One more time, I'd just like to say a big thanks for making BBRAW 2012 a huge success! I'm currently on my way to the Twin Cities for a Minnesota Wild Game and a much needed vacation with my husband! On Monday we pick up Prim! But besides the added addition to the household, life on the blog will return to normal on Tuesday! Thanks everybody for your support!
Wow! BBRAW has officially come and gone! Thanks to everyone who participated or stopped by! I've had a great time getting to know some new bloggers and reconnecting with old friends.
You've made it through the week! Thank people for stopping by, thank new readers and old readers, wrap up your giveaway (if you had one), tell who you nominated for as MVR and why (if you feel comfortable), wrap up the first BBRAW experience, and basically celebrate your readers in any way that you like!The MVR Election closed last night! We had some great nominations!
Kimberly @ Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Kimberly always stops by my blog and checks out my facebook posts. She is so sweet and always takes time to read basically anything I post. She always puts a smile on my face. She is probably the biggest supporter of my site and I really appreciate it. She is so awesome and kind.Mari @ Bookworm With A View
I enjoy her comments, we share in many cases very alike reading tastes, she has recommended wonderful books and audio to me — and probably most influential is that her Check Point meme she started this year inspired me to start Team Kickin It. Her advice and encouragement is valued.Jenny @ Alternate Readality
She is the very best commenter ever... and I pretty much think of just talking to her when I'm writing my blog posts.Ryan @ Wordsmithonia
Ryan has become a blogging buddy of mine who not only leaves me thoughtful comments, but also encourages me to try new authors with his great reviews! He's been a longtime follower/reader/friend and the blogging world is a better place because he's in it!Mary @ Bookfan
She is one of the most faithful readers of my blog, nearly since the beginning. I'm proud to call her a friend as well, even though we've never met! Her book preferences are so insync with mine, we often joke that we are sisters from different mothers. She's a wonderful lady!Mindy @ Magical Urban Fantasy Reads
Mindy is always leaving thoughtful and wonderful comments on my reviews and posts. Her comments never fail to make me smile. We all know that when you run your own blog you can get bogged down and not find time to visit other people's blogs and comment, but she is always taking time to connect and comment on other peoples reviews and to reach out positively on twitter.But the MVR of BBRAW 2012 is... (dun dun dun)
She always stops by my reviews and leaves thoughtful comments. I see her around at tons of blogs even though she has her own awesome blog to run! She is full of pure awesome!
Giselle is everywhere, leaving comments. Her name caught my eye because of how many times she commented on my blog especially when I didn't have many Followers. As I do my best to comment in the blogiverse, I see her name and cute smile everywhere. She makes socializing a goal and really shares the warm fuzzies of Comments!!!I think BBRAW was a complete success! I feel like I've said the "thanks" that I've been meaning to for so long to all those bloggers and readers who have helped me along the way. I'm thinking next year I'll change it to BBRAW (Book Blog Reader Appreciation Weekend) because I feel like I could be more present and active on the weekend rather than the week (especially in the middle of the winter). But we'll definitely be back next year so keep a look out! Thanks for your support, advice, and guidance in the past two years, hears to two more!!
Winners, look for an email from me before Wednesday (things are a bit busy right now with the trip we're going on tomorrow and picking up Prim on Monday).
I don't know about anyone else, but this week has been amazing so far! I've met so many new bloggers and have been reading some great posts! Thanks to everyone who is participating along with me!
Yesterday I talked about what I enjoyed about other blogs and today I want to find out what you, the reader, feels could be improved on my blog.
Take this opportunity to survey your readers; maybe you haven't done this in years or perhaps ever. Find out what it is about your blog that your faithful readers love, what they wish you wouldn't do (constructive criticism is never a bad thing), what keeps readers coming back for more, what posts they'd love for you to do more of (vlogs etc). The possibilities are endless!Lately I've been writing more "personal/nonbookish" posts such as the Pinterest Project posts, Graduate School, hockey, and even, more recently, Prim (our new rescue puppy!). How do you feel about these posts? Do you come here looking for book recommendations and those alone or are you wanting some extra, more personal, posts such as those mentioned above? From my perspective it seems like those posts bring in the most traffic (but who doesn't like looking at adorable puppies! ---see how many of you just clicked that!!!) but I want this blog to remain a "book blog" and if project posts deter those book blog readers from stopping by then I want to know. If you do like these posts, which are your favorite? Which posts have you coming back for more? What posts (in general) do you wish I would do more of?
Rather than doing a formal Google Docs deal (I'm a little Google Doc'd out), if you could just leave a quick comment in regards to the above questions I'd appreciate it.
