I am obsessed with getting more followers...I am sort of stuck at the number that I have...in fact...I am down one...I feel like the stock exchange...but how do I get more people to read me? Not sure...I have no clue how to do contests...or the random number thing. There needs to be a new blogger user guide that explains all of the practical issues of blogging and gaining an audience. I would love to send someone one of my handmade pillows...or chocolates or a lovely new book...but I am not so certain that I love blog contests. I won a book from someone but it is a teeny tiny paperback and I don't enjoy reading paperbacks...then I won another book that appears to be sort of gently used...and then I won a book and a gift card that never came at all...so...I have to think about this blogging thing a bit more and decide what I want from it. I feel an attachment to Manda on Draw A Blank because I have this idea that she and I started blogging at around the same time...and she graciously answers tons of my technical questions. I noticed that Manda now has more followers than I do...I guess I am more competitive than I thought but I am happy for her. I miss Jeannie from Pine Cottage Books because she used to comment on my blog all of the time and now she is an unblogger. So many bloggers have been so encouraging but perhaps all blogs reach a time when things just slow down...hopefully this is my case. Yesterday I recieved an email from an English author asking me if I would read and review his book and I was absolutely thrilled. So...I shall continue in my quest to gain more followers. Happy Wednesday!!!
I completely understand what you are saying. It is disheartening sometimes to wonder if anyone is actually reading what you are putting out there. I look at other blogs and see how many followers they have and wonder if I'll ever get there. Slowly, but surely you will. Have you participated in the blog hop? I'll have a link up on Friday. You will meet a bunch of bloggers that way.
ReplyDeleteI am by no means an expert at this as I just started blogging myself. Keep it up, you'll find a following.
Maybe try participating in memes. That is a great way to get to know other book bloggers and for them to visit your blog too. Popular memes include In My Mailbox (hosted by The Story Siren) and It's Monday What Are You Reading (hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books). In My Mailbox is about sharing what books you received in the mail, from the library, etc. the week before. The second meme is great because you share what you read the last week and link to any reviews you wrote as well as listing what you plan to read coming up. It is kind of like a weekly update on your blog. Teaser Tuesdays, hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading is also a good meme and it doesn't take a lot to do-you just share two teaser sentences from the book you are currently reading.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed you are a member of the Book Blogs ning. There is a group on there for networking your blog and it might be a good idea to join. I also post links to my reviews on the various groups (Dedicated Book Reviewers,YA Book Bloggers, etc.)
Something to keep in mind-those numbers don't necessarily mean that all those people are going to read and comment on all your posts. Just keep writing solid content for your blog and people will keep reading and commenting.
I did do the BlogHop once but I will do it again on Friday...thanks so much for your kind words...
ReplyDeleteChristina...thanks for the suggestions...I will do all of them...I have no clue what a meme is but I will google it and figure it all out...
ReplyDeleteI may be a non-blogger now but I'm still reading! Good suggestions from your commentors if this is what you are wanting to strive for :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeannie...I love knowing that you are still there for me...I think I want to build up followers just because I am so new at this...and I love blogging right now...
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to your blog, but I don't do the follow thing, so I'm in Google Reader. Try not to get too obsessed with numbers - believe me, I know it's hard not to at the beginning. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I'm not sure I'll know the answer, but I might.
ReplyDeleteOne thing to keep in mind Patty is that followers like comments too. The more you have, the more time it will take to give each some attention.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I would like to point out is that when it comes to getting free books from the publishers and such, they are more interested in your statistics (page hits, unique visitors, returning visitors etc.) than your number of followers. That is straight from the horses mouth. Food for thought. :)
I've also found that the more blogs you comment on ... the more people check you out ;) Try to find 5 new blogs a day to comment on, follow ect ... you'll gain your followers in no time.
ReplyDeleteSteena...thanks...I am making sure that I do just that...often I get so involved in reading them...that I forget to comment on them but I am being more diligent about that now...
ReplyDeleteEverything I was going to suggest has already been suggested.
ReplyDelete1. Have content that people want to read - Interesting reviews, etc.
2. Participate in popular memes -- In My Mailbox, It's Monday! What Are You Reading?, Teaser Tuesday and The Saturday Network.
3. Comment on other blogs and leave a link to yours or otherwise make it easy for people to check your blog out. Do you list your blog on your profile?
Followers do build over time.
Thanks, Kathy...I have received lots of great advice.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's just something you keep at. Don't focus so much on the numbers as just making the blog you. Post wonderful, original reviews, post about books, comment on the YA market, just give it your voice. That alone will attract people. A contest every once in a while doesn't hurt. If you were unimpressed with how other bloggers did their contests, then have one yourself and make it how YOU want it to be. What would you like to receive? A fresh, new hardbound book? Then give one of your favorites away! Give away some chocolate. Read Blood and Chocolate and have a give away with that book and some of your chocolate! Give away a book you think is a cozy read and throw in one of your pillows to go along with it so the winner can snuggle up and read at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIt's little things like that that make you unique. People will come. Don't worry. You just need to have patience and perseverance. If you ever have any questions or anything, feel free to contact me. I'm always open for helping out.
Steena's right. I gained 60 new followers in one week before Steena and I did the contest. Reply to this via email, and I'll link you to some blogs with really great advice. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog! As you can see, it was a very good way to get me to visit yours :) I also wrote a new book blogger FAQ that I keep updated with useful links if you want to check it out:
ReplyDeletehttp://presentinglenore.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-book-blogger-faq.html
Lenore...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and I will check that out...
When I first started I paid attention to numbers but so many subscribe via email or by a reader that the following figure may not be accurate.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to get your blog out there is just to keep visiting other blogs. I am a firm believer in visiting those that visit me and I think for the most part, many bloggers think this way.
On a technical note, your blog is nice and clean and easy on the eyes and it loads quickly. Sometimes technical issues can keep people from following but yours looks great!
Ti...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much...and I am getting better at the commenting...I was reading all of the blogs I am following but not really commenting...I think in the beginning of a blog and as a newbie blogger...I was learning the ropes...now I am more aware of what I can do...
I WANT A PILLOW!!!! I'll make you a tutu if you make me a pillow..lol. Tutu's are all I know how to make. :P
ReplyDelete