10 Jan 2014

Discussion: Catering For Non-Bloggers

Earlier this week, Steph from Cuddlebuggery wrote one of the best posts I’ve read in a long time, discussing non-bloggers and who the blogging community actually caters for and I’d like to take a small moment to rave about how insightful and thoughtful it was to read.  I not only agreed with everything she said but I had a light bulb moment. 

By no means am I a big blog with a huge following but having been a blogger for a while now (I can’t believe it’s been 2.5 years. I CAN’T EVEN.), it’s changed my relationship with books. First of all, I used to read about a triple of what I read now, reading slumps did not exist and while I love this community I’m a part of, I was a happier reader looking back (I mean, who wouldn’t love living in a world where book slumps didn’t exist?). I only request books I really want (these usually end up mostly being finished copies) and I wouldn’t say I get that many ARC’s (Australia doesn’t have the big publishing houses compared to the US, copies are limited and there are more popular blogs out there) but to face facts, having a blog has changed the way I think about books (not in a bad way, just differently) and I didn’t even know it had until I read Steph’s post. Hence the light bulb moment and those fireworks you just heard erupting.

What I’m trying to say is: I’ve been reminded of what being a reader feels like for someone who doesn’t blog; a completely different view to those who do. So in retrospect, I’m going to put myself in your shoes – non-bloggers – and start thinking again about what you want as a reader from book blogs and what has little or no relevance to you so I can better equip myself to include you more and maybe along the way, make myself a better blogger. On that note, I’ll leave you with a song which perfectly sums up my feeling:



*dances*

Are you a non-blogger? If so, what are your complaints with book blogs and how can I help to make your experience better? What do you want more or less of? Sound off in the comments and I'll be sure to listen! 

P.S - Don't miss out on another great post - who are book bloggers catering for? - by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner!

11 comments:

  1. Hi Becca, thanks for this post. I'd like to see some reviews for older books, not just the latest releases.

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    1. Done! I'm on to it! There are so many great books released from years ago but with so many new books releasing all the time, all the 'latest and greatest' titles get the attention... Any specific older titles you want reviewed?

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  2. Loved Steph's post also. Back in 2011 I actually thought a lot about this (http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2011/02/who-are-book-bloggers-catering-to.html ) as well because when you really sit back and look at the community it's largely blogger centric. There is lingo that bloggers know and accept that a non-blogger might not, we talk about a lot of book blogging issues (which plenty of communities have these kinds of posts), we review ARCs that "normal" readers wouldn't be able to get their hands on WAY in advance, mostly other bloggers are commenting on each other's blogs and interacting. After I wrote that post I made up a survey (which I should have shared the results of) http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2012/02/attention-all-readers-of-this-blog-who.html if you want to take a look at the questions but I learned A LOT from that survey. A LOT. Firstly, I learned I had way more regular readers who weren't bloggers than I thought and I also learned a lot from their answers. I realized I HAD been doing a lot of things that they appreciated as non-bloggers but I knew I wanted to make that my focus to keep my blog relevant to EVERYBODY not just bloggers. It was at a time when I was about a little less than year in and was getting that itch for ARCs and wanting them so much so it helped me keep things into perspective. Yeah, sure, I get ARCs now but I'm very careful in how far I review them and I solved my problem when I read them WAY early and want to promote them by coming up with my Save the Date idea. Lots of my ideas have been as a result of asking "what might readers that aren't bloggers find useful or nice to read?" In 2012 I went viral on Pinterest for two posts (a wedding readings post and a Hunger Games post) and I accumulated A LOT of non-blogger readers and I actually got quite a bit of feedback from them and that has helped me stick with my mission to not just cater to other bloggers. I read a mix of ARCs and older titles for myself because, quite frankly, I get sick of ARCs and reading the "hot" and new and trendy and also because I don't always want to be part of a marketing plan as I read something haha. I think that has tremendously helped me because a lot of them appreciate learning about new books but also being able to easily pick up books I'm mentioning. I've come to find out I have teachers and librarians who don't blog and have used things from my blog to help supplement what they do. THAT is what means a lot to me more than anything -- to get an email from a teacher who used my "Review on a Post-it" with her class to help them summarize what they were reading and see a picture of a HUGE wall of post its. I think I've become happier since realizing I don't want to cater to book bloggers and being more intentional about that.

    Hope you receive some excellent feedback from your readers who aren't bloggers!

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    1. Thanks for the comment, Jamie! And yes, your post was another great one on the subject! I even linked it at the bottom of this post and will be giving it a better read soon, along with your survey. I read a mixture of books, not just 'latest and greatest' titles but I don't think I review older titles as much, as usually I think it's already all been said before. So this is something I plan to work; reading AND reviewing titles more readers can hopefully get their hands on. It's nice to receive ARC's and reap the benefits of being a blogger but I'd rather read a decade old book and LOVE it than a book that doesn't release for MONTHS and it be just 'meh'. Just as I'd rather have quality over quantity, I'd rather read for quality than shiny and new. From now on, I'm going to be thinking with a reader mindset and with what I would have wanted back when I was a non-blogger. I might even look into doing a mini-survey because what better way to get to know what non-bloggers really want!

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  3. Thanks for linking to me. It's so interesting how we all never really thought about this. Like you, I'm planning on thinking more about our readers and things they would like to see vs. reviewing ARCs. It also seems like mini reviews grouped into one post is a hit too. The most important thing I want out of this is for everyone to feel like they are welcome and able to contribute to the discussion. It's more fun that way and this is supposed to be everyone's shared passion!

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    1. You're welcome, thanks for the inspiration! I've thought of doing mini reviews before and even drafted the post but never did get round to it... I guess I'll look into it!

      Here, here to making everyone feel welcome!

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  4. I just think that when you're not blogging read a book, is nothing but reading a book. When you're a blogger your mindset changes. When blogging your reading both for enjoyment, but also look for flaws or good parts to include in your review. Your review that needs to be fun, interesting and pull people in, so you can gain followers. Reading isn't just reading anymore once you become a book blogger.

    Awesome post!

    Lisa
    www.turningpages94.blogspot.com

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    1. Exactly! It's a completely different mindset from going from being a reader to a blogger. That's why my focus on who I actually blog for has strayed... From now on, I'm going to be much more aware about my posts!

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  5. I have never felt like I blog exclusively to book bloggers. Most of my reviews I make sure that can still be read on goodreads. I think a great post for non-bloggers are discussion posts about books in general. I think people see these and want to read them.. even without leaving a comment. Which is just fine with me. I want to blog for book people not just blogging book people. Great post!

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