How To Start a Book Blog

If you’re here I’m guessing you want to start a book blog (or already have one) and are looking for a few tips. Back when I started I’m Booked! I didn’t really know what I was doing or how to go about becoming a book blogger. Along the way, after making many mistakes, I found myself learning a thing or two about blogging. Here I have compiled a list of a few book blogging basics:

1.    Start a blog: Seems a little obvious, but that’s because it is. Now, the age old question that every blogger faces:  Blogger or Wordpress. I don’t think it really matters as you start off because they both have their pros and cons. Blogger is probably the simplest and I liked it back in the day because of GFC but this is a feature I don’t really use much now. Wordpress allows you to make a more personal design if you use the .org website but this requires more know-how in terms of website building. A lot of people start off on Blogger and move to Wordpress when they’re more established but I don’t think it really matters which one you choose as long as you find that it suits you the best.

2.    Read, read, read: It’s hard to fit reading so much around your daily life but you need to keep on top of your TBR (I’m guilty of not always doing this) so that you can schedule your reviews. Before you publish your blog it would be good have 3 or 4 reviews ready so you can stay ahead of the game. When I started I only had one review ready and I found myself hectically trying to read and write new reviews in time for the next day which brings me onto my next point.

3.    Schedule your posts: Having no schedule or structure to when you post makes it hard to keep on track with your blog. When I started I tried to post everyday until I realised it just wasn’t practical for me. Now my goal is a weekly Fun Fact Friday, a review and hopefully something helpful or random. If you know when you’re going to post and when you’re going to give yourself a break it makes life a lot easier.

4.    Socialise: So now your blog’s up and running you need people to read that stuff you spent so long writing. This is where websites like Goodreads, Twitter, Google Plus and Facebook are handy. I only use the first three but I think that’s enough. Goodreads lets you join groups and connect with other bloggers in your niche. You can also let everyone know when you’ve published a new post. Google Plus is good when you got a lot of people in your circles and you want to keep them up to date with your blog. I probably use twitter the most since it’s a great way to promote your reviews to other bloggers and make new blogging buddies. It’s good not to spread yourself too thin though so while I’d use more than one resource, I’d mainly use twitter as a way to connect with bloggers and authors, and promote posts.

5.    Comment: I know when I get comments I always get warm fuzzy feeling. Comments are like virtual hugs. Well, nice comments :). When you get a comment, try to reply. They gave you their time so you can do the same. Also comment on other peoples blogs. But only if you’ve got something to say. Saying Great post! and leaving your URL isn’t really a comment.

6.    Sit back and relax: Just kidding! If you want a successful blog then you can’t really be too relaxed about it. It should be enjoyable but sometimes it’s kind of hard work. Sometimes you won’t want to post anything. That’s okay, we all have lives away from our blogs. But to keep people coming back for more you’ve got to do a bit of hard work.


Did I miss something? Let me know in the comments.