In my blogging life, there is something fellow bloggers often tell me. They use different sentences, but usually, it goes like this. “You are everywhere, Marie.”
I will let you on a little secret, today. I don’t know if I am everywhere: physically, it is impossible to be everywhere ; virtually, I try but I can’t do it, either. One thing I am doing, though, is my best to share the love within the book blogging community, and one of the biggest tricks to do this is, for me, blog hopping.
What is blog hopping, exactly?
I don’t know the right definition of blog hopping and I bet everyone has their own interpretation anyway, so instead of checking a blogging dictionnary, I will just tell you what blog hopping means, for me.
Blog-hopping is all about going on blogs, on other blogs, on other blogs, on other blogs, endlessly. It’s all about spending time to visit other bloggers, but it’s not just that: it’s discovering new blogs, commenting on blog posts from them you enjoyed reading, starting a conversation with someone new or someone you already knew before and just, overall, sharing the love.
I spend about an hour a day reading other bloggers’ posts, on average. This obviously depends on the time I have, the bloggers’ frenzy to post new things and my mood / what’s happening in my life at the moment.
Point is: I do make a point of blog hopping very often. Some people do more, others do less. I’m not here to shame people who aren’t into blog hopping, just here to share my point of view on this and why I think it’s both great and important.
Why I blog hop and think that it is overall AMAZING
There are so many reasons why I blog hop and why I think it is pretty amazing. Let me make a list.
You can meet new bloggers!
Potential new friends! People you’ll end up chatting with really late about books and everything! If I’m being honest, if I hadn’t started blog hopping, I probably wouldn’t have had regular conversations with people, turning into genuine bookish and just plain friendship.
You can be inspired!
By discovering new blogs and reading new blog posts, you can be inspired, to read new books, do new things on your own blog and so on. I do not mean that you can copy everything another blogger you admire does – that is NOT good. Just. INSPIRE Yourself.
You can celebrate and recognize someone’s hard work!
Let’s face it: blogging IS work. Even if we love it, even if it’s a hobby, it takes a lot of time to think of blog posts, to type them up and everything else. In that light, I’m not going to lie: getting followers, getting likes on a post, shares on twitter and everything matters. It makes me feel like what I’m saying makes sense and that people are appreciating it. That feeling is 10 000 000 times bigger when I get comments on a blog post. Small or big, they all matter and make me feel like people are looking for a discussion and WANT to interact on what I said. So yeah, that’s why I blog-hop, too. To boost people’s work on blog posts and show my appreciation at their awesomeness, basically.
You can grow your blog!
I wouldn’t be where I am without blog hopping, I will admit it. I started blog-hopping early on as I started blogging and it helped me grow traffic on my own blog. It helped me get comments back. It helped me grow my blog overall.
You can spread the love!
Best reason of all: blog-hopping is just spreading the love over the bookish community. I think that’s pretty amazing and the best reason to do it.
How to organize your blog hopping sessions (without losing your mind)
Blog-hopping doesn’t happen on its own: you have to do it. You are the one needing to find new blogs, to visit them, to read blog posts, to comment on them, to share a post on twitter, and so on. It’s a blogging activity that takes a whole lot of time and energy.
How can you blog hop? WHERE THE HELL DO YOU START with all of these blogs? Let me make a list again. I am very fond of lists, can you tell?
Check out the WordPress Reader (if you are on WordPress)
As I am on WordPress, I have this little something called Reader, where all of my blogs meet and where I get all of the latest blog posts from them. It’s a great place to start, see what’s new, click on the blog post and so on. (Important reminder: if you click to be redirected TO the blog, you will give the blog a visit. If you read on the Reader, you won’t pay the blog an actual visit and won’t even see the right formatting of the blog post. Thanks for the tip, MAY-THE-AMAZING)
Check out your Bloglovin’ list
I have bloglovin’ but rarely use it. That being said, it seems to be a great way to check out all the bloggers you’re following here – might have forgotten you followed here.
Go through your blogs’ bookmarks
Here’s something I do more than often. Whenever I find a blog I like and can’t follow it on WordPress or Bloglovin’, I bookmark it. I have a list of about…. I don’t know, maybe 30 blogs in my browser’s bookmarks ; which makes blog-hopping quite easy and fun.
Get lost on twitter (and probably never come back)
I sort of have a love/hate relationship with twitter. On the one hand, it’s pretty amazing. The community here is fierce, just speaks out, there are so many great books being spotlighted and so on. On the other hand… it is pretty overwhelming and panic-attack-inducing, I’m not going to lie. THAT BEING SAID, it’s also an incredible way to blog hop. Go from twitter to twitter and find blog links there, find new friends and so on. Forget yourself in the way, too. Happens too often.
Use the weekly memes
I am not participating in weekly memes anymore, but they are amazing sources to start your blog-hopping sessions. Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday…. lists of book blogs just WAITING for you to stop by and shower you with love.
Blog-hop within the blog-hopping moments
INCEPTION MOMENT, guys. My title here means nothing, so let me make it a bit clearer. Whenever I am reading a fabulous blog post with thousand comments on it already, or even if there are just five or one comment… I sometimes blog-hop from there, the comments section of other bloggers.
When it comes to blog-hopping, here is what I do.
- Every day, I dedicate a bit of time to go through my WordPress Reader. I don’t and can’t comment on everything. I do my best depending on my mood, the blog posts I find and so on.
- Almost once a week – or once every two weeks, depending as well -, I go through my bookmarks and check out some of the blogs there.
- The rest of my advice before? I do it when I think about it – whenever I want.
Important things to remember about blog hopping
I’m not going to lie: blog-hopping is exhausting, at times. There are so many blogs to follow, so many love we could spread and so on. I follow almost 200 blogs in my wordpress reader. I have about 30 book blogs in my bookmarks and I realize that’s A WHOLE DAMN LOT. At times, blog-hopping can feel like a chore, but IT SHOULD NOT BE. It should be something you do willingly and with love, otherwise… well, it sucks if you’re just forcing yourself to do it.
- It’s all about finding the right rhythm for you.
- How many blogs it’s okay for you to follow.
- How many times a week, a month, a year you can and want to blog hop. Emphasis on WANT.
Also, remember that blog hopping is not a necessity. I said it before, there are incredible advantages to blog hopping and I forever will be spreading the love and importance of blog hopping. FOR ME. It may not be the right thing for you, or maybe you haven’t found the right formula for it just yet. Don’t give up anyway and just have fun while blogging.
Do you blog hop? Why, or why not?
What is your blog-hopping rhythm? How many blogs do you follow? Do you manage to keep up, or does it feel like a chore, at times?
Do you have tips for blog hopping? Let me know!
I LOVE blog hopping. Even if it is time consuming. I’ve discovered amazing blogs, and met new friends.
I mainly blog hop by clicking on comments on my favorite bloggers. Though, I may try the reader out. I also check out blogger trains on twitter.
And constantly bookmark blogs to read later. 🙂
Blog hopping helps keep my own blog fresh. I don’t copycat other bloggers, but seeing what other people are writing and posting boosts my creativity.
Oh yes, I so agree with you – blog hopping boosts my creativity as well, I love reading blog posts, conversations and there, before you know it, an idea comes. It’s pretty amazing 🙂
It is SO time consuming, but I love being able to give and give back some love to the community, too <3
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, Elizabeth!! <3
I have to say, I don’t blog hop nearly enough! It’s always something I tell myself I want to be better at because I think sharing the love is a fantastic thing to do but then once I get to my reader I often find myself not feeling like doing it anymore, so I don’t. I feel like there is no need to FORCE myself – especially because it would probably come across. I really think I need to work on more of a schedule or rhythm to make sure it’s more enjoyable and not something I dread doing.
And I have to completely agree that it’s a fantastic way to meet so many new people who can potentially become friends down the line! I wouldn’t have met so many of the people I follow on WordPress and love talking to, if it weren’t for blog hopping which would be quite sad, really.
I understand this – sometimes, it’s just bothering and you just don’t want to do it ahah. It should be something you love and find enjoyable, otherwise… well, you’ll just burn out! I am happy that I found my rhythm and that it makes me feel happy so far, I think everyone has their own rhythm to do that. Hope you’ll find yours 🙂
AND YES. So many incredible people. The community is fantastic and I think the best way to find this out is to blog hop 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment!!
Yes, I do love blog hopping! I don’t get to quite as many sites, but each morning or night I try catching up on posts and commenting. It’s so much fun!
Yay! This makes me so happy. Blog hopping can be so much fun 🙂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this 🙂
Amazing post, once again!!
I used to bloghop daily, but that was back in the day *seriously, it feels so long ago* when work was slow and I had tons of time on my hands to just.. do anything but work at work? Seriously, that happened. A lot. Lately not so much though. I’m pretty much drowning in work but somehow ignoring it once every half hour to.. read the new posts in my reader, yay! Like yours, haha.
Normally I bloghop for two to three hours a day – like, back in the day when work was slow, you know.
Now? Not so much. Hell, I’m proud of myself if I get fifteen minutes of bloghopping done.. I need to find a different rhythm now that work is so hectic but since life is hectic as well right now.. I’m holding off a bit.
