloggers with a huge following do. It’s very impressive.
omg is your sister the most lovely and encouraging person OR WHAT.😂😂 Bless her. And aww, I’m so glad some of this were helpful!! And honestly I think the time I put into comments really makes a difference. I honestly consider you all my friends and I LOVE chatting with you all!!
-bless- I’ve tried reading ‘how to blog books’ but they seem to be more geared toward people who are willing to sell their firstborn child and every speck of time they have in order to blog. I have no firstborn child and am a college student/bookworm/writer, which writes me out of both categories. so bless your soul.
WAIT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVEN’T SOLD YOUR FIRSTBORN CHILD YET. WELL I HAVE OPENINGS. Ahem I mean wait *shuffles note cards* I mean. Hopefully this advice is a little lowkey than those.
I basically agree with your whole list 🙂
What makes me come back to a book blog is definitely humour. Pretty colourful imagery catches my eye, but humour keeps me hooked. Or if I feel some kind of kindred spiritedness with the writer. And what makes me hit the “follow” button is interaction… I am that dork who gets ridiculously excited when a stranger on the internet whose writing I enjoyed replies to my comment 😀 I have zero chill. It has paid off though… when I first got into blogging I had a knitting blog, and one of my dearest friends I actually met through the blogging knitters community and we remain close friends 10+ years later <3
These are truly excellent tips. I tried to follow many of them when I was blogging. And I will keep them all in mind when I get back to blogging… the hard one, though, is networking… I love to read blogs about things that interest me, as a down time past time… but I blog about my profession (which is my passion). I never include the link to my blog when I comment on bookish blogs because (a) I have been on a hiatus for YEARS (series of life curve balls derailed me, haven't gotten back on the wagon yet. And yet I still actually get comments fairly regularly…on posts that are literally YEARS old)… and then (b) books are NO PART of my blog. Things like giant kidney worms are. We could draw a venn diagram of people that are into books and people that are into giant kidney worms and there is a sizeable chunk of that book loving circle that are probably heavy on the NOPE side 😉 ( I actually tried to alternate between writing about my adventures in my new home, and my adventures in vet med… to broaden my appeal… but my voice is really much better at dorking out over vet med…)
Anyhow. When I find delightful blogs such as yours, Cait, I really miss actually blogging myself… maybe now that I am settling into my new life (major career move made this past fall) I can find a spot for blogging again 🙂
WHY THANK YOU, MAGGIE. I’m obviously the blogging queen here and — *trips and falls on face due to excellent social skills*
But the connect IS the most important honestly! I have blogs I read who never acknowledge my existence, but so long as they’re really fun or give me good input with their posts, I stay.😂 Also the friends you make online are just AMAZING. My closest friends are all through blogging!
Networking is hard, though, and the biggest thing is: TIME. I will legit spend hours blogging and it’s definitely something that needs to be acknowledged! It’s hard to build up overnight! I think people do, but they’re obviously black magicians.
(I do hope you start blogging again, it’d be lovely to read yours!)
I agree with these things! You know, I think the hardest part is finding a balance- like, I know that these are important things- the commenting back, the posting regularly, etc. But then these are also the things I try to not beat myself up over, when inevitably I haven’t enough time to do them all. Do you see the struggle, Cait? Maybe I should just stop blogging and stand behind people with the ax. I mean, that sounds easiest, let’s be real 😉
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…Inarticulate Book Musings (3)
Definitely the balance is important! I probably should’ve noted that more in the post.😭😂 It’s important not to beat ourselves up when we don’t hit all the “milestones” we set for ourselves! I don’t have enough time to do all the things anymore either. Buuuut I try!! And people are so lovely. Also the axe is great tbh.
Did like the reminder to use s kegibke font. As soon as something is in white ink on a red ground, I don’t even bother continuing.
Omg I absolutely die when the font is illegible or killing my eyes. I was on a blog the other day where the font was like a super light shade of grey on a white background…It was SO hard to read. 😭
I admit, I envy your abbility to be able to comment back to so many of the people that comment on yours. And yes I do think this makes you stand out more to me, because you are just such a friendly human being. Well and you like dragons and cake. There is that. Not that I am commenting to get something back from you but because you are so friendly that makes me want to support you, you know?
Annemieke recently posted…Reading Journal For My Son
It takes a LONG TIME and you’ve probably noticed I fail a lot, particularly these days.😂 But it’s about trying and doing our best, right?! And not beating ourselves up if other things take precedence! And like obviously you’re all just here for the cake…
*squishes you* THIS HONESTLY MAKES MY COLD VULCAN HEART WARM. YOU’RE SO KIND.
