Blogging is about community, and community is about relationships. Post about a relationship you’ve formed with a particular publisher, author, blogger, or bookstore; share your thoughts and tips about connecting and building those relationships; crowd-source your questions about these relationships!
I love the relationships I've formed with other bloggers though this blogging thing. It's what keeps me going really. I love you all! And sorry that I'm feeling too lazy and overwhelmed to post about some of you individually. That always makes me crazy anyway because there's always someone left out. You know? And then I feel bad.
I haven't really managed a publisher relationship. Not sure how to do that! So there's my question for the crowd! How do you do that anyway?
If The King's English (the awesome local indie store) were closer, I bet I'd get something going with them...but they are just a bit too faraway for consistent supporting.
Hopefully I've got some good author relationships... a bunch from the local crowd. At least I think that. I don't know what they think! :) Let's just pretend that they think so too!
But anyway, I have some tips for good relationship building:
- don't be shy
- comment a lot
- don't be shy
- respond a lot to comments
- don't be shy
- send an email if you feel moved to
- don't be shy
- highlight authors, especially new ones
- don't be shy
- request books when you want them
- pretty much, just don't be shy!
- but DO be yourself! (unless you're shy, then just don't be!)
And now my questions for the crowd:
- A repeat from above.... how do you connect with the publishers?
- If you are shy, how do you get over it?
- How do you keep up with commenting and connecting to all the blogs you read?
- Do you personally write to authors to let them know if you loved their book?
- Does the connecting/relationship process differ if you are a "new" blog or an "old" one?
- Does the follow/subscriber number reflect your success in connecting?
I'd love to know what you think!
Good thing I'm not shy! :P I used to be just a lurker before I started my own blog. But when I became a blogger, I became a serial commenter too. I always responds to comments on my blog and I try to comment on anything interesting that pops up in my Google Reader.
ReplyDeleteChachic...and I only say that because I struggle with it!
ReplyDeleteWell, as I'm new to the whole blogging thing and a bit shy myself I don't have any advice, only, I consider emailing authors id I really like their work. Haven't done it yet but I'm considering.
ReplyDeleteWhen I like their work. Sheesh! What's up with me today?!
ReplyDeleteSo the key is don't be shy... tough for an introvert but a little easier over the web.
ReplyDeleteI try to comment on a few blogs daily because I know how happy it makes me to get comments. I'm also looking for info on publisher relationships so I can't offer any help there.
Great advice all around! Don't feel bad about keeping up - I think it goes in spurts. (Probably the blog sucks more time than it ought to, but I do enjoy it more than housework!)
ReplyDeletegreat questions. I'm not sure I can answer them. I'm incredibly shy in person, but not in email, online, or in any written form! I love to talk about books online, which is why blogging is a great fit for me. I don't have that anxiety of face-to-face chatting. I'm horrible at small talk.
ReplyDeleteI think in terms of how successful you are at building relationships -- it doesn't have to do with the number of comments or followers -- its the return of readers whether they comment or not and whether or not publicists and publishers continue to reach out to you with book offers. If they continue to respond and contact you, you're doing something right.
Above all, just been respectful in any comment, email, or discussion you have with readers, authors, publishers, or publicists.
Great post, Suey!
That is great advice. I think especially when people are new to blogging it can be hard to jump in and comment when it seems like a lot of people know each other already.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that's helped me the most with the shyness is just trying to meet other bloggers. Everyone is so nice! I'm a lot less intimidated of bloggers than I am of authors. (Although all the authors I've talked to have been just as nice!)
I'm shy in person, but it's different online. I connect with the publishers by emailing them for review copies.I don't keep up with the comments I make because I don't comment all the time. I have written to several authors and told them I loved their books and in return when their new one is out they ask me to review it.
ReplyDeleteHee, I am working on the whole "don't be shy" thing- it's really great advice. I guess I'm going with that whole "fake it till you make it" idea. Like, I may FEEL shy, but nobody else has to know!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your blog!
First off, I am sorry I haven't been able to comment since Monday. Blogger has not been user/comment friendly for me this week.
ReplyDeleteYes I am from Utah. No I didn't know about any awesome blogger groups and I would love to be involved in them. :) Could you tell me more about them?
I like this post, when you figure out the shy question let me know. I need lessons on how to get over it.
I have not made an effort to connect with publishers. Truthfully I feel insecure in doing so. Yes I have sent emails to authors. Only a couple of times thanking them for writing nice clean teen books. (I am always amazed at what is published for teens. Topics that make me a 35 year old married woman blush)
I have pondered the question about qauntity of followeres for a long time. I have conlcuded that while large number of followers seems cool, the only reason I really get new followers is if I have a contest. I don't want to buy friendships. But on the other hand, I love giving away books. I love sending off a package knowing that they will be as excited to see it as I am when I get one. Giving is the best part. <3
I wish I was closer to TKE too. Last time I went to an evening event there was a semi rollover on 1-15. Driving from south Utah county, it took me 2 hours and 45 minutes to get there.
Lastly, It's difficult for me to comment. I wish I had more time and am getting there, usually I have to give up time where it is needed elsewhere in order to comment. I think it also goes back to the shy thing.
So there you have my amazingly long comment ;)
Have a great memorial weekend! I would love to hear from you.
Jennifer
kjovus(at)gmail(dot)com
kjovus.blogspot.com
I have reltionships with people at most of the big publishing groups as well as lots of smaller ones. Most of them came about because they "queried" me with books they wanted reviewed. In a couple of instances, I emailed them just introducing myself and offering my services :) In most cases, it ended with a great relationship between me and them. I think it pretty much comes down to "Don't be shy." So, good luck with that!
ReplyDelete"Don't be shy" is great advice. It's really hard to start putting yourself out there. In the beginning I felt like maybe I was an interloper but it's a lot like striking up a conversation at a party. You just have to put yourself out there.
ReplyDeleteHow can you be shy online? I am a new book blogger. I love contemporary young adult books.
ReplyDeleteMy blog - http://bookbloggermom.blogspot.com
LOL... you can be shy by sitting back and letting everyone else step forward. By not commenting and not jumping into Twitter conversations, and by just generally not participating! It's just as easy to be shy online as it is in real life. :)
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