I felt like I needed to write this blog in a response to a certain article that I (and a lot of other bloggers) recently read. This article proceeded to tell, or rather lecture people on what the do's and dont's of blogging are.
It takes a lot to irritate me but these Do and Don't posts boil my blood almost every time. Now don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with an article that tries to give helpful tips to fellow bloggers on how they can improve their blog to make it more appealing to would be readers. It's the bloggers that feel that their word is law that needs to be addressed. Let's just get one thing clear:
There are no set rules in blogging!
As Christine over at Oh, Chrys says: "just keep it legal". I am still fairly new to the world of blogging but I fear that very new bloggers may feel intimidated by these types of posts. It may even put them off blogging all together. Don't let this happen to you. So here is some friendly advice:
- Your blog is your own personal space to share your likes and dislikes. Don't let anyone tell you what you can and can't blog about. If you want to blog about the same type of novel over and over, do it! If that's what you enjoy.
- Should you ask a publisher for an ARC? Sure, why not. You might not get a reply but as long as you are polite there's no harm done.
- If you are confused about what you can and can't do with ARC's, Covers and graphics, ask the publisher! They will tell you what's right and wrong.
Finally the most important piece of advice I can give is to remember why you started blogging in the first place, to share your love of reading with others. Don't change what you love just to please others.
Happy reading,
Amanda
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Preach, Amanda! That post was so awful. Glad you cleared it up! <3
ReplyDeleteThanks chris!
DeleteHear,hear! Your blog is your space to do what you want! Your blog, your rules.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteTotally agree with you Amanda!
ReplyDeleteThanks K.C !!
DeleteI am a huge advocate for do what you want blogging. Other than actual legal advice (I have seen some bloggers give inaccurate copyright advice too so should be take with a pinch of salt) we can only say what we like or don't like in other blogs or advice on things that have worked for us. I personally don't like animated GIF reviews or excessive snark BUT other people do so I just don't read those blogs and we're all happy.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see that there is still a decent amount of common sense floating around ;)
DeleteEXACTLY. I always feel like after reading those types of articles I want to quit blogging, they make it so stressful. Then I remember it doesn't matter what anyone says because blogging needs to be fun. So much work goes into blogging it's important to do it because we want to! Otherwise, spend your 20-40 hours a week doing something you do enjoy ;)
ReplyDeleteNever quit because of other people! The amount of time a blog takes up is huge!
DeleteBlogging is such a personal thing. There are some technicalities behind blogging that "do and don't" posts might help with — don't plagiarise, do network with other bloggers, etc. — but the actual blogging process is a hugely personal thing. Am I blogging wrong because, although I read both adult and YA lit, I only post YA reviews to my blog? Am I blogging wrong because I don't review erotica on my blog, and therefore am excluding a huge section? No, and it's about time some people realised that.
ReplyDeleteExactly. If it's not for yourself and your own enjoyment then why bother!
DeleteI agree. It's kind of like "my house, my rules" type of thing. If I don't like a blog because of it's content then I just stop visiting their blog because it's THEIRS. I can't change it so I just leave. As long as it's legal and the blogger isn't plagiarizing or whatever then it's all good. For me, I just stay away from blogs that posts a bunch of memes or has a 'meme marathon' as I call it because I WANT to see a bunch of reviews and discussion posts on blogs.
ReplyDeleteLeigh
Little Book Star
Exactly. Horses for courses!
DeleteDefinitely some sound advice there! It's definitely your own choice what you want to do on your blog. If I want to write a hundred posts on the art of jumping fences, that's my own choice. Because the blog is my own creative space. If readers don't like what I'm posting, fair enough, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. And ARCs- what the heck is wrong with requesting them (as said in the article). How are publishers going to know you're out there unless you request? It's not like they have the infinite time to search for all the popular blogs out there...
ReplyDelete"Keep it legal" is probably the best advice haha
Right! It's up to us to approach them!
DeleteA great post and a reminder for us all! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. - Here from BookBlogs.ning
Thanks Nikki-ann!
DeleteAhh... I can still remember where this issue stem from. And I can also remember the urge of giving that "almighty blogger" a piece of my mind! What she posted definitely caused an uproar on the blogging community. It was so uncalled for. And she also talked about us becoming cheerleaders for authors. Really? I am not wasting my money and my time just to become a pom pom girl for an author.
ReplyDeleteThoughts and Pens
"I am not wasting my money and my time just to become a pom pom girl for an author."
DeleteHere here! I 100% agree. I actually find the thought offensive!!
Amen and amen.
DeleteAlthough I've not really read the original post that's behind the reason for this (I really want to check it out now though), I agree with your points! There are no golden rules to blogging, as long as you respect everyone then that's that. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and no blogger is above everyone else.
ReplyDeleteNew visitor! Hello :)
Well said and thank you. I am new to blogging and just learning. I appreciate support and well meant support and tips but not edicts. I didn't read the blog you refer to and am glad.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteYou don't need to read it, it won't do you any good. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteGreat post. I totally agree it is my world and I speak up. I dont advertise and I even stopped doing blog tours once I was told "if you rate the book below 3.5 stars then you can choose to not post or do a promo or top ten list" Not cool at all the purpose is to speak up. The authors are paying blog tours for good reviews. I do my own reviews, buy my own books and pay if the book is good and I want to give it away. I am all about being me. Thanks for supporting us bloggers
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I totally agree. Bloggers, writers should have artistic freedom.
ReplyDelete