This was excellent and also super useful *high five*
Sometimes it feels a little like you can just be BLOGGING TO NOBODY and t can be disheartening but on those days I remember that actually I’m blogging to myself and that is ok and also that hopefully if I bake it they will come…eventually.
Aww I’m so glad!! And it is super disheartening to blog into a void, honestly. But you really do have to go out and find people, I’ve discovered! And then kind of duct tape them and lock them in the basement so they can’t leave — WAIT THAT WASN’T PART OF THE ADVICE EXCUSE ME–
DUDE THESE TIPS ARE SO AMAZING I LOVE THEM. I agree with the commenting back thing! They’re supporting me and I want to show them the same support. But now that school’s starting back up, I’m having less time to comment back so unfortunately I can’t do it much anymore. (Which is bad because I’ve been getting more and more new commenters/followers. XD)
OH THANK YOU FOR THAT “write posts that make sense to new followers” BECAUSE I NEEDED IT! Sometimes I mention things that I’ve mentioned before, but don’t really clarify what they are for new readers. I’ll definitely change that! I don’t really do different parts to a post — except maybe I’ll keep a theme going on with some posts, but you don’t HAVE to have read the post before to understand the current one.
And yes aesthetics are so important??? You may think it’s shallow but HUMANS ARE SHALLOW and we like pretty things. Anything that doesn’t look good doesn’t SEEM good (though that’s not always the case!) Love this post, Cait!
May @ Forever and Everly recently posted…The Pros and Cons Viewing Posts on the Site vs. the WordPress Reader + My (Very Biased!!!) Opinion
THANKS, MAY. You’re so kind to me!! And I think it’s super hard to balance things! I’ve bene doing a lot of work things other than blogging lately so it’s haaard to fit it all in. (Hence I’m like answering/visiting blogs so late this week haha.) But we do what we can! We’re not superhumans and we don’t have to be. :’)
And I catch myself needing to make sure I continually clarify myself too! Often I’ll be like “omg I’m repeating myself” … but it’s better to repeat than have new followers be totally confused and just leave. I’ve read blogs that seem a bit clique and it’s not inviting. We gotta be inviting to rope these humans in.😂
We ARE shallow and not even ashamed.😂
Awesome post Cait! Thanks for the helpful tips 😀 I love pretty blogs and that is one of the reasons why I adore your blog so much!
Ahh, so glad you liked it, Chloe!! THANKS!! *twirls happily*
Honestly, I think I keep coming back to your blog because I follow you on Instagram too! And because you post more “content” than book reviews, you know? I’m actually more drawn to your posts like these (for example, the one about Goodreads… fantasy book…) rather than book reviews. And I think your graphics are so pretty! I think for me I’m just going to focus on content and then focus on going off and revamping if I get into it 🙂 I have issues blogging consistently, so hopefully if I can establish that then I can focus on the other stuff! That way I don’t get too caught up in networking or something (:
AHHH TORI!! This makes me super happy THANK YOU. I do really enjoy posting just bookish things and not just reviews. 😂 And I do think that’s a good way to lure in new readers too — it helps get a sense of the blogger’s style/voice!
Good luck with blogging more! I think quality is still better than quantity but I do think blogging at least once a week is pretty important to trying to build your blog!
I couldn’t agree more with your point about the multi-part posts…or really, anything in general that doesn’t make sense to a first-time reader. Sometimes I hop onto blogs that look cool but all of the recent posts are part of a series, or a hop, or a challenge, or something similar…and I have to dig to find out what’s going on. And TBH I don’t have the attention span for that!
Also, blogs that are cluttered. Just no. I can’t take it IRL and I can’t take it on my screen.
I definitely need to get back to posting on a regular basis. I really took a break last year/this year and I want to get back to posting a few times each week!
Martha recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: short books you can finish in one sitting
EXACTLY! It’s a problem but also like…we’re only human?!? I haven’t got the time to do everything I need to do in a day, let alone sit there trying to figure out where some blog’s latest post is.😭 Make things user friendly!! It’s SO important.
Hey there! I am in love with your blog! And I nominated you for The Blogger Recognition Award(:
https://teawithrosestomes.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/the-blogger-recognition-award-2/
AWW ROSE! You’re too nice!! Thank you!!
What a fantastic post, Cait, as always! I agree with everything here. I really need to be able to find the blog’s latest articles for me to actually want to read them – if there’s an intro page and everything is just not easy to navigate, I tend to give up quickly, which makes me sad but well…SO many blogs to visit. <3 I love your philosophy of sharing the love in the community, answering to comments and trying to give some love back by commenting back; I always try and do this as well, which makes blogging even more time-consuming, yet more rewarding in a way just as well.
