We all know that being a book blogger (or any kind of blogger, for that matter) is hard. Even if we love it, it’s complicated to keep our head out of the water sometimes. We constantly have to find new ideas, inspiration, write blog posts, engage with the community and so on.
Besides the obvious, complicated thing that is our mind in constant churning for new ideas, blogging struggles and dilemmas we also need some tools. No matter what anyone says, we book bloggers and bloggers in general are trying to build something here. Blog posts don’t happen in the blink of an eye – even if, somedays when inspiration seems to have lost its way, it would be nice if it could. We are building small houses all around the blogosphere filled with books and love and for that, we need tools. We also need lists because… well, just because lists are pretty cool.
Here are my book blogging essentials.
A blog
I know. I’m really funny, but…let’s be real. We couldn’t be blogging without a blog now, could we?
A computer
The computer is my n°1 essential, obviously and I would not be blogging without it. I know (or heard of) some bloggers doing almost everything on their phones and I deeply admire them for it. I only use the WordPress App to take a quick look at my blog when I am away, but… that’s all. EVERYTHING I DO happens on the computer. Writing my blog posts. Blog-hopping. Screaming. EVERYTHING.
A phone
That being said, I still have my phone because I am living in the 21st century and can’t live without it. If I only use it to check the WordPress App once in a while (trying not to be too obsessed here) but mostly to write down random ideas of blog posts I get. I have a list of blog posts ideas sitting in my phones’ notes, waiting to be used. Or forgotten. Or, sometimes, just to make me confused because I have NO idea whatever the hell I meant when I wrote that idea.
A book. Who am I kidding. TONS OF BOOKS.
Do we need books to be book blogging? Now, that’s a real question. Maybe we don’t need physical copies, we could only have e-books and that would be perfectly okay. But can we really talk and rant about books all day without… having books and having read some of them?
A twitter account
I could be blogging without social media, I think. I really could. But the experience would be different. I have mixed thoughts on twitter and everything it brings to me personally, in my blogging adventure, in the blogging community and so on. Spoiler alert: it’s both great and incredible and the worst thing that ever happened to the book blogging community. Sorry for saying this. I’m not going to get into a twitter debate right now, I promise. I’m going to tell you why I’m using it and it’s useful instead.
- I found many, many MANY bloggers thanks to twitter, where the book blogging community is a black hole you’ll fall into.
- I use it to talk about my blog posts and share them, too, and it brings on a small amount of traffic, new people and new friends too.
- Being on twitter, even if I’m not interacting too much on it, makes me feel like I am part of the book blogging community thingy even more.
A goodreads account
Because how else do you keep track of your books, the books you find thanks to other bloggers? How do you find the books you want to talk about in your next book tag, book covers and summaries, books you kind of forgot to review three months ago? I know some people have tons of spreadsheets for that. I’m lazy and I spend approximately three times a weekend looking at my goodreads account and at all the books.
An Excel Spreadsheet
Hello, my name is Marie and I try not to be an organization-freak too much. But I can’t deny who I am when it comes to blogging so I have a spreadsheet. I think I’m doing okay, because I only have one spreadsheet so far: The Post Schedule Spreadsheet. Basically, it’s a calendar of the entire year and I use it to write the blog posts coming next and their status (in progress, published, etc). I wouldn’t know what I’m doing without this.
A camera
When I am not too lazy, inspired and/or when my family is inspired and wants to take some pictures of my books, I take my small camera to do so. Just to take pictures for the book reviews, sometimes the discussion posts and so on. I could do without it, but I like the personal touch it brings to this blog. I just wish I was more talented to take more bookish pictures.
Canvas
When I’m lazy, the lovely and free canvas website comes to save me. I use it a lot to do my featured images on this blog and spend way too much time finding the perfect background image anyway.
A notebook
If I have my phone to write down some ideas, I also have a small notebook I carry around with me. I mostly use my phone for blog ideas (and the occasional WIP inspiration), but the notebook comes into action when it comes to reviewing books. I always try and write down my thoughts as I am reading a book and once I’m done with it, to help with the whole reviewing thing. I am not the most regular notebook writer and I have been known to forget to write down my thoughts after finishing a book more often than not. When that happens, I mostly hate myself and my fish memory.
A cup of tea
Confession time: I hate coffee and never ever drink it. I am a tea drinker though and, when I am drafting all of my blog posts for the week, I always have a cup of tea at hand, you know, to help with my inspiration.
What are some of your blogging essentials? Do you use a computer to write all of your blog posts, or do you use the WordPress App, too?
Do you take pictures for your blog? Do you have Excel Spreadsheets or are you just doing it without planning ahead? Let me know your thoughts in comments!
TEA DRINKERS UNITE!!!!
Anyway, sounds like a solid list. I don’t think I need all of those things. Do not have a notebook dedicated to the blog or a spreadsheet, which explains my lack of consistency, but daaaaamn, I could not write all the blog posts on a tablet or phone alone. I NEED my laptop!!!
As always, great post, Marie! <3
YES TO ALL THE TEA ahah. I think I’m 80% made of tea, for real ?
I couldn’t do without my computer, either. I get so bothered doing things on my phone, I’d much rather have a computer screen and keyboard haha 😛
Thank you so much, Kat! <3
Saaaaaame! My essence is tea itself *nods vigorously in agreement*
I honestly can not comprehend how people can do everything on their phone and iPad! The best I can do is write my blog posts, but formatting and adding pictures and graphics is something that’s usually best for me to do on the laptop. I do use my phone to make most of my graphics, take my pictures, plan out my posts, write down ideas, and interact on social media, and reply to comments via the WordPress app! I actually don’t use Goodreads! I just manually track my own reading and note taking via Notes on my phone! I tend to use Pic Collage and Canva in regards to graphics on my phone! ? I wish I could do Excel Spreadsheets but they are not my thing! ?
