Hi friends! I hope you all are well ?
I felt like writing about something complicated today, so… here goes. There have been talks on the bookish twitter-sphere in the past week, again, about book bloggers’, the value of their work and astonishingly, but not surprising, talks about how book bloggers aren’t remunerated for their work.
I kind of wanted to talk about that.
Before heading into this, though, I would very, very much underline that this discussion has started first and foremost with the hashtag #PublishingPaidMe on twitter, underlining just how publishing and the advances authors get is influenced by their race. I would recommend reading The Pond’s Book News by Skye right here which shares an important amount of information about what has happened and surfaced with this discussion. Please, please read, review, boost, support books by authors of color and Black authors, now and forever.
Aside from this has surfaced another discussion about book bloggers’ work especially and how much (or, let’s face it), how little to none they were compensate for their work.
Because, let’s face it and no matter what:
Despite being thought of as a hobby, book blogging is work.
It’s a whole lot of work and it’s time to recognize and underline it as so.
Am I having fun writing blog posts? Yes. Am I enjoying the amount of time I’m spending blogging? Yes.
This doesn’t take away the fact that it is work, and a whole lot of it for that matters.
The time book bloggers take to write a blog post alone is….endless, really. It personally takes me from an hour and a half to over a week to really write a blog post, from thinking about it to putting the final touches and hitting the schedule (or publish) button.
And this is just writing a blog post. There’s no telling how much I can spend, per day, per week, per month, per year, working on my blog as a whole. Whether it’s creating graphics, tweaking things here and there, working on promoting my blog, tweeting, blog hopping, answering to comments. I wrote a blog post about the time I spend blogging ages ago and it was very easily rounded up to over 20 hours per week.
For the disclaimer here, this is on the side of my 39 hours-a-week job.
The thing is: the amount of hours spent on book blogging shouldn’t matter as long as we’re enjoying it. Right?
Right. But, you know, some days, like this entire past week, from hopping on twitter and reading people’s answers about book blogging, about, yes, being remunerated or at least, considered enough to be remunerated, and just about book blogging as a whole, I can’t get this question out of my mind.
Is book bloggers’ work really valued?
I’ve been blogging for 5 and a half years. It’s over a quarter of my life spent on here and, you know, if I’m still here, it’s that I’m happy about it.
Sometimes book blogging feels like screaming into a void. You hear the echo of your voice and that’s it. You spend hours and hours on a blog post and nothing. It’s easier sometimes to turn to newest forms of communication, to turn to twitter, to bookstagram, to feel valued here because the follower count gets higher quicker, the likes flow in quicker, people read more easily and quickly a 240-character tweet than a long-ass blog post like this one. Or, well. If you’re a book blogger and active and with a large amount of followers on twitter, it’s easier to make your voice heard and get those retweets in and all.
It’s easier to follow book blogging as it changes and goes to other media, because these feel like they hold the real value, here, right now. Because publishers are turning to your social media accounts followers and not seeing just how much you can get people to discuss on a blog post, they are watching your tweets and stunning instagram pictures, but don’t pay attention to the way you can craft a genuine, deeply thought-out book review on a good old book blog. Because book blogs don’t bring in the numbers or the ROI they’re waiting for.
So they don’t invest in it, like they could invest paying $150 for an instagram blog post.
I’m going to be completely honest here: I read this last week and when I did, I just… shut down a little bit. I just didn’t feel like the time I spend here was actually valued.
Valued by who, what, why, you ask? Well… by myself and by others. Sometimes I’m just, like why am I doing this? Is there any way for this that, from an hour here and there, takes my entire free time and labour, to make something more out of it and feel the value of it?
Book blogging and monetary compensation…
On the topic of money, let me tell you something first and something important: There is nothing wrong with wanting to earn money from your book blog.
If some people are happy with book blogging being a hobby, if some people are happy with keeping money away from it, if some people just don’t feel like they want the compensation at all, yes, that’s their right. If some people would love to be acknowledged more in a monetary way for their work on their book blogs…well, that’s their right as well. To each their own.
If I continue being completely honest here, I’ll tell you this: I have considered making money out of the second job I have here, yes. In over 5 years of book blogging, I haven’t made a dime and, some people say that’s just because I didn’t actually ask.
I didn’t know I could. Up until last week, I had no idea bookstagrammers could get paid like this and… to be honest again, it was disheartening to figure this out. I have heard that it’s always been tough to consider book bloggers in publishers’ marketing budget. I am not going to mention how or why or when this happened, because I don’t work in publishing, and I don’t know their ways. It’s just, well, it’s just sad to know that and that’s all. That’s why I didn’t ask.
On a side note: when I’m talking about book bloggers getting paid, I am talking about the blog tours, author interviews, cover reveals specifically. I’m not talking about book reviews at all, or any kind of content we put out there because we want to. I’m talking about these kind of blog tour posts, reveals, Q&A and special features we might want to organized and/or get approached to do by publishers and authors,, for now, free of any kind of charge and that take us hours to put together.
I appreciate people telling book bloggers to stand up for themselves and to try to get monetary compensation out of this hobby. This second job. This second life. I also want to raise the number of issues that this simple condition might pose.
- Why would publishers turn to you when they can get free labour from other book bloggers? What do you have more than others? I think I have a decent looking blog, but is it enough? I don’t have 100 000 page-views per month. We’re not like fashion bloggers or beauty bloggers, where it’s the norm, for them to ask monetary compensation for their services. It feels normal to do so, in these niches. Here, it just, doesn’t.
- I am an international blogger and don’t have the same accessibility to books as US or UK-based book bloggers. I have been really, really lucky enough to get in touch with publishers, read ARCs and make my way into this world freely. What if asking for compensation, for the value of my time, everything will change? Let’s also keep in mind that some international bloggers have even less accessibility to books than I do and even less opportunities, too, no matter how hard they fight and how much they deserve it. Some people will actually rely on ARCs to read, because that’s how little access they can have. Not everyone gets approved for ARCs FREELY, so why would they even think of trying to ask for compensation? To lose even more chances?
Somehow, I feel like, as book bloggers, we need to fight harder and, sometimes I’m tired. I want the opportunities and I am so grateful for them, I am, but sometimes it just doesn’t feel like enough compared to everything. The hours spent on the blog post for that ARC, the heart and soul I pour every single time.
Book bloggers’ work matter. A LOT.
Because, see, I believe that book bloggers can bring on a lot of value into this world and into the publishing world, just as well. So many bloggers work relentlessly to boost the books they love, with reviews, blog posts they spend hours and hours on. Some bloggers spend a lot of time working, promoting, doing their own little influencer’s work despite not even being considered as influencers by the world, not really, at least. Not enough to get passes for conventions and be considered as highly as others. Honestly, Gina right here below is a big book blogger’s mood.
It might not be with stunning pictures, it might not be with viral tweets, it might not be with instagram stories or a booktube video, but book bloggers’ work has value in different ways. In the words we write, in the book reviews we publish that will still bring on audience, new people and, yes, new potential book buyers months and years after the fact and THAT MATTERS, too. ALL thanks to blog posts, SEO, words and passion and a platform that outlasts social media’s living time.
I believe book bloggers can do just as much, even more, differently than bookstagrammers and booktubers and people getting remunerated for their work ; and I believe that they should be considered as equals and, if wanted, they should be able to get that dime, too.
Book bloggers do this out of love, of course. But I don’t feel like they’re valued, I don’t feel like WE are valued enough as a book blogger for the work we put out there.
What am I asking for, really, as a book blogger?
Am I asking for money, here? Am I asking for something to fall out of the sky when it’s just not, the norm? Am I asking for the moon, the stars and everything in between, or am I just being bitter?
The truth is: I’m not asking for the world, at all. I’m just asking for open minds, for understanding of the ginormous amount of work people put into their blogs. For thankfulness, for everything book bloggers did in the past, do now and will continue doing in the future. For a retweet, or reshare from the publisher of our blog post when we spend hours crafting a blog post for a blog tour, for free. For acknowledgment of our hard work, more and more.
Yes, for consideration if some book bloggers wish to monetize their blogs, or try, both from publishers and from other bloggers that don’t think we can, or should monetize, because, like I said it before… to each their own.
I’m asking for people to know that we, book bloggers, are here and strong and our voices matter.
Writing this, you know… people are going to tell me: if you’re not happy here, just quit.
Maybe.
But it’s also important to just acknowledge that book blogging makes me happy. It does. It just doesn’t make me happy all the time and, sometimes there are issues with it like this one that makes me want to reconsider everything and throw 5 years of work out the window because I’m worthless. I don’t have the worth of a bookstagrammer or the consideration of a booktuber for the world. Complex emotions, okay.
Book bloggers’ value each other in the community
Right now, and in the past years, where I found myself being valued, was thanks to the community, on book blogs themselves.