As for blogs I’m following; about seventy-ish? I think? I often go over them and kick out the inactive ones that haven’t announced a hiatus [and aren’t friends] because.. well.. just because? Sometimes I simply feel like kicking people out, sorry. I’m mean. Sometimes.
The biggest tip when it comes to blog hopping: Don’t do it if you don’t feel like it.
That’s THE main thing I keep telling people. :’)
Loooove this <3 Also I love it when people tell me I "appear to be everywhere." Let's just take it as a compliment and not make it feel like we have no life. This is our life. Sort of. A bit.
Ahahah I am honored that you take time to read my latest blog post while at work, thank you haha 🙂
It is so hard to find the right rhythm. Sometimes, I think I get it, but I know this kind of thing depends on life, whether you’re busy or not. We can’t always spend a lot of time on blog hopping and that has to be okay, too. I think we should take care of ourselves, too. That’s something I should do, listen to my own advice hahaha.
Haha you’re not mean at all – I think it’s important to clean up our blogging list every once in a while. We might not be interested in that blog anymore, not really ever interact with that other blog and so on.
Hahahahaha yes you’re so right. I’m taking this as a compliment. I do have a life. I’m a busy book blogger. Also I occasionally have a normal and social life but… let’s not mention it hahahaha 😛
THANK YOU!!! <3
Yup, it definitely depends on a lot of different things. We could be all over the place one week and then disappear off the face of the earth the next because life. :’)
You should really take your own advice on that! I’ve had a headache for over a week and I honestly thought it was the pressure of work + blog + life in general and I tried to backpedal. Turned out it was something completely different but it still made me realize that I should totally relax more than I have been. :’)
True!
I have to fight to have a social life sometimes but that’s more because my boyfriend sometimes goes out during the week, which I can’t really do because of work. Then when it’s weekend I’m ready to go out and he’s all “but I already went out this week..” Boo. :’)
YOU’RE WELCOME! <3
Thank you, Kathy, I will do my best to take some steps back every once in a while and relax. Sometimes it’s needed… I wouldn’t want to burn out, but I know sometimes I am veeeeeery close to that, haha 🙂
OH no! That’s annoying when you can’t have the same schedule to go out. He should make more of an effort for you 😛
Totally get that! I’ve been having this weird funk where I simply don’t want to power up my desktop when I get home but I NEED to since my tiny laptop can’t handle all the blog-stuff I need to do.. Somehow I’m simply refusing though. I have so much prep left to do but.. *sigh*
I pretty much forced him to go out last weekend, haha. He “didn’t want to” since “he already did” and I just got ready and waited for him. He didn’t really have a choice anymore. :’)
I get the feeling. I guess sometimes we just have to follow our instinct, gut or just general tiredness telling us to take a break haha 🙂
Hahaha well, like that, he couldn’t say no 😛
True but I’m really getting on my own nerves, haha. I should basically move my desktop to our living room. It should help that it’s near and I don’t have to sit in a separate room to do everything? I think?
Exactly! 😀
Yeees I think it has to help, if everything is closer to you haha 😛
I seriously talked my boyfriend into it like an hour ago! We’re going to move our little dvd-case and squeeze in a small desk, YAY!
YAY!! 😀
I always check my wordpress reader once or twice a day, go through and spend a few minutes reading a post (like this), then dropping a little comment when I’m done. I find that way I don’t have to sit for super long periods of time and can keep up with the number of people I follow without feeling like I’m losing my mind.
The one thing I do want to do this year though is actually making a more concerted effort to find and follow new bloggers. I feel like I don’t reach out enough and discover new people, I just tend to stick within my little blogging bubble which isn’t great!
Oh that’s great! I think that, if you spend a too long time blog-hopping, it’s easy to lose your mind. There are too many blogs out there anyway haha.
YES, that’s such a fantastic resolution for this year. I would also love to try and find new bloggers to chat with…. but I’m always a bit caught up with time and everything else. I’m trying, though, small goals, like, a blogger a week or something 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
Brilliant post Marie. Blog Hopping might be the one thing I stress about the most because when I don’t have much time I feel so guilty for not having done it so I end up doing binges as you know because you get like 10 comments from me in a day ahaha!
I’m determined to get back into it this year, trying to come on if not everyday,every other day. So that I don’t have a week or so worth of posts to catch up on and I can give other blogs the attention they deserve.
I love searching for tags on reader and finding new blogs, i always love looking up book hauls on here. I love seeing what everyone is buying, of course my TBR ends up higher but it’s fun!
I so get your feeling about this, Hannah. I am blog hopping fairly often, as you know, but… whenever I miss a day or I’m bothered and just don’t do it, I feel a bit guilty afterwards. It is a bad feeling ahah. I think it’s important to find a right rhythm, not lose our minds while doing too much or too little.
Ohhhhhhhh. This is such a bad idea you are giving me, Hannah, I will read all the hauls and add all the books too now, haha.
Thank you so much! <3 <3
Blog hopping is so nice! I didn’t know that what I was doing was called blog hop haha. I really miss doing it though life has begotten so busy for me! ?
It is a lot of fun, I agree 🙂 Oh, well you still find time to leave lovely comments just like this one, so you’re doing great 😀 Thank you so much!! <3
You’re very much welcome!
Great great great post ☺️??
Aw thank you so much! 🙂
I follow a lot of blogs, too, so it can be hard to visit everyone, all the time, but blog-hopping can be such an integral part of blogging! It’s a great way to find new blogs and show support. I try to blog-hop in the morning before work and then maybe a little at night. And I agree, one of the biggest ways I blog-hop is through the comment sections of blogs I already follow – if we’re all finding our way to the same place, we probably have something in common!
I agree, it is such a big part of blogging for me, too. My blogging experience would be completely different without that, that’s for sure. I also chat with so many book bloggers and met so many friends, it’s incredible 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Angela! 😀
Great post and tips!
I usually try to blog hop every morning during the week days and then give myself nights and weekends off. It’s definitely fun checking out other blogs and meeting new bloggers and catching up with blogger friends!
Thank you, Ashley! 🙂 I do the same thing, except that I watch blogs on the evenings, and try and give myself at least one night off per week to… stop being so crazy hahaha 🙂
Thank you!! xx
Great post! I completely agree – blog hopping has always been something I try to carve out time for because I love reading others blogs but it’s definitely something I’m guilty of not doing enough of xD You have some really good points!
Oh thank you so much, Melissa! Reading other blogs is so much fun, but it is time-consuming. I don’t think you or anyone should feel guilty if you can’t o it too often. Everyone has their own rhythm after all 😀
Blog-hopping used to be a huuuge part of my day-to-day activities back when I was actively blogging, and boy, I think it was a huge time-suck. It definitely has its advantages, all of which you outlined here (and more), but it could get tiring doing that day by day… and there are just so many blogs out there, it’s damn near impossible to get to them all.
I think, though, that it’s a pretty crucial part of my entire blogging experience. It’s likely where most of the ‘fun’ comes, even (outside of reading books itself) — talking to other people, discovering new content, making friends. I think one of my favourite ways to blog is the whole inception thing you mentioned… it’s nice to make friends with my friends’ friends, if you think about it like that. 😛
Great post, Marie! <3
I might have teared up a little bit seeing you here, Reg. It has been so long. I hope you are doing well and that everything is going good for you. I and the blogosphere miss you A LOT. I miss you the most 😛 <3
It really is a huge time-suck, it's INSANE. Yet, it is such a big part of my blogging experience as well. I know blogging wouldn't be the same if I weren't blog hopping at all, and… I am so happy I am. I met incredible people this way 🙂
Thank you so, so much for taking the time to stop by and comment, Reg! Sending you all the love <3 <3
You are the sweetest, Marie, and I miss you loads too! I’m planning to be more active this year, so here’s hoping to more of these conversations. <3
Oh yes, for sure. I think a huge part of blogging (in general, no matter what topic you're blogging about) is interacting with the community, whether that's through comments, social media or other blogs. I honestly can't imagine not doing it… I mean, how else would I meet you and all the other wonderful people here, hey? 😉
Oh that is great news <3 Obviously, your life and everything comes first, but I always loved hearing your bookish thoughts and you always gave me the best recommendations. I'm happy to hear you'll try to come back <3 <3
YES. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met incredible bloggers and friends. I wouldn't have met you!! <3 <3
Love this post Marie! <3 I love blog hopping, it's interesting to see what type of books other people read, what happen in they life, and basically things outside my little corner of internet 😀 But like you mentioned above, it's pretty time consuming, so I do it probably only once a week or when I'm really busy, like once a month. I also have a love-hate relationship with twitter, I love how open and fierce it is, but it can also be overwhelming '-' I love how many new blogs I found from twitter though, it's really amazing!
Oh thank you so much! 🙂
I agree that it is so time-consuming. It’s worth it, in the end, because we get to chat with so many bloggers, but… sometimes, it’s a bit exhausting.
YAY, I am glad you feel the same way about twitter haha. It is soooo overwhelming sometimes. It’s a great resource, but… to use once in a while? I don’t know haha.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! xx
Nice post!!! I’ve only recently begun to truly blog hop, and although most times it can be exhausting, it pays off when you find new blogs that are really inspirational. I definitely think using resources like tags (Top Ten, Waiting on) helps because so many bloggers’ names are already there, listed for a reader to peruse. I will for sure be utilizing Twitter to my benefit soon, too!
