Armchair BEA - Friday (Blogging About Blogging!)

Blogging About Blogging!

This is the last day of Armchair BEA, sigh. I'm also having surgery today, so I hope everyone has a better day than I will be having :::wink:::. Anyway, today is the blogging about blogging post! I'm going to answer the questions from the Armchair BEA website, and then I'll add other tips I can give down below. Hope everyone has enjoyed Armchair BEA this week! I hope to continue and build upon the relationships I've gained as a result of this awesome event! Thanks everyone :o)


• How do you utilize social networking in relation to your blog? What may be the pros and cons of doing so?
I have been really big on the memes, challenges, blog hops, and different blog networks like Networked Blogs, a Facebook fan page, Twitter, and Book Blogs. I participate in Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday, WWW Wednesday, Follow Friday, Friday Five, and Sunday Salon. I'm also attempting to complete 15 or 16 challenges (I've lost count I'm doing so many) in order to connect with other bloggers. Both of these tools allow link-ups for other participants to check out your blog and leave comments, follow, and spread the word. Those are great ways to use social networking.

Pros - it gains followers, it spreads the word about your blog, and it is fun!
Cons - it's overwhelming if you go crazy with them, it's hard work.

• Share some of your favorite blogging technical tips.
My technical tips include knowing a little HTML if possible (or knowing someone who knows it and is willing to help). Try not to clutter up your side bars. Make blogs user-friendly with your own touch.

• Create a "rule list" of things you should and shouldn't be doing on a book blog.
I hardly feel like I should be giving advice, but here it is!
Should:
-Participate in memes and challenges
-Post reviews
-Have giveaways (and follow through!)
-Update regularly
-Follow other blogs

Shouldn't:
-Be disorganized
-Be inconsistent
-Ignore people who comment
-Stick to one thing (so mix it up, be fun and fresh!)

• What are your tips for balance life and blogging?
Set a start and end time for working on the blog. Stick to a schedule if possible. I find that lately I've been blogging more than I've been reading! It's tough, but time will help you sort out a way to balance everything in your life. Otherwise, maybe a time management class would be useful. Probably I could use that!

• How do you keep your blog fresh and interesting to your readers & yourself?
I've just started, so I haven't needed a makeover on this yet. I started out with a certain idea of what I wanted, and my blog has already evolved. This community was established when I got here, so I was able to check out what other people were doing, what was working for them, and using it on my blog in a way that made it from my voice. I like the memes that allow me to be myself. WoW lets me express my thoughts on what I'm looking forward to, Top Ten Tuesday allows me to make a list on a predetermined topic with my opinions and ideas. These memes let my voice be heard while connecting with others to see their opinions. That sometimes inspires what you will see next on my blog. It's full circle, really.


Wow, what a week! This was really awesome, and I'm so glad I found out about this, even if it was last minute! I want to thank Armchair BEA and everyone affiliated with it, plus all of their sponsors, giveaway partners, etc etc. They were all great! I would also like to thank Bob @ The Guilded Earlobe for doing the interview portion with me so quickly! This week has been fantastic, and I've made some new friends and found some great new blogs. Hopefully anyone who visits my blog will be inspired by something they saw.

Happy reading, everyone!!