I admire you SO much for using your phone to do so much of your blog, that’s impressive! And you use your phone to make graphics?? Wow, that’s cool! I wouldn’t have any patience on my phone and I am so much faster typing out blog posts on the computer. So glad to hear it’s working out well for you though 😀
And you don’t use Goodreads?? WOW I admire you so much for keeping track of your reads in another way! You’re awesome, seriously!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, Mikaela 😀
These are all so important. I do not think I could blog without Canva!
I love how easy it is to use, it’s one of the best websites 😀
Thank you so much for your comment, Kristin! 😀
Love the post!
I agree with almost all of this, except for the tea. I am proudly addicted to large amounts of caffeine and can not function without coffee.
Aw thank you so much! And I can’t function without tea, we all have our little things I guess 😀
I definitely agree with a lot of these – computer, of course; Goodreads; Excel (where I also keep track of my reading, in addition to GR). A camera to capture all our travels. I should probably use social media more!
Oh you also keep track of your reading on your spreadsheet? That’s so great. If you don’t min me asking, what is your spreadsheet like? Do you track reading dates, or more like, the number of pages in a book, the genres, etc?
Thank you so much for your comment, Angela! 😀
Hahahah I hate coffee too! Usually at Starbucks I either get steamed milk or a vanilla frappucino. But one time my friends wanted to go to Pacific Coffee and they didn’t have any of those options so I ordered an iced latte. IT WAS SO BITTER so I gave it to my friend for free lol. (+ My breath smelled like crap afterwards.)
My blogging essentials… I use Phonto to make my blog post banners, and VSCO Cam to edit my bookstagram pictures. I also use PhotoLayers and Autodesk Sketchbook to make my blog graphics. I used to be really into taking aesthetic pictures of books but the lighting never comes out right and I suck at photography. So I’ve half given up on bookstagram hahaha.
And AN EXCEL SPREADSHEET?! Hahahaha Marie, I’m the most unorganized person on the planet. My desk is always piled high with calligraphy practice sheets and half-read books, and I never use Excel (except for that one time when we had to use it for computer class, lol.)
I’m so glad I’m not alone! I tried it as well once but it was way too bitter and I just… well, I told myself I’d never drink coffee ever again haha. I’m good with my cup of tea 😛
Ohh, I don’t know all of these ahah, will have to check them out. I am not that great when it comes to bookish pictures, I’d love to get better though 🙂
Haha I know, well it’s not a vey complicated spreadsheet, but I feel much better having everything organized. I’m a bit of a planning freak at times hahaha. 🙂
And you do calligraphy?? THAT IS SO GREAT!
Thank you so, so much for your comment, Chloe! 🙂
When you say Canvas, do you mean Canva? That’s what I use to make my featured images for my blog too! The same essentials you have, and the same ones I think are essential (well maybe except books, because I technically don’t post book reviews much anymore, but maybe that should change?)
Side note: I tried blog hopping, and it was so interesting to see where it took me on the internet! I never even heard of some of those blogs. It was super enjoyable, and I’m going to do it more often. Thanks for the lesson in blogging 😉 xxx
Melina | http://www.ivefoundwaldo.com
Oh yes, I mean Canva, thank you, I didn’t notice my mistake here 🙂 It is such a great website, it’s so easy and useful 🙂
Oh and I’d love to read some book reviews, if you ever feel like adding some on your blog 😀
This makes me SO happy, I’m so glad you enjoyed blog-hopping! It’s so much fun and you never know where you end up, that’s really great 😀
Well I would say all of these are essentials for me too ? I can’t imagine myself writing a blog post through App? I mean how do I even suppose to add the custom Html etc.? How the post will be formatted? Sorry, I have no idea because actually I never tried writing from my Phone. But seriously hats off to the people who do it ?? I can’t do blogging without my laptop for sure.
I do use spreadsheets mainly for managing the reading challenges that I have been doing ? But I often forget to update it ? But hopefully I will do better at maintaining them this year.
I am active on Instagram so I take bookish photos for it. I use the same image for my book reviews ?
I’m with you, I’m so impressed by people doing tons of blogging on their phones. I could never do that, I need my computer hahaha.
Oh that’s so great! I’m only doing the Beat the Backlist challenge this year, so no spreadsheets needed, if I ever take that habit though, I might have to do the same 😛
Thank you so much!! <3 <3 <3
I won’t survive without my computer lol. I tried blogging using my phone before but afterwards, there are so many typos and it just doesn’t feel comfortable commenting or blog hopping plus I love seeing blog design and we all know that mobile design and the desktop one is a bit different thanks to the screen resolution limit.
I don’t use a spreadsheet but I do have an app where I split my blogging tasks into folders – post dump ideas, schedule and posted.
I’m glad you feel the same way! It doesn’t feel comfortable blogging on the phone for me, either. I’m much more at ease typing on the computer 🙂
Oh that’s SO great! What app are you using? 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! xx
Thank you for this post! I just created my blog a few days ago so this was very helpful!
🙂
Oh you’re welcome! I hope you will have fun blogging 😀
Great post! I love Canva too so much. Happy Reading
It’s such a great and easy website to use 🙂 Thank you so much, Ali! 🙂
Oh, an Excel spreadsheet is a great idea. Any tips on where to find a good one (or did you make your own)?
A blogging friend (Reg @ She Latitude) made a spreadsheet she shared a while ago on her blog, I sort of used it as a template and did my own thing from there. It’s pretty simple, really, it lists all the dates, the kind of post I’m doing on the day, the title, the status ‘in progress, drafted, published’ with colors, etc. If you want, I can send it to you via email 🙂
yes, please, if you don’t mind! 🙂
mixedmargins@gmail.com
I’ll email you tonight! 🙂
I have month at glance calendar instead of Excel to plan reading or blog. I started to make spreadsheet this year just for graphs and total pages at the end of year. Nice post! 🙂
Oh you have graphs and count all the pages you read?? Now THAT is impressive. I wish I could do that as well, haha 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! <3 <3
Thank you and you’re welcome! ☺️
Great post Marie! I have Twitter, and my blog posts automatically post to Twitter and Facebook. I do Facebook regularly but I rarely go on Twitter! Or Instagram. And I’ve heard that Pinterest is another great way to get your blog out there as well. It’s hard to have the time to do it all!
