Armchair BEA: Blogger Development

 

I have been running around the blogging community for more about 2 years now, joining giveaways, reading book reviews and whatnot. My sister knows about that because she has seen me sit for hours in front of the laptop scouring the blog universe for something interesting to read or win. So I told her, “Let’s blog together!” Unfortunately, my sister didn’t want to be part of my plan. She said she didn’t know how to write proper book reviews (As if I know how to write!), and it would take too much of her time blah blah blah. I didn’t want to do it alone. So there goes my plan to become a book blogger.

But I did not give up that easily. I tried to write reviews, and hopefully, my writing ability improved from the regular book reviews I have posted on Goodreads. I know writing isn’t my forte, but my eagerness to share what I thought about the books I have read pushed me to write. Sloppy, unorganized, some misspelled words, grammatically incorrect sentences, typographical errors – that’s what I often notice in my posts or reviews. Ways I tried to improve that? I just keep on writing. That’s it.

After my attempts to write good reviews, I finally decided I would do it. Set up a blog, and go for the gold.  What I didn’t know was that it really required maximum effort and 100% dedication. So from October to December of 2012, my blog was a mess! I just didn’t know how to manage it. But when January 2013 came, I know I needed to straighten things out. I made regular blog posts about book hauls and book reviews.  I basically have zero knowledge about blog hops, memes, and everything in between at that time. And I don’t know who to ask for help.

It took me months to figure out how blog hops work, and what memes are. I did join a few, and I’m glad I did because it really boosted up the blogs views. Not only that, was I glad that somebody’s already commenting on my posts. It’s just a little sad that you keep on posting stuff, but nobody really comments on it.

I have read that having a Rating Policy posted on the blog is a life saver. Authors or publishers will be able to contact you and they’ll know what kinds of books you review. I already have that on my tab, but there’s nothing there yet. I just don’t know if I’m really ready to accept offers to review their books. Although I have reviewed two books already in exchange for ebook copies, I’m still worried that things might get out of hand, like having a lot of books to review and there’s the pressure of writing the review. Another thing I’m concerned of is that sometimes, when you’re in a hurry to finish the book because of the other things you have to do like schoolwork, it will take the fun out of reading. But my decision isn’t final, and I’m still thinking about this.

The thing that really introduced me to book blogging was the book giveaways.  But up until now, I still haven’t figured out how some of the giveaway work. I know some authors and publishers provide copies and swag to be given away. Some bloggers pay for prizes from their own wallets. Some, I don’t know. I know giveaways are also a great and fast way to gain more followers, but I still haven’t managed to do that.

The only thing I’m really very proud of ever since I started blogging is my blog design. I don’t know anything about html or making your own blogger template, so I settled on the Blogger Basic Theme and tweaked it a bit. And I must say that it doesn’t look bad. It looks simple and cute, if you ask me. Just how I want it to be.

As a newbie blogger, I still have a lot to learn. But a piece of advice to those who would like to be bloggers, you really have to think twice or thrice about this. It really demands time and effort. And for those newbies like me, I guess we should “participate” every way possible in order to learn what lurks in every corner of the blog universe. Don’t be afraid to ask someone.

*Another problem with me, I just write and post. No thorough revisions or whatsoever. Sorry!
**If there is a person out there who is willing to help me, THANK YOU in advance. :)