While this series started as a forum to share my thoughts on various trends that have me rolling my eyes, raising my eyebrows and in general wondering about the state of book blogging, it has taken off more than I ever expected. This modern-day expose on the world of book blogging has become quite popular, and I continue to accept suggestions from fellow bloggers about various trends they would like to see discussed in future editions. I’ve discussed readathons, giveaways, blog hops, rules and reasons to start blogging, followers and comments. This week’s topic is a suggestion from a fellow blogger about overdoing guest blogging.
Most people start blogging about books because they want to discuss books in some way. This means that they purposely establish a forum that allows them to share their thoughts on the books that they are reading with anyone who will listen. Some bloggers even get to the point where they invite guest bloggers to write on their blog.
Guest bloggers are a bit like memes, they are nice once in a while and help shake up one’s content. Even regularly featured guest bloggers can be a fun way to introduce a new element to a blog. Yet, there is a disturbing trend of guest bloggers becoming the only ones who are writing on various blogs.
I have seen it happen this way: The original owner of the blog will request reviewers because s/he is overwhelmed with review copies and needs help. Yet, somehow, the original owner stops writing. In at least one instance, the original owner then quits blogging, starts up a different blog several months later, only to have the same thing happen.
Seriously? Why start blogging at all if you are only going to pass it off to others? If you are purposely creating a forum to share your thoughts about books, then why hand it off?
I suspect the real issues at hand are two that I’ve already discussed – the reasons one starts to blog and the lure of followers. If a blogger is not absolutely certain about blogging, s/he will begin to see it as a chore. Yet, the lure of followers is always tempting, as is the idea of “free” books, so I can see how someone who is struggling would want to continue blogging in some fashion. Heck, getting people to write your reviews for you is pretty ingenious; you get all the pleasures of blogging and none of the pain. However, let’s recognize it for what it is. Once you do that and it becomes the primary writing source for a blog, it is no longer your blog but a group blog.
In these instances, bloggers who insist on maintaining ownership of a blog even though s/he is no longer the primary writer, are being selfish and disingenuous. Those guest bloggers are the ones who are earning the followers and the respect of the publishers. They need to be recognized in big, bold letters for running your blog for you.
Better yet, if you find blogging too stressful to the point where you need others to write your reviews for you, then blogging probably isn’t the hobby for you. As I’ve said before, blogging is hard work, but we do it because we love it. It isn’t because of the followers or the advanced reading copies. It fulfills a need in us. If it becomes too tedious or strenuous, then you are doing it wrong, or you are blogging for the wrong reasons.
Has anyone else seen this phenomenon out there? What are your thoughts on letting guest bloggers take over a blog completely?
LOL! There are lots of things I don't get about blogging some days.
Ceri,
I know I have become quite harsh in those blogs I do follow, for similar reasons. One too many guest posts is enough to have me marking the "unsubscribe" button. I don't read guest posts either. It seems that many others feel the same way, and yet, guest posts appear to be on the rise. I wonder why that is.
Suzi – I do the same thing. I don't even feel bad about it anymore. I want to see the person's original thoughts, not someone else's. I don't even read interviews or posts written by authors.
Very well put, Michelle. This is a hobby after all. If you can't find the time to post, then don't!
Chris,
I feel the same way. Either I post or I don't. I avoid guest posts as well as author posts too. They just do not interest me. This is my blog. Anything written by someone else would be something different.
I'm not bothered by the idea of a group blog either. I do follow several of them. However, I do object to those who start as solo bloggers and then barely post anymore. I'm with you – the either need to re-launch as a group blog or quit altogether.
I do think guest bloggers can fill a void. I guess I object when it happens more often than not. If the original blogger cannot find the time to write reviews, then it is time to hang it up or slow down the schedule. No one says you HAVE to blog every day.
Thanks, Julie!
I agree, Amy. If I follow a blog, it is because of the original author's writings. I tend to skip over all guest posts, even by authors, as a result. Maybe that makes me a bad visitor but I don't want to read anyone else's writing.
I don't understand why the people who write for such sites would not be upset at the idea of not getting the full credit they deserve for their efforts. If you are putting forth the effort, you deserve ALL the credit.
Great job on discussing this topic, Michelle. I don't have a problem at all if someone is going on vacation and has guest bloggers filling in while they're gone, but the whole regular reviewer or regular guest reviewer thing puzzles me. I am majorly behind on review books, yet I'm not looking for reviewers to help me fulfill my obligations. I made my bed and now I guess I'll lie in it. My solution for my particular situation was to change my review policy to where I'm accepting little to no review copies and in a VERY select genre. I'll catch up with what I've got, apologize to the authors/publicists for the delay and move on (this excludes blog tours, of course). Free books are nice, but when it becomes a chore, it's not fair to yourself, your readers, and the authors who provide the books. Everyone has their reason for doing what they do and many people might not have a problem with guest or regular reviewers. Again, I just find it puzzling. I'm with Chrisbookarama, why not just go on a hiatus? Plenty of people understand the need for a hiatus and if you lose followers in the process, well, you know the old adage…true friends stick with you through the good times and the bad. 🙂
I haven't really seen this, and I'm glad because it would probably annoy me. Thanks for your thoughts.
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I don't understand this. Personally I think guest posts can be fantastic (though I've only ever done, I think, one) but only through features or once in awhile. If it becomes too much then I might stop reading a blog because it's not the blog I wanted to read, if that makes sense. If I start reading your blog because I like what you do and then you aren't the one writing anymore… then it's not really the same thing! I can't say I've seen it often though.
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