When I think back to all I’ve written, I know why I’m still here despite the fact that I’m sometimes, like today, just tired.
It’s because of you.
Book bloggers have each other’s back and value each other’s work, a lot. From the monthly wrap-ups to the sharing of each others’ blog posts, to the shouting about each others’ love. The little spark of validation I feel from my work is here because of you. I might not get thousandths of retweets or have millions of instagram followers and I might not get paid for my work, for now, but I got you and this, this is something.
When someone told me they bought a book because of me, I felt it. When someone loved a book I recommended, I felt it. When someone shared one of my posts somewhere, I felt it. When someone told me they appreciated my work, I felt it. Like my time, my energy, my rants, the years of being here, were worth something after all.
When I got approved for that ARC, got thanked by an author for a review, I felt it, too.
And you know, maybe I’ll go down that road and get shut down for wanting to be recognized in a monetary way, someday. Maybe I won’t. I don’t know.
All that I know is that, no matter what your thoughts are on this topic, no matter how disheartened you might feel, tired, wanting more, I’m here. I value the time, the energy, the love you pour into your blog, into this blog series of your heart, into this long book recommendations list you took hours to put together, into this review, into your work.
I value you, and I can only hope the world will value you more, too.
I hope this blog post will remind you to support book bloggers and their work. Every little thing matters and mean the entire world.
If you love a blogger’s work, let them know. Share, like, comment, tell them, spread the word about their work, donate to their ko-fi, patreon, wishlist, show them love in small and big ways, because it matters.
Interesting blog posts on the topic I’ve read lately:
I loved reading these two blog posts lately on the topic of book bloggers getting paid:
- Are book bloggers getting paid? – on 24h YA Book Blog
- Are book bloggers unappreciated? – on Cielo @ Belle Rose Reads’ blog
I also would 200% recommend reading May @ Forever and Everly’s study on book bloggers’ appreciation, with graphics and all the stats and amazing insight on book bloggers’ work as a whole, too.
☂️ You might also be interested in: How has book blogging changed in the past 5 years
Do you feel like book bloggers’ work is valued in the bookish community? What makes you, as a book blogger, feel value and validation?
What are some things you wish for book bloggers? Would you like to monetize your book blog? I would love to talk about this in comments!
Twitter ☂️ Bookstagram ☂️ Goodreads ☂️ Bloglovin ‘☂️ Support the blog
Love this! Book blogging is really a huge investment of time and research for sure!
Thank you so much! It really is 🙂
Wow ! What you saying is a bitter truth in so many levels ! Such an eye opening post !
Thank you, happy you enjoyed it 😀
This is a very hot topic 🙂 I must say I am on the side of not being paid. As you said ‘ We’re not like fashion bloggers or beauty bloggers, where it’s the norm’ and some don’t understand this. I have seen appalling behavior from bloggers who now demand to be paid. It makes me uncomfortable. If you are blogging for this reason you’re not doing it right.
Now, I agree blogging takes time, work, and passion. But I can’t see myself asking for anything else than an ARC and a thank you from a publisher. xxx
Like I mentioned it in my post, I respect the ones not feeling like getting paid, but I also respect the ones wanting more compensation for their hard work. In any kind of niche, bloggers are asking for compensation and, sure, it’s not the norm right now for book bloggers, but if some bloggers would like that, too, I respect them for it. To each their own! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
This is such an important conversation to have. I think that point you made about not knowing what you can ask for, money-wise is key. Not many influencers are particularly transparent about the financial side of things, and it makes it difficult for new people to get a foot in the door because if you don’t know what’s possible for you, it’s that much harder to strive for it! Weirdly in the influencer world having proper conversations about who is making what and how still feels somewhat taboo, and I think that’s a shame. There can be space enough for everybody if we make it. Ultimately as well this just drives a very monolithic type of influencer because they keep all the information in their own circles, and that’s a loss for everybody.
I am glad that you are still finding joy out of blogging, even though it’s not something you’ve found you can make money off of as yet. I love your blog ❤
Thank you so, so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed this post <3
I agree with you about not knowing, I feel like it would be wonderful to get more transparency on influencers' side, to know what's happening and just know the possibilities that are there, too.
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, this means the entire world, thank you <3 <3
I so feel this post! It’s not just about the fact that people gravitate more towards social media accounts to promote books, but that book blogging in general often gets treated like the unwanted stepchild. I’ve been asked COUNTLESS times how much money I’m making with my blog and people are always perplexed when I tell them that I am loosing out on it rather than making anything.
On a personal note, I don’t feel I could take money for a review. I think to review a book, a free copy is what I would appreciate, but I feel there would be a certain pressure involved if money was at stake for the review. What people don’t seem to get though, is that book bloggers don’t just review things. There are tours and cover reveals and author interviews, all of which require special attention and work. The fact that no one even considers fronting some money for that, but have so many expectations attached is ridiculous in my mind. You know that I am less of a book blogger and more of a “whatever I feel like talking about”-blogger, but I know how much work my friends put into the content they put out and I’d really like to see it valued more sometimes.
Publishers can get so demanding during tours etc. with being on schedule and using just the right hashtags etc, but they all just want it for free. I don’t know any other influencer branche (and yes, book blogging is a form of influencer-dom) that is free once you’ve crossed a certain follower-threshold. And i don’t mean to say that new accounts should be excluded from remuneration, just that they might be more willing to not take it in order to get traffic or something. I knew that I didn’t feel like my blog was big enough to get anything in the beginning.
Hope this made sense and wasn’t just a rant! <3 I love blogging and I love talking about the things I adore, but when publishers approach you or create certain marketing activities, that makes it a whole lot more like a job rather than a hobby. There are expectations, requirements and follow-ups involved that are not there for just the post you felt like posting.
YES that’s exactly it, the unwanted child ahah, definitely a good metaphor for it, unfortunately.
I so agree with you about that. I wouldn’t feel too comfortable taking money for reviews, but there are so many kind of different blog posts, promoting the book, interview, cover reveals, q&a and features that take a lot, lot of time to put together and can do wonders for a book’s marketing campaign, as well.
And it definitely makes a lot of sense! I 200% agree with everything you said here. I feel like bloggers and publishers collaborations could and should be more profitable for us bloggers especially.
Thank you so much <3
You know, it seems like a year ago on twitter people who were asking to get paid for reviews or talking about getting paid for reviews were suuuuuper shamed. I thought that we collectively decided that book bloggers had decided to do everything for free because it was the *right* thing to do. So I was also surprised to find out bloggers and instagramers were getting paid. But I agree with that. After all, the BookRiot folks get paid by the publishers to promote their books. Why shouldn’t everyone else?
Personally, this is something I neither think I deserve or want. My blog is pretty unprofessional, and I like it that way. If I wanted to get paid from blogging I would have to start spending a lot more time on content than I am willing to. I would have to start sounding more intelligent and less … enthused, lol. Ranty. I’d have to start *shudders* doing research for my discussion posts. (Arguably I should be doing that anyway, but what can I say, I’m a work in progress. Very glacial, molasses in January progress…) But I think for bloggers like YOU who have been around forever, who write with such poise, who have such valuable things to say, YES! Seek that financial compensation! I’ll back you up!
But I also agree with you that our real value comes from the value we give each other. I value you, I value what you write, and I take it seriously. You can make me want to read a book. You can change my opinion. I get excited anytime I see you post. <3
I think the whole “paid for reviews” thing can be a bit complicated, too and I understand some people’s reservations about it all. Being paid as a book blogger is complex and when I first think of it, it is mostly for, yes, affiliate links and advertising, but also blog posts more like blog tours, interviews, cover reveals, these kind of posts, too. I feel like book reviews are such a gray area ahah, it’s a bit complicated.
Honestly, I feel like it all depends on how we want to blog. Some people are perfectly content like that, others like and thrive on research and taking hours and hours to craft posts (me, aerm?) and some bloggers would like more, while others are content with what they have. I think it’d be amazing to recognize bloggers for what they do already, and recognize them more and support them if they want that little, more, too. <3
Thank you so, so, so much, this just makes my entire day, thank you for this ????
Thank you for being so open with us, Marie. I generally write long posts, and you are right, it is work, so whenever someone takes the time to actually read what I’ve written… it’s really nice. It would be nice to monetize my “second job”, but that’s so much harder than it sounds because you need a substantial following for that, and sometimes it’s easier to build that following on other platforms. But I love your point about the community. We’re still here, commenting and reading each other’s posts. We’re still alive, and we’re still working, and we’re still happy just creating, even if no one sees what we’ve done. And that’s absolutely lovely.
Thank you so much for reading, I’m so happy you enjoyed this <3
I agree with you, it's much easier to have big numbers, and quickly, on other platforms, but something I adore about book blogging is how we all have each others' backs on here. This is lovely and always makes me happy <3
Yes! You put the feeling into words <3
I’m a book blogger but also a librarian and I don’t have the time to read everything so I turn to other book bloggers who I trust so that I know what books are going to work best in my library. I also get a wide range of genre recommendations this way as I don’t read contemporary or romance and my Teen/ YA area ould be sorely lacking if I just went on my own preferences.
