I have spent quite a bit of time over the past few months discussing blogging as I hashed out my ideas on certain trends in book blogging. These have included readathons, giveaways, blog hops, rules, reasons to start blogging, followers, comments, overdoing guest blogging, and blog tours. Now, these are just my thoughts on these topics. If there is one thing about blogging that will get me fired up is the idea that there are rules to blogging. Honestly, in my opinion, there are no rules.
Yes, there will always be someone who states that you should do X, Y, and Z in order to maximize your visitors or become a top blogger. To that, I say poppycock. Blogging is intensely personal, and what works for one may not, and often does not, work for someone else. How you run your blog, what you do to promote it, and what you hope to get out of it are uniquely yours. If you feel like a certain meme or event is draining, do not do it; conversely, if you adore music and want it playing on your blog, go for it. Who cares what other people think? At the end of the day, a majority of us are blogging as a hobby or to improve our writing. While we dream about one day quitting our day jobs and becoming full-time writers, this will remain a dream for 95 percent of us. This is okay! However, it makes the idea of your blog as an extension of your personality even more important.
Let me let you in on a little secret – those bloggers who burn out, take an extended blogging break or quit altogether have not figured out that there are no rules. These are the ones who feel compelled to participate in certain memes or weekly events even though they do not like them. These are the ones who feel that they have to post something every day, even if they do not feel like it. Someone somewhere has told them that in order to be considered a successful blogger, they have to do this. I am here to tell you this is not the case.
Do not write if you have nothing to say. Do not force yourself to participate in something in which you do not see any benefit or if it makes you uncomfortable to do so. No one is going to banish you from the Internet for staying silent for a few days or for not participating in Monday’s “What Are You Reading” meme. In my opinion, those blogs that I favor and consider the best, are those that pave their own ways and follow their own formats. They write when they have something to share, are quiet when they do not. Their words are more powerful as a result, and they never, ever apologize for their silence. It is a hobby that they continue to enjoy because they have learned to ignore the “experts” and do things their own way.
So newbies, do not feel ashamed or overwhelmed! Do what feels comfortable for you. Enjoy blogging. It is fun and can be incredibly worthwhile. I guarantee that your blog will evolve and grow as you figure out your style, and this growth is as exciting for your audience as it is for you.
Thanks, Lisa! It's all about having fun.
I agree, Tina! Content is king. I always find it so interesting to that something is a hobby for 95 percent of us can turn into something so stressful if one lets it. I can never figure out why that is. Thanks for visiting.
Thanks, Jennifer!
Teresa, I have never had a publicist or author absolutely insist on posting a review by a certain date. The only time that becomes an issue is with blog tours, like TLC Book Tours – whom I adore. Even then, Lisa and Trish will work with you on a date that best fits your schedule and are always open for last-minute schedule changes. I schedule all of my other reviews based on the date finished, the publication date, and my review queue. I have been making an effort to review books close to their publication date if possible, but I do not stress if I miss it.
If there are publishers who require you to schedule a date to post your review, and it is something which causes you stress and makes you consider reading as a chore rather than as a delightful hobby, I would consider not working with them. No hobby is supposed to be stressful, whether it is reading or blogging. Good luck!
The word "rules" applied to blogging really bothers me, if you couldn't already tell. I know what you are saying, but I got out of that endless cycle by letting go. I comment when I feel I have something worthwhile to say. I do not stress about the number of comments, or lack thereof, on a post of mine. People will read my posts if they are interested and will skip over it if not. I didn't write it for them; I wrote it for me. In the end, it is all about me.
You are absolutely right…don't write if you have nothing to say! Great advice. Great reminder!
My recent post Armchair BEA- Blogging about Blogging
Pam said numerous times yesterday that we shouldn't post when we don't want to. I even paraphrased her in my post this morning because it is something that I need to adhere to more. There is one part of that which I need some advice on. That is those publicists that require you schedule a date to post your review. Do you just not work with them if it is a requirement? Any help with this would be much appreciated.
My recent post Keeping it all together