Recently, I've started thinking about taking someone on to co-blog with me. The reason being that I will be going into a pretty important year at school after summer so I probably won't have as much time to update the blog frequently. The prospect of shutting down the blog and stopping blogging entirely is AWFUL. I've made so many new blogging friends since returning from my hiatus and I don't intend to leave the blogosphere - you can't get rid of me that easily ;)
I have a few worries about taking on a co-blogger. What if I end up not getting on with her? I've thought about putting them on a trial basis. Would this be a bit harsh? I