Reviewers also let me know what books are problematic, what voices are worth listening to and which may be considered ‘triggering’.
This is a rare kind of rating system that is really a specialised field.
I then buy books for 13 major libraries based on blogger reviews. So even if I only decide to buy 1 book for all 13 libraries based on a post, that blogger has made the publisher over £1000.
So yes there should be some recognition or remuneration for time and effort spent doing this.
Ahhh that is so, so lovely to hear and I’m so happy you are taking our recommendations at heart, thank you, this matters a whole lot to hear this already <3
Amazing post! Community plays biggest role in supporting blog because without them I don’t think I would have kept blogging or have confidence in keep blogging. It gets too much sometimes, all deadlines and pressure I feel and then I want to support all blogs I follow and then there is everyday reading targets to keep up all requests and to read books I have. It’s lot of work! Many times I hear from family, you are doing lot of work for free which is discouraging. But I know I’m lucky to get so many eARCs and some ARC/finished books as international blogger. As for monetizing, I put affiliate links but I don’t get anything through it. I was thinking to upgrade blog and put ads but when I so how many view it needs to actually see the money, I put thought aside. I would like it if all energy I put in writing review is appreciated by sharing and or blog comments and it reaches to more audience.
Right here with you on that, without the community I would have stopped blogging a long time ago ahah 🙂
I get that, it feels so discouraging when people are telling us “you’re working all this time and for free”, and it is discouraging a little bit. But the opportunities we can get already are lovely and if we can get a little more someday, it would be even better, who knows 🙂
Wonderful post Marie! I don’t know why but it didn’t click to me that blog tour got paid which doesn’t sit right with me. Blog tours host create a company the depends on the free labor of a lot of people.
I didn’t really follow the blogging paid me hashtag, but I reached a point of clarity when I saw folx promoting a Juneteenth book event and were asking for Black content creators to get involved. I opened the google form to submit my info and it was only asking for bookstagram and booktube stats.
It’s also weird to me that Bookish content creators are rolled into the term “bloggers” but pubs never actually want bloggers.
Thank you so much, Amber, so happy you enjoyed this post <3
I understand your point and I feel like it is such a gray area, too, the blog tour things. I wish we could all be equals, in a perfect world aha 🙂
Exactly! This is something that bothers me, too: they use the term "bloggers" but they don't actually want bloggers. It is so frustrating.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! <3
Another great post! I don’t think people really understand how much work goes into blogging. There are some authors and publishers that are awesome and so thankful. Then there are the ones that act like they’re doing you a favor and get a bit demanding. That attitude really makes it hard to want to review or post anything for them. I started blogging to share my book reviews since I was already writing them. Things got bigger than I expected quickly. I still love blogging, but it’s sometimes hard when there is so much put into it. It’s still for me, but it’s nice to feel appreciated, too. My family doesn’t get it (luckily my husband does and is always proud). They think I should be paid, but I’m just happy to get books to read.
Thank you so much! I agree, some authors and publishers are so thankful and so wonderful and so appreciative of our work, and this makes me SO HAPPY and so thankful for them, too <3 I just wish everyone were like this ahah 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! <3
You’re very welcome. 🙂
Loved reading this post!!
I definitely agree that book blogs are not valued as much by other niches but they 100% should be! I love reading fashion/beauty/lifestyle blogs just as much as book blogs, but even though I’ve never been influenced to buy a beauty product/fashion item, 100% of the books I buy are because I’ve seen them on a book blog!
Thank you so much!! So happy you enjoyed it. I agree, 99% of the books I buy are because of book blogs and I feel like we should be considered as much as influencers as others 🙂
Thank you <3
Such a heartfelt post, Marie! I loved reading it so much because I do relate. I have only been blogging for just over a year and a half now, and as much as I love it, I still dread the time and energy I have to pour into my posts. Especially now that I’m no longer doing “generic” posts like TTT and things like that. It’s so much energy, and so much freaking time. I wrote a discussion yesterday that took me 3.5 hrs total, and I’m just tired thinking of the fact that I got up really early to make sure I posted it on time. And then I think about those on Twitter and Instagram and how they can write a couple of lines and become viral overnight. They obviously did a lot of work to get to where they are now, but it still kind of stings and discourages me to see that. Mostly because I know that I’m probably never going to be on Twitter, and Instagram is not something that I can do because I don’t have books.
But it’s still very encouraging that book bloggers have each other’s backs. It’s such a lovely community that we have and I love seeing everyone shout-out each other, appreciate each other, and value each other. It makes me feel validated, and that means a lot ✨
Basically, this is an amazing discussion, and I loved it! Thank you for putting a voice to all these complicated feelings ??
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! <3 I get what you mean, so much. I stopped memes years ago to focus on content I'm working on a little longer and a little harder and, if I'm proud of the things I put out most of the time, they're a gigantic amount of work, too, haha 🙂 I guess it's not in book blog's nature to go viral like we can on social media, but still, it'd be nice and it'd be nice for people to recognize all the work we put out there a lot more 🙂
Thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts, I'm so happy you enjoyed this <3
I have to say that you deserve all the recognition you get. You have an amazing book blog, I would say my favorite out of all the book bloggers / book content creators I follow. You have really similar taste in YAL books, and so when you say you love something I hop on right away to read it myself! You definitely should charge for your posts (or however else you make money from book blogs), because you definitely have influenced me on more than one occasion ( honestly too many too count) to purchase books. I wish you the best of luck to get money from blogging xxx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Melina I’m ? thank you so, so, so much for your sweet words, I just want to take your comment and frame it to remind myself of why I’m here and doing this. Thank you ? This means the world <3 <3 <3
Did not expect to get emotional over this post but damn Marie you hit me in the feels. I genuinely think many book bloggers feel the most appreciation and love from one another. As a community we’re a relatively tight knit and supportive one, we have each others backs and we’re so understanding when fellow book bloggers announce taking breaks, or going on a hiatus. We get how hard it is and the toll it can take on our mental health among other things.
Overall I don’t feel like book bloggers get enough appreciation or recognition that they deserve, all of us put so much time, energy and work into creating content, promoting books. I understand that people will see “arcs and free books” as compensation but we can’t pay bills with books. Also in other niches its not a problem for them to earn money and within the bookstagram and booktube community they’re able to earn money. So then why is it that book bloggers can’t when in my humble opinion, blogs will likely outlast videos and photos on instagram. I just feel like the publishing industry needs to take a hard look at many, many things one of the things on their long list is about having funds to split between three platforms because each platform does their part.
The amount of times I’ve seen bloggers quit because it’s too much, the pressure and the fact that people in our lives expect us to be making a revenue off this can get to us all. In a way I think a lot of us feel like the unwanted child, which is pretty ironic considering book blogs were here first. Like blogs have been here since before YouTube became a thing I think? They were here before bookstagram and yet as a book blogger I’ve always felt pushed out from the book community as a whole. With my fellow bloggers it’s full of love but when you see book events happen like Book Con, Book Expo and you see influencers get to go…their primarily BookTubers. And it’s heartbreaking because I learn so much from reading book blogs, I’m more likely to pick up a book when a blogger raves about it yet we’re not invited or even classed as influencers.
I have definitely thought about monetising my blog some how, I’m on free WP because as much as I love my blog, I can’t justify going self hosted only for aesthetic reasons at the moment. I have considered creating “merch” of a sort maybe but I don’t know if that would really sell. I would honestly love to see all my fellow book bloggers get more recognition though because y’all deserve it. Value and validation for me comes from engaging with my blogging community in comments on my blog posts or on other posts. I value those interactions a lot because I started my blog to find a community and I found one. Thank you for writing such a wonderful post Marie <3 your posts are always a joy to read love!
Thank YOU so much for taking the time to write this wonderful comment, Clo! ?
I so agree with you on the publishing industry putting money into every media, and book blogs should be included on that. I’m glad that you also feel like book blogs and their content have value and I think there’s a lot of potential here, too, that isn’t being exploited right now and it is making me really sad and frustrated, as well.
YES. The fact that book events are primarily giving their spots to booktubers and bookstagrammers over book bloggers is something that irks me, A LOT. I appreciate the work they do, of course, but I also think we as book bloggers deserve a chance, because we ARE influencers just as much as them.
I’m still here because I value the community and every single one of our exchanges so, so much as well. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, this means so much <3 ?
Such an AMAZING post, love and super relatable in so many ways. I think you express very well many of my own thoughts about our work and our value within the community.The time we spend on our posts, sometimes even months in advance, creating ideas and thinking about original content, deservws better. I agree that we deserve some kind of payment for our work, but more than anything RECOGNITION & SUPPORT, you know? our work is so valuable, it’s the least we deserve ??
