Her Book Self

Friday is here and so Book Blogger Appreciation Week is coming to a close.  Along with all the great participants in Book Blogger Land, I've written posts about Community and Reading, and now it's time for the third key to the triumvirate of book blogging - Blogging itself.  Today's prompt says,

"The world of blogging is continually changing. Share 3 things you are essential tried and true practices for every blogger and 1-3 new trends or tools you’ve adapted recently or would like to in the future."

 And I must say this suggestion makes me giggle a little (and not just for the "you" instead of "that" in the second sentence - I won't be rude and answer proofreading).  I laugh because it's inherently assuming that I know a thing or two about book blogging when in fact, as in most things in my life, I'm more or less making things up as I go along.  You could say I have a "fake it til you make it" attitude in that I threw this blog out there into the netherworld of the internet a year and a half ago and by some freak chance people actually started reading it.  And liking it!  I know!! Even I'm still pretty amazed at that!

But okay.  Let's pretend for a moment that my experiences have taught me something.  (Come on, stop laughing, you really can teach an old blogger new tricks...) I've been dabbling in the blogosphere for almost a decade now, so here's what I guess I would say "works" for Her Book Self:

1. Posting, Posting, Posting.  There's a catch phrase that states the three most important things in real estate are "Location, Location, Location" and I think the most important thing in blogging is posting, posting, posting.  No content, no blog - simple as that. 

2. Reading, Reading, Reading.  I love Top Ten Tuesdays, Wordless Wednesdays, and Sunday Salons as much as the next girl, but I don't think blogs should rely on them too heavily.  Memes are my idea of blog seasoning.  They add some great flavor, but if there's no meat and potatoes (or felafel and pita) underneath pretty soon you realize you're just sitting in front of a plate of salt and pepper.  Quality reviews and commentary are what make blogs substantial and without reading, all the extras can get pretty bland. 

3. Comments, Comments, Comments.  A favorite quote of mine states that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.  I touched on this point in my post about community, but communication is a two way street.  If I wasn't willing to visit other blogs, read content, and interact with other bloggers I never would have made Her Book Self public. For anyone wondering why their blog doesn't get more comments just ask yourself how many you've stopped to leave.

And now my favorite question:  What's next?  I don't want to tip my hand, but Her Book Self will be trying some new things in the coming year.  (If you reeeeally want a sneak peek, check out the welcome sidebar on the right.)  For now, it's more of what - I hope - works at present.  Series in September will be continuing next week after another celebration of Talk Like a Pirate Day (of course!).  I have a giveaway planned for the end of the month along with participation in a blog tour and a few more author interviews.  I want to thank everyone who visited here for the first time during Book Blogger Appreciation Week.  I've really enjoyed discovering even more great blogs over the past few days and I look forward to making the rounds today and learning from all of you how to make my blog even better!