Today’s post is something much different than anything I’ve done and I honestly don’t feel qualified to write this post. Like. At all. But somebody commented on my blog asking for some advice roughly half a year ago and so I volunteered to write an entire post about it. I promised so I gotta deliver.
honestly i don’t know why i do this to myself
i have no idea what i’m going to even write about but i always wing it anyway so –
First I’ll be talking about the main social media outlets that book bloggers use to communicate with each other and then I’ll give y’all a simple how-to guide to get yourself started on that platform, how bloggers usually utilize it, etc.
Goodreads
Goodreads is the central website for readers. Everybody uses Goodreads in the book blogging community – not only is it great for connecting with fellow readers but you can find loads of new books to read and track the books you read.
First you simply sign up for Goodreads by making yourself an account using either your facebook login, amazon, or email.
Once you’ve made yourself an account you just start adding books that you’ve already read! You don’t have to do this, but I did. If you’re currently reading a book then you just search for that book and mark it as ‘currently reading’.
As you read books you can update your reading progress. If you’re on page 30/500 then you just update your status (on the computer this is under ‘Currently Reading’ on the left side of your screen).
Finally after you’ve done all of this, add your blogger friends and voila you’re done. There are also groups that you can join for bloggers, writers, etc. to meet new bloggers and share your posts.
Instagram is such a wonderful way to connect with other bloggers. It’s also a great outlet to express your creativity through.
I’ve met loads of fellow book lovers (some bloggers – some not) through Bookstagram (the book community on Instagram if you aren’t familiar with the term). I have also built an entirely unique and different audience through Bookstagram that has absolutely nothing to do with my blog.
It’s interesting how the internet works like this. You could have multiple social medias with the same name and same center focus but completely different audiences that follow you for different reasons.
This is also amazing when you’re an author. Bookstagram is heaven for new authors that want to get their book out into the world. A lot of Bookstagrammers (much like bloggers and BookTubers) get sent books by authors and publishers in exchange for pictures of their book on their account.
Twitter I am always indifferent about – for many reasons as a site itself and the people that lurk around there, but for a new author it’s very good if you need to market your book or meet fellow new authors to become friends with.
The reason why I’m indifferent about Twitter is because there is a lot of drama. It’s not like this is a secret – there seems to always be something spreading around Twitter. It’s like a disease and once it reaches you, it’s hard to wiggle yourself out of it’s grasp.
I have found a lot of new authors through Twitter that I probably would’ve have found anywhere else. This is the good side of having a Twitter on the Blogger’s side and Author’s side. But as an author, you should be careful about what you say on Twitter. Say one wrong thing and the entire book community could be turned against you. That’s the risk with Twitter.
That’s really all I have to talk about on this topic – this post was kind of a mess so if there’s anything you think I forgot to cover that you have questions on or anything that I did mention that you might possibly be confused about, feel free to ask me questions in the comment section 🙂
Before I end this post and you all fly away into a sea of moths, I’d like to show y’all my new button/logo! Over time I’ll probably work on updating my graphics to match this so my blog with be all beautiful. I think this adds more color and flare to my website so I’m happy with it 🙂 I’d love to know your thoughts!
Do you use social media for your blog? If so, what is your favorite social media to use? Let me know!
Follow Me!
Goodreads | Google+ | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest
The Book Prophet 
Twitter I have sooo many mixed feelings about. Part of me loves it, because I love talking with authors, readers and bloggers and it’s a great medium to do that. But like you said, there is sooo much drama. I usually try to stay out of it but reading is something enough to put me in a crappy headspace, so I try to use it sparingly (although that doesn’t always work out haha)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I meant to respond to this comment the other day but I guess I never got around to it? xD Yeah, Twitter is a great place with connecting with others but it can become so toxic, it needs to be taken in small doses sometimes.
LikeLike
Your graphics are beautiful! I think they really set your blog apart from others, so good job on that.