Thank you so much! Oh yes, it’s truly great whenever you find a blog that really inspires you, I love when that happens 🙂
Thank you 🙂 <3
hmm, I gotta say I never thought to blog hop. While I spend an elongated period of time reading other blogs I’m following, I never thought to hop from one to another. I’m going to try it out one day. Great post Marie xxx
Melina | http://www.ivefoundwaldo.com
Thank you so much, Melina! I hope you’ll find new great blogs you’ll love 🙂
Great post Marie! I have to admit that I was not into the habbit of blog hopping before. But now, I try to do it as much as possible within the time I get. Yes, I don’t go over each of the blog and comment there, but there are definitely a few blogs on which I make sure to comment as soon as their post go out. And yes you are one of them ❤️ I try to read almost all of your posts(sorry if I have missed any ?).
But seriously I do realize that blog hopping is an essential part not only for your blog but also for making you feel loved in the community ?
aw that means so much to me, thank you!!! You’re the sweetest <3
I feel like blog hopping is such an essential part of the blogging experience, at least, for me. I love discovering new bloggers, new friends, even, and chatting books, it's incredible. It's exhausting at times, but it's worth it 🙂 <3
Yes totally agree ❤️
*sigh* I wish I could do this more often. But I do try. First I try with Bloglovin’, searching for interesting posts. I also have a speadsheet of peeps I like to (stalk) visit XD. Nori’s list for 360 challenge also helps! Been using it these days. And then there’s looking up the people who leave comments on those blogs and so you’re sucked into the blog hopping void.
So the problem isn’t actually finding blogs, but giving something back. Sometimes I’ll end a blog hopping session frustrated because I didn’t leave a lot of comments. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood and could think of anything to say to anything. 🙁 But other times I do really well, so it IS a time-consuming, and very exhausting activity. But it’s also very rewarding! I feel like a social butterfly! XD
Ohhhh a spreadsheet, what a fantastic idea. I need to do that, too! 🙂
I love that you use the term “void”, it’s definitely a void, once you start, you can easily get lost and never get out of it haha.
I understand your thoughts – I feel SO frustrated whenever I have nothing to say, I don’t feel like this was a productive blog hopping session. That being said, I guess we can’t always be inspired 🙂 And when we do… it’s so rewarding, yes!
Thank you so much, Pam!! <3
It IS a void. A blackhole, actually XD. You and Cait are my biggest blog hopping inspirations.
Lately I’ve been applying the same concept to bookstagram. I wasn’t following a lot of latin or spanish bookstagrammers so I started adding a spanish section to my captions and searching for them. I followed a few, then began stalking the comments on their feeds and more… feed hopping? XD It’s been working so far!
Oh wow, I’m honored you put me in the same sentence as Cait, the ultimate blogging queen?!! ? THANK YOU <3
Oh that's good to know, I'll remember that if I ever start bookstagramming, or if I'm just looking for new instagrams… feed hopping, that's a great word ?
I love blog hopping! Everyone posts such different and interesting things!! Do you have any tips on how to find new blogs? I’m not really sure how to come across new blogs apart from looking through comments for bloggers?
Like I mentioned in my post, I often find new bloggers by going through comments, just like you said, but also going over on twitter (there are tons of book bloggers there!), or using the Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday lists, on the blogs that are hosting these memes. There are tons of bloggers there, too. I think, once you start, clicking on a comment then the next one… the list of blogs you end up with is endless 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment 🙂
This is a great post, Marie! Haha, and I’m definitely one of those people who have noticed that you seem to be EVERYWHERE in the blogosphere… but another thing I’ve noticed is that you leave genuine and thoughtful comments every time I see you in the comment section of another blog ? I think that’s a really great way to blog hop, because you don’t spread yourself so thin on so many blogs that you don’t take time to really think about a blogger’s post. Like you said above, getting comments on your post feels amazing, but it’s even better when those comments show that someone took the time out of their day to appreciate your writing ?? Blog hopping does take a lot of time, but the inspiration I find from reading other bloggers’ posts and the conversations that come from comments about things I’m passionate about are totally worth my time ?
Oh wow, thank you so much, that means so much to me <3 I am trying my best to always leave thoughtful comments, because that's how I want to chat with other bloggers and how I want to give back to the community. I don't always manage to do that well, but I try ahah 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Zoie! I agree that it feels amazing whenever you know someone has taken the time to read your blog post and appreciate it. It's the best feeling <3 <3
I think it’s so important to check out other blogs everyday. How else can I expect people to read mine? So I make sure I pick a handful of blog posts to read daily. If I have time, I’ll comment on them. If not, I just like them. (Sometimes I can’t think of anything helpful to comment.) I probably spend about an hour a day. I go through my e-mail and just pick from there. Some are topics that look interesting, some are book reviews, and some are anything posted by a blogger that I know I really like.
Oh I understand – and we can’t always be inspired to comment on a blog post, it happens 🙂 and it’s great to read different kind of blog posts, it keeps things interesting for sure 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this topic! 🙂
You’re welcome. Sometimes I don’t really know what to say and it gets awkward. But I do try to comment on some every day.
I understand, sometimes I’m at a loss for words, too. I always try and find some part of the post I can use back in my comment, something that caught my attention a bit more 🙂 and… we can’t always be inspired, that’s okay, too 🙂
Hello. Enjoyed reading your post. I do agree with everything you had said and I do it. I enjoy doing it. Reading other bloggers posts help me keep focused, and teaches me on how to improve my posts.
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you liked this post 🙂
Haha, apparently I’m a stalker since finding new blogs from people’s comments was my #1 way to find new blogs! Nowadays I keep everything on Bloglovin which I absolutely love and has been a HUGE HELP to me. But I agree that as much as I love to blog-hop, sometimes it just takes a long time 🙁 So instead I started scanning through my feed at Bloglovin and picking the top 5 every day that are the most interesting sounding (or more if something really catches my eye). It doesn’t sound like much but it sure keeps me busy.
Hahaha, well… you can join me, I am a bit of a stalker as well 😛
I understand – it is almost impossible to comment on everything, unless we don’t follow a lot of blogs. I think you have a great method – that way, you read posts that you are curious about at the time, has to work well 😀
Thank you so much for your comment!! <3
Loved reading this discussion Marie! I am always changing up my approach to blog hopping. Some weeks I’m way more active than others, it really all depends on what i have going on at work 9-5pm. I love discovering new blogs while blog hopping & so the comment section is something i always look at. I tend to follow those who have “meatier” comments/thoughts on blogs I follow lol. I LOVE blog hopping on Wednesday specifically for the WWW Wednesday posts that allow me to catch up with what my fellow book blogging buddies have finished reading/currently reading, reading next. Monday’s are also cool to blog hop because everyone starts off the week refreshed and ready to post content for the new week. Spreading the love is always the best reason & a nice way to give back to those who support your own content. Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Oh you’re so right – it really depends on what we have going on in our lifes. I think it’s great whenever we can set aside some time to blog hop and share the love <3
Hahahaha I love that you said that… it's exactly what I do, too. Some comments just inspire me, I get a feeling about the blogger behind it and I will want to know more 😛
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Lilly!! <3 <3
I couldn’t agree more! I love when I meet new bloggers in the comment sections, I think this is how I’ve met some of my closest blogging buddies 🙂
<3 <3 <3
Same here! It is pretty amazing 🙂 <3
It’s inspirational how everywhere you are ?. I wish I could comment on as many postst as you do because I’ sure yours is some kind of superpower.
I love blog hopping!! It’s like checking out what my friends are doing or like hey what do other people enjoy posting about. I genuinely love commenting on other people’s posts!! Also it’s great way to make someone smile that day and why jot spead a bit of positivity?!
Sadly I’ve been very busy lately so what even is time to do blogging stuff AND I CRY. I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH ARMS TO COMMENT ON EVERY POST. I need more armsssss.
I think it’s not so much a superpower as it’s just the fact that I am slightly insane and over-doing everything hahaha.
YES, you are the QUEEN of positivity, I think, you really are. Comments and blog hopping are an amazing way to make someone’s day and spread the love <3
Awww, well we all have busy times, don't worry about it! You are doing your very best and let me give you one of my arm in donation 😛 <3
I don’t even remember the amount of times that I’ve said “Marie is everywhere! It’s her not-so-secret superpower!”. I try to blog-hop when I can, but I mostly end up on blogs that I already follow, which doesn’t create the most balanced dynamic. I also try to check out the blogs of people who comment on mine, but it all depends on how much time and energy I have left at the end of the day. I admire your dedication! And I am also really grateful for the tips on your part 🙂 That was really helpful!
I understand your feeling and I don’t have a really balanced dynamic either: I know I end up on the same blogs almost all the time. I want to expand my blog circle a little bit, but I don’t want to ignore the ones I’m already following… it’s hard to balance things well haha.
Thank you, Kat!! I’m so glad this could be helpful <3 <3
Yeah, balancing anything, whether it’s work/life or blog/life or blogging tasks itself – it’s all hard!