Thank you so much, Sofi! I’m so, so happy to hear you could relate to this post and agree with it, too. Thank you for your support always, it means the world <3 <3
I absolutely loved this and agree with you, Marie! As someone who has started to write discussion posts (before I mainly focussed on reviews) I can imagine how long it took you to write this post. So, I have to say: thank you! ? As a fellow international reader and someone who mainly relies on my local library I also understand you there. I have always been interested in reading ARCs but realized that for international readers it’s just not that easy, unfortunately… Blogging is a lot of work and I underestimate that most of the times but interacting with ppl about bookish topics is the best and so worth it. ?
Also: I’m not the biggest fan of bookstagram. Tried it out and wasn’t convinced…
Oooh that’s interesting to know. Almost everyone I know loves it, it’s actually nice to know someone who doesn’t love it as much! ?
Oh thank you so, so much, Linda! If I’m being completely transparent here, this took me like, 3 days ??
I’m just so happy you could relate to this as an international blogger as well. The conversations we can have and the support we get in the community from other bloggers is wonderful <3
I had no idea either we could get paid on IG Marie. I hear your frustration here but you get ARC which is a form of payment. We aren’t professionals and even if like you said we put in a lot of time, business is business for publishers and they will only pay you if you have a strong influence and bring them lots of clients. Otherwise it’s pointless for them. So they compensate you with ARCs. Be grateful you have them as I have so few physical ARCs. I got three exactly in my more than three years as an international blogger.
I think you have to adapt your speech based on the media you are on. Personally I HATE Twitter as it does not give me any room to speak. Just scream a few words and that’s it. I avoid Twitter. Facebook is more for promotion, cover reveal etc as that’s what people want there. Real discussion and lenghty posts are for the blog OR a condensed version on IG. And I loveIG as it allowed me to be artsy and touch people easier than on WordPress. So would I love getting paid? Sure. But that’s not why I blog. Just someone genuinely telling me he loves my blog makes me insanely happy.
I agree with you and I never said I wasn’t thankful for ARCs, on the contrary: I am so, so thankful for the opportunities we can get as book bloggers already.
I understand that publishers are doing their best and placing their bets on where their campaigns will work better: I just wish book bloggers could be something they “invest” in, just as well, because we also happen to have a lot of value and can do pretty awesome things, if you ask me ?
I’m glad you’re enjoying your blogging as it is, Sophie, that’s the most important 😀
Thank you!! 🙂
I enjoyed reading your thoughts here! I don’t have a well thought out opinion.
thank you so much, Carol, happy you enjoyed this 😀
This was a great post Marie! ❤️
I agree with everything you’ve said. Blogging is a lot of work and I agree, sometimes it just feels like what is the point of it all. I’ve never wanted to monetize my blog because I know once I do that, it’ll take away the joy of why I blog and I feel, for me personally, that it’ll become a job and I just don’t want that. I’m happy for bloggers who can manage to make money doing what they do, but I also think that just because some get paid for it, the ones who don’t should still get the recognition for the hard work they put in. It’s not fair to boost some bloggers and not others.
I’m pretty sure I’ve said it before, but if I haven’t, I love your blog and you deserve recognition for all your hard work you do! ❤️
I understand what you mean and I also have complex feelings about that…. that would turn into another 2k blog post, really ? monetizing, if possible ever, might turn this into something like a job and it might make my feelings change about it all, too.
I so agree with you on that, I think all book bloggers should and deserve to get all the love <3
Thank you so, so much, Meghan ahh you're so sweet ?❤️
I’d be down to reading that blog post if and when you write it!
I’ve had people ask me why I don’t try to make money off of blogging and that’s my sole reason is because I don’t want it to turn into my second job. I don’t want a thing I love to become work.
Ah, you are so so welcome! I always love reading your thoughts because we seem to be on the same wave length ?❤️
Aww thank you so much! <3 This makes me so, so happy 😀
❤️❤️
I couldnt agree more with everything you have said! I succumbed to the feeling of all my work being a waste of time and i stopped blogging. This is the first post i read after logging in to my blog after a long time. I initially joined the book blogger community and felt so welcomed and that made me want to keep writing. Then everyone kept moving to twitter and instagram. I tried twitter and to my dismay i felt so suffocated there and eventually it made me want to stop blogging altogether. I too am an inernational blogger and getting my hands on books and arcs were quite difficult and that meant not being able to keep up.
Yes book bloggers dont have as many followers, monetary gain isnt that easy to get and our posts arent bullets of easy access information but its all done with so much love and care and thats where the worth of our blog posts lie!!
Thank you for putting to words what most book bloggers definitely feel inside. We deserve recgnition for our efforts just like everyone else!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this post, thank you so, so much <3
I agree that the worth of our posts and everything comes from the love and passion we pour into it, for sure <3 thank you! <3
I love this! I chatted about this on my blog but the detail and facts you went into really opened my eyes to the things I didn’t even know about my own community ? I want blogging to be a job but it is truly never going to happen…
Thank you so much, so happy you enjoyed it! <3 <3 and don't give up on it, I believe there are solutions to make it work <3
This is such a wonderful post, Marie! I love how you’re able to find some positive in everything, that even in a post about a topic I am salty about, I am left with a warm feeling about the blogging community ♥♥
To answer, no, I don’t feel like our work is valued, except maybe by each other. And YES I think we are valid and important. Otherwise I wouldn’t be doing this, tbh. Like- when I see a book take off in the book community? Soon enough, I see that book take off EVERYWHERE. That is not a coincidence; I have been around long enough to see a very clear correlation. And Idk if The Powers That Be think that these posts form on their own, that hosting is free, etc etc, but sometimes it feels that way!
Do I think we should be paid? yeah probably. But I also think that ARCs shouldn’t be treated like they’re handing out diamonds, either. Like- I have been at this for many years, and I think I have proven that I will come through with a review. When I am rejected for books at this point, it feels like a slap in the face. And people say that we shouldn’t feel like we are “owed” ARCs, but actually, I do to an extent? Like- if we keep putting in the work and showing we’re reliable… why wouldn’t we be deserving? It’s like- can you imagine someone asking say, a beauty blogger to review makeup but telling them to BUY the makeup? It’s absurd.
As for actual monetization, I have been trying, unsuccessfully, for many years. I have made less than $10 on Amazon, and about $200 on Google Ads- until they changed the format and because I don’t have control of the part of the code in my site where I have to put their dumb code, I can’t do that anymore. It’s exhausting. Like you, I have a full time job and two kids and like… this takes literally ANY time I have left. So yeah, I think wanting to make a few dollars for all the work isn’t the worst thing! The $150 Instagram post makes me want to cry too. I’d be willing to bet I couldn’t even pick it out in a crowd of other bookish posts- I find Bookstagram success to be VERY arbitrary, but that is a topic for another day (wow I should do a post on that haha).
If you ever figure out any good ways to monetize, give me a holler, I want to join in! ?
Oh Shannon thank you, this makes me so, so happy ? I’m so salty about this as well, but always hoping to find a little positivity ?
I so agree with you that our work is valued by the community as a whole and this is something that, despite everything, makes me really happy and in the end, makes it all worth it, too.
I understand what you mean about rejection, after a long time, it still really hurts and still manages to make us feel unworthy, despite having proven time and time again that we are, worthy, coming through with it all AND probably giving the book a lot more sales, too.
I’ve been hearing these kind of monetization stories and how little bloggers actually make from affiliate links. It’s a bit disheartening knowing that, knowing it’s basically the only solution that is do-able right now. I’m just happy to know someone feels the same way as I do about this: that it’s not the worst thing if we want to make a little money from all the work we put into this, too.
(and yes!! please write a post on bookstagram because I’d LOVE that!)
Thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts on this, Shannon, so appreciate it. And will do, someday, maybe ?
I once Googled “get paid to write book reviews” and got directed to an online book discussion community. In order to “get paid” to write the reviews, you had to spend many hours in the community, post a lot, and review a bunch of books for free, just getting the free book as your reward. Eventually, when you moved up in their point system, you could bid to review books that paid small amounts of money. But usually, what the reviews paid was pennies compared to the hours you would spend reading the book and crafting a good review.
At first, they pretty much posted any review you gave them, even ones with typos. But as the site grew, they introduced a more and more complex system where an editor would look at your reviews and grade them. If an editor downgraded your review, you lost the points that you had spent so long earning. One day an editor took a hate-on to me and harshly downgraded a couple of my reviews. My points crashed. I gave up and left the site. I want to review books because I read them and have something to say about them. I get much more feedback and traffic from WordPress than I got from that site. And no, I don’t make any money on WordPress, but I have made some wonderful friends. 🙂
You would think, with how desperately authors need to promote their work, that it would be easier to find a way to get paid to write reviews. I don’t know why it’s not. I don’t understand the industry.
