So your New Year’s resolution was to join the book blogging community and to start #AmWriting about your never ending TBR pile. Yet it’s all a bit new and you don’t know your ARCs from your YAs. And just why does every blog seem to have a picture of a cup of tea?
Fear not we have produced a helpful guide explaining jargon, etiquette and what five pictures every good book blogger needs to know.
The ‘that took a LOT of effort’ pic
Type ‘#bookstagram’ into Insta and you will be overwhelmed with beautifully composed images of books. Think book origami, spines facing inwards, color coordinated shelves, Mrs Hinch doing book pics instead of cleaning….
Whilst producing amazing results, this does take a LOT of effort and maybe isn’t recommended if you’re just starting out. It is worth however spending time looking at what pictures are out there. Whilst swirling book towers may not be your thing, it gives you the chance to find fellow #bookbloggers. These bloggers will almost always have links to their blogs in their bio’s (the introduction bit) and again, it’s worth spend time browsing them. You have joined a brilliant little community – get to know it. See what we are reading, what info each post includes and what hashtags we are using. You can even say hello in the comments section.
The book tie-in pic
So you’re reading a book about lemons and you take a picture of the book amongst a load of lemons. Include the tag #bookprops and you’ve got this one nailed. The best ones tie in with the book’s cover. Say the book cover is of a bridge, you go to same bridge, angle the book so that it’s lined up with the bridge and then take the photo. This can also take a lot of effort and sometimes just isn’t practical but can look effective if the opportunity arises. Beware however of buying random accessories (pirate swords, skulls, ski goggles) just so you can get the perfect pic!
If you’ve gone to all that effort with the pic, you probably loved the book so why not tag in people to help spread the love? The author, publisher, book shop you bought it from, illustrator, translator, the list is endless. You don’t need to tag everyone in on every post (and certainly not if you are criticising) but if you thought the illustrations were fab let that person know.
The book stack
There are often trends on Twitter or Insta that use the tag #BookStack. This usually involves a picture of a stack of books that all have a similar theme. Think your #TBRList (to be read), your #BookHaul (books you’ve just bought) or perhaps something more random like #YellowStack (books with yellow spines). Whilst this is easier, it does require you having a stack of books (usually around 5 or so) to create a stack with. Oh and note the use of capitalising every word in the hashtag. This is called camel case and #MakesItEasierToReadThePointYouAreMaking
The cosy read
This look is popular all year round despite its cold weather connotations. Think woolen socks, blankets or perfectly scrunched up bedding with a book expertly placed amongst it all. Sometimes this can be replaced with a #PoolSelflie (you know the type, legs out on sun lounger, book in hand, pool peeping out in background) if you are doing a bit of #SummerReads but really, it’s bedding that rocks it.
Word count can at times distract you from the cosy vibe you are trying to create but hashtags are a great way of reviewing something in a nutshell. Think #Thriller #Debut #YA instead of ‘I read the debut young adult thriller from Book Social’. Hashtags also help your posts show up more easily in searches and can be used anywhere in the #Post, not just at the end.
The cup of tea
And at last you have the good old faithful. The book lying next to a cup of tea. Sometimes there is even cake! After all who doesn’t love to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book? This one is perhaps the most achievable, the cheapest and at the end of it all you get to eat the cake, drink the tea and read the book. Total winner! Now for some practising…
We hope you’ve found the above useful but if you’re still struggling we are more than happy to answer questions. Basically don’t be afraid, have a nosy, say hello, we would love to hear from you. You will soon find out what works for you and we won’t hold it against you (much) if you find out you’re more a coffee person than a tea.