Jo-Ann
Oh thank you, Jo-Ann! <3 It is hard to do everything, I agree 🙂 I only focus on twitter, as Facebook and I are definitely not friends and… Pinterest is such a great website, too, but I don't have enough time to do it all, haha 🙂
One of these days, when we are best seller authors, our office staff will look after all these details 😉
Hahaha. That’s the dream 😛
Loved this post 😀 We share a lot of the same blogging essentials hehe. Although I have such a love-hate relationship with Twitter (I mean, who doesn’t??) it’s so easy to keep in contact with other bloggers when your not posting blog posts. And having a favorite beverage helps so much with fueling yourself to write content and coming up with ideas.
Oh thank you so much! 😀 I agree, twitter is such a strange place, yet it really is part of the blogging experience. I love being able to keep up with people thanks to it 🙂 And YES, it’s great for inspiration, a favorite beverage and… well, some chocolate or something, that always helps, too 😛
I didn’t ‘truly’ feel like a part of the blogging community until i joined twitter. And yeah chocolate definitely helps 🙂
I don’t quite have Excel spreadsheets for my blog, but I do like being highly organised. I had a bit of a disorganised year last year and I HATED it!
YAY for being organized! I feel so much better with a planning haha 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! <3
I use my phone too! It’s handy when I just finished a book and want to jot down ideas for the review. What I don’t like but have anyway is a Twitter account. I do prefer Facebook and Instagram to twitter. I feel frustrated as I can’t express nuances and have to send just short messages. Excellent post Marie!
OH yes, it is so useful to be able to jot down a couple ideas quickly on our phones 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I’m like you in that I can’t imagine blogging without my computer! I’ve spoken to bloggers who somehow manage to do it all from their phone and I just can’t even imagine how they stand it! My brain runs a mile a minute and sometimes I can’t even keep up on a full keyboard, let alone a tiny touchscreen one. I’m also SUCH a sucker for Excel spreadsheets. I didn’t use them until like two years ago and it was like I stumbled upon the Holy Grail. I don’t know how I survived without them! I use so many spreadsheets to keep track of so many things (books I’ve read and reread with formulas for stats, books I’ve received for review and their deadlines, movies I’ve seen, future and past 50/50 Friday topics, you name it!) but I don’t have a spreadsheet yet for my post schedule (although I’m hoping to develop one soon. I don’t know where I would be without my spreadsheets… probably wandering around trying to find my head because I left it somewhere 🙂
Laura @BlueEyeBooks
Oh wow you have SO MANY SPREADSHEETS, you are the queen of organization, that is so great. I admire you so much, haha 🙂
I don’t know how people do it with their phones, either, when the words flow, it frustrates me having to type on the phone, it doesn’t go as fast as I want it to 😛
Thank you so much for your comment, Laura! <3
Love this post! A computer is my number one blogging essential too! I write all of my blog posts using my PC. I use wordpress app only for checking comments, notifications and sometimes blog hopping. I tried using it once for writing a blog post but it didn’t go well.
I don’t know how people write blog posts on their phones, it’s… it’s not for me either, haha, too complicated 😛 I’m much faster typing on my keyboard 🙂
Thank you so much, Raven! <3
I never thought to use excel to plan blog posts. I usually custom make my schedule by hand. Canva is a great free online too to use. I also use autodesk pixlr editor web app, and Paint to make images. I agree with these essentials. Great post!
Oh you are patient, ahah. I don’t know what I’d do without having this excel sheet, I love how it keeps my ideas organized 🙂
Thank you so much, Christina! 🙂
WE SHALL LOVE TEA TOGETHER AM I RIGHT OR AM I RIGHT?!?!?
i found so many bloggers through twitter too?! and it’s so great because i feel like i get to connect with lots of people there but i am very awkward. its also great with interacting with authors and v.e schwab retweeting your tweets. yeah.
i love my smol character even tho i suck at taking photos but its fun to take them anyways?? and books are arranging them are also super enjoyable things but then tidying up things afterwards is horrendous and tiresome.
HOW CAN ANYONE SURVIVE WITHOUT GOODREADS IT IS MY LIFEEEEEEEE
I am even more awkward than you are, if you’re awkward haha. You’re doing awesome at this twitter thing <3 It is pretty great to interact with people and authors that way, it always AMAZES me whenever an author just notices me, I want to cry hahaha. <3
RIGHT? I could't handle any bookish thing without goodreads hahaha. 😛
I find all of these pretty essential too. I usually only take notes when I’m reading ebooks but then atm I mostly read ebooks. I also have a note on my phone with lots of post ideas. I guess my other essential is internet (duh) and other peoples blogs, because they’re inspiring and give me ideas of what to post about. I guess you could say that the library is pretty essential to my reading and blogging habit also.
HOW could I ever forget internet hahaha that’s an essential for sure 😛 and yes, other bloggers are a huge inspiration, they give me ideas and overall makes me want to blog and be part of this amazing community <3 <3
Thank you so much, Shanti!! <3
I’m only really just getting into the wordpress app and I have had trouble linking it to my blog but I loved this post and I am the same in a lot of ways. Especially the writing down ideas in notes then wondering what they mean when I return to them! haha!