It’s hard but… not impossible, I believe. We can do this ?
Excellent post Marie! I try to do the same but as I have basically 2 hours “free” time on all my day when I’m at work I can’t do it as often as I would like. And yet it gets me to read articles like this one 😉
I get the feeling – I wish I could do more, I always with I could do more ahah, but there are only so many hours in a day that we can dedicate to blogging. You’re doing great though!! 🙂 and thank you so much for your comment, that’s so sweet <3 <3
Great Post, Marie! I totally agree with this post! Blog hopping is a must if you want to become a successful blogger but it really takes a hell of a lot of time. I do blog hopping twice or sometimes thrice a week!
Oh thank you so much, Raven! I agree that it takes a LOT of time haha, but I love it. It’s great to grow your blog for sure, but it’s even better to make friends and chat books with incredible people 😀
I love this post, Marie!
I use Bloglovin’ for my blog-hopping. I follow quite a few blogs on there and every day or every few days I’ll go through the new posts and comment on them. Sometimes I don’t go on it for awhile, so there ends up being a ton of posts to read (which can be stressful), but then I mark it all as read so that the number of posts at the top of the Bloglovin button doesn’t stress me out. ?
I really enjoy blog-hopping though. There are so many wonderful blogs I follow, and I really enjoy reading their content/discussing with them. ?
I’ll have to get the hang of Bloglovin’ someday, that website sounds REALLY useful, but for some reason I just can’t manage to use it?? ?
I agree, there are so many incredible blogs out there, it’s always so great to read new content from everyone <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! <3
Yes I do blog hopping, and I got to admit that It’s pretty amazing reading other bloggers’ posts and sharing love with them, also you learn a lot from it.
Yay! I agree that you can learn a lot from other bloggers, it’s so great 🙂
thank you for your comment! 🙂
It’s crazy how sometimes the perfect most relatable posts appear when you need them. I’ve been trying to get back to my old blogging routine and blog hopping was such an important part. It’s been fun finally catching up to all the blogs I follow and interacting with everyone again, but it is true that it is time consuming. I still haven’t found my rhythm yet, but this post gave me a boost. Thank you!
Oh wow, thank YOU for your sweet comment, you just made my day, Esther. I am so happy this could be helpful to you <3 <3 It is so hard to find our rhythm without losing our minds, sometimes I still go a bit crazy ?, but it's also incredible to interact with other people. I love blog hopping, but it's important to find our way to do it and what works best for us 🙂
Thank you so much!! xx
Aw <3 Yes. I think I need to put it on my daily to do list and even on my calendar to make it organized. Hopefully, that will help!
I hope it will! And remember to have fun while doing it and don’t force yourself to 🙂
Blog hopping is something I have been trying to work for me. So far it’s been difficult to find blogs I want to follow to fill up my reader with so I’ve been opting to explore tags and such from the search page. That’s where I found this post! Thank you for sharing!
OH I’m so happy this coul be useful! Thank you for your sweet words, I hope you’ll find incredible bloggers you’ll love to read posts from 🙂
Thank you so much for this post! For some reason, when I found myself lost in blog-hopping I felt a bit guilty that I wasn’t writing a post, working on my blog or reading a book to review. Thanks for reminding me how wonderful it can be, how much fun and how it can also be part of the ‘work’ involved in building a blogging community!
Oh you’re so welcome, thank YOU for your sweet comment! <3 I understand your feeling, but yes, blog-hopping is such a big part of blogging as well and… it's a lot of fun 🙂
I blog hop only using wordpress’ reader. But I really like your idea of bookmarking non-wordpress blogs 🙂
When I first started I was only going to do reviews, but then, through blog-hopping I discovered the wonderful world of Tags and Memes. Now most of my posts are not reviews and I love it and it is so much better!
I always found myself a bit bothered that I couldn’t follow blogs I enjoyed that weren’t on WordPress. I never got the hang of Bloglovin’ and I find that having them bookmarked just works better for me. I hope it will for you, too 😀
YAY! That’s so great! It’s incredible how much inspiration you can find whenever you are blog hopping. I’m glad you are loving blogging more thanks to that 😀
Thank you for your comment! <3
Wow Marie, you are incredibly organized!! I, too try to blog hop, but some days are better than others. I LOVE it when I get comments so I try to share that love and take a look at a bloggers recent posts if I’ve noticed they have liked or commented on mine. Its all about making friends and having conversations. Take care, my friend. Great post!
Aww thank you!! If you could see how messy it is, sometimes ? I’m always trying my best though and that’s what matters? I’m just like you, I try and share the love as much as I can, it is great to be able to start conversations this way <3
Thank you so much!! <3
This is such an awesome post, one that I have really needed. I often worry that I’m not blog-hopping right (such a weird thing to worry about but that’s just me). And while I do a few of the things you have mentioned, you have given me heaps of other ideas on how to spread the love. THANK YOU!!!
Oh wow, you are so welcome, thank YOU for your sweet comment <3 So happy this could be helpful. And I'm sure you are doing it right, as long as you are sharing some love 😀 xx
I can relate to this even if I’m just new. I read about many things and follow different kinds of blogs. I like your blog.
Oh thank you so much!! Happy you enjoyed the post 😀
You’re welcome, Marie.
I’m here and love blog hopping!
I love this post Marie and couldn’t agree more. I love the interaction that comes with blogging and being able to comment on reviews. Seeing people talking about books on blogs and that enthusiasm is infectious. I try to visit lots of blogs but nowadays I only have the time to visit regular readers and those who leave comments unfortunately I think it’s just a common courtesy but what bloggers don’t realise is that that one comment can be the difference in helping a blogger to feel great about their content and themselves <3
It IS infectious and I love it so much 🙂
I agree that one comment can make a huge difference in a bloggers’ life, it can brighten a day, really, and I’m all for that kind of small action. The blogging world is so big, it’s easy to feel lost and like your content doesn’t matter. It’s hard to share the love with everyone, but I do my best to visit back everyone that takes time to stop by my blog and to blog hop regularly to share the love, too 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, Kelly, I’m so happy you’re feeling the same way as I am<3
I’m saving this! I didn’t know I was doing blog hop already but I love this post. It’s very effective I’m sure!? Thank you!!
Aww so happy to hear it, thank you so much!! 🙂
This is wonderful, Marie!!! I definitely agree with all the reasons you stated. BUT I AM AMAZED. I see you everywhere yet you only spend an hour on average commenting? I usually spend 2-3 hours, and only manage to hop to a couple of blogs… It’s either you’re a magician, or maybe it’s just because I have the attention span of a goldfish and need to take a break every couple of minutes. Whoops.
BUT THANK YOU FOR THIS POST I LOVED IT. MUST SHAREEEE THIS EVERYWHERE! <3
I don’t really know how that happens? ? It depends on the moment, obviously, the blog news’ and… my attention span, too ? Usually, when I start, I’m REALLY focused on it all (like, no one exists haha), which allows me to do this pretty efficiently, I think? ?
Thank you so, SO MUCH, that means so much to me!! <3 <3
I hop about an hour a day as well. I love seeing what everyone is reading or what discussions they are having. It makes me feel like I am really part of all this too.
Yay!! I’m so glad you feel the same way. Nothing like spending time chatting with other bloggers to feel like we belong here 🙂 <3
THIS IS SUUUCH AN IMPORTANT POST MARIE ❤️❤️? Thank you for sharing !! A LOTT of my books def come from blog hopping and discovering new friends too 🙂 Time consuming the least but oh sooo worth it ?
YES haha it’s so time-consuming, but so much fun as well <3
Thank you so much!! <3 <3
This is such a great idea…meeting new people with similar interest by simply appreciating their work or commenting. For a newbie blogger like me, this is a great tip! Thanks.
Ps. I loved your blog in general. So many interesting posts to read!
Oh you are so welcome 🙂 I hope you’ll discover great blogs and that you will have fun 😀
And thank you so, so much for your sweet words, that means so much to me <3 <3
I absolutely love blog hopping. Especially if I found pretty and informative blogs to read lol.
Ahah yes, it’s the best, when you find blogs that you just “click” with, somehow 😀
Thank you so much for your comment!! <3
Oh goodness, this is something that I know I have to work on! I always try to visit blogs and posts that look good to read and visit and comment, but it’s the rhythm and the frequency that always gets me. Love this post! 🙂
I understand – it’s SO hard to keep up and to find a right rhythm that doesn’t exhaust us or make us feel like we’re not doing enough. You can do this! 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!! xx
I really don’t blog hop enough! I just never find the time which is sad because there are so many amazing blogs out there (including yours <3)!
Aw thank you, Lia, that’s so sweet!! <3 It takes a lot of time, but for me it's so rewarding to do it a little bit every chance I get. I love it <3
I think it’s great how much you blog hop Marie, it’s something I need to try and do more myself and I will definitely be using these tips. One thing I sometimes use to blog hop is when people post ‘Around the Blogosphere’ posts and sections in their monthly recaps like you do. It’s a great way for me to come across new posts I may have missed and a great way to discover new bloggers as well. I do the inception blog hop within blog comments thing a fair it, but I don’t have Twitter (yet) or Bloglovin’ so I’m potentially missing out a little there (something for me to worry about another day, maybe something I can use to kick start me into actually creating a Twitter account sooner rather than later!)