The industry also, by the way, gives the “you are not valued” message to authors. You can work for years and see no result, barely even a reaction, to your work, and certainly not make any money on it. It’s no one person’s or group’s fault, it’s just the way things are set up and everyone within the industry, however well-intentioned, has to work within existing system. That’s why the industry is described as a meat grinder. “Publishing” has “paid me” zero so far. It’s taken a lot, though! But since I am not yet a published author, my stats are not going to go into “publishing paid me.” Writing is definitely something people should only do because they love it.
OH wow I had no idea that such a place existed…. that system is a little…. nope, that’s a no for me? I’m so happy you are enjoying yourself much more here on wordpress! 🙂
I agree that book bloggers hard work should be valued. SO much hours are being put into putting a one blog post but sadly when it comes to book, as a user point of view, its much easier to connect through Instagram.
You can comment, likes and communicate using story pins compared to blog where I need to sign in and put my details. It just more work when using blog.
But I still read my favourite book bloggers’ post and you’r one of them. Thank you for continue blogging!
Yeah I understand what you mean, it’s much easier to reach out and write a quick answer to an instagram post or tweet than a blog post. I still prefer and cherish the connection and deep discussions we have on here though and I am grateful you still do a little bit too <3 <3 Thank you so much!!
I LOVE this so much! Everything you stated here is SO on point. Sometimes it gets me wonder too, the sad truth behind a book blogger. And being an international book bloggers didn’t help much at all.
Thank you so much, I’m so happy you could relate to this <3 keep on reminding yourself of why you're here and what you love about it, always <3 <3
Marie, you spoke my heart! I too am feeling so disheartened lately that I haven’t posted anything regularly in ages ? I have been feeling those doubts. I haven’t been paid too. I agree with all of this so much. We spend so much time in writing and working on our blog but when it comes to appreciation, we get nothing. I am really thinking if I can continue blogging or not 🙁
I’m so sorry you’ve been feeling that way! ? I really get it though, I’ve been feeling the same way, too, some days are harder than others. Always remind yourself of why you started and what makes you happy about it and, if you’re meant to continue and if your passion is bigger than anything else, you’ll continue <3 <3 always here to support you <3
This is such a wonderful discussion post, Marie! ? I definitely have been thinking about this topic ever since it recently came up in discussion and I think that it’s totally okay to feel sad about how publishers, in general, seem to turn to other channels like social media of Youtube. I love watching Booktube videos and scrolling through Twitter, but I also love reading and supporting blogs, so I wish the latter got much more love. We’re also doing so much work putting out content and hyping up books, that I wish publishers would pay attention to blogs as well and consider investing here as well, and not only in other channels. I definitely think that we deserve compensation for the work we do, especially as there is so much potential to do promotional posts and special features like you mentioned. I hope that publishers might change their perspective a bit and finally see the value that book blogging can bring to the table. I love your little community so much and all the support, so I hope that someday we might get more recognition ❤
Thank you so, so much Caro, I’m glad you enjoyed this post <3
I so agree with you on that, I also wish that we got a little more love than we currently do and I feel like there is so, so much potential here just waiting to be seized ahah 🙂
Thank you so, so much, Caro <3
I didn’t start blogging for any sort of monetary compensation. I just thought since I read so much it would be a great way to support my reading habit. I felt like it was win, when I made some fantastic connections in the community. I do feel that publishers undervalue book bloggers, and all the love in focused on Instagram and BookTube these days, and that’s sort of frustrating. We don’t just write blog posts. Most of the bloggers I follow are on Twitter and Instagram too, screaming about books, and it requires a lot of time and effort.
I didn’t start blogging for monetary compensation at all, either and right now I’m not really looking for it, even if it’s been on my mind. I agree with you that all the love is focused on other media and, while I can…. understand it, I also feel like there is a whole lot of love to be given on book blog platforms, too, because we’re amazing and work really hard, too 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Sam! <3 <3
It’s interesting how the world has changed. I remember going-on ten years ago, bloggers were suspicious of bloggers who only posted positive reviews, thinking they were getting paid off. Now, there’s more validation of the enormous work we put into our blogs and the lack of compensation. Personally, while I could use the extra income, I’m not sure that I want my blog to be monetized. I enjoy the freedom to share the books I love without any strings attached. I think there could be a way of monetizing blogs while only promoting books that we love. I’m not sure at this time where the balance lies. But I respect that some people want to monetize their blog and that some are fine with blogging as a hobby. For now, I’m cool with a free book for an honest review; it’s a fair exchange to me. And I love how supportive the book blogging community is, I love to see other bloggers promote works they work, and I love how bloggers start thoughtful discussions like the one we’re having now.
I’m so happy that there is a little more recognition here and there for the work we put into it, and I wish the publishing industry could and would see that enormous potential, just as well.
I get what you mean about the freedom. There’s something wonderful about doing what you want with no strings attached and no pressure that comes with the paid promotion, just as well, I agree.
Thank you so, so, so much for sharing your thoughts on the topic and I’m so, so happy you love the community and its support. It is my favorite thing ever. <3
Because I focus on other topics OTHER than books, I do get paid here and there for things like that. I’ve gotten paid for some book related things but it’s not common at all. I have a Twitter and Instagram – and I’m trying to use Instagram more to support my blog – but I still love having an actual book blog. I do think that blogs don’t get nearly enough credit as they should. It takes a lot of time and work and most people don’t get paid, or only get a little bit of money. If you want your blog to be strictly a hobby, that’s awesome. I hope you love it and have fun. I think it’s fine that some book bloggers want more monetary compensation though. I think we deserve it. I’m not saying it’ll ever be a full-time job like it is with fashion or mom blogs, but a little bit is nice. I’ve been blogging for 13 years this August, so yeah, it’s a big chunk of my life and my time.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Oh that’s lovely to hear! 🙂 and I so agree with you, whether you want it to be a hobby or to be something that gives you a little money on the side, too, both are perfectly okay. It all depends on the way we view blogging 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! I love that you’ve been blogging for so long, I admire that so much. <3
This was a very interesting post! I think that in my early days of blogging, back in like 2014-2016, book blogging was a lot larger than it is now. Sometimes I feel now that book blogging gets overshadowed by booktube, bookstagram, and just book twitter as whole. I feel like some people may have forgotten that blogging exists! I’ve never wanted to monetize my blog personally, but I think if I ever did, it would be a lot harder to get recognized because of the influx of these new mediums. And I’m not bashing these mediums at all! I love watching booktube videos. But, I think overall a lot of people have forgotten that book bloggers still exist.
Definitely agree! I started in late 2014 and I felt like blogging was BIG, then I saw it quickly decline in favor of social media. I think that book blogs are seen as… well, tiny, now, compared to the rest of it all, and it makes me a bit sad.
Thank you, Emily! 🙂
I feel this deep down into my bones. I’ll be honest, blogging is always where my heart is going to be. Sure, I love Instagram, and I’ve been on Twitter for so long, I remember when the damn Tweet Deck app for PCs came out, but I spend more time on my blog, and reading others’ blogs, than I do anywhere else. I almost always scroll past Instagram captions or just do a passing glance at tweets, but blog posts? I don’t know if it’s because I’m just so accustomed to reading full books, but I get so excited when I see the time and dedication someone has clearly put into an extra long post. I’m in it for the long haul. I want to read every single word.
But it is really exhausting. Working 40 hours a week means that a lot of my writing for posts is happening late at night or in a mad dash on the weekend. Being able to schedule things out in advance takes time to make sure I’m not being redundant, or I’m discussing things that are actually relevant. Being a book blogger is A LOT of work, and it really is like a second job. I mean, authors love to write, and they get paid (however minimally) for their published work, so why shouldn’t we, people who love to read and shout about reading, get paid for the thing we love to do?
I’m currently teaching yoga virtually since the studio I work at has closed due to the pandemic, and so many people are bent out of shape about the fact that I’m not teaching for free. They think that just because it’s something I enjoy doing, something I’m passionate about, that I shouldn’t want to make money off of it, and that I should instead offer it to the community as a gift. But that’s honestly kind of bullshit? Like, a little gross, not gonna lie. That just makes me feel small and demoralized about the thing I love. We live in this society where our work and our passion almost never collides, and so, when it does, people want to make us feel like we shouldn’t monetize the thing we love because “that’s not how it’s done.”