I’m glad I’m not the only one! It is very frustrating, there could be some amazing ideas there, if only we could remember exactly what they are about hahaha. 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂
I use my computer for writing but when it comes to reading blogs I use the app because it’s easier (I guess?). Also, I hate coffee too. #teaforlife
YAY for tea! Tea is the best beverage, I love it so much 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by! 😀
My biggest tool is definitely my laptop, I don’t know how some bloggers do it all on their phones! Although I do use my phone for photos of books, blog hopping, and taking notes on books while I’m reading (I use the Evernote app, which is also on my laptop for when I go to write the full review). And coffee. All the coffee! Sometimes tea. But usually coffee! ☕️
Oh, Evernote has to be such a great app, I need to download it on my phone as well 🙂 And to each their own, I can’t live without my tea and you need all the coffee, we make a good pair 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by, Nicole! <3
I must be obsessed then because I have multiple spreadsheets and word docs for my blog 😛 To be fair to myself though, the spreadsheets are to keep track of the books I own and have on hold. I use a word doc calendar to keep track of my posting schedule 😉
You are not obsessed, you are the QUEEN of spreadsheets, I admire you hahaha 😛
Thank you so much for your comment! <3 <3
OMG WE ARE ONE AND THE SAME !!!!! I do everything in this list hahaha. I can’t blog from my phone and like you said, I admire people who can. The two only things I do on it are bloghopping (sometimes, now I’m on my computer), and replying to comments (always, I just find it easier somehow).
I also have a Google spreadsheets which is honestly a life saver when it comes to scheduling and it really reduces a lot of the stress to have it all layed out in front of me.
I used to put my post ideas in a notebook but it’s not practical for when I’m on the go and get an idea randomly (which is almost always) so now instead I do it on my phone. Canva is ALL I use for my graphicq and have been thinking about venturing into the book photo realm. I’m not sure yet though haha.
Great post as always <3
Ahah that’s SO great that we are so alike! 😀
I don’t know how you manage to blog-hop from your phone, though, I am much more at ease on the computer, but to each their own 😀
Random ideas happen to me all the time as well, I’m glad to always have my phone at hand to write down every random thing I can think of, haha.
Best of luck if you ever try bookish photos, I’d really like to see what you do 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by and for you sweet comment <3 <3
Hahahah I mean, I’d rather do it on my laptop, that’s what I prefer but when I’m home I get busy with other things and I do most my blog hopping when I have a little down time during the day.
And thank youuu!
My pleasure ??
I get it. Blogging takes a whole lot of time, we take advantage of every moment we have haha 🙂
I love this idea! It’s almost like a blogger survival book hahaha And I agree with pretty much all of these except maybe the notebook, which I don’t use at all for blogging – cellphone and laptop do the trick.
I don’t know how people are able to function using the WP app but I can barely get anything done in there. Besides it being super glitchy at times, it’s just so uncomfortable and not practical at all to write or read or do anything, basically. I do like it for notifications and to warn me about stuff, but otherwise it’s just pretty useless.
I wish I was more active on Twitter and Goodreads but I don’t really have the time and/or end up being overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that goes in there. Also, Twitter always has some drama going on that makes me feel super drained and just not interested in engaging with the community anymore. Sigh.
I love spreadsheets as well (I use Google’s, though, because I can get access to it anywhere, anytime), they are a huge lifesaver. And I used to love Canvas too, but that was before finding Photoshop/Illustrator. They were hard to get into, but the payback was totally worth it 🙂
Amazing post, Marie!
I’m so glad you feel the same way about the app! It’s great to be warned of notifications, but… I can’t really do much on it, I don’t like using it to really blog, hahaha. 🙂
I understand your thoughts. I wish I could be really active on twitter and goodreads, too, but I check it here and there when I have time. I can’t be really active everywhere and know I can’t do everything… or I can try, but my blog would suffer and writing blog posts is what I prefer out of this. And it’s more important to focus on what we love and what does NOT make you feel drained <3 <3
Aw that's so great. I wish I had Photoshop on my computer 🙂
Thank you!! x
Yeah, absolutely agree! Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with all the stuff going on on social media, and I end up wasting so much time on it… It’s insane.
I definitely need to prioritize my time in order to be more productive 🙂 And just do the things that I like most!
You’re very welcome, sweets <3
Agree 🙂 it’s hard to prioritize and know what to do, and just… not be sucked into social media and everything hahaha, but we can do this! 😀
Yes we can! 😉 *high fives*
Woah I am seriously impressed you use a spreadsheet for blogging. I have a deep love for spreadsheets so I mayyyy just have to try that. I use the scheduling option on WordPress though. I know some bloggers really don’t like it and prefer to schedule it on their calendars and then manually update them, but I’m forgetful and that wouldn’t be a good combo for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Great post!
OH YES, if you love spreadsheets, you will love doing this. It is a life-saver, I love seeing the month and planning my reviews and everything else. I use the scheduling option on wordpress all the time haha, I never ever clicked on “publish” directly on a post… well, not that I can remember of, haha. I’m a planning freak and also, I would be just like you and most likely forget to update my posts 😛
Thank you so much!! <3
Yes!! WordPress app is perfect for when I just need to jot down notes or send quick replies to people. What’s your favorite type of tea? ? Mine is early grey~
This is SUCH a hard question to ask haha, I love all kinds of tea SO much 😛 Lately, my favorite has been blueberry tea, but I think that green tea has to be my to-go-tea at all times 🙂
I’ve actually never heard of blueberry tea before! What brand do you recommend?
I could recommend you a brand, but… it would be a French one? (I’m French ?). And;.. funny story, that brand is called “Les Marmottes”, that means marmot, in English, haha.
Defiantly a cup of tea! Love this post! Most are my essentials also ?
Yay! So glad you could relate 🙂 thank you so much for your comment! <3
Very good points. I didn’t install WP in my phone for a very long time. Once I did, it was the best thing ever. Very handy to reply to comments or visit other blogs during very small breaks in real life. It really helped me balance everything out.