Great post Marie, and I think these are brilliant tips which I will try and follow more because I 100% agree with you when you say blog hopping is fun for so many reasons! 😀 <3
OH yes, that is such an amazing tip I forgot to mention – I use these kind of recaps as well to discover new blogs, it is so useful 🙂
Well.. twitter can be fantastic, but it’s also really not good for your mental health haha I know it sometimes really is hard, for me. But it’s a great place, too hahaha. 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment!! <3 <3
Yep, you discover through one good post amazing blogs! Win win I guess. 🙂
Well here’s hoping there’s more of the great on Twitter than the not so great.
That’s all right! <3 Xxx
This is a great post! I try to make it to 5 blogs a day. I like to try and comment and share each post. It’s hard though. I always try to visit my regular ones that I email subscribe to before I check feedly.
Oh thank you so much! It is so great that you have your own rhythm and blogs to follow like that 🙂
OMG this post was amazing! I loved the way you described the process of blog hopping! I too have recently began blog hopping and I found this post SO helpful as to learning more ways to learn about others blog! As a new be blogger I appreciate all your how to discussions!
Great post! Happy reading 🙂
Oh thank you SO much, that means a lot to me that you found this helpful!! <3 I hope you will discover tons of amazing bloggers and will have fun 🙂
Thanks again, you are so sweet <3
one of my favorite things to do was blog hopping! i’m happy that i’m still doing it!
reading other people’s work has always been a part of my life, but leaving a comment is always a bit stressful, and a habit that i only developed once i created my own blog. my introverted self can’t help but type and re-type the same phrase over and over again. but, surprisingly, when writing a comment is when i feel the most comfortable. interacting with people through twitter and other social medias is even scarier in my opinion, but the comment section allows me to write my beloved long paragraphs, and i can express myself better. however, i do like blog hopping through twitter. (back to a longlonglong time ago when i still had the energy to use it), i’d follow people there first, and then check out their blogs. i’d rather approach them here than anywhere else!
I understand your thoughts about twitter, I find it easier to reach out to people and express myself through comments than on twitter, too, somehow. I feel much better ranting and leaving my long comments in comments section, too 🙂
I think you are doing great, Lais, you always leave the sweetest comments, it warms my heart so much every single time <3 <3 thank you!! <3
I sure do aswell ! maybe not every day, but maybe every two days ? I check my reader, find one that interrest me (some things don’t… but that’s okay !) leave a comment, and repeat ! sometimes I even browse more of that blogger xD and of course every day I go reply to the comments on my posts and try to find something on theirs to return the comment 🙂
Yay!! That’s so great, blog hopping is so much fun and I love being able to chat with other bloggers and share the love. <3
Thank you so much for your comment, Kristina! <3 <3
I love blog hopping and I’m always looking for new blogs to follow! Though I admit it is pretty hard and stressful to comment on all the blogs all the time, so I do tend to limit to my favorite blogs at times. But when I do want to discover new blogs, I mainly blog hop via comments (like in your posts!). I actually found quite a number of new blogs to follow through your blogoversary post! 😀
Awesome discussion Marie 😀 <3
It is hard and stressful to comment on everything and I often put too much pressure on myself for that haha. It’s good to limit ourselves sometimes, too, for our sanity I guess 😛
Awww this makes me so happy, I’m glad you found great blogs thanks to my post! 😀
Thank you, Valerie!! <3
I love blog-hopping too! I’ve just moved over to WordPress and have started using the Reader, which is how i’ve just found your blog! I didn’t realise WordPress puts in suggestions of people you don’t follow. I’m happy they do because i’ve followed you and have found an amazing blog to read! I never knew about Top Ten Tuesdays etc, so i’ll definitely check them out! Are they a linkies? xx
http://www.jesseatsandtravels.com
Oh thank you for your sweet words, that means so much to me! <3 And welcome to WordPress, I hope you're having fun so far 😀
Top Ten Tuesdays are linkies for book bloggers, yes, every week there is a different theme and you have to come up with ten books to fit the theme : http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html 🙂
For a begininger like me this was really great info and advice ?? I will try this!
Aw I’m so glad to hear it! You’re welcome, thank YOU for your sweet comment! 🙂
This blog post comes just at the right time! I was thinking yesterday I should perhaps spread love less in the shadow. I always thought that leaving comments, share blog posts were something important but I don’t know why I never do it. Silly since I ‘ blog hop ’ daily. Well, time to change that! ?
Oh, and I never noticed, but you’re French? ?
Oh I’m so glad to hear it!! I hope you will have fun spreading some love. Even writing down some comments and starting conversations here and there are so great. It’s rewarding when, this way, you can find new people to chat with and even become real friends. <3
Yes, I am French, why? 😀
Thank you so much for your sweet comment and for stopping by! <3 <3
I’m aiming to leave at least three comments a day! Start slow, but steadily. I’ll see how it goes! ?
Oh, cool! Then, we are neighbours! ? I’m from Switzerland.
Yay! That’s a great resolution, I hope you’ll make it 😀
OHHH that’s great, I’m not that far from Switzerland and already went there (and through to visit Italy) a couple times already. Your country is sooooo beautiful <3
I blog-hop occasionally, but I really should make time for it more often.
Oh well that’s still great to spread some love whenever you can. Everyone has their own rhythm 🙂
thank you for stopping by! 😀
i feel so bad because you always comment on my posts and then i always think ill catch up on your posts but i never do im sorry Marie YOU DESERVE BETTER
but blog hopping is important and it helps stats SO much and its like,, REALLY STRESSFUL AS WELL which is why Im doing it right now and currently dying with all these tabs open. why am i like this. you are the blog hopping queen and im going to bookmark this so thank you.
Don’t say that, you are THE BEST and I am always thrilled to see you on here, whether you catch up with all my posts or just one or not at all. YOU ARE THE SWEETEST thank you <3 <3
YEEES, blog hopping is super stressful. maybe I made it sound easy in my post, but really it freaks me out at times and makes me want to hide hahaha. One thing at a time, one blog at a time, I guess? <3
You're so welcome, thank you for your sweet comment <3 <3 <3
I’ve started blog hopping more often now, but still nowhere near as much as you! I’d love to do more but sometimes just lack the time. For now, I subscribe to a few blogs and read/comment on any posts which interest me based on their title. It’s quite a selective process but it works for me due to my lack of free time.
I’m definitely going to check out blogs on Twitter now, thanks for the suggestion! I find that not all blogs are for me so it’s great to have a new place to check out all the blogs.
I understand your process and… finding time is the hardest, honestly, it’s what I struggle with the most, finding time to do it all 🙂
And it’s best to focus on the blog posts that interests us and somehow attracts us, by their title or anything… if we did read everything… I don’t know it’s just not possible to read everything unless we have all day free to do so, ahah 🙂
You’re so welcome, thank you so much for your sweet comment!! <3
I have nothing else to say that you haven’t already mentioned here, Marie, but I really love what you did with your post! You’ve mentioned so many great tips and why it’s great to blog-hop.
I try to do it as much as possible but sometimes it does get a bit too overwhelming, especially when I don’t have the time and basically end up postponing everything.
The WP feed is a huge help in this department, otherwise I’d be super lost in all my e-mails hahaha Of course, there are always those blogs I treasure in my heart and will always check them out as soon as I can, so I don’t have to think too hard. It’s the newer blogs that I take longer to get to, but I’m proud to say I always manage to, one way or another.
Amazing post! <3 And thank you for always supporting my blog, you rock ^_^ <3
Oh thank you so, so much, Sophie <3
I agree, sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming and… we can't do it all, we can only try and do our best.
I think we have the same process, ahah, I am really thankful for the WP reader and it takes me a bit more time to get around to other blogs, but ultimately I do. Or try my best to share some love <3
Thank you again for your sweet comment! And of course, your blog is incredible <3
I think we do, huh? Hahaha
Aw thank you so much, lovely! Your blog is absolutely amazing as well and it’s always a pleasure to stop by <3 ?
Awww, you <3 <3 you're the sweetest <3
Right back at you <3 <3 ^^
Blog-hopping is awesome! I used to be better at it than I am nowadays, though. I have been so very busy with work, and so I have been slacking when it comes to visits. I aim to change that in 2018, though. I think it’s really important to interact with other bloggers – there are so many interesting discussion posts, great reviews, and link-ups to participate in.
Great post, Marie 🙂
Oh I understand – it’s so hard to stay on top of things when we are busy. Blogs are moving so fast and before we know it, there are tons of new bloggers and new blog posts to catch up on, it’s INSANE haha. 🙂 but it’s also great to interact with other bloggers, as much as we can, it’s so great to chat and meet new friends 🙂
thank you SO much for your sweet comment, Lexxie! <3
You have a new follower! Thanks you for the nice read! I am starting to blog-hop, too!