Anyway, I’m definitely starting to ramble here, sorry for the essay, hahaha. This post was excellent, and it really echoed back to me, so thank you for sharing! And thank you for all that you do in this bookish community! <3
Your comment just makes me so, so happy. I’m so happy to see the love you have for book blogs and these lengthy posts, as well, it’s so good to see I’m not alone <3
I'm just so happy you made that point about being paid and still doing what you love. That's exactly how I feel about it, too. I mean, it's not because work and passion sometimes don't or can't collide, that when it CAN, we shouldn't try to make it happen? I think in the end, we really should thrive for what makes us happy and, if we can and want to make money off it, well, we should try, too. <3
I'm so thankful for your comment and insight, I can relate to this so, so much. Thank you so much for sharing <3 <3
Oh, I’m so glad! I always enjoy your posts so much, and I promise you’re not shouting into the void! There are definitely still those of us out there who love this medium more than anything, and we’ll always be here. ❤
This makes me the happiest and makes me stay and still want to continue shouting with my blog posts and rants ahah. Thank you ? ? ?
Loved your honesty! I wish we got more consideration for the hard work we do (because yes, we brought it upon ourselves, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t frustrating to scream into a void or to see authors and publishers flocking to Twitter and Instagram and giving good old blog posts less value). Personally, I would never want to get monetary compensation for reviews, because that would suck all the joy (and probably the honesty) out of writing them. But I don’t think I could blog for money as a whole, reviews aside, because I’ve had proof that the very thing you love the most becomes a chore when you do it as a job.
Roberta R. @ Offbeat YA
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! 🙂 I get what you mean, for some people working and turning what they love into a job might suck the fun out of it, for some others it work out really well, I guess it depends on everyone! 🙂
This is such an amazing post!! I love reading your blog❤︎ I often read books because I read about them on blogs.
Oh thank you so, so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed this <3
Marie, your post digs into a lot of book blogging discourse that’s been brought to light recently. I totally agree with your points and how at the end of the day, we do it for our enjoyment but should be more appreciated – especially by publishers.
I think the dichotomy between “bloggers” and other influencers like Bookstagram and BookTube is perpetuated by how social media is viewed by publicists and marketing teams. Like you mentioned, it’s so easy to engage with more people through short Tweets/pictures, in comparison to blog posts which, lbr, a lot of people don’t even check out anymore. But honestly, at this point I’m just happy to have my little corner of the internet where I can promote lovable, diverse books and the passion of reading. <3
Thank you, Aila, I’m happy you enjoyed this <3
I have to agree with you: I guess (and I can only guess, since I haven't worked in these kind of teams) that publicists and marketing teams put more value into social media than blog posts. It just makes me a bit sad, because I think we have potential too 🙂
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you're happy about it all and so happy you're back <3 <3
Fantastic post <3 I definitely think that book bloggers are rather undervalued rip. Writing, formatting, and making images for a single blog post can take so long, and that doesn't even take into account all the time spent blog hopping, commenting, on social media, etc. In an ideal world I wish book bloggers could get paid, especially for reviews since that's work writing a critical review, but realistically I know that probably wouldn't work or happen, especially since people can be biased when writing reviews, and honestly, our numbers are just smaller. I wish it was easier for bloggers to get ARCs though–it can be so frustrating to see ARCs going to some bookstagrammers or book tubers who don't even read the book, just take a pretty picture and then move on and unhaul it later 🙁 I definitely agree though that the community is so wonderful and we all support each other, if nobody else does lol <3 <3
Thank you so, so much, Kay <3 I agree with you that realistically, there are some things that are impossible for us, but deep down I still believe we can have wonderful potential for marketing teams. Someday maybe ahah 🙂
Exactly, it is a bit frustrating knowing these books won't be read or reviewed sometimes.
thank you so much!! <3
I love this post so, so much, Marie! You really write some of the best blogging discussions, and that is just one of the reasons why you deserve to be compensated monetarily for the work you put into blogging. For some, like you, blogging really is akin to a full-time job, only without the actual money, and I just can’t get over how unfair that is. Bloggers put as much and sometimes more work into their content than Bookstagrammers and Booktubers, and we can be “influencers” too—I know people who have added books to their TBRs & even bought a book because of a blogger’s recommendation. It hurts me so much that publishers won’t recognize this, and that book blogging is falling to the wayside more and more everyday.
Personally, I think I spend a lot of time on my blog—some posts take about 5 hours or even days to write, and I try to dedicate time to blog hopping & replying to comments everyday. I don’t think I post or review books frequently enough to deserve monetary compensation though ? But it sure would be nice…
I’ve made my peace with the fact that I’ll probably never make a single cent through blogging. I’ve grown to see it as a fun, albeit sometimes stressful hobby, which I get compensated for through nice comments, friendships, & heartwarming interactions. These things aren’t money, but I’ve grown to see them as just as good. I firmly believe that some bloggers, especially you, deserve to be paid for their work though. I hope publishers eventually recognize this, but I honestly don’t think they ever will :/
Caitlin I’m ? thank you so much for saying that, this means so much ?
I agree with you 200% that book bloggers are influencers and I really hope that people see and highlight that WAY more than they are, right now. Of course, social media influence people a lot, but book blogs have made me buy books for the past 5 years ahah.
Oh yes, the interactions, comments, friendships I’ve created thanks to blogging are invaluable and they’re the reason I’m still here, that’s for sure <3 <3 Thank you so much ?
This is such a beautiful post, Marie!
I love your blog and I get so happy every time I see a post from you ❤️
Thank you so, so, so much ? ? ?
This is such a great post Marie! ❤️ I agree with you on all of these things! ?
I have been blogging for nearly 5 years now and blogging takes up a lot of time. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing it which is why I’m still here, but it also gets exhausting. ? I do feel like the work book bloggers put into their posts isn’t valued, especially since I haven’t seen a single blogger mention on twitter getting any money from their work. ? I think they should get paid, I have gotten SO MANY books because a blogger recommended it. To be honest I have been kinda disheartened with blogging lately. ? I don’t know what it is, but I’m just not feeling as motivated towards it as I have in the past.
I have decided to make a booktube channel, to get some variety into my bookish life. ? (I plan to start uploading in July, hopefully…) I’ll still keep blogging, but I just feel like I need another platform to talk about books. This comment went all over the place, I have just been thinking a lot about my place in the bookish community lately. ?
Thank you so much, I’m so happy you enjoyed this post <3
I understand your feelings, I'm feeling a little disheartened by blogging as a whole every now and then, too, you're not alone. I hope that you'll find your place and where your happiness is in the community <3 <3
My Sunday Posts are the only ones I can write quickly. All the others take a few days. Creating graphics and promotion also takes hours. It is like having a second job. I feel like blogging is less appreciated than BookTube or Bookstagram. Until recently, I didn’t know that publishers paid for photos or sponsored videos. I also saw a video where a BookTuber was complaining that only popular BookTubers get invited to speak on panels. As far as I know, bloggers don’t get invited to those at all.
It really is like a second job ahah 🙂 I get what you mean…. I also feel like we are underappreciated compared to other influencers and it always makes me a little sad.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! <3
I just wanted to stand up and clap reading this post. As much as I love blogging, it is work, and it’s frustrating to see how little appreciation we get. Not that money is the only way to receive appreciate, but hey, it would be nice to get something back for all the free publicity I do ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Also, $150 for an instagram post?? What?? I need to lie down for a second.
The idea that book bloggers aren’t considered influencers is wild to me, since I’ve read/bought/heard about more books than I could count from bloggers who don’t get paid a cent. If we could even just get some appreciation and acknowledgement for the enormous amounts of work that we do, that would be so nice!
And yes, the support and community from other bloggers is really what makes this all worth it for me too. Even if we aren’t recognized by publishers, the amount of love from other bloggers is always inspiring and keeps me going! <3
Thank you Margaret ahh I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. ??
I agree with you so much, I feel like we aren’t considered influencers while… all we do is scream and influence a whole lot of people to get new books haha 🙂
Thank you so, so much!! The community keeps me going every day, too <3
What a great post! I feel like, as you said, that book bloggers value other book bloggers more than anyone else. Especially not with social media becoming more and more popular.
I love book blogging. So much. It is a hobby and I always get extremely happy when publishers or authors come to me and ask for reviews and want to give me their books. That is so, so special. But the thing also is that book blogging takes time. Thinking about the book takes time, photos take time, writing a post takes time, researching takes time. And while I udnerstand blogging as a hobby, I just wish there was more than people just reading your post and continuing on. As you also said, if you like something a blogger did, tell them. If you have the money for it and you want to work with a blogger, pay them. I especially love “working with a blogger” and then giving them an eARC. I think giving an eARC already is great but… to compensate for the amount of time I put into all of it? I don’t know, sometimes it just doesn’t feel enough.
That was such a good post and I agree 100%!