If you do a survey this week for BBRAW make sure to link it below! Also, folks, MVR Nominations close tonight at midnight! I'll announce the MVR Winners tomorrow afternoon!
Today I have two spectacular choices for you! You could do a reader interview with a reader of your choice OR (if you're not the interview type) you could highlight a blog that you enjoy reading. What is it about this blog that you enjoy, what is it about the reviews, the blogger, the style, the look, etc? If you don't feel comfortable highlighting one blog, be general in regards to a few blogs you enjoy and what you enjoy about them.Because I'm not the "interview" type, today I want to highlight a few of the blogs I enjoy reading and why.
First of all, I love reading what Sheila @ Book Journey writes; mostly due to the fact that I know her really well, but I love how reading is a part of her every day life EVERY day. I mean this woman listens to like a million audiobooks at a time (okay, maybe four?). She's such an active person and I love how she brings that into her blog with her Meandering posts on a daily basis. I know this isn't for everyone, but I love reading about my favorite blogger's "in real life" moments and thoughts as well as their book thoughts; somehow, knowing them as more than just a reviewer but also as a person makes their reviews that much more thought-provoking and real.
Obviously I'm a huge fan of April @ Good Books and Good Wine. Not only does April provide a constant list of awesome recommendations, but she's probably the most honest and direct blogger I know — and I appreciate that. I love how she says what she really thinks and feels and doesn't feel bad about it. So often times, even in my own, reviews are somewhat "sugar coated" and leave a bland taste in my mouth — never so with Good Books and Wine! I also love what April has done with her blog in the past few years — she's literally my inspiration for working on SEO and the big switch from Blogger to Wordpress.
Another great friend of mine is Michelle @ Hooked to Books. Michelle is a great inspiration to me because we're both teachers and I feel like we go through many of the same ordeals. I love bouncing ideas off Michelle and getting her perspective. She's one of the first people I go to for help in regards to books, recommendations, my master's program, or blogging in general.
Other bloggers who have made a difference to me because I enjoy reading their blogs are Shanyn @ Chick Loves Lit, Kristi @ The Story Siren, Pam @ Bookalicious, Small @ Small Review, Jamie @ The Perpetual Pageturner, Erika @ The Book Cellar, Cat @ Beyond Books, and finally Cass @ Bonjour Cass! These ladies have all been so patient, understanding, and helpful (not to mention a complete riot!) over the years/months/weeks! I love everything about their blogs from their fantastic content, great looks (blog and physical), and their willingness to help a little blogger like me! Thank you! Reading your blogs makes me like writing my own! I think the being a good blogger begins with being a good blog reader — and that's what BBRAW is all about!
If you write a post for today please link it in the comments below! I can't wait to stop by!
For day two of BBRAW we are focusing on a specific moment or a specific reader that has left a permanent positive impact on you. Lately it seems like so much of the negative has been discussed in regards to the blogging community, this is your time to share why you continue to blog (despite the few and far between negative "for instances").
Today commemorate a specific reader or moment in your blogging career that has made a significant difference in your IRL or blogging life. It might be that first comment you ever received, the first follower, the first interaction with a reader of your blog on Twitter, the first time an author commented on a review, etc.You know, there are so many readers that I have built lasting relationships with (especially through my BEA travels) but I'd like to focus on the specific moments. Yesterday I mentioned those first couple of comments and the first regular reader (remember how SCARY that was to think this one person is looking at me, reading what I have written, and obviously WAITING for me to post something interesting?!) — but at what point did blogging become a "job" (albeit one that I adore)?
That first summer I was unable to find employment at the local resorts so I basically hung out on the lake, sipping iced tea, and reading. I walked the dog a lot, I fished a lot, and I read more books that summer than I had since high school. I was posting everyday and often times several reviews a week (oh, how sorry those first reviews actually were). Back then I was probably a better blog writer than I am today because my own responsibility (as I wasn't working) was to read, tweet, and blog.
Today there are so many other things going on! We're in the process of adopting a puppy, I'm learning how to sew, I'm coaching hockey, we're working on our financial stability, we're planning vacations, I'm learning how to cook, I'm trying to keep house, I have two new preps (English 10 and English 12), and the list just continues on. But I still try to find the time to blog, read, and tweet (although some days are more sparse than others).
WHY?