Aw thank you so much! I hope you’re having fun 😀
Great post and I’ll admit I’ve slowed when it comes to blog hopping, but really want to start doing this again. Love the ideas on where to look for blogs to go to. I personally use Bloglovin and bookmarks. I’ve slowed on doing memes myself as well, but it used to work really well. Happy Reading!
Oh thank you so much, Ali 🙂 I think it’s good ot slow down every once in a while, we all need to find our own rhythm with our own lives going on and what we can do. Happy reading to you too 😀
I love blog-hopping! I’m only just getting back into blogging and blog-hopping and I feel like I have missed so much! I’m definitely going to try and leave at least 15 minutes a day dedicated to hopping – I just need to keep my fingers crossed I remember!
Lauren @ My Expanding Bookshelf
Ahhh welcome back to blogging, I hope you’ll have tons of fun 🙂
It’s great to blog-hop and find new amazing blogs to follow and new friends to chat with <3
Thank you so much, Lauren! <3
That’s a really amazing post! 🙂 I have been struggling with blog hopping lately because I have been so stressed, which made me feel really bad as I wanted to show the blogs I follow all the love 😮 But you really made me realize that it’s best to dedicated a certain time of the day to going through blog posts and comments – this is likely going to work for me and be better than comments and reading in huge chunks!
I understand your thoughts – I sometimes feel that way too, like I have to share ALL the love and comment on EVERYONE’s posts. I am doing my best to, but sometimes it’s overwhelming and just leads to a massive burn-out. I think it’s good to dedicate a bit of time to it and really comment when we are inspired and don’t force ourselves. We have to keep this fun 🙂 <3
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Caro!! <3 <3
That’s exactly how it feels for me as well, I really love reading the blogs and commenting, but it can get overwhelming real fast. I have been trying to dedicate a daily time for commenting but with university stress it hasn’t quite worked yet ? I’m going to keep trying though!
???
Don’t give up! We all have our own rhythm depending on our lives and the time we have, I believe you’ll find yours 😀
Thank you, that’s really uplifiting to hear! 🙂 My semester is about to finish (just two weeks left) so that also means more time for blogging and commenting 🙂
Ohh, I hope your semester has been great, and yay for more blogging 😀
My semester was actually pretty stressful, but next semester is hopefully going to be better 🙂 I’m so excited to have more time for that ♥
I hope it will be better this semester, yes and that you’ll feel a bit more relaxed <3 <3
Thank you ♥ The semester is now over, so apart from 2 papers, I have a bit less stress 🙂
Yay, I’m so happy to hear that <3
I’m aiming to leave at least three comments a day! Start slow, but steadily. I’ll see how it goes! ?
Oh, cool! Then, we are neighbours! ? I’m from Switzerland.
Oh, bloody hell. I messed up with the comments! Sorry! ?
Ahahah don’t worry about it… happens to me half the time as well 😛
Thank you Marie! This is my first day on WordPress. I started to customize my site today. I happened to blog hop without knowing it. I look forward to reading more from you. Have a fantastic day. Stay inspired. ??
Aw thank YOU for your sweet comment! <3 I hope you'll have a fantastic day as well and have tons of fun blogging <3
You’re most welcome. Thank you! ? I just published my “About Me” page. I’m still learning how to navigate the website and app. I’m hoping to write my first blog tonight. Take care. ?
YAY, that’s great!! I hope you’ll get the hang of it soon and will have fun 😀
Thank you Marie. I appreciate it. 🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂
I won’t lie, it stresses me out. A lot. I like doing it too though- so that’s an interesting conundrum. Basically, I wish I had more time to do it. I used to be so stressed by it that I was basically drowning in comments, and I realized that was BAD. So I scaled back- in both commenting AND posting (figured if I post less stuff, I will have fewer comments to respond to, right? ?)
But I think it’s a really positive thing to do for all the reasons you listed- so I definitely don’t want to NOT do it. I just need to find more of a balance, somehow. Now, I try to not stress if I can’t respond to ALL the comments, because I am human. I DO try to keep up with my faves as much as possible, and I feel bad if more than a week goes by and I haven’t visited! This is a great post, Marie!!!
I think we are the same person, Shannon?? ? ? I love blog-hopping and I wanted to give out advice and say how fun it was, but… to be honest, it really stresses me out at times. I’m sometimes drowning and I feel like it’s both a good and a bad thing?? ?
I understand your thoughts so, so much here. I try and do the same thing, I always try and find the right balance, mostly with my blog-hopping sessions. I want to spend time visiting my favorites’ blogs, but there is a time when you realize you just can’t do it all. One blog at a time I guess 😀
Thank you so, so much!! <3 <3
I love this! I’m new and was searching around for something to read while familiarizing myself with WordPress. Thanks for the tips and direction!!
Oh you’re so welcome, I hope you’ll have fun 🙂
I love this post and you sure are one magical unicorn for showering us all with glitter ?
But seriously I know how hard blog hopping can be but I also know how much fun it can be! I love reading and commenting on other people’s post especially because I know hoe much time goes into creating something you’re proud of. Like you I try and put some time aside everyday for blog hopping, I don’t always have something to say though, but this is definitely something I’m working on.
Amazing post as always, Marie ?
Aww thank you so much, Michelle <3 <3
I agree, it's so great to be able to spread the love, even if just a little bit. People are working so hard on their blogs sometimes, I think it's important to show them a bit of support 😀
Thank you so much <3 <3
I think that how you blog hop is great. I SUCK at blog hopping, because i generally suck with social media and that’s what I’m trying to improve in 2018!! I’m really trying to comment more on other’s posts because I love to spread the love!! I think that my following how you do it (an hour a day) would be a great way for me to be better with commenting on other people’s posts because I think that I really need to sit down and spend more time commenting on other’s posts (ie expand the circle of bloggers that I comment on regularly)
This was such a great post, thank you for sharing it!!
Oh you’re so welcome, thank you for taking the time to read it and stopping by, you are so sweet <3 <3
Expanding the circle of bloggers I am commenting on is something I'd always love to do, unfortunately there are way too many bloggers for me to keep up ? ? I think it's great anyway to spread some love, even if it's just a little, one blog after another. You can make someone's day and It makes me SO happy 🙂
Thank you!! xx
I love blog hopping and finding new blogs. One of my favorite ways is one you mentioned: going through comments on other people’s posts and visiting the commenters. I wish I could do that even more often. Blog hopping can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it’s worth it to grow your blog and form relationships in the blogging community!
Oh yes, sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s incredible to meet other bloggers and chat and just grow our little blogging circle. I love that so much 🙂
thank you so much for your sweet comment, Nicole! <3 <3
These are some great ideas, I am not great at blog hopping. I do all of mine on the weekend, I am usually too busy after work and can’t seem to make the time. I think part of it is because I do it all at once and I get tired so I procrastinate for another week haha, vicious circle. I tend to read and like a lot of posts but I don’t always comment as much as I should. I have a handful that I really enjoy so I make sure to comment more often on those.
I understand your thoughts – it is hard sometimes to make time to blog hop and read some blogs and when we start… it is so easy to feel overwhelmed with it all. I know I do most of the time ? but it’s so rewarding when we can have great conversations with other bloggers. I think the thing that works best for me is to have time dedicated to blog-hopping sessions 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! <3 <3
I think I will try to spread it out a bit more, so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming.
I think it’s a great strategy 🙂
I am having such a hard time replying to comments and blog-hopping these days. I have to choose between reading and blogging 🙁 I love this post and I hope it’ll help me stop feeling guilty about not being as active as I used to be!
I understand – I feel guilty whenever I can’t blog hop as much and bad when I take breaks as well, but… we need to take care of ourselves and do whatever we like and can handle. You are doing great my Sweechie!! <3 <3 <3
Though I have been blogging for a while now, it is only pretty recently I found my voice to actually have a conversation with people and you know, blog hop. And in this 6-7 months of time, I have found so many bookish and bloggish friends, mostly via Twitter and WP reader. The blog hop also gave me the final push to move to self hosted WordPress.
As you do, I allocate an hour or so every day to see what my dear peeps have done, mostly outta curiosity and slightly cuz they left a comment on my blog. The latter is a starting point for me to begin meeting people . Now I have joined the Comment365 challenge as well.
It took me a little while to find my voice as well, but once I did… I never came back haha. It is amazing to be able to meet fellow bloggers this way and have great conversations 🙂
The Comment 365 challenge sounds amazing, it’s such a great way to spread more love to other bloggers 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your comment and for stopping by 🙂
Absolutely brilliant post and amazing guide!! I love bloghopping (unfortunately I can’t do it all the time- would that I could 😉 ) it’s such an amazing way to make friends and it’s endlessly inspiring. Yeah I learnt that a while back about reader- it’s good to know. Honestly I’m beginning to feel guilty about how rarely I go on bloglovin 😉 And lists and bookmarks are great 😀
Hahaha I feel SO guilty about not using bloglovin’ so much, I just… can’t seem to take any kind of habit with it. I just don’t go on it haha, I’d rather bookmark my favorites, it feels easier somehow 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your comment! <3 <3
hehe yes me too. Yeah it really does 😉
You’re welcome!! <3 <3
BLOG Hopping is super fun, and realistically the best way to improve your own traffic too. Great post!