Oh I’m so glad to hear that! The app is very useful whenever I need to check something quickly 😀
Thank you so much for your comment! <3
You’re not alone. I need to have my computer in order to do any sort of blogging. I actually JUST got a smart phone the other weekend. So working on my old slider phone wasn’t even doable. Friends keep telling me I will be blogging on my phone in no time, but I don’t see that happening. I can’t even blog on my laptop because I need a mouse and a real keyboard to type on. I definitely think having a calendar of some sort is a must for keeping track of everything. I tried doing a digital calendar but kept forgetting to check it. So I stick with a physical day planner that sits right on my desk and stares at me. 🙂
Kristin @ Book Sniffers Anonymous
I get it, I wouldn’t blog without my computer either, even if I have a smartphone, I don’t see myself blogging on it haha.
Ohhhh it is SO great that you have a physical day planner? I love planners like that, I always want one for myself, but… I think I would be frustrated because I’d want to make it pretty and have no artistic skills whatsoever haha 😛
Thank you so much for your comment! <3
This is great way to know more about you !! ❤️❤️ That ideas noting down on the phone ? Youre doing great and amazingly well because I LOVE YOUR POSTS ! Theyre always so creative ?❤️
Awwwww Trang you’re way too sweet, thank you!!! <3 <3 <3
At the moment these are all my book blogging essentials as well Marie (well, except the Twitter account but one day I am going to create one, I promise!) 😀
My laptop and my phone are definitely essentials. I kind of live in fear of the day my laptop packs in and I have to deal without it until I can get a new one, and I check WordPress on my phone all the time (literally all the time, even when I should be doing other things, like work!) I’m an organisation freak too so I have an Excel spreadsheet for my blog and a small notebook, also yes I have to have tea while blogging! 😀
Great post Marie! 🙂 ❤️
I get it ? I sometimes check the App even when I’m working or should be working, it’s wronggggg, but sometimes we can’t help it ?
YAY! I’m glad we have the same essentials 😀 thank you, Beth! <3
I like to keep up to date with what’s going on on WordPress. Nothing wrong with that. 🙂 Besides I always make sure I do it when I’m waiting for something to load on my computer, so it’s either check WordPress or stare off into space aimlessly for a few minutes! 😀
Ahah I get it, when you have a bit of down or waiting-time, it’s always good to check in on what’s happening 😛
I am always wanting to up my graphics game, but I have never been good at it. I used to write software, but left the graphics to the graphical designers. Now I wish I had taken a bigger interest in that part. My co-blogger is fantastic at that part and super creative, but she has no time. *sad face*
Oh that’s why I use canva, I find it SO useful and easy to use. I’ve never been really good at graphic design and I’m making… okay images, I think, with this haha 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment! <3
Oh wow haha, you really ARE super organized! Instead of using an excel sheet (which, maybe I should do??) I just use the Google Calendar so it’s easy to view the scheduled posts weekly. I definitely have a small notebook with notes and releases and TBR, as well as GR and Twitter accounts. (Especially Twitter! It’s so easy to blog hop from there.)
Oh using the Google Calendar is a great idea, I never thought of it before! 🙂
It’s so great that you are keeping track of new releases and books you want to read. I never know which books I will read next, but I’d love to track the new releases I want to buy haha, I’m so bad at doing that.
Thank you SO much for your sweet comment, Aila! <3
Amazing list Marie! Definitely yes to all, I now have a proper camera and i’ve started my bookstagram but I definitely want to try take some photos and start using them on my blog for my headers etc. I usually just use Canva. The lazy option haha!
I think it’s because I always finish a book, write some notes in my notebook then just start writing it. I never really have time to take the photos myself for the reviews?
Can I quit my job and uni and just do this full time please? You’ll let me right?
Yeah, canva is sort of a lazy option, but… I still spend at least half an hour doing a thing on canva, imagine with an actual picture I took ?? we only have so little time each day to blog. It’s bothering ?
YES I WOULD LET YOU. We should do that together, that would be the dream, no job just blogging 😛 <3
Thank you, Hannah!! xx
FOR ALL THE TEA, YEAH!
To-do lists are THE book blogging essential, I think! Then excel spreadsheets are a good way to keep track of lists, and I looove them! ? I’m actually working on an ‘ ultimate reading statistics ‘ project at the moment. ? I don’t use Canva, though but Photoshop for my graphics and visual things to which I’d like to give a more colourful touch with my own pictures in the future. Kudos to people that format posts on their phone. ? The only thing I do on my phone it’s writing my blog posts ( even my book ) because my brain glitches when I try to write on my computer; very awkward.
Ultimate Reading Statistics??? I am interested, tell me everything ?
It’s so great that you can use photoshop. I don’t own the software unfortunately, I’d love to use it to make my graphics as well! In the meantime, I guess Canva does the trick pretty well 🙂
Ohh, that’s weird? But if it works for you to write on the phone, that’s great 😀
Thank you so much for stopping by, Morgane! <3 <3
I meant to answer about what is the ‘ Ultimate Reading Statistics ‘ project but, I had high-pitched notes filling my brain for the past few days. ? It’s an excel spreadsheet that I’d like to be easy-lemoney to use with reading statistics basic like ”how many #-stars books have you read this year?” and very fun ones like ” what is the predominant colours of your bookshelf ” or ” what is the longest book title you read this year. ” because what’s more fun than pie-charts and graphs on reading and books!? I started this winter with bookshelf statistics to test the waters ( I’m going to share it soon ) and I’ll keep working on this project when I have time! ?
Thanks to you to always take the time to answer back; it’s always nice to drop a comment on your blog because of that. ?
