I’ve had a pretty rough reading year and I’ve managed to read less than one book a month.
My blog has taken a hit due to my lack of reviews despite my consistent blogging of at least twice a week, even though it’s been a rough year. I’m mostly posting weekly memes but I’ve seen other blogs become hugely popular doing just that. Not that popularity is my end goal, I’m still doing this because I enjoy writing about books and if someone reads my stuff and likes it, then bonus points.
My joint blogging venture failed.
I’m shedding followers like a cat sheds hair (and I have three black cats and cream carpet so I know what I’m talking about) and I have no idea why.
I’m barely requesting books to read because nothing looks appealing and I already have shelves full of unread books that I can’t bring myself to open. I’m way behind on a number of Netgalley and Edelweiss requests because I haven’t read very much this year.
I’m barely active on social media. I should really just delete my Twitter account because I never go on it. My Booklikes family are still waiting patiently for me to return to more normal schedule. I basically only use Goodreads as a database, and my Facebook has been stagnant for a while.
I know everyone says you shouldn’t worry about your number of followers, but after five years of blogging my numbers are falling, not gaining. In fact, even since I moved to self-hosted, my followers have taken a hit. I think followers found me easier when I was on a free WordPress blog and my recent posts would show up in the community.
Is it just because I’m having such a bad year? My husband’s health and my economic welfare have taken a massive hit and now my favourite hobby isn’t really giving me the kind of results I want to see based on how much effort I put into it.
I’ll never be a popular blogger because I use a non de plume, I’m not good at graphic arts or photography, and I can’t consistently think up funny and engaging content. I can’t BookTube or Instagram and I don’t spend any time on social media making friends. Honestly I don’t remember the last time I went on Bloglovin to read other industry blogs. Real life is hard enough.
The advice blogs all say ‘create engaging content and your readers will come’ but what if they don’t know about the blog or they don’t find your content engaging but you love it?
What kinds of things can I do to improve my readership? Is it the look of my blog (I love this Theme, ‘Duplicity’ from Nose Graze)? Is it my content? Is it my lack of social media prowess? Do I have to dedicate more time that I don’t have to blog hopping and commenting (with something thoughtful and meaningful)?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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About Nemo
A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.
JIll the OWL
I’m right there with you! But I’ve just let go of worrying about numbers, feeling like I’m not in the “in crowd” of bloggers etc. I’ve just decided to use the blog as a way to share my love of reading no matter how small of an audience I have. It took me awhile to come to this. I quit for awhile even. But now I’m back and doing what I do well – not trying to compete or match what is out there. Good luck!
Nemo
I’m normally pretty good at ignoring numbers but when they go down it’s not exactly a great feeling.
Eilonwy
I’m not a blogger, so I have no idea what tricks successful bloggers use, or what attracts people to blogs. I only follow a few blogs, and they’re all tiny as far as following goes. So I’m not sure I’m much help as a blog reader, either.
I don’t see you as a “failed” blogger in any way, because I enjoy reading your posts. I love your blog picture with the cats and the swing and the reader, so that can’t be the problem! I also really like the layout of your blog. I find the current “cool” tile layout of many blogs to be very cluttered-feeling and overwhelming. Yours is easy to look at it and doesn’t bombard me with sensory overload and too many choices. I deeply appreciate that, old-fashioned though it makes me.
Considering the year you’ve had, I think you’re doing remarkably well at keeping the blog going, and I can’t express how much admiration I have for that.
I hope 2018 is a less stressful year for you!
Nemo
Thanks for the feedback, Eilonwy! Thank you for your support over the years.
June Wrap Up – The Moonlight Library
[…] read 20 books this year! I’m pretty excited, due to a series of bad personal circumstances I only read 12 books last year, so I’m feeling more like myself […]