Yay! I’m so glad you agree 🙂 Thank you so much for your comment! <3
You really ARE everywhere.
This post made me realize something important. I primarily use Bloglovin’ to keep track of blogs I follow, but I know that more and more people and tending to use the WordPress reader. So even though I follow 90+ blogs on Bloglovin’, a lot of those people probably don’t even know because it doesn’t show up in their WordPress blog follows. :/ Looks like I might have the follow on both platforms from now on, or switch to primarily using the WordPress reader. (Also commenting more. I’m more of a reader & leaver.)
I hope that’s said in a positive way and not in a “not you again” kind of way ?
To be honest, whenever I look at my followers, I mostly look at them on WordPress, and sometimes I might miss amazing blogs that are following me on Bloglovin’, since I don’t use it too much :/ I hope that the wordpress reader will work out well for you, I find it really easy to use and to keep track of everyone 🙂
Thank you for your comment, Emily! <3
Ahh I love this post SO MUCH Marie! I agree with everything you said here, you offer some amazing tips and they’re super helpful, especially considering how you, are, in fact, EVERYWHERE and I’m so in awe of you for always being so consistent with your blog hopping, because I’m the.. complete opposite aah. But blog hopping takes so much time and energy and it kind of stresses me out sometimes because I want to visit ALL THE BLOGS but there are only so many hours in the day??? (WHY.) Amazing amazing post Marie as always !! <3
Well… thank you? ? I might be everywhere, I try my best and be consistent, but at times it’s exhausting. I need to chill, too ?? I understand that feeling so, so much, I want to visit all the blogs but there are too many and we can’t do everything, that’s impossible haha.
Thank you!!! <3 <3 <3
Since I just started blogging, blog hoping might help me a lot. Nice tips XD
Thank you so much! 🙂
I called it blog walking, not blog hop. Blog walking is more popular term between Indonesia blogger but I saw lot my international friend use blog hop term 😀 totally agree with what you said here 😀
Oh I did not know that, that’s great to know! 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3
My pleasure ?
It is easy to get in the habit of reading a post and thinking it was quite good, but then not commenting. I remind myself a lot to be more intentional about seeking out opportunities to interact.
That’s great! Interacting can be so much fun 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
This is why I love the Discussion Challenge Nicole hosts, because I click on interesting titles (such as this one) and then get to both say hi to blogging friends and discover new blogs and points of view.
I am not very good about using Bloglovin’ or WordPress features, so what I often do is click open a bunch of interesting sounding posts and leave them all up, then come back over the next day or two, read them, and comment as I can. I’m not very traffic-motivated, so it really is about enjoying other people’s work and take on life and books.
Aww this makes me so happy 🙂 and you’re so right – even if blog hopping might help with gaining traffic, what I love the most is to find new amazing bloggers, great point of views to read on particular topics and make new friends, too 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3
Great post. Blog hopping does take a lot of time. Probably more time than the actual writing of posts. What I usually do is I go through and visit the blogs who’ve stopped by my site first. Then I go onto Bloglovin and spent maybe another hour or so hopping around on there. I’m not able to do it every day but I make a point to do it at least twice a week. Like you said, it’s very time consuming but it’s really great getting to stop by and read all the posts. I’ve found some great blogs and new books by hopping around.
I agree – I spend more time blog hopping every week than I spend time on my blog posts haha. It’s crazy how time-consuming it is, but it’s also so great to be able to meet amazing people, chat with them and get incredible recommendations 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
Hi Marie!! Love this post and I have to agree – you ARE everywhere!!! That’s amazing how much time you dedicate to blog-hopping and I can tell that it really pays off.
It is so helpful to hear from you what works in terms of blog-hopping. Before, I used to blog hop randomly when I have time (when it’s not busy at work, when I have a few extra moments before bed) and now that things are busy in my life at the moment, I completely fell off the blog-hopping wagon! I do like your tip of finding a dedicated time on a daily/weekly basis just to focus on blog-hopping. I think I will try that out 🙂
And wow- I didn’t know that it is only a “visit” when someone clicks out of the reader! I will have to do that from now on!!
Wishing you a wonderful week Marie <3
Aww Sophie, thank you, you’re so sweet! <3 <3 I'm doing my very best to spread the love as much as I can, I love blog-hopping so much and it's so great to be able to chat with so many people 🙂
I think it's so easy to… forget about it and then feel overwhelmed and not knowing where to start. I like having time dedicated to it, so I can go through all the blogs and spread some love. It is a rhythm to take but I love it now 🙂
Thank you, I hope you'll have a lovely weekend! <3 <3
Haha yes, it is overwhelming to get back into blog-hopping after taking a break. I really do love blog-hopping, so I think I’ll have to get back into that rhythm again 🙂
I’m sure you will find your own rhythm again, it always takes a little while 🙂
I love blog hopping and sharing the love on the blog posts I read! I usually start by going through my email and make my way to Twitter or Facebook to find more blog posts. I sometimes spend way too much time blog hopping though and I don’t get other much needed blog work done.
Ahah, well it is pretty easy to get lost in other blogs and just end up forgetting about the rest, haha 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment, Jenn! <3
Oh, Marie, this was such a beautiful post and exactly what I needed to read right now. ? I haven’t been blog hopping, commenting on posts, & replying to comments since my mental health hasn’t been in the best place lately, and I feel so bad about it before realizing that my health comes before blogging! (I’m feeling better, hence the influx of comments on your posts. ?)
But I definitely agree that blog-hopping is amazing! I LOVE to spread the blogger love, and I also love to chat & make new friends! Blog-hopping definitely is where that interaction comes in and it makes blogging so much more fun. ?
OH thank you so much lovely, you’re the sweetest and I am so happy you found this post at the right time and that it could be helpful <3
I'm right here with you on that, you should always come before blogging and blog hopping and everything (now that's a lesson I need to follow myself?) and we all need to have our own rhythm. I do hope you are feeling better now and I am ALWAYS AND FOREVER here to talk and to give you mangoes to make you feel better, always remember that! <3 <3
Thank you so much!! <3 <3
Aww, Marie, thank you so so much! Your words mean a lot to me. ?❤❤
YOU ARE THE BEST and I will always cheer you on and remind you that YOU ARE AWESOMEEE.
Because I work IRL, blog hopping is a luxury. BUT I do hop at least every other day. I subscribe to my favorite blogs and I also read and hop blogs in memes that I participate on and I also comment back. I agree that it is a fun way to “meet” new bloggers!
I work full-time IRL just as well 🙂 Blog-hopping is something that takes a whole lot of time out of our days, I agree, but it’s so important for me to do so as much as I can, it is a fun way to meet new bloggers and have incredible conversations, I agree 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
Love this post Marie! Especially about recognizing other book bloggers hard work!
Only a book blogger knows how much works goes into it! So many bloggers quite blogging precisely because they don’t have enough social interaction. for some reason blogging following and blog commenting were two separate activity in my head. I like how you put them together!
Oh thank you so much, Daniela, that’s so sweet, I am so happy you enjoyed this post <3
For me… blog following, blogging stats, comments and the whole blogging experience… it all goes together. I don't think that anything would be like it is now for me if it weren't for comments: my blogging stats, my blogging experience and the fun I have 😀
Omigosh, I love that glitter GIF 😀 and I love this post 🙂
Organizing… YESSS. Actually, my WordPress reader is sort of a nightmare now 😀 it has so many blogs, and it’s all people I should be following, but the problem with the reader is that you CAN’T create categories. I have found Feedly lately, and it does categories so cleanly!!! And it can even mark articles as read an unread! So that’s where I’m keeping my favorite blogs now 🙂 although rather, where I WILL be keeping them, when I find some time for that. GAH 😀 you know how it is lately with me and the communities. *cough* 100+ unreplied comments on my blog *cough* LOL
But seriously, if you haven’t tried Feedly yet, it could change your blog hopping universe.
And just know I always want to visit you more! <3 I only don't cause I'd physically die xD But I never forget your blog 🙂
Oh thank you so much for the tip, I did not know about Feedly at all. It is a bit annoying not to have categories on the WordPress Reader, I am not getting too lost for now, I guess I’m okay ? but I do like that category idea. Will have to check it out 🙂
and finding time is the hardest thing ever, I agree. but it feels great when we can, I love spreading a bit of love everywhere, it’s amazing <3 <3
Awww you're so sweet, don't worry about it! Thank you so much for taking some time to stop by, means a lot!!<3 <3
This is such a great post, Marie! One of my 2018 Goals was to get back in touch with blogging and the community – I feel I’ve lost out on so much connection because I keep getting caught up in the stress of work. 9-5 jobs are NO fun! Lol!
This post just reinvigorated that goal I made. I think I’ll start by blog-hopping once a week and then take it from there. Thank you so much for inspiring me with your blogging success!!!! 😀
Uggghh I get it, living it too, 9 to 5 jobs are NO fun at all ??
You’re SO welcome, thank YOU so much for your sweet comment, you are WAY too sweet <3 I hope you will get back to blog hopping and will love it 😀
I’M LAUGHING SO HARD BECAUSE I HAVE SAID THAT YOU ARE EVERYWHERE ???