Oh thank you so, so much Kat, I’m so happy you enjoyed this post <3
I'm glad you agree with me on that part. it's true that blogging takes a whole lot of time, and recognition for our hard work is so important <3 thank you!! <3
marie, i love this discussion so much! i’ve been thinking a lot about something related to this in the past few weeks, as i compared how i’ve seen black lives matter and related issues being dealt in the book blogging community vs. in book tube and bookstagram.
i don’t know if we’re doing amazing, i know we have a long way to go, much like everyone else. but the fact every single blogger i followed posted or shared something about it, and just how diverse our community is – at least in my perspective – made me feel kinda proud of our little world here. even if, as you said, it’s definitely not valued enough.
a big part as to why i joined book blog is because i knew it was a “quieter” community. there isn’t as much drama, competition or comparison as i felt when i tried joining bookstagram for a while and how i feel like there is on book tube – just from my outside perspective as a viewer, as i’ve never had a channel.
but then reading your post makes me think if the lack of drama isn’t also the reason why we don’t get as much recognition. because, at the end of the day, these issues still bring so much influx of people and, therefore, more exposure to books and publishers. it’s a very sad and frustrating cycle.
i am glad, though, that despite all of that, our community still appreciates and values each other. ? this post was AMAZING and i’m sososo glad to have you write about it!
thank you so much, lais, this makes me so happy <3
I agree with you about that, i love how the blogging community is a little quieter and somehow feels a bit more, peaceful, too, I appreciate that so much! <3 but yes, definitely, the drama brings people in and… that can be frustrating too ahah.
Thank you so, so much, so happy you enjoyed this <3
I wondered about this, and then one author thanked ME personally and my blog in their book, so yes, I think we are valued.
Ahh that’s lovely to hear! 🙂
Great post. 🙂 Blogging is really hard work. I spend hours writing reviews and then creating graphics for them, plus I also have to spend considerable amount of time on social media to promote my post. The ultimate result – 10 page views, and almost 0 Retweets. As far as compensation is concerned, I have stopped thinking about it completely, because it simply leads to more frustrations. I have completely stopped requesting ARCs because as an international blogger, I have never been approved for it. Ever. Nevertheless, it’s good to see many bloggers speaking up about this, but I am not really hopeful about any change.
Thank you so much! It is hard work, but it also feels rewarding for ourselves, even if sometimes we don’t get the recognition we’d like from the outside… on the inside, it feels wonderful to write down our thoughts and do something for ourselves we enjoy, too <3
Yes, writing down our thoughts does seem wonderful.
I definitely agree and resonate with a lot of the points you brought up – I never thought about monetizing anything I do on my blog and was really surprised when finding out that other bookish platforms had that option. Blogging definitely takes a lot more time than non-bloggers realize especially from a non-bookish perspective. I sometimes spend 1-2 weeks writing just a review because I can’t find the right words to express my thoughts ? One of my favorite things about blogging is definitely the community – I go through bouts of inactivity because of school work but each time I feel like giving up I’m reminded about the wonderful people that make up this community. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate it <3
Oh thank you, so happy you enjoyed this! <3 I get that, writing reviews sometimes take me so long because… what are words and feeelings and ughhh ?
Thank you!! <3
Oh, Marie, this might be one of my favorite posts you’ve written. I’ve connected to it SO HARD, even with missing quite a bit of the drama on Twitter and only catching some of the details. It is really discouraging to hear how your work is undervalued as a book blogger, especially when it takes a lot of work to not only put a book blog together, but also keep it running, to write posts, to do research, to read the books you’re reviewing, to book hop. Not to mention to some might chose to pay for a domain or pay for blog design, so in that case, you’re actually “losing” money when it comes to this hobby that feels so much like work. Thank you for putting all of my feelings into words.
Also, for what it is worth, I hope you know how much I value you and your blog and your voice, here in this space you’ve created. I connect with your content so often and you help me feel less alone in the blogging community, sometimes. You are important to me and I value your work, every single time I come to your blog. <3
Oh Nicole thank you, this means the entire world, you’re going to make me emotional ahh ???? thank you so much, I adore you and your blog and all of your work so much <3
Ahhh, you are way too sweet, thank you! <3 <3 I just adore you so much and I'm so glad we discovered one another and become friends through our blogs!
Aaah so am I ❤ ❤ ❤
Once again you’ve hit the nail on the head with this and I can 100% relate to everything you feel. I was so disheartened to see how little appreciation book bloggers get after all the tireless work that goes into creating content and the work we do to network our work and the book itself. It’s insane how little credit is given and it does make you question your own value as a blog. The community we’ve built and the support we find in each other is definitely a saving grace, but I think if book blogger wants to monetise their content then they should have the chance to do so without this feeling shame for wanting to be put on an equal footing as other influencers.
Exactly, I’m so happy you feel the same way on this. I think that if any book blogger want to monetize their content, they should try as they please and should be considered as equals, too, because we are influencers, too, even if our means of influence aren’t social media platforms.
Thank you! <3
Ahh, Marie, this post is incredible and so well-articulated. ? Yours is one of my favorite blogs, so it breaks my heart that you’ve felt like you don’t have value as a blogger. ? It makes me so happy, though, that you’ve had the community’s appreciation to gain strength/happiness from, and I agree with you, 1000%. I don’t think the community is “perfect” but it’s filled with such wonderful people who are smart and kind and SUPPORTIVE, and I’d not be a blogger without all that. ?? I agree, it can be disheartening to constantly put effort into something that doesn’t pay, and to “work” for “people” that don’t ever acknowledge your work.
As a smaller blogger, I’ve accepted not gaining money from my blog, but I’ll say this – sometimes, it’d be nice to be looked at as people who do have value. I don’t really want to get into what made me very self-conscious about blogging and kind of unhappy, because I know it’s a bit… bitter and unfair to authors, but uh, since I’ve started blogging I’ve been so disheartened by certain things, so I understand you. *hugs* Just know that your work is so valuable – I’ve bought and read books because of your blog, and I love reading your presence and think that your presence in this community is so important! 🙂
Oh Veronika I’m so sorry that something has made you unhappy and self-conscious about your blogging, you’re such a fantastic blogger and don’t deserve to feel that way, ever ? I’m here for you if you ever, ever want to talk and always on your corner rooting for you and your INCREDIBLE work and blog ❤️
Aahh thank you, this means so, so much to read that, ?????
This is such an important message and you worded everything so eloquently & detailed so many of these aspects so thoroughly. I hope these words of yours get out more & that all of you who write & fight for a more mainstream, widespread valuing of the work & effort of book bloggers are recognised & heard <333 xxx
Oh thank you so much ????? this means the world <3
Ahh I’m so late here I meant to read as soon as you posted but life got in the way :/ anyway I absolutely love this post and you’ve put these ideas into words so well!! An absolute highlight of my time book blogging is the way the community supports each other, if not for that I feel like a lot less people would still be blogging.
Aaah don’t worry about it at all, you’re so, so sweet, thank you <3 <3 I'm so happy you enjoyed this post and so agree with you. The way we're here for each other is wonderful <3
Thank you for making this post, Marie! It’s amazing! ??
It breaks my heart to know how much work lovely people like you are putting into their blogs, yet they are not getting any kind of monetary compensation or recognition for it at all. I know you work very hard on your blog, your posts are so consistent, and you’re a major voice in the community. You and so many other bloggers deserve to be noticed for your efforts, but unfortunately, publishers don’t seem to notice. I’m beginning to wonder how much publishers even know about book blogs – at my current internship, I’m working with an agent who visited my blog and called it a “review blog”, although I haven’t done a review since December 2019.
I had no idea bookstagramers could get paid! 🙁 That is disheartening. I know that every “influencer” in the book community, whether they are on instagram, Twitter, a blog, or Youtube, works hard in their own way, but it saddens me to know that book bloggers don’t have the monetary opportunity for their efforts the way other influencers do. All I really want is for bloggers to be recognized a bit more, and to perhaps get more ARC opportunities, especially for international bloggers.
Bloggers like you matter in our community, because you inspire us to keep going and to continue to communicate with other bloggers like us. ? My blog would be very different if I had not found your blog early on! Your work is valuable to me because you inspired me to make my blog the way it is today. You have been inspiring me for years, and I really appreciate everything you do in this community. ❤️
Don’t mind me I’ll be here sobbing ???? Xandra, you’re way, way too sweet, this comment honestly means the entire world and makes me feel hopeful and happy and makes me stay here, really. Thank you ??
I’d be so curious to know how publishers see book blogs and if there are things we could do? I’m curious to see the other side of this ahah. I agree with you about monetary compensation, I know very few book bloggers trying to go down that road and it seems… a little complicated and not well-seen, since, well, no one does this in our niche. It’s a little sad!
Thank you so, so much for your sweet words, this means so, SO much. ??
woah some bookstagrammers get paid?! I’ve never been paid for a post by a publisher OR author ? not on any of my platforms (and my bookstagram isn’t small!) so I don’t know anyone who gets paid honestly. And yes it’s a problem! Other brands and niches get paid, but for some reason no one in the book community does and I am sad by it ? it doesn’t compromise our honesty in reviews to get paid for all the work we do?!