You certainly have the best advice for this given the amount of people following you and loving you, but most importantly because you are always YOU – all of your blog posts make your own personality shine and this is what I love the MOST about this blog <3
Thank you for a fantastic post <3
Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books recently posted…Review: Cruel Beauty, Rosamund Hodge
Aww, thank you, Marie! And I thoroughly agree that it’s VERY time-consuming to try and comment/reply to all the things. Omg I don’t even manage it always…and I know a lot of people lead super busy lives! I probably should’ve clarified more on that about the time aspect. But we definitely shouldn’t beat ourselves up if we can’t do it, but it does help to draw in the followers/comments/readers.
*blushes* OMGGGGGG. You say the nicest things.😱😊💕
This post is absolute gold! I mean, a part from the murder and all, your advice seems pretty legit.
Eeep, so glad you enjoyed it! ALL the legit here. Especially #10.
#10 really seems like a surefire way to get more followers. Definitely going to try it.
I followed you because HELLO YOU’RE AMAZING AND YOUR POSTS SHOW HOW HILARIOUS YOU ARE. Also the constant mentions of cake is a sure plus. Who doesn’t like cake? (Well, I’m sure there are some, but we won’t talk about THOSE people.)
It IS. I mean how do you think I have followers??! It’s all because of #10.
(Also fajdsklad omg Laura, THANK YOU.❤️❤️ I’m sure the cake is what does it, right? Keepin’ on being relatable.)
What an Entertaining blog and Blogpost. Reading this was so Funny. I seriously had to laugh a lot of Time. You have such a colorful blog and good advices. ♡
Thanks so much, Linda!! That’s so kind of you to say! 💕💕
I LOVE your blog so much!! This is a really helpful post and I agree with everything (#10 as well, obviously!). I also love your blogging voice! I’m still “looking for mine” but your is a great example: you’re funny and it’s easy to read!
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Aww, thank you so much! That makes me ever so happy. :’) And I’m glad we’re in agreement that #10 is obviously the important step.
Wow, I love your blog, very inspiring!
I love it when I find a post about blogging advice thats actually HONEST! So many I read are the same things over and over again and its just not that helpful. I love how you mentioned that it can be hard and that bribery isn’t stooping too low or inconsiderable! I mean as bloggers we do what we can to get readers! Were not THAT desperate (well maybe a little) just “in your face a little” but in the best way! 🙂
Nice! This was helpful. Can you head over to my blog and see and give suggestions if you think I need to make soe changes? It’s been two months since i’ve started blogging so therefore, the lack of blog posts. Lol.
4k, don’t brag now xD that’s insane! Here I am struggling with my pathetic 200 xD Although, I gotta say, you get my hopes up. Blogging about books gets less attention in general than blogging about fashion or.. you know, stuff. Because I think our audience is smaller. So I didn’t think we can go this high! That makes me glad there’s space to expand xD (am I seriously believing I’ll ever reach an honest thousand..? I can’t believe I do, but I kind of… do?)
I think the main thing in getting followers is incredibly simple: WRITE WELL. First and foremost. You can’t really get anywhere if you don’t write well xD but of course, the social bit comes in there too. But writing well is just… So important.
And also, my font has recently completely randomly decided that it will be bold from now on. For no reason at all. EVERYWHERE. I… don’t… I am in panic, actually. I hope someone helps me to figure it out soon, cause I’m hopeless in this stuff. Just kind of keeping my fingers crossed for that friend who made my theme at all. Bold! Jesus.
Haha, yes, I also love your tweets 🙂 sometimes I put out good tweets too, dare I say, AS good lol 😀 but the thing is, I can’t put them out consistently! I guess that comes with practice. And then I am always overworked with, you know, actual job-work-stuff, that is awfully unrelated to the blogging stuff, and so it just kind of.. kills creativity. It’s really hard to tweet anything cool after you’ve spent a soul-crushing day doing number and excel stuff and your eyes are all scratchy T_T
Totally right about the promo though. When I started up my Twitter, I started up with, you know. Theme tweets. Fun tweets. Aiming at stuff like the things you post. Because I have background in marketing and communication xD I guess I was lucky with that experience. Not that it helped me much initially, because almost nobody saw those tweets 😀 but hey, year later? 902 followers. Dare I say, I’m probably doing alright.
Haven’t ever done giveaways though. Not from my place of the world. I just don’t feel like I can actually spend money on my blog. I have this ridiculous belief that if you have good content, it’s okay not to bribe too 😀 although maybe they’ll trickle more slowly, but you know.
The funny thing for me is also that being entertaining… is kind of entertaining myself 😀 I love writing funny and fun posts. It’s just… fun? 😀
And I was gonna say, where is the bit about bribing with cake? There it is. I know my Cait by the book.
Can’t believe I had missed this post.
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