Anyway this is great advice Marie! I want to blog hop more but I’ve been really struggling with it since… well since the start of my second year at uni I guess (but then again I’ve been struggling with blogging as a whole since then). You’re right that I shouldn’t force myself – that way I won’t even really enjoy the blog posts I read and I won’t be able to leave a genuine comment – that way none of us get anything out of it. Really needed this post thank you 🙂
I was thinking of YOU when I wrote that line ?
Oh you’re so welcome! I’m glad this helps. I think what matters the most is to have fun while blogging and NOT to force yourself to do anything 🙂
I loved this post! This year I’m really dedicated to showing my appreciation for fellow bloggers. I used to read and leave a like, but I’m having so much fun meeting new people, just like you wrote about! I think that it truly brings out the best about blogging — the community! I’m really happy I randomly found your blog ?
Oh thank you so much, so happy you enjoyed this post! <3 It is so much fun, being able to chat with fellow bloggers in comments and build relationships and fangirl like that, it's one of the greatest things ever, I think 😀
Aww thank you for your sweet comment!! <3 <3
Those are all the reasons why I always try and make time to blog hop every day. Some days that means flying through a lot of blogs, but some days it’s just making so I only read one. It can get overwhelming so it is true that it’s really important to go at your own pace. Brilliant tips!
I agree, sometimes it REALLY gets overwhelming, it’s important to know what we can do and try not to stress out too much about it. It’s about giving out some love after all 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your comment! <3
I normally blog hop about 1-2 times a week, and use bloglovin’ (I never got into the WordPress reader, and this has all types of blogs, wordpress or not, plus keeps the formatting). I’m really bad at discovering new people though! I have to have a lot of energy to find them, haha. Anyway, I really like this advice.
I go into the WordPress reader, but always click on the blog to actually go on it to read the blog post + comment. That way, I don’t miss anything of the formatting and give the blog an actual visit. Makes me open 100 tabs at once, but… whatever hahaha. 🙂
It’s so hard to find new people – it takes a whole lot of time and energy, I agree… every once in a while, it’s fun though 🙂
Thank you so much, Shar! <3
Allo, Marie!
First of all, thank you so much for dropping my blog whenever you can! I do see the wonders of blog hopping and I wish I had the time in the day to actually blog hop! You’ve made really wonderful points about blog hopping, actually and the part where we share the love of books and support each other is SO true!
This is such a great post, friend! <3
Hi Kevin! Oh it’s my pleasure, I always love dropping by and reading your reviews, they’re always amazing to read <3
I get it, I wish we had more time in the day to do everything, as well! 🙂
Thank you so, so much! 🙂
‘Marie, you’re everywhere’ is a very good description for what’s going on. I think everyone in the blogging community thinks you’re some kind of The Flash (but for commenting). But this post is so helpful because it really helps bloggers meet other bookworms, it helps your blog a lot because people start to know you more and it’s just such a nice way to spread positivity. You’re so good at doing this! I try to comment as much as I can, sometimes it’s very tiring and draining, but it’s also very rewarding and I love supporting other bloggers. I still feel like you should learn me your ways, because guuuurl, you’re everywhere! HAHAHA. I love you! The book blogging community would never be the same without you! <3
I am NOT the Flash hahaha, I do try my best <3 You're right, sometimes it is tiring and draining, yet the positivity and warm answers we get and everything, THAT is so very worth it <3 <3
Awwww you are so sweet, I don't know about that haha, thank you!! <3 <3
Hi Marie!
I have been reading your blog for the last hour and may I just say that I ADMIRE YOU SO MUCH? I adore your style and how you blog. And when I read this article, I had to leave a comment because I am not very active in the blog community (if it’s a thing) and I want to but I never knew how (thank you for teaching me how to blog hop). Anyway, I am so glad I found your blog. I can’t wait to spend many more hours getting lost in your brilliant work! (Also it feels good to meet other French book bloggers who speak in English on social media.)
Love always,
Clara x
Hi Clara,
I have been staring at your comment for the past ten minutes, at a loss for words, because wow. THANK YOU so much for this sweet comment, you just made my day so much brighter <3 <3
I feel like being active in the blogging community is tricky and really, comes from and in different ways. I know I am way more active on blogs, while blog hopping and commenting, because it is where I feel the most at ease. Other people will be very active on social media or incredible on bookstagram (like you are. seriously. I am in love with your account). To each their own preferences 🙂 I find so many incredible bloggers every day and I am so grateful for that <3
Thank you again for your comment, this means the world to me <3 And it's so great to meet another French blogger as well… I don't feel so weird wanting to speak English on social media and on my blog, ahah 🙂
Marie, you really are an angel!! Okay so first of all, thank you for talking about my Instagram. I didn’t know you knew about it and your simple mention made me smile like crazy! Second of all, it is hard to be active there, especially when you know nothing about it but I’m definitely going to try and if it means meeting adorable people like you, then it’s even better!! Thank YOU once again and I’m so glad my comment made you smile. I’m also very happy we can talk in English together regardless of our mother tongue haha! All the love!! x
Oh that makes me so happy! Of course, I love your Instagram so, so much, I had to mention it, you are doing such an amazing job with it <3
There are so many adorable people in the community, I hope you will meet many of them and that you will have a great time! And if you don't know where to start, always happy to help! 🙂
You're so welcome, I love that too ahah, I wonder why English comes so naturally for us… guess we were born in the wrong country :p
Great post, and I totally agree. Blog hopping is great for meeting new like minded people and making new blogger friends. I don’t do it every day, but I tend to have a Saturday and Sunday morning spurt at it. The same as you, I use wordpress reader and twitter mainly.
Happy hopping!
Amanda.
Oh thank you so much for your sweet comment, Amanda 🙂 it is a lot of fun to blog hop, we can read so many great posts and meet amazing people 🙂 x
I love this so much! I’m a (relatively) new blogger, and I’ve been spending every Sunday blog hopping as much as possible. I love discovering new blogs!
Oh thank you so much – so happy you enjoyed this post 🙂 I hope you’re having fun blogging! 🙂
The WordPress Reader is such a lifesaver when it comes to blog hopping! I also use Bloglovin, though that gets overwhelming at times. I definitely want to make an effort to blog hop more! <3
Oh yes I agree, it makes things much easier that’s for sure. I never quite got the hang of bloglovin’, but I really need to! 🙂 x
Thank you so much, Holly !:) x
Hehe I’m reading this while on a blog hop and it took me a tremendous effort to tell myself hey you loved this post, take some time to comment now!
For blog hopping I usually kep hundreds of tabs open in Google(yours has been here since a month or maybe two?) and then I get to them whenever possible! I blog hop whenever the mood arises 🙂
But a huge thanks for all your tips, I really loved this post ?
Oh I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this post and could take something from it all, it means a lot, thank you!! <3 <3
Blog-hopping is so much fun and it is incredible to meet and chat with other amazing bloggers 😀
So true! Blog Hopping is the backbone of the blogging community, I love to go on the comments section of posts I like and just click away
It IS a lot of fun, isn’t it? I love chatting with and getting to know other bloggers 😀
Hi there… I found your post through a search for ‘blog hop’ as there is a list of blogs at the end of one of the blogs I follow that is an actual ‘hop’. It’s quite a specific niche and I don’t think I’ll hop onto the list (it would involve adding something in HTML at the end of a new post I think) but it is tempting…
Thanks for your tips. I’ve not begun to understand Twitter yet – just joined recently but haven’t spent any time on it (as you say, I’m sure it’s very easy to become lost… and I’m sure I will at some point) and am just using the Reader for now. So many blogs, so little time ?
Oh you’re so right, so many blogs and so little time, I agree haha 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment, I hope you’ll have fun blog hopping!
This is a fantastic post, Marie! I sometimes do blog hop, and when I do, I end up with like 50 tabs open in my browser! It can be kind of overwhelming, but it’s a great way to find other book blogs.
Oh thank you so much, Aria, I’m so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
RIGHT? It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with everything there is to read and the infinite numbers of blogs out there. Yet, it’s amazing, too, to see such a big community of book lovers 😀
I love blog hopping but it can be difficult finding the time. I try to do it on the weekends, that way I won’t get overwhelmed during my week
I get that! It’s SO difficult to find the time and the rhythm, it quickly gets overwhelming.We’re all doing our best 🙂
Much appreciated for the advice! I’m going to implement your suggestions in my own daily tasks to make blog hopping easier!
Ahh you’re welcome, I hope this will help and that you will have fun! 🙂
Hi! I’m also into blog-hopping! Probably way more than actually blogging (lol) Actually, I found your blog while doing one of my blog-hopping inception, as you call it. Definitely not stalking ? Right now, my rhythm is reading 5 days worth of blog posts on my WordPress Reader everyday. That’s cause I have nothing else to do anyway, what with being in quarantine. Hope you’re safe wherever you are right now. I’ve read around three-five posts of you already and I’m loving them. Thank you!
Ahh I’m happy you love blog hopping as well, yay! I’m amazed that you can read so many blogs every single day, I wish I could have that rhythm, but I don’t have that kind of time anymore lately to do it all as much ? THANK YOU! I’m so, so happy you enjoy reading my blog, this means SO much <3