The Best Reader + TIME

Book Blogger Turn Over Rate

No, this post is NOT about bloggers who are afraid of writing negative reviews due to their writing aspirations; I feel that topic has been whole-heartedly covered. This post stems from something entirely different and quite personal.

Last year I attended BEA, as I was only there Monday through Wednesday evening (my best friend got married on Friday) I missed out on meeting many different bloggers. But of the ones I did have the pleasure of meeting I feel that I built some great relationships. Pam (Bookalicio.us) , Kristi (The Story Siren) , Cat (Beyond Books) , and Amanda (The Zen Leaf) — just to name a quick few — have since BEA continuously provided support and advice in regards to topics ranging from (obviously) blogging and books to love and life (true story — thanks ladies!)

In just those few days I met dozens of bloggers and obtained (only) 14 business cards* — I promise to do much better this year. And of those 14 bloggers who I exchanged cards only SIX!! of them were still "in business." Which leads me to the purpose of this post: How high is the turn over rate of book blogging?

When I think of the term "turn over rate" I am reminded of waitressing in high school. Waitressing is a tough job and as an extremely high turn over rate. In high school I waitressed at a small town family diner and after three months I was the most senior waitress. In college I waitressed at Chili's in Mira Mesa and, again, after about six months I was one of the senior servers. High turn over rate — get it?

Now, we all know book bloggers who have been blogging for years and other bloggers who have blogging for weeks or months. Book Blogging (at least to me) is ever-changing with varied amounts of dedication. Some people blog for followers and free books and have a high follower count while others blog for themselves and aren't all that concerned with numbers and free books (and of course everyone in between). Some people blog for a few months while others blog until it is no longer fun. My point is, that of the owners of those 14 cards I accumulated were all "serious" bloggers — serious enough to travel to NYC and stay with "complete" strangers for the sake of blogging. Now, there is always the chance that bloggers could go to BEA for the sole purpose of free books and then quit blogging. But I met these women and I can vouch for every single one of them: they loved blogging and they loved reading.

So what happened? Why are only SIX still blogging?

Yes, it could be due to the recent controversy of blogging versus aspirations of writing, the "pressure" of reviews, or (God-forbid) "real life." I hope you detected my sarcasm there. Real life does happen and people can choose to quit blogging. I've even thought about it; what with my first year teaching and planning a wedding — there have been plenty of times I've felt that pressure to post push me further and further down into wireless oblivion.

No one will ever know (well, okay... not "no one") what happened to the other eight bloggers between last May and now. A feeling of sadness envelops me with the thought that some people I have "met" through blogging I may never see/speak to again. But I guess that the "business."

Now that the post is written I can't really put my thumb on it's "point." I do know it wasn't to elaborate on the "pressure" of blogging or to make bloggers feel obligated to "stick with it." This post wasn't meant to talk about the overly mentioned controversy that I've already touched on. It wasn't meant to over analyze why these eight bloggers no longer blog.

I simply found this information interesting and wanted to share it with you:

During my short stay at BEA 2010, I met 14 book bloggers. Eight have disappeared. Where will you be next year? Still blogging? Still tweeting? Still reading?

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*I know this is a very small number in comparison. But remember, I wasn't there Thursday or Friday for BBC. Be nice.

I very much apologize for my use of quotes. It's a bit excessive.

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Book Blogger Turn Over Rate + TIME