Thursday Thoughts: Tips for new bloggers

Welcome to Thursday Thoughts, a thing I'm going to aim to do weekly. Currently looking for a cohost who can handle the linky side of things and make this an official meme!

This Week: Tips for new Bloggers

I recently got asked on Goodreads: 

How do you get involved in blogging/reviewing books where you've gotten the free copies?

So I gave her the short answer, which you can see by clicking above. Here, we'll go ever-so-slightly more in depth.

Start off reviewing your own books.

You're going to need something to show Authors and Publishers that you can write in-depth reviews without getting personal or petty when you don't like a book.

Spread the word that you're open to review books

There are some easy ways to do this, aside from signing up for book review websites like NetGalley and making a review policy. For example:
The Book Blogger List
The Book Blogger Directory
And honestly just emailing the author of a book you liked. I've won a book through Goodreads, emailed the author, and then gotten the second book from them when it was time for reviews. Authors, for the most part, love interation with readers so even if you don't get anything out of it, you should stop by the Author's Goodreads page and shoot them a quick "I loved your book!" message.

Have your own web space.

Anyone can write reviews on Goodreads or Amazon. But reviewers who have their own domain, or even a wordpress or blogspot page, are more valuable to authors because they have their own space. They can use that space to interview authors or participate in blog tours. It's an extra link to the author's website that makes them more popular on Google. And you can make your page all about you, instead of being one among a thousand reviews.

Know what you want to read before getting books from a specific place

Don't like e-books? Stay away from NetGalley. Have an issue with Christian books? Don't sign up to be part of the Tyndale Blog Network. Have too many print books and ONLY want e-books? Don't enter Goodreads giveaways. 

Look at other bloggers for guidance

Go on Bloglovin and find bloggers you like. Or do a book-related google search, something that interests you like "how to read faster" or "best YA books" and you're sure to find some cool bloggers that way.

Next week: Favorite Booktubers