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Today’s topic at BBAW!
The world of book blogging has grown enormously and sometimes it can be hard to find a place. Share your tips for finding and keeping community in book blogging despite the hectic demands made on your time and the overwhelming number of blogs out there. If you’re struggling with finding a community, share your concerns and explain what you’re looking for–this is the week to connect!
The Book Blogosphere has grown by leaps and bounds since I started blogging in late 2008, and it is impossible to keep up with all the blogs I would like to. Since I work full-time and have a 9 year old and a 4 year old, I don't have as much time as I used to. At first when my free time started to dissipate, I did become overwhelmed because I felt like I was not participating as I should. Then I had to realize the purpose of my book blog, and that it was for personal reasons and should not be treated as a job. We do not get paid monetarily for reviewing, and it is a hobby, and I should always step away if I begin to feel stressed.
There are a few number of blogs that I comment on regularly. I try to follow on Google Reader, but mostly that is a once in a month type thing that I browse through. And when I do try and comment on Blogger platform blogs, the comment forms that are embedded do not allow me to post with my gmail/google/blogger account, so all that happens is that I get frustrated with the technology. I would like to comment, but sometimes I just can't, and for the pure fact that it is a rare occurrence for me to have something to actually add to the conversation- I get really annoyed when I attempt to and I cannot. That's when I stop blog hopping.
I have found that the best community feature that has helped me is the Facebook platform. Others use twitter, but since that is a real-time conversation type thing, I find that it is useless to keep up. Facebook has been the best thing for me and easiest to keep up with. Most of my facebook friends are actually bookish friends.. so if you want to be my friend there you are welcome to!
8 Gracious Comments..Leave yours!:
I do wish comment forms were more uniform. There are so many different kinds out there. Sometimes they don't load properly, or they post my comment multiple times, or they won't let me log in using my usual accounts. I think I'm finally getting used to them all, though! It's great that you've had so much success with Facebook. I haven't found it so useful, but then, it's more my personal account that I use, with just a page for my blog.
I love Google Reader, it's the only way I comment on blogs. It's very useful because you can manage blogs and put them in folders of favorites, etc. I have a facebook page too, but I find commenting through my reader has been most effective.
I too struggle with the various comment platforms -- which limits and frustrates my ability to keep up with a convo or add my own thoughts.
I so appreciate your thoughts about perspective with blogging -- I find myself getting a bit wound up about making sure I'm blogging daily and commenting daily and it sometimes gets in the way of the rest of my life! It's important to remember that this is a hobby and as such, should be fun!
It's hard to keep up when you have a busy life outside of blogging and then you bite off more than you can chew, like I do, in the blogging world. I always hope that everyone understands that we are all so busy and sometimes it's hard to get around to everyone. My Google Reader stays at 1000+ posts. I just can't seem to get caught up. But I also try to remember how busy others are and I never judge. I also agree with you about Facebook, Marie. It really helps me to have more interaction too.
I know what you mean Marie! It's just impossible to get to read up on all my favourite blogs...sometimes I skip weeks altogether- and not because I don't want to- it's the time I don't have! And to say that when I started a few years ago, I thought that blog hopping would always be a relaxing time for me..now, there are so many out there and so little time and the technology that keeps slowing comment feed down- well, it often becomes stressful. And that's the last thing I need.
One thing is for sure though..even if I'm not aro0und as much as before- I'm not totally gone- and eventually I do make my rounds (especially to my favourite places!)
Hugs:)
FB is great for bloggers. I love connecting with this community there!
I've been meaning to leave this comment all week and keep forgetting. For some reason the embedded comments have a glitch but I've figured out how to bypass. When it prompts for you to sign in, uncheck the box to keep yourself signed in. So dumb but it works. I've actually been thinking of doing a PSA post about it because I keep seeing this come up again and again. :(
I like twitter because it's real-time. Just jump into conversations or throw something out. Sometimes people will respond, sometimes not, but no one minds you jumping in!
Remembering WHY we started our book blogs is so important. Keeps us grounded for sure. I never thought about my commenting system being a pain. I know it's glitchy at times. I'll have to look into it. Sorry for the trouble but no worries on my end :)
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