I was a little shook to find that out, as well, you’re not alone ? I agree with you, it’s something that deeply, deeply saddens me. I hope you will be able to get opportunities, you deserve it SO much. <3
i’m sorry for being ridiculously late to this incredible post, Marie, but i love it so much and agree with everything you said here!! book blogging as a platform is becoming so unpopular, especially when it’s easier to just post a photo or tweet a short book review, and it makes me so sad to see that. on my lowest days, i definitely feel like, “why am i even doing this, anyways?”! it’s frustrating that we put so much work into our posts for other social media platforms to take over. ?
however, i also wholeheartedly agree with what you said about the value in the book blogging community; it’s the wonderful bloggers like you that make me so so happy to be active here!! reading others’ posts and interacting is so much fun and it honestly warms my heart to see all the support. ?
this discussion post was so lovely, Marie, i can’t tell you how much i loved reading it!!! thank you for sharing this ❤❤
ahh you don’t have to apologize! <3 i'm glad you agree on that, we put so much work into this too and it feels a little sad to see that our work isn't as recognized as other kind of platforms, whereas I think it's just as valid. <3
Thank you so, so much, Ash!
This was a very thought-provoking post, Marie, and I absolutely loved it! I can totally understand your complex emotions on the topic. I’ve been blogging for four years now and I only recently found out that you can actually ask for money – I knew that some do it, but I never thought * I * could be one of those, mostly because I lack confidence on my work. I’ve always been more than happy about receiving books in exchange for a review, and I never thought more about it, simply because I always thought I was already getting more than I deserved. Every time I even think about starting a Ko-fi, the same feeling kicks in. But it’s not just about money – I believe being afraid of my efforts not being recognized it’s also one of the reasons I’ve been postponing going back to bookstagram or even the occasional dream I have of starting a booktube and experimenting new things. And that’s awful, and I know many bloggers feel the same way, and their work is great and they deserve all the value!! ): (and you’re a great blogger and deserve all the value <3 <3 )
Oh thank you so, so much Marta, so happy you enjoyed it <3
I completely understand what you mean, I don't know if I'll ever have enough confidence to ask for anything ahah, but I had no idea I even could. and I understand what you mean! There are so many ventures I'm not getting into because well, I feel like I'm terrified and I'm afraid that my efforts won't pay off. It's always a little scary, but I think that, if you feel like you want to, you should follow your heart. I'll always be here to support you <3 <3
Thank you so much for posting this! I’ve wanted to quit so many times because I feel like book bloggers don’t get the recognition they deserve (that and the fact that sometimes it just feels like no one is reading your posts). That is not to say that bookstagrammers and BookTubers don’t deserve the recognition they have but just that the publishing industry should pay the same attention to all of us. It feels nice to know that other people share my opinion. I really hope things will change in the future.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3 I'm glad you agree, I feel the same way. We're all doing an incredible work and I'd be happy if we could have as much attention as other platforms :/
Thank you!
you know i love you and this post and your words so very much, but i’m just here to reiterate it <3 i'm sure you know my thoughts on all this, but it really is just heartbreaking that bloggers were the backbones of this community and get so little for it. it's understandable to an extent, since social media/youtube have become such important parts of everyone's lives! but it honestly feels like a punch in the gut to, for example, see "blogger" not even listed as an "influencer" when… they were the ones starting the whole book influencer movement 🙁 but i really love how you highlight bloggers' love for each other as a source of hope for us!! and maybe one day we'll be recognized by pubs ?
May thank you I don’t deserve you ??
It really is heartbreaking to see that. I agree that, okay, social media has a place we can’t neglect in today’s world, but i’m sad WE are the ones being a little bit neglected when we were here first and paved the way for it all, as well. ?
Thank you so, so much, let’s hope so <3
I love this!! I just started my blog in May and didn’t get around to it again until July. It’s hard at first to stay motivated because I know I’m not going to have as many ARCs or followers as bloggers who have been doing this for a while, but I’m trying to do it for myself and no one else. Love this community!
Thank you so much, Isabella!! You should blog for yourself and follow what makes you the happiest, write what makes you happy and engage and have fun, that’s what makes blogging worth it in the end 🙂
It’s funny that I came across this post today because I was just talking to an author friend of mine about blog tours and she asked me, “So do the bloggers get paid to participate?” and I just laughed. Um, no. She was like, “Oh, so the tour company makes money but you don’t?” Um, yes.
I mean, honestly, I’m mostly fine with it—I never looked at my blog as a money-making enterprise, but it is kind of funny when you think about it that way. So, yeah, we’re free publicity. And honestly, I don’t know if it would be worth it to publishers if they had to pay—the reality is that they do need to think about ROI.Is there some grand answer out there somewhere that’s fair for everyone? I’m not sure.
Yeah I get what you mean… I mean, I believe it’s hard work for everyone, the tour companies and the bloggers involved and it’s kind of funny to think the bloggers themselves aren’t paid for it.
I understand and I don’t know, really, how publishers see that side of thing. Does an instagram post gives them more ROI than a blog post, I can’t help but wonder, sometimes. It’s an interesting question for sure!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Nicole! <3
This is such an important post, thank you for sharing Marie! I definitely agree, after owning a blog for 8 years I never made a cent from it but going into Instagram and booktube helped with that. It’s such a shame that it’s undervalued, because so much work and investment (money and time) is put into it.
Thank you so, so much Jeann <3 I agree, it's kind of sad to see that, knowing how much work and passion is put into this. <3
Hallo, Hallo Marie,
Actually stateside we’re not technically allowed to be compensated as book bloggers – it is strictly a labour of love for us who blog here in the states. I know some book bloggers are circumventing this – as I’ve seen their Pateron, Ko-fi and other accounts – however, technically speaking, I never thought I’d monetize blog even if were allowed. Something never sat well with me about that – I had hoped it might lead to a job in publishing and/or somewhere in the marketing/publicity side of publishing (esp at a small Indie Pub) – however, as I’m predominately self-educated and do not have a BA/BS I get passed over or go unnoticed quite a lot. I also have a heavily read blog who receives more likes than comments; I wish I had more conversations on my blog but I’m just thankful my followers enjoy my content (per the likes) and/or shares on Twitter.
In regards to addressing book bloggers being paid, I think it depends on the rules per country and region; however, similar to Paper Fury above – I’ve never been compensated for blog tours, book reviews (direct from pubs/authors or publicists and/or blog tours), cover reveals, interviews or guest posts – again, its just not done here. The only people who are paid for those things are the people who own the blog touring companies but *not!* the bloggers who participate on the blog tours.
I agree book bloggers are sometimes downplayed and/or devalued. I also know not everyone understand what we bring to the bookish community – its hard not to spend seven years in the book blogosphere and not notice certain things. However, aside from that… as I’ve had to juggle a lot IRL over the years, blogging has been a blessing of grace as it has provided me with an outlet and a way of exchanging stress for joy by focusing on stories and the authors who write them. I blog the heart out of the books I’m reading (I’m quite proud of my latest review – revealled tonight “Magnolia Storms”) and I try to bring engaging and conversational conversations to my blog via the interviews and/or Q&As I host as well. I happen to host a Twitter chat on the weekends, too which also brings readers, writers, book bloggers and reviewers together for an hour of blissitude and conversation with one another. (ie. @SatBookChat)
This whole adventure has been a walk of faith and was a whisper on the wind after I awoke one morning – I’ve been remaining true to myself and my writerly style and hope to find others along the way who enjoy what I have to give and share – its the most of what we can hope for as bloggers – that what we write and share is enjoyed by those who visit with us. Otherwise its like you said – trying to light a candle and have it flickering in a void of silence.
PS: I’m a writer whose been moonlighting as a book blogger – I never knew I’d grow a platform or a social presence ahead of publication – as seven years ago I wasn’t even thinking in those terms. I was simply following a seed of an idea and it has grown into what is Jorie Loves A Story today. I have redeveloped my writerly style and have grown as a writer – something I hadn’t expected and feel blessed about having received. By the by, in regards to a platform I still don’t approach it like that – I’m just myself – socially and bookishly – who you visit with on my blog is the same girl you’re chatting with on Twitter (or the other haunts I occupy online). I’ll leave the business side of my future pub career to be dealt with later though I already know I won’t be tweeting about my books as heavily as other authors because I’d lose that socially engaged feel I have on my blog and Twitter feeds. I’ve learnt a lot and I know what I want to do is slightly alternative to other authors as a result be all have to follow our own paths.
I honestly think there’s nothing wrong with book bloggers wanting to be paid. Obviously, like you said, the regulations of it all depend on every country, but if people can and want to, I think they should be able to get that dime 🙂
I’m so, so happy that blogging has brought you so much, that’s fantastic! Honestly that’s always the number 1 priority whenever doing something, knowing it brings you that much joy. It’s such a great feeling 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Jorie! And best of luck on your journey <3 <3