OH that is such a cool project, I love it so much! You’ll have to share it soon YES PLEASE 😀
Oh of course, I love starting conversations with everyone in the comments, it’s one of my favorite things 😀
I’ll share the bookshelf statistics in February, I think. If you think of fun / cool statistics to track, I’m all ears! ?
ohhh so exciting, I can’t wait! I’ll think about it 😀
I’ve thought about using an excel spreadsheet but I ended up using google calendar and it revolutionized my blogging– that’s where I keep all my post ideas/scheduled post and everything is color coded so I know if a draft has been written or if the post has been published, etc
Ohhh that’s so great! I also use colors to see what has been written, what needs to be written and so on. It’s SO useful. Being organized is GREAT haha 😀
Thank you so much for your comment, Anna! 😀
I absolutely looove using canvas! I’ve really tried to step up my featured image game so I definitely spend way to much time editing pictures too 😛 I really like how clean and put-together a nice featured image makes a blog look though! (So far I hope I’m succeeding with mine :P)
I use kaboompics to find free stock photos I can use as a background for my edits. I really like it because you can search for what you’re seeking. You should definitely check it out those times where you haven’t gotten around to taking your own photos <3
YES you are succeeding, that I can tell you for sure 😀
I’m with you on spending too much time on it, even for simple images I just bother with tiny little details no one will ever notice for AGES haha, we need someone to stop us 😛
Oh thank you so much for the tip, I did not know that website! I’ll check it out fo sure 😀
Aww thanks Marie 🙂 We really do! It’s sooo time consuming lol. It’s not every time that I find a picture I want to use (I also just use the free version), but I mostly manage to!
Well, as long as you end up finding something, that’s good 😛
Hello Marie! <3
Haha yes I agree with all of these (except maybe Twitter, which I haven't gotten the hang of quite yet!) It wasn't until you mentioned it that I realized how MUCH I rely on Goodreads. I use it almost every day to look up book ratings, add books to my TBR, or mark a book as read. I have SUCH a goldfish memory as well. If not for Goodreads, I would never remember which books I want to read and which books I've already read haha…
That is awesome that you have a blogging spreadsheet (and for the entire year!! :O ) I have a physical agenda which I use to keep track of my blog posts, which I started using recently. It is helpful since I don't panic anymore about not knowing what to post for next week haha 🙂
I write my posts on the computer since I like the bigger screen, and I can type much faster on my keyboard than on my phone. I also love tea lots 🙂
Same here, I would never, EVER remember all of these fabulous books I want to read without goodreads. I’m glad that website exists, hahaha.
Oh, Excel makes it pretty easy to write the whole year, it’s just a drag and drop kind of thing haha 😛 Having some sort of schedule is a life-saver, I love it so much haha 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment, Sophie! And yay for tea! What’s your favorite kind of tea? <3
Yes Goodreads is amazing!! And I agree that having a schedule really does save a lot of time. I might give Excel a try one of these days – I use it for budgeting but not for blogging, yet!
These days I’ve been loving earl grey de la creme. My fiance also brought some Chinese tea for me (like pu-erh) so I will be drinking more of that. What kind of tea do you like? 🙂
Oh that’s so great about budgeting! You’ll have to try for blogging then and tell me if it goes well 🙂
Oh I love earl grey. I need to try this Chinese tea, I’ve never heard of it? 🙂 I think my favorite has to be the green tea, but I love everything with agrums so much as well! 🙂
Pu-erh is a black tea with quite a strong flavour. To be honest I am not used to it yet! If you like green tea, you might also like oolong tea (which is halfway between green and black tea) or matcha green tea (which is made from a powder or a leaf.) I am curious about agrum- don’t think I’ve heard of this before? XD
Ohh okay! I’ll have to try the oolong tea then, I’m sure I should enjoy it 😀
Ahahah, well we have weird… brands, I guess, with tons of different flavours sometimes in France 😛
Ooh okay I see! I love trying flavours from other countries so I’ll be on the lookout for that one 🙂
This is a 100% relatable post! I recently made a excel spreadsheet to keep track of books I’ve read this year, by genre and stuff, and I can’t believe I didn’t do it before. It’s so useful! Like you, I don’t use my phone for blogging much, but sometimes I check to see when I get comments. I basically totally agree with this list 🙂 I also write down ideas on my phone/notebook/laptop, depending when I have them. Thanks for this list! The only other thing I need is time XD
Oh it is awesome that you have a spreadsheet to keep track of your books! I didn’t do that jut yet, but I really want to! <3
Haha, YES all we need is more time to do everything 😛
Thank you so much, Shar!! <3
I love this. I already have most of the things here lol. I’m reblogging to I will remember all the time.
Yay! So happy to hear it, thank you 🙂
My pleasure
Reblogged this on .
Aww haha this is amazing! I 100% relate to this!! xxx
Aww so glad to hear it! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Yet another amazing post ?
I’m so happy you’re a tea drinker too; I love an ice coffee every now and them but my go to drink is definitely a cup of tea! I have such respect for people who write posts on their phone, I would SO not be able to do that. Unlike you I love using the WordPress App for reading posts, commenting and blog hopping – I love lying in bed and just being on the app!
Aw yay for tea! That’s the BEST beverage, I love it so much ahah 🙂
I get it and it has to be so practical! I’d rather do it all on the computer though and try and keep my phone for different things 🙂
Thank you so much, Michelle! <3
That’s a really great post! 🙂 My laptop is my number 1 tool to do basically everything, so it’s a must have for blogging! My Iphone is too old for the WordPress App, so I wouldn’t even be able to write blog posts there, just write down a few ideas if I have them and need a place to but them 😀 When it comes using my Laptop I need the Internet to work (sometimes it doesn’t like me) and my old Photoshop (ever sicne I got a new computer it has been acting up, this is not going to end well) to make my graphics 🙂 I really like to have an excel document as well, to write down my schedule and what posts I have already written! Weirdly I never really drink anything hot while blogging, probably in fear that it’s going to spill all over my laptop (this happened not too long ago, I’m still traumatized)
OH it’s so great you have photoshop, I only have it at work so I can’t use it to blog, but I’d love to, haha 🙂
And yay for Excel spreadsheets, it’s GREAT to be organized, right? 🙂
OH NO, I’m so sorry that happened to you, I get it about being traumatized, I would be, too!!
