How to Work With Book Bloggers (By a Book Blogger) by Guest @Girl_Who_Reads

What a terrific post–thank you! In the last couple of years, I decided to rebrand myself with a completely different genre, and the struggle to connect with bloggers in the new arena is real. You’re right, so few are doing reviews anymore. You’ve made me realize I’ve been taking the wrong approach here. Fortunately, I love doing interviews and writing guest blog posts, so I just need to adjust my thinking.

I’ve got a new release coming up in late June/early June, so Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour sounds right up my alley! I need to add that to the toolkit. 🙂

What a wonderful and insightful post. With my first novel coming out this Autumn, it is really useful, just as your book would be 🙂

That book sounds useful, I’d love to win it! Excellent post, and something I do work on regularly since I’m not up to pitching them yet! Got to get back into it, though, as I kind of forgot…other than the regular stuff.

As an indie author who blogs/reviews, I could relate to each and every point you made.

Many authors (and promo services) don’t understand the benefits and value bloggers bring to the table, and that has directly affected the way I blog.

I say no more.

As you said, it’s all in the approach and the effort to build on the connection.

I review 7-10 books a month, and 1-3 of those are for a small PR group. Up until recently, we had no social media connections, but she came across one of my reviews a couple of years ago and began following my blog, and commenting through posts and the contact page. When she requested a review, it was a done deal – even though I didn’t care for the first book. (LOL!) But she continued her commenting and emails EVEN WHEN THERE WAS NO BOOK TO REVIEW. I can appreciate that, and her time and effort, and always make time/space for her reviews/book posts.

Excellent post – definitely sharing!

As a virtual assistant who helps indie authors run blog tours, I would love a copy of this book! I know I have a lot more to learn.

Thank you so much for this super helpful post! I would love to win a copy of Donna’s book to help me learn how to do successful blog tours.

Thank you again! This was awesome!

This is so helpful! I love the idea of asking for a mention. It’s a subtle difference but it makes so much sense. Every blogger I know has a towering TBR pile. This gives them many more options and not the pressure and timing of a review.

Fascinating insights! Thanks so much for the “behind the scenes” sneak peak.

I’ve always struggled to understand how book bloggers fit into the scheme of things, but comparing their sites to a digital magazine makes sense.
Thanks for helping to clear that up!

Regards,

Brian

This is a great post. I work with authors on their book launches all the time and this made me feel good that I’m doing it mostly right! I started as a blogger before books, which gives me some insight into it and I love that you remind people not to go straight to the Amazon review! It’s a partnership – and it’s best to make it a win-win!
As a blogger, I loved it when I was sent a Q&A or an excerpt – makes my job so much easier! Would love your book as I’m organizing blog tours monthly, and want to get the greatest success from them!

I’m an author and writing coach currently reading everything I can to help my clients (and myself) market our books! I am creating a “must-read” books list for my clients, so they can be successful in their writing and marketing careers. This book sounds like it should be at the top of my list!

I never thought about book bloggers being a resource. Now, this is something in the back of my mind. Thank you! 🙂

Great post! This will be helpful not only for the managers of my organization AlzAuthors.com but for the 200+ authors we represent on our blog. I will post it in our secret writers group on Facebook. The book also sounds like a gem we can use to fine tune our project. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing this topic. You hit the nail on the head and while I appreciate new authors trying to get reviews so others will see their book, I am buried and book 2-3 months out from when you contact me….so if your book comes out next month don’t expect a review on your release date! But as was said, ask me to share the book on my blog and I will bend over backward to do what I can to help you promote that book!

You are right on all accounts! Bloggers don’t get the credit they deserve, yet they can make the biggest impact on a book’s success.

I’d like to win a copy of Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour because I am always looking for ways to improve what I offer authors and to help authors when they ask for advice. This sounds like a great resource.

Hello Rachel, Thank you for this article. I learned so much from it. I have written 7 inspirational books for children and teens, but yet to generate revenues as I would love to. With this giveaway, if I win, it would allow me the opportunity to gain more insights on how to promote my books.

From one Donna to another, and one book blogger to another. Thank you for delving deeper into what it takes to be a blogger.

My comment is offered to back Donna Huber from Girl Who Reads up on each topic she addressed in her guest post. Like Donna, I review more traditionally published books than I do Indie or self-published. However, I will also do my best to review a book for those I interact with on social media, time permitting. Most writers who request reviews have no idea how many hours a reviewer puts into reading, writing, collecting the author’s social media sites, blogs, or websites, other books they have written, etc..

As Donna Huber said, “Bloggers are Businesses, Too.” We are also people with the same life responsibilities as everyone else. And as Donna also mentioned, we get sick, and as for myself, I sometimes fall behind the date I’ve provided to an author. I too do as Donna Huber says if I do not have the time to read and review a book, I often agree to an author interview or be part of the author’s blog tour. Because I write reviews for publishing companies, these reviews are my priority. And oh, by the way, a lot of bloggers are writers also. If we spend ten hours on a book review and three or four hours on our writing (pitiful, I know), it’s no wonder we get sick.

Bloggers are more valuable to the author than many authors realize. We are a large part of the author’s promoting their book, for all the reasons that Girl Who Reads provided in her guest post. So, do make friends with bloggers, consider all the time a blogger spends reviewing, and be understanding when life happens to bloggers just as life happens to all people, whether author or not. But most importantly, don’t forget the benefit an author gets from an author interview or blog tour. I always have a stack of books, and I am confident that if you ask Donna Huber, she will tell you that she too has a stack of books.

Thank you, Donna, for speaking up for the bloggers that work day in and day out on behalf of the author.

On my website I host author interviews where I’ll interview the author and then offer their book in a giveaway that I purchase myself.

Great post!

Thanks for another great article. I have four DIY blog tours under my belt, and being a stopping off point on many more, but there’s always lots more to learn and I’d love a copy of Donna’s book.

I need to remember this! I always feel like I’m bothering people when I reach out to bloggers. But you’re right – it is a business for them too.

Thank you for the very helpful information. I recently launched a book and it’s difficult to know the right way to go about approaching bloggers. I actually like the idea of asking for a mention or support promoting a giveaway. It’s less pressure for the blogger, but also less pressure for me, as a writer, to ask for something that is doable, especially if I have no prior relationship to the blogger. I’m all about the baby steps!

Thank you for the excellent tips. As with most things, politeness and good manners go a long way. 🙂

I’ve learned so much reading this post. I already follow bloggers because I enjoy their reviews, but this post revealed opportunities that I hadn’t considered. I have so much to learn. Donna’s book would be a fantastic resource to add to my library.

Donna,
That was a wonderful article. Thank you. I’ve shared it with other authors and friends.