How did you build your blog?

[Cassi aka Snow White]

I update my blog regularly but don't have many followers. Just curious if there are any blogger secrets that I'm missing out on. I tweet and comment on some other blogs in case you're wondering.

I'm planning to change the header to Galavanting Girl Books or something like that & getting my own URL sometime soon.

Here's my blog: http://galavantinggirlscout.blogspot....

(And this is not just me trying to spam you with my blog! I hope you know me better than that. I'm just really curious what actually works).

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

Do you swap your info with other blogger friends?

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Um do you mean link them and they link me? I've only recently made blogger friends (I sound so anti-social lol). I'm doing ARC tours through one blogger I met recently.

I participated in the Tournament of Heroines on YA sisterhood.

I don't have any pretty buttons (which makes me sad) because sadly my photoshop is not compatible with my new mac (teardrop)

[Aurora]

I don't see that you're doing anything wrong. I got a lot of followers from doing giveaways, but they're not really the kind of followers that comment or interact, so I dunno if that's the way you wanna go or not.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

At this point I want any kind of follower. I don't have much to giveaway because I mainly read e-books. I have an ARC of Variant that someone gave me but I'd already read. I was trying to save it but maybe I should give it away sooner.

[Aurora]

I giveaway read books or books I've somehow gotten an extra copy of, but it's also ok to give away a gift card or a "choice book from source, value $15 or under". The important part is to get on a blog hop for it so that people can find it from other blogs. I'd also recommend getting a rafflecopter account. It's wonderful for running contests. I think the waiting period is less than a week for an invite.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Thanks for all the advice! I appreciate it!

[Sandra (Waiting For Wentworth)]

I recently created a separate blog for my books. The easiest way to get followers is to participate in different features from others blogs.
This is me here:
http://waitingforwentworth.blogspot.com/

Fridays are actually 'Follow Me Fridays' at http://www.alisoncanread.com/ where the whole point is to follow other blogs, and they return the favor by following you. This will bring regular viewers and more comments on posts.

Waiting On Wednesday at
http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/ is where you post what book you are anxiously waiting to come out. This is also great for finding new books and for comments.

I participate in Top Ten Tuesdays at
http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/
There is a new question every week with a top ten list. This is another way to find new books and get more comments.

Those are the memes that I do. There are tons more out there and once you start following other blogs you may find more that you want to participate in.

Your blog is nice and clean and easy to read. I like that. You should add the Labels gadget under your Blog Archive so readers can find your posts easier. You could add a Search This Blog bar at the top of the right hand column. AND add the Follow By Email gadget directly below your Subscribe links. GFC is most likely doomed soon, so don't bother adding that as a way to get followers.

When you do your review on Goodreads you get that pop up window that you can copy and paste into your blog - it's a lot easier that way than trying to get the photo and all of your links. The reviews on your blog will look like this: http://waitingforwentworth.blogspot.c...

Giveaways are good for special occasions. Most other bloggers do gift certificates from The Book Depository since they ship for free.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Thanks for all the great advice! Added the widgets you suggested.

As those memes come up I'll try to participate.

[Lloyd]

I am currently tossing about starting a blog. Finally picked out a name (though that's likely to change) yesterday. But...I'm so new I don't even have an entry for it yet!

Speaking of being a n00b (I that the term? I'm so out of date on any hip lingo) - how do I follow your blog?

(bowing my head in shame - but yet have to learn somehow) :P


And...guess what? Me just figure out! Ugh. Me go back in cave now.

[Rogier]

lol
via. rss feed/ email or gfc u follow a blog

[Lloyd]

Rogier wrote: "lol
via. rss feed/ email or gfc u follow a blog"

What is "gfc"?

[Tish]

Cassi aka Snow White wrote: "Thanks for all the great advice! Added the widgets you suggested.

As those memes come up I'll try to participate."

Thanks for adding the option to follow via email--I'm now a follower! And I loved your Switzerland pictures!

[Cassi aka Snow White]

YAY! I really should tell some of my Switzerland stories and share some of the photos. It really was the experience of a lifetime.

Lloyd let me know if you start a blog. I'll follow for sure!

[Lloyd]

Thanks Cassi, I will. I went so far as to start an account and give myself a title! Now...to actually start filling it with some stuff! :)

[Trupti]

I second the idea of taking part in memes, you meet a lot of new people that way. Also, you should probably take a few like minded bloggers you really like and comment on their blogs almost everytime (since you already like them, it shouldn't be difficult). That will probably give you followers and friends as well :)

Hope that helped.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

I've done a couple of memes (I like road trip wednesday from YA highway tho it's more writer oriented than reader). I just don't want to overload the blog with stuff that isn't content. Some blogs post TOO much in my opinion. I'm trying to undeerstand the memes and choose which ones I like.

I have made some blogging friends thanks the Tournament of Heroines and comment on their blogs.

[Roshini]

I think you guys convinced me to finally start a blog:-) I have now come to accept the fact that I am severely technologically challenged, which is why my poor sister is currently doing all the work. Will let you guys know when it's up and running, because I really need the feedback:-)

[Jennifer]

starting a blog is the easy part...finding the motivation to keep going can sometimes be difficult. Setting goals (whatever timeline fits your schedule) helps. :)

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Let us know when you get started! I'll follow yours.

I don't have an exact timeline for mine. I try to do at least 2 posts a week. I know someone people try to do do more than that with lots of memes but I find it hard to keep up blogs that post too much. I like frequent but not overwhelming.