Tell Me Something Tuesday is hosted by Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings. There is a new discussion question each week. You can find all the details on her page. Hope you all decide to join!
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This weeks question: To Pimp or Not to Pimp? How do you decide what books to promote on your blog? How do you feel about the current trend of book blasts, blitzes, cover reveals and tours?
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First things first: there is no right or wrong way to blog. Your blog is your space to do with as you want. If you want to post 20 cover reveals a month, then do it! There will always be someone who doesn’t like what you do or has a problem with the way you do things no matter what. You can’t take it personally. They are the one with the problem!
Now, to answer these questions as how they pertain to me personally. I pimp books that interest me. Whether it’s through a promotional post, cover reveal, meme, or review. Even if it’s a book I haven’t read yet, I still like sharing books that I want to read. It’s not like I’m going to share books that don’t even sound like something I’d want to read.
Last year I started scheduling a lot of blog tours for books that interested me, but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to read them all in time for the tours. So I often did promotional posts. I don’t mind doing this, because I feel like I’m just sharing a book that I want to read. And even if I don’t end up liking it as much as I hoped, doesn’t mean other people won’t love it.
I did, however, decided to cut way back on the blog tours starting the beginning of 2013. Not because I’m against them, though. Those posts take time to put together, and I got tired of spending so much time and energy on them. I want blogging to be a fun hobby, not a stressful job.
As for cover reveals… obviously the book hasn’t been released yet, so it’s just another way to share a book that may sound interesting. Nothing wrong with that. But again, I’ve cut way back on those, too. I only do them now for authors I know and love, or if it’s part of a series that I’m already invested in.
Book Blasts and Blitzes… whatever floats your boat! I think I’ve participated in one or two, but they just weren’t for me. But it doesn’t bother me if other bloggers like them and participate. I’ve actually discovered a couple of really good books from them. Actually, I found one of my newest favorite books this way.
Again, it all comes down to doing what you want!
I have found some great books on other blogs too. While my preferred method is review..I add in cover reveals and spot lights. Love your thoughts and totally agree
I’ve gone through phases this year where I post a lot of cover reveals or blasts…and I’ve just started signing up for actual tours. I’ve cut back on all of them though because like you said it takes a lot of time to put those posts together. This is actually the first year that I’ve done book tours though. I prefer to post mostly reviews now, but I might occasionally sneak in a reveal or such.
What you said! I love your philosophy. I kind of love formatting so that’s the least bothersome part of review tours. I have a bad habit of forgetting what my TBR pile looks like or getting ambushed with other things at the last minute. *puts on fake woeful face*
I like doing the book blitzes and all that, but I do find myself doing them for books that I think I would end up reading. As for blog tours, I like to do the reviews for the book, but I can only read so much. 😀
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
I completely agree with you on everything actually. I only promote cover reveals and blitzes for books that I want to read in the future or from authors I already love.
I do author interviews for some authors that ask for a review and I know I won’t have time or the book isn’t something that interests me, mainly because I feel bad about not being able to read or want to read their work. Is that right? I’m not sure. Just because I don’t have time to read it or a desire to doesn’t mean my readers won’t so…I don’t know!
I’ve stopped doing blasts and blitz’s, aside from an occasional one… they kind of feel like commercials to me. But I still enjoy doing guest posts, interviews, and reviews.
It’s really hard to find a balance that you are comfortable with, I’m still searching for mine and I’ve been blogging over a year.
But I do only post about books I’ve either read or want to read. In the beginning I was posting up all kinds of stuff – and a lot of it was something I’d never read. That was a lot of work for something I wasn’t passionate about 🙁
Cover reveals are a good way to put a book out there, but since my blog is mostly focused on reviews, I almost never do them, unless I have some really strong reason. I also decided to cut down on blog tours, and I’ve never done a single book blitz, although I have nothing against them at all.
Agreed. I think we’re on the same Pimpin’ Page. lol!
Book blitzes aren’t for me, though I do sign up for the occasional tour every now and again. But most of these tend to be when publishers or authors I know have asked me to take part. As for cover reveals, again, I only do these when asked now. Like Maja, I consider my blog more review-based than anything. I’ll definitely go out of my way to pimp a book if I’ve read it and loved it, though. 🙂
“First things first: there is no right or wrong way to blog. Your blog is your space to do with as you want.” YES! Love this topic this week. This needs to be our motto. 🙂 Great discussion!
Sorry this is late. We have been sick. I have noticed you have cut way back on your pimping this year. I haven’t had to give you a hard time. You made some great points. I agree support the authors you love and blog what makes me happy.
Fantastic points! I agree that there’s no right or wrong way, we all have to find what works for us!
I agree with everything you said. I love finding new books through cover reveals and blitzs. I am happy to promote something as long as it interests me or will interest my readers. I try to read everything I can and I usually only do reviews for blog tours. But sometimes I just can’t get to it for a few months but that doesn’t mean I don’t want a chance to spotlight it for someone else that may be interested. I’ve found many great books this way and who doesn’t love giveaways!