I use facebook, twitter and goodreads, but I’m debating on whether I should get instagram or not. It just seems like so much work! Do you find it drives a lot of extra traffic to your blog?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! You definitely don’t need to get all of the socials if you don’t want – and it can be a lot of work so I would stick with what you’re most comfortable with. I find that it’s easier to find more people and for more people to find you and your blog when you are on different social medias because it’s easier to interact apart from blog posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are great tips, Savannah! I personally only use Goodreads (and most recently, Twitter — but not for a lot of blogging stuff haha), but I think having other social media platforms is important for bloggers and authors! I don’t think it’s necessary, of course, but it definitely helps. And aahh I love the new icon! It really does add more color and makes it look even prettier. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
YOU HAVE A TWITTER?? HOW COME YOU DID NOT INFORM ME ON THIS INFORMATION MAYYY (unless i forgot lol) It’s definitely not a necessity (i mean, you are rocking the blogging thing) Thank youuuu! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh lmao I just got it recently!!! it’s not supposed to be a blog-related twitter (just… personal? is that a thing?) but my @ is gay_onnaise!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh so nice of you to make a post like this 🙂 I’m sure that lots of people will find it super useful! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope so! That was the plan 🙂
LikeLike
I like instagram a lot. Although, i don’t really use it to talk to others. I just go there for the eye candy 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Instagram is definitely known for it’s eye candy ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for posting! I must confess I’m more of an Instagram fan for promoting my blog. Twitter is great for conversations. I’m trying to get into Goodreads but I am struggling with it. I think I just need to sit down and just work on my profile a bit more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I personally prefer Instagram the most. It’s fun and easy to use and there’s a lot of different ways to promote and find new friends. Twitter is perfect for convos, which is how I have been able to build my friendships with other bloggers 🙂 I love using Goodreads but I don’t use it that often like with Instagram.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That logo is beautiful!! And this post is a great resource for new bloggers, and bloggers looking to expand their social media presence. I’d also add Facebook groups as a great resource too. I’m on a number of book blogging groups there and feel like the community on facebook is very supportive of one another’s posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 😀 Ah, I don’t have a Facebook so I didn’t think of adding that to the list. I’m not sure how the entire Facebook groups thing works either but that’s amazing how there’s a little book community on Facebook as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
OH I REALLY LOVE THIS NEW LOGO!! It looks really great, yay, I can’t wait to see all of your blog with these new colorful aesthetics 🙂
I use social media for my blog, but mostly twitter. I have an instagram and some fellow bloggers follow me here, I follow bloggers as well, but it’s more of a personal instagram than a bookstagram. Maybe someday I’ll get to it? Maybe I need to admit that I can’t do it all? haha. I like twitter, with moderation, because like you said, there’s always a new drama coming up
That was a lovely post! Thank you for sharing! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! I can’t wait either hehe, though putting together all of the graphics will be exhausting for sure. I used to use only twitter but then I was on twitter all the time and it overall kinda stressed me out so I started doing hiatuses and now I’m going back to my book insta a bit more. You might like posting on instagram – sometimes it’s good to mix both books and personal, a lot of people do it and it works just fine 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so welcome! ❤
I might do that on instagram, maybe, haha 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
That new logo is FIYAAAAAAAH *dances the chorus part*
LikeLiked by 1 person
bultaoreune *smirk* (thank youu)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You might want to add a warning about connecting your amazon account to goodreads. I know people have had trouble with their reviews being blocked because of it and weird stuff like that!
Instagram is my favorite tho I wish you could click on links in the descriptions so you could link back to your posts! That is the only good thing about twitter 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh really? I didn’t know about that! Yeah unfortunately you can’t do that with Insta, but it’s still probably my favorite social media as well 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Also I really like your new logo!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank You ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
OH MY GOSHH LOOK AT THAT GORGEOUS LOGO?????????
graphics are probably going to be my reason of death bc I’m horrible at being artistic
&& I appreciate this aesthetic sm
LikeLiked by 1 person
THANK YOUUUU – I am too but I guess this time it kinda worked out??
LikeLiked by 1 person
I use wordpress, twitter, YouTube, and Instagram for writing/reading community. It’s awesome to connect with so many readers and writers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love connecting with fellow readers and writers as well. It’s such a wonderful thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person