Well, it'd be nice if I could get paid — but it's simply because through my readers (YOU!) and the blogs I read, I have become part of a community. A community that fosters a love for a hobby that not many people I know IRL share with me. Dan occasionally reads the good book, Button and I talk books a lot, but besides that, without blogging, I feel like I'm on a deserted ocean alone (with only bad books). Because of this community I know what great books are out there before they become movies. Because of this community I've traveled to NYC twice for BEA and have met countless authors, publishers, and agents (not to mention fellow bloggers). And, now especially, this community has given me the confidence to pursue a master's degree in Library Media Information Services (LMIS). YES, this community has impacted my career, my schooling, and, essentially, my life in so many different ways.
But it still comes down to you, the reader. If no one was reading and this more of an online diary, I really don't think any of this would have happened. As I mentioned yesterday, I read for me but I write for you. But if I wasn't writing for you, I'm not sure how much I'd be reading for me... you know? I know that's probably completely ridiculous — but it's the honest to goodness truth. I read because I enjoy it but I also read so that I can share my thoughts with you. So, at least for me, it always comes back to you — the reader. Thank you!
If you write a post for today please link it in the comments below! I can't wait to stop by!
If you're new to BBRAW it's not too late to join in on the fun! Monday's prompt and linky and the MVR competition are still up and running (not literally).
As BBRAW is meant to appreciate your readers, take a moment to nominate your "Most Valuable Reader" or the MVR of your blog! The MVR you nominate should be the reader you feel most positively influences either your blog as a whole or you as a writer/reader.
On Friday I'll announce the three readers whose names have been submitted the most. The first 15 names to be submitted as MVR will receive a small swag package in thanks for beings such awesome readers. The top 3 names will receive a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble or (for international readers) a book from the Book Depository.Each blog receives one nomination so think about it! Who continually stops by and leaves thoughtful comments? Who encourages you via Twitter and email correspondence?
I can't believe BBRAW is finally here! Welcome and thanks for participating! Today's prompt is, in my opinion, the most important of all: a very basic communication of thanks.
Introduce yourself for new readers that will be stopping by. Take today to explain what BBRAW means to you. This is the ideal time to thank your readers for their comments, support, and post a giveaway if you plan on having one. Remember, as BBRAW is supposed to celebrate readers, requiring a "follow" for the giveaway would be in relatively poor taste.I wrote my first post on June 18th, 2009 and received my first comment (the first hint that anyone was actually reading what I had written) on June 27th, 2009. While in actuality that's not a whole lot of time, it was the longest week ever! Creating a blog is scary and while many people can say readers aren't that important because they write for themselves, this just isn't true for me. I enjoy writing but if no one was reading what I was writing — what's the point?
I remember getting those first couple of email notifications saying I have a new comment and thinking "Oh my goodness!" and, I'll tell you what, two and a half years later I'm still excited for those emails. I still get super excited when a friend or stranger "retweets" a link to my blog or any other tweet I've written; I can never deny how great it feels to actually have things written.
I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped this blog grow in the past few years; whether you've written a comment, been a "silent reader," offered any type of technological help or general advice — you have made an impact on my blog and therefore my life. This blog, while relatively small, is what it is because you have supported me. I read for me but I write for you.
You may think that stopping by and commenting on my little piece of www is insignificant, especially if it's just a "Hey! Great review!," but to me it's proof that what I do matters, that what I write is read, and that what I think is more than generic renditions. Thank you for supporting me, sticking with me, and making my day each and everyday. BBRAW, to me, is about returning the favor and supporting you in return! Here's to a week of reader love!
If you write a post for today please link it in the comments below! I can't wait to stop by!
Folks the time has come! BBRAW starts tomorrow!
The prompts have been posted and the Most Valuable Reader competition is ready to be "brought!"
Prepare for some awesomeness to happen!
BBRAW is a week away folks! Is anyone else getting overwhelmed?:) Here are the prompts for next week. The purpose of me giving these to you now rather than later is this way, if you prefer, you can write and schedule your posts so next week you can meander through different blogs, make new friends, and appreciate your readers to your full potential!
Monday — An Introduction and Thanks
Introduce yourself for new readers that will be stopping by. Take today to explain what BBRAW means to you. This is the ideal time to thank your readers for their comments, support, and post a giveaway if you plan on having one. Remember, as BBRAW is supposed to celebrate readers, requiring a "follow" for the giveaway would be in relatively poor taste.
Tuesday — A Memorable Reader | A Memorable Moment
Today commemorate a specific reader or moment in your blogging career that has made a significant difference in your IRL or blogging life. It might be that first comment you ever received, the first follower, the first interaction with a reader of your blog on Twitter, the first time an author commented on a review, etc. I have so many memorable moments of my own of readers making a difference in my life that I thought this would be the perfect time to share.
Wednesday — Oh the many choices...