Thank you so much for your comment! <3
Photoshop works the best for me, but I have no idea how long my old version will keep working on my laptop, it’s like ancient ?
Excel spreadsheets are the best ? Just filling them out and organizing everything makes me happy 😀
This event just made me more careful with hot beverages around my laptop ?
? ? ?
YES YES, well we are both organization and Excel freaks, I love that ?
Thank you!!! <3 <3
*high five* Excel freaks ftw 😀
?
Oh, I love this post, Marie! I agree with pretty much all of these — I honestly don’t get how people write blog posts on their phones?? I’m a much faster & better typer on the computer (tho emojis are so much easier to get on your phone ?). I comment on posts & reply to comments on my phone sometimes, but that’s all I can do!
Goodreads is DEFINITELY an essential for me (tho sometimes I spend TOO much time on it ?), and I have a reading spreadsheet as well! I’m too lazy to make all the shelves I want to haha. But my planning ahead is just in a regular doc!
And I’m not the biggest tea fan, but I HATE COFFEE TOO.
Right, I am always searching emojis on the computer and it’s bothering, which is why my comments aren’t always emoji filled.. I am lazy ??
OHHH but what do you drink??? OH I KNOW, is it mangoes juiceeeeeeeeeeee? 😛
I drink nothing, because I am constantly dehydrated. ? But YES OMG MANGO JUICE & OTHER FRUIT SMOOTHIES!! <3
Well, from now on, you will drink loads of mango juice and will not be dehydrated!! 😛
Ahhh what a great post as always, Marie!! I’m always filled with so much happiness when I read your posts, Marie and this was so much fun to read. ❤️
I totally agree on your essentials! I could NEVER blog without my laptop, absolutely not. The WP app is horrendous for writing posts, and I think so much better on my laptop anyway. And a Goodreads account, YES! Oh my gosh. I do track what books I read in my bullet journal as well because I don’t always update GR, but I don’t know where I would be without it!
I don’t have an Excel spreadsheet for post planning, but I have a spread in my bullet journal, if that counts?? I’ve always wanted to try using Excel though! It speaks to my inner organization freak. (But I have a love/hate relationship with Excel haha)
And I actually don’t like tea or coffee!! Coffee is the worse out of the two though haha. I’m more of a juice or water fan? *hides* But lovely post, Marie!
Aw thank you so, SO much for your sweet comment, Analee, you are way too sweet <3 <3
I think it's so great that you have spreads dedicated to your blog in your bullet journal, I soooo want to do that someday, it's so cool.
And don't hide, water is cool, water is awesome 😛
Thank you again!! <3 <3
Honestly, your organization impresses me. I agree with the computer though- I have NO idea how people blog on their phones! It would take me literally DAYS longer to do stuff, and even then, would be crappy quality. Nope, need my laptop. And then…. that’s it. Like seriously, I have no idea how people are so organized. My spreadsheet would be… well, empty. I am lucky if I can think of what I am posting even a day or two ahead- that’s best case! I would like to take more pictures, honestly- it’s fun! But I also have no time, so when things have to be sacrificed, it seems like photos are the first things I cut out, sadly.
Aw, well YOU are the one that impresses me, Shannon! It’s so great that you are able to blog without even having a proper schedule. I couldn’t work without a schedule or knowing what’s next, but that’s my inner-organization freak coming out ?
Same here, whenever I don’t have enough time, pictures are the first things to go. I don’t know how people manage to spend so much time taking bookish pictures, I just… get mad at myself and give up ?
Thank you so much for your comment! <3 <3
Yep. yep. yep to all of these. I just lived without my computer for a week (needed to be repaired, BOO), and I just…did nothing. I was completely cut off from blogging. It was rough! So yeah, definitely something I can’t live without! I also get Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop from my school, so I really like using that to make graphics! But I think I can live without it haha.
A BLOG? YOU NEED A BLOG? I’VE BEEN DOING THIS ALL WRONG???? hahahahah lovely post Marie!
Oh that’s so great! I’d love to use photoshop for my graphics as well. Oh, someday I will ahha, but in the meantime there are many cool websites to use, too 🙂
??? thank you so much!! <3
I’ve had so many people tell me that I should get a Twitter account to join the book blogging community there and to also gain more readers for my blog, but I’ve also heard that there is quite a lot of negativity on there (like most places on the internet, I guess ?) which makes me hesitant to dive into Twitter. Should I try out Twitter? Would you mind listing a few more pros and cons about Twitter? Also, I love how you use a spreadsheet for your posts! I personally go old-school style and just use a notebook to plan out my posts ? I loved reading this post!
Well, twitter IS a great place if you want to be up-to-date with everything happening in the bookish community and bookish deals, book news, releases and everything. I have been hearing about SO many new books thanks to twitter and I met great people as welL. That being said… I think it’s really overwhelming, at times (for me, it is, on a personal level. It’s hard to feel included or always relevant and many dramas and tweets get misinterpreted at times and… it’s hard. I think twitter is a great place, but at small doses ? Honestly, you should try and see whether it’s for you, or not 🙂 I know I like it, but I know I need breaks from it, too, fo my mental health haha.
YAY, notebooks!! that’s so great 😀
Thank you so much for your comment, Zoie! <3 <3
“We are building small houses all around the blogosphere filled with books and love”- gosh I love this line- yes a million times over! Yeah my computer is essential too, but the phone app does help. And YES to tons of books! And yes, goodreads is so useful for keeping track of books. And yes always to notebooks and tea. Fantastic post!!
Aww thank you so much, so happy you liked this <3 I was feeling inspired when I wrote this, I think? ?
Thank you!
