I have thought about it many a time, but what's hold me back is that I will have end up sharing my blog. This blog is my baby and it has grown and changed as much as I have I though the past 6 years. I would rather my kids did the reviews along with me, but that has been hit and miss.
Also I have seen where there are two people who run a blog , and someone gets kicked off. I have seen the fallout from that situation. I don't know if I want to deal with another person issues, or if they can't commit. I would be afraid that things wouldn't work out. I think that's what is holding me back. I know I SO many books to read, and that I DO need help.
I am have seen other blogs where it seems to work out great , but then I don't know all what happens behind the scenes.
Thanks Karen & Pam for this topic
Have you added another reviewer on ?? Did it work out ??
I added another reviewer a little over a year ago. (Actually, I had 2 associate reviewers but one gal was busy with work and school, she wasn't able to stay on.) It works great and she's a big help to me and my blog. She reads genres that I don't so that brings variety for my readers. She also reads faster than me, a lot faster, so when I would have had no posts due to me not being able to read, I now have at least one post a day thanks to her. And she also brings a different group of authors (from the genres she reads) to the blog for guest posts and interviews. I can't imagine TBV without her.
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking for reviewers, I'd recommend posting about it (like a Want ad) and having interested parties fill out a form. If you have any questions or would like some feedback, feel free to email me :)
I found my co-blogger and our new associate reviewer through Goodreads and both have worked out great. As long as you set up expectations and boundaries in the beginning, you shouldn't have any problems. The additional help makes a big difference. It's definitely less stressful.
ReplyDeletethanks and good to know about expectations and boundaries. Interesting place to have met someone:)
DeleteI'm with you Julie..unless you start out as a group blog, then I don't see the point in adding more reviewers-but that's just me. Would it be nice to have a reviewer who reads genres I don't? Yes..but I'm ok with how my blog is now, and I'm a bit of a control freak. :)
ReplyDeleteColette ..I admit with the blog I am OCD , but I know I can't review everything. I did have my kids do some reviews :)
DeleteRight now, I have two contributing writers whom I treat as cobloggers. Basically, they get all the positives without the responsibilities, hah. I love Tonya and K--they are great reviewers and they're both very positive and supportive, something I've found has become very important to me. I haven't always had as positive experiences in the past, and it just goes to show you that you don't really know people all that well on the internet. Everyone I've invited to be part of the blog has been someone whose reviews I've enjoyed on GoodReads, but certainly I've discovered that good writing isn't the only criteria that's important.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to me, however, that anyone writing for our blog has a certain open-mindedness and fairness in his/her reviews. I don't care if we disagree, but I couldn't imagine blogging with someone whose style made me uncomfortable.
Having additional reviewers definitely helps with providing content, though. I sometimes wish I had someone who shared equal responsibility/costs/promo efforts, but honestly I'm really happy with the two writers I currently have.
Thanks wendy and I haven't seen a positive experience with co blogging, and that's interesting with not always meshing with the other bloggers.
DeleteI totally agree about being open minded with reviews. I agree that having additional content is good :) I am glad that you are happy too.
So true~ I have too many books to read that if I don't get finished on time to write a review I do not want to deal with another person's dilemma on not reviewing on time too.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading the comments and seeing how many people have had a positive experience when adding reviewers.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be really careful these days. Not only on how a person reviews but also how they conduct themselves outside of your blog. It all will come back on you.
But...it would be great to have someone helping out lol
I think that a lot of people feel that their blog is "their baby." It's so personal and sometimes an extension of a person. I agree that it is scary to depend on another person plus we've all seen so much blogging drama no wonder we're gun shy.
ReplyDeleteI added a couple of co-bloggers about a year after I started my blog. The first co-blogger I added was a girl who answered a "want ad". She didn't work out, and stopped reviewing after a while. I found my other co-blogger on a message board. I really liked her writing style and sense of humor. So I begged her to join me. Turns out she was/is a hit. Now she pretty much runs the blog single-handedly. If I didn't have her, I would have closed up shop due to the time constraints involved in blogging.
ReplyDelete