Today I have two spectacular choices for you! You could do a reader interview with a reader of your choice OR (if you're not the interview type) you could highlight a blog that you enjoy reading. What is it about this blog that you enjoy, what is it about the reviews, the blogger, the style, the look, etc? If you don't feel comfortable highlighting one blog, be general in regards to a few blogs you enjoy and what you enjoy about them.
Thursday — Survey your readers (look for ways to improve your blog)
Take this opportunity to survey your readers; maybe you haven't done this in years or perhaps ever. Find out what it is about your blog that your faithful readers love, what they wish you wouldn't do (constructive criticism is never a bad thing), what keeps readers coming back for more, what posts they'd love for you to do more of (vlogs etc). The possibilities are endless! I love numbers and statistics and generally surveys are a great way to find out what your readers are looking for in a blog (or what they are not) and it's always nice to have a subtle "pat on the back."
Friday — Wrap Up
You've made it through the week! Thank people for stopping by, thank new readers and old readers, wrap up your giveaway (if you had one), tell who you nominated for as MVR and why (if you feel comfortable), wrap up the first BBRAW experience, and basically celebrate your readers in any way that you like!
Remember to stop by throughout the week to nominate your MVR and to sign the links! Each day I'll post the prompt given here and a linky that you can sign so others can visit!
I hope you enjoy what I've come up with! Feel free to manipulate the prompts or do something entirely different! Have fun bloggers and see you next week!!
Alright folks, BBRAW (Book Blogger Reader Appreciation Week) is officially less than two weeks out! This is me formally inviting you to join in and participate! I'll be posting the daily prompt list next Monday so if you'd like you can schedule posts in advance. If you have a suggestion for a prompt in regards to reader appreciation (or anything really blog related), please fill out the form below. You can choose to remain anonymous or not; if you do provide your name and blog, you'll be credited for the prompt question.
If you plan on participating, please spread the word about BBRAW. It could be as simple as tweeting
"I'm participating in BBRAW! http://tinyurl.com/7d3nzln #BBRAW @google"
I've been hinting about "The Big Announcement" for a while now and it's time to finally unveil! I am now introducing Book Blogger Reader Appreciation Week (BBRAW) 2012! Spun from the idea of BBAW (hosted by My Friend Amy) , BBRAW is all about your readers. I find myself in constant awe of the brave few who stop by my blog on a regular basis and comment (or even who don't comment) and want to say a big huge THANKS! Anyone is welcome and encouraged to join in with me, but know that this is not a blog hop/giveaway extravaganza*.
On Monday (2.13) I encourage you to nominate the name of your MVR (Most Valuable Reader — the reader who you feel positively influences you as a blog writer). On Friday I'll announce the three readers whose names have been submitted the most. The first 15 names to be submitted as MVR will receive a small swag package in thanks for beings such awesome readers. The top 3 names will receive a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble^. I know that BBAW uses categorizes, but because I'm not sure how many people will participate I just want to keep it simple.
Like with BBAW, each day there will be a prompt to discuss on our blogs if you choose to participate. I will post the prompts the week before BBRAW so if you'd like to plan and schedule your post you may. BBRAW will be pretty "lax" as it's meant to celebrate the reasons we all blog — our readers. I remember that first month of blogging when I think I had three readers (and one was my mom), I was so appreciative and thankful. Every time I received an email saying "Comment" I was completely in awe. I know we always say that you should blog for you (and I agree), but blogging for you when you know others are reading what you're writing is (in my opinion) so much better and worthwhile.
I know I'm a bit scatter-brained but as BBRAW nears things will all come together. I'm so excited to finally share this idea with you all as I've been planning and brainstorming for about two months.
If you'd like to do a reader interview, I very much encourage it. We won't be doing an organized interview swap due to the fact that you'll probably want to be interviewing one of your own readers, rather than someone random (theoretically). Stay tuned throughout the next month for more information and more excitement! I have big hopes for BBRAW and am so excited to finally have shared the news. If you have any suggestions or ideas, please don't hesitate and send me an email or leave a comment! I'd love to hear your thoughts because, really, I'm sort of making this up as I go !
*If you'd like to host a giveaway of your own to thank your readers, please feel welcome to. But don't misconstrue BBRAW as a way to "win followers"; it's purpose to show thanks of the readers who have influenced you and supported you for years, months, or even weeks.
^Unfortunately because I am funding this myself, anyone receiving a prize needs to be in the US. In the event that an international reader would be elected they will still of course be announced. Sorry for any inconvenience and, yes, I know this sucks.
Huge thanks to KD Designs (Katie from Sophitikatied Reviews) for the awesome button!