You’re welcome! <3 hehe certainly looks that way 😉 You're welcome!
Love this post Marie! Your blogging posts are always so inspirational and I can’t even understand where you get these ideas ?? I need a computer to write posts! And preferably a tablet for comments. A computer works but a tablet is so self contained and actually feels like it was made to comment, lol. And I hand write my schedule in a bullet journal… really a spreadsheet would be better but I was always a MAC girl and never caught the word suite bug like the rest of the known world.
Aww thank you, you’re WAY too sweet, I’m so happy you enjoyed this <3 <3
I never tried to blog hop and comment from a tablet?? I'll have to try someday, if it's made for it haha 😛
I think it's so great that you have a bullet journal and use it to write your schedule for your blog. I'd love to do that as well, but I know I'd want it to be really pretty and I'd be mad at myself when I just can't make it pretty enough hahaha.
Thank you so much!! <3
I admire people who can actually work on the WordPress App haha. Once I tried to fix something in a post through the app, and then it completely ruined the post?? So yeah never again ?
Anyway love this post Marie! I use pretty much all of these, except the Excel sheet. I’m not good with Excel haha. I used to have a Word document in which I kept track of things though. I might pick that up again, depending on whether or not I’ll be able to fully get into blogging again. Definitely missed reading your posts though! ❤️
SAME HERE, never again ? it’s way too complicated and just… noooooo I do everythin on the computer, where I don’t mess things up ?
Oh thank you!! I hope you will be able to blog a little bit, at least about your Manchester adventures, I want to hear everything!xx
Don’t worry, I’m planning a lot of blog posts about Manchester! Just need to find the time and energy, but I am really excited about it so hopefully soon!
GREAT, I can’t wait 😀
I just recently got a Twitter (begrudgingly) because I saw so many book bloggers recommending to get one because there’s a lot of action – and drama! – that goes on there. I’m still trying to find a niche on there and I don’t post very often because I’m never sure what to say, but so far I have found it useful to stay “in the know” of all the major goings-on in the bookblogging community.
I am in love with Excel but I’m not sure how I’d use it as far as blogging is concerned.
I get your feeling – I struggle to find what to say as well and it can get a bit overwhelming, but it’s great to just… feel in the loop about everything 🙂
I’m using Excel to have a schedule of my blog planning, what’s coming next, etc 🙂
Thank you so much for your comment!! xx
Yep, I think you’ve covered all the essentials! 🙂 Except I need coffee instead of tea. I won’t hold it against you, though.
Haha that’s good then, well I won’t steal your coffee and you won’t steal my tea so we’re all good 😛
Thank you, Nicole! <3
These are good essentials to have! I think a blog would be kinda necessary, yes 😉 But I also need my phone like you, because I note down my ideas there too. I don’t usually drink tea, but tea is always welcome in my life hehe :3 And all the books! I try to stay away from social media like Twitter though because it distracts me <.<
OH I get it, twitter is SO distracting at times. Whenever I am doing anything blogging-related (blog hopping, writing, ANYTHING, really), I NEVER go on twitter and just hide my phone not to be tempted. Otherwise… well, twitter is way too distracting ??
Thank you so much! 😀
People blog on their phones??? Wow, I’m impressed, I tried to edit a post once on my phone and I hated it because it was so annoying. Besides everything looking very weird and me not being capable to get the right idea of how the post is formatted, it was just bad. Not for me, definitely. This post was so cool, I’ve gotten some great tips and once again, I admire you so much for how organized you are! I aspire to be like you.
Same here, I wanted to correct a little something quickly… let’s just say, going on my computer to do it would have been WAY quicker haha.
Oh thank you, your comment means THE WORLD to me, you are so, so sweet <3 <3 <3
“I just wish I was more talented to take more bookish pictures.”
Your bookish pictures are already amazing!! Also, your organisational skills are superb.
Awww thank you so much, that’s so sweet!! <3 <3
Yes indeed, becoming a successful blogger is not that simple. I am just starting on this journey and have only some of the things you mentioned. I now know what other things I have to work on to get my blog running smoothly. Thanks for the guidance!
Oh you’re so welcome, I’m happy this could help you! 🙂 I hope you’ll have fun blogging 🙂 thank you so much for stopping by!
You are welcome!
I was looking for inspirations in order to start actually organising my blogging life and your post proved itself to be so handy! I have pretty much the same essentials as you for blogging (computer, phone, books duh, and social media) plus I use an app called iWritter that synchronizes automatically my texts between my phone and my computer. It allows me to write down a draft when I’m in the subway (somehow the place I’m inspired to write the most) then to finish it and publish it when I get on the computer. I hate writing with the wordpress app though, it’s always messing with me. Anyway, I find you and your blog to be so inspiring for the reading and the blogging community, so thank you for that Marie ?
Yeah, I’m totally not crying right now.
That’s a lie hahahaha.
Thank you so, SO much for your sweet words, seriously this means so much to me, knowing that my endless ramblings can be useful <3 <3
I don't know the iWriter app, but that sounds so useful, I really need to start using it! I'm not fond of the WordPress app either, I only use it to check on comments quickly, but…. I'm never writing posts on it, I find it messy and I just, can't ?
Thank you so, so much again for your words <3 I really hope you will manage to organise your blogging life well and that you'll keep on having fun 😀
haha Yay! ?
Whenever I come to your blog I always get out with something useful, whether it’s inspiration, a new way of thinking about a particular subject or …. a new book to add to my TBR ? Yeah the app is not great, but it’s useful with the notifications for comments, especially like other bloggers reply to your comment on their blog.
Right after reading your post, I brainstormed about how I could implement a concrete timetable into my system and I’ve found a great platform called Zenkit that had made me organise and get back on track! So yeah, thank you again ?
Ohhh, I don’t know that platform, I might have to check it out 😀
You’re so welcome, I’m really happy if I could be useful <3 <3