My Book Blogging Tips

All over the Blogosphere you will come across some fantastic Blogging 101 tips. One of my favourite weekly posts to check up on is Parajunkee's Book Blogging 101 Posts. She is straight to the point and is very informative. People often ask me what are some of my personal blogging tips. I don't consider them very personal at all, infact, I consider them quite general, but I thought I would share some of my Book Blogging Must Haves and Tips.

Organize: When you've established yourself and start taking on book reviews from publishers, authors, etc and start participating in blog tours, you want to make sure you are organized! Nothing is worse than committing yourself to someone(even if it's another blogger) and not doing your part. i.e. Not posting your review, missing your post date, forgetting about a blog tour, etc. There are all kinds of ways for you to organize yourself. A Calender, a notebook, a Google Doc/Google Calender. I love technology, but when it comes to organization, I do best when it's right in front of me, in black and white. I'm ashamed to admit that I forget to check my Google Calender quite open, but I never forget to check my physical calender, that is write here on my desk.

On my desk I have a file folder that contains all my blog stuff. A Monthly and weekly Calender that is made specifically for blogging. There are great free printables offered at Craft Whatever and Design Finch They offer lots of lovely styles to suit your blogging needs. My Calender contains post idea's/dates, upcoming features/blog tours, keeps track of my Review pile and all my blogging commitments.

It's Your Blog: There are so many fantastic blogs out there, and what makes them stand out in this wonderful, giant book blogging community? They are there own. It's perfectly alright(and normal) to be inspired by blogs that you come across, but at the end of the day, make your blog yours! It's perfectly fine if your don't post every single day. Don't post just for the sake of it, because in my opinion, those are usually the posts I skip. I like personality behind the post, and if your just posting because you don't want to miss a day, well then I think the post will lack that usual spunk!

Social Network: I know this one seems obvious, but I have to include. Social Networking helps get the word out about your blog. Opt for setting up a Facebook page/Twitter Account for your blog specifically, then sync them to update with your posts. Social Networking is also a wonderful way to stay updated, and to be in contact of some of your favourite authors and publishers!

Reviewing Etiquette: Even though blogging may be considered a hobby, I still believe it is very important to remain professional. If you are requesting and receiving ARC's for review, than you should review them. If it's a novel that just didn't quite do it for you, that is perfectly fine! You are providing a service for the author/and or publisher, and that service is your honest opinion. I know, it isn't fun e-mailing that author with your not so great review, but how they take it is up to them and their maturity. You did your job, on to the next :) 

Try to avoid book bashing. If I didn't like a novel, I will state that in the review, but just because I didn't like it it, doesn't mean you won't like it. Everyone has different tastes. An example: "This book was not my cup of Tea, but if your a fan of Science Fiction/Romance, than this book may be a great pick for you!" You not bashing the book, your simply being honest.

A Review Policy: I can't stress enough how important it is having a Review Policy. This is your blog, you have every right to state your guidelines. One of my biggest pet peeves is when I get an e-mail from on author stating how much they loved my blog, and If I would read their erotica/sci-fi novel. If they loved my blog so much, they would have come across my Review Policy that states that I do not read Erotica OR Science Fiction. This can get me ranting on and on. I did do a post a while back on E-Mail Etiquette that explains more, but I will just simply state that I HIGHLY recommend setting up a policy. And if you get an e-mail from an author that DID NOT read your policy, you have every right to mention that. An Example: Thank you so much for your e-mail. However, as it states in my Review Policy(I suggest linking to your policy) I don't review Erotica novels on my blog. I thank you for your interest in a Crazy Bookworm review!" 

Take a break: Just like I hit reading slumps, I hit blogging slumps as well. I love my blog, and I consider it something that needs polishing every day. I am always striving to make my blog a place you enjoy coming too! However, blogging is not my job and I don't want it to feel that way either. When my blog starts beginning to feel like a job, I will take a break. It could just be a day or two, or a whole week, but I will step away and let my brain recharge itself. I always come back refreshed and usually with a new post idea or two! Of course, I always make a post for my readers that I will be taking a Blog Vacation for X amount of time.

Comment: Commenting is just as important(in my opinion) as Social Networking. Be a social butterfly! Mingle the Blogosphere and chat up some new friends! And most importantly, have fun doing it! 

Those are my top must haves and suggestions when it comes to blogging. I hope this has helped you! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask in the comments!

Happy blogging!