The Author/Blogger Relationship

I’ve seen some posts going around the last few days talking about some blogger pet peeves and some best strategies for strong author/blogger relationships. I thought I would tip-toe into this discussion with my two cents on these subjects.

Anne Chaconas wrote an excellent guest post on Molly Greene: Writer about pitfalls to avoid when contacting book bloggers. She hits on two things that I think are really important when initiating that relationship.

• We are all pressed for time and sometimes we forget that there are real people on the other end of the line, but take the time to make a good impression. Individualizing an email is important. I have no problem being included in a mass email to all the bloggers on a list that I have signed up for with a publisher when they do their monthly book availability blasts – that’s to be expected – or when I already have a working relationship with an author and am on their reading team. However, if we don’t already have a relationship, I want to know that you are interested in me reviewing your book, not just because I am any blogger, but because you respect my site and my interest. 

• If you are going to pitch your book for my blog, please have reviewed my policies; it’s right at the top of the page. Most bloggers have one. The reviewing policy is mutually beneficial to blogger and author. It tells you right up front what I accept for review and what you can expect from me. This should help you make an informed decision as to if my site might be right for your book. It saves you time from reaching out to me (or others) who you would immediately know are not interested and allows you to put that valuable time into other sites. It also saves me time too from wading through as many emails. It’s frustrating to read an email that starts with something akin to “we think you might be perfect for this science fiction novel” when that is listed as a genre I do not review under the category of my policy stating “What I Will Not Review”. It just tells me that you did not take the time to find out anything about me and usually those emails do not get a response from me.

Photo credit: davis.steve32 via Visual Hunt / CC BY

Additionally, Stephanie at Layered Pages wrote a great post on how to support your book bloggers – which is important because this relationship should be a two-way street.

• For me the most important thing to remember is that almost all book bloggers do this on the side and have many other obligations in life as well. For me this means: full time job (which sometimes is more than full time when they enforce mandatory overtime), taking classes to work on my Masters degree, and family. My husband is pretty good about my blogging, but there are lines that get drawn from time to time! As much as I love reading and talking about books (and your book) all those other categories do come first. We do our best, but life can get in the way too.

• It’s always good to share posts from bloggers who feature your work to your social media platforms. First, it makes sure that your book gets exposure from yet another group of people from those that see my posts to social media. Second, it might help drive followers to the bloggers website, which we will all be appreciate for. Finally, it more firmly establishes that two-way street I mentioned above. If an author takes the effort to even just share my posts (about their work or others) it sets them apart in my mind as someone who appreciates the effort that I have put forward.

Photo via Visual Hunt

While none of these things are certainly required, if you are looking to make the best impression for yourself and your work, at least consider the things highlighted in these articles. Maybe try to integrate one into your practice. Overall the experiences I have had with the majority of the authors/publicists I have worked with has been very successful. I want us both to have success in the things we do. Let’s help each other out to get there!

 



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