Book Expo America has begun! And while many of you are already there and living it up at blogger events, meeting authors and hanging out with one another, Armchair BEA keeps those of us at home in the loop by doing our own event in partnership with BEA. Pretty great, huh?
Anyway, while I am SUPER EXCITED for all y'all at BEA proper, of course I am a bit jealous I can't be there myself. So I decided to hook up with Armchair BEA! I'm a couple days late. It's how I roll.
Today, the post prompt is about Expanding Blogging horizons. Let's explore that a titch.
What do you think about when you think about going beyond blogging or expanding your horizons?
I think about trying new features, about changing up my review style, about doing a vlog here or there, about partnering with another blogger for a new feature. Maybe featuring a little known author or giving a smaller publisher some web time.
To be fair, I am reading/reviewing THE GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS using a Twitter hashtag (#lisaandgofat) which is going beyond blogging! But I can do more. I know it.
With that in mind, I'll set a few goals for myself moving forward in regards to expanding my blogging horizons.
I LOVE when bloggers partner up for new features or do joint reviews or invite bloggers to be a part of a little mini-series or whatever. I always say I want to do this but never do. THAT CHANGES TODAY.
I need to take the time to make buttons, headers, and other pretty little things to keep the blog fresh. I like to make stuff like that and put it off because I'm in a rush. It's better to take my time and make sure I love what I'm doing instead of checking something off my list!
I have a voice for this blog that I am absolutely comfortable and confident about using. I need to stay true to that to avoid burnout and spreading myself too thin. I need to push myself to do new things and expand my horizons but always while remembering to stay true to my voice and my passions - not sell out and try to do what's popular.
What are some ways you think about expanding your blogging horizons? Do we have any in common? Do share! And check out what everyone else has to say over at Armchair BEA Headquarters today!
Hi Lisa, I'm with you on making fun little design thingy for my blog. It's one thing that I wish I had more time to do. I love making graphics with picMonkey for top ten tuesday, and I can imagine them when I'm writing other posts, but it's definitely something I'd have to give myself more time for.
ReplyDeleteI love that too! It's so easy and fun!
DeleteI definitely agree with your last goal - it's always important to stay true to yourself when doing something new. I always try to think of new things to do, but always draw a huge blank on it :/
ReplyDeleteKeep on noodling! Something will come. :)
DeleteLisa, have you ever joined Bloggiesta? I'm sure you most know of it! It's a great event to spend time on your blog and do all the things you never get round to. It's a few times a year for a weekend.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogging!
I've heard of it and I have done it a little bit before. That's a great idea to commit to in the future though and make a nice list ahead of time!
DeleteI absolutely LOVE the idea of teaming up with other bloggers for new features, and if you are looking for someone, I am totally game. Plus, my name is Lisa too, so that could make it way more fun! I have been thinking about finding bloggers to team up with and come up with the next big idea, but I feel like every idea I have is already out there... But I could totally come up with something to play on the whole same name thing!
ReplyDeleteLisa @Just Another Rabid Reader
So fun! If you think of something let me know!
DeleteI like that you mentioned staying true to your voice and not selling out to popular trends. I think it's important, especially if you want to keep doing this for awhile, to be who YOU are and not what's popular at the moment. Your readers will appreciate that, and I certainly do about you :)
ReplyDeleteYou're too sweet! And yes, not selling out is very important.
DeleteI'm a bit biased, but featuring a little-known author would be a great idea :). I stumbled upon your blog after googling "YA book review blogs" and am glad I landed here. I like the format you've got going of day-to-day posts and also book reviews.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yes, I think sharing and promoting is a great idea!
DeleteGreat! Just great! I love your last thing about staying true to your voice; so very true! And linking up with other bloggers is something I always want to do but never make any attempts. Must rectify that sometime! Good luck to you in all your horizons expansion :) (wow, did that sound lame or what?)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog no matter what you do. Also that you are reading GoFaT. LOVE THAT.
ReplyDeleteAlso, more vlogs, I loved when you used to do them for In My Mailbox.
Yay for horizons! And expansions! And all that jazz!
I was trying to tell you that "all y'all at BEA proper" made me think of a Southern + Jane Austen mashup (I don't know, the word proper sounds so posh) and then I think I hit some buttons on my screen and it disappeared. Oops. So here it is (kinda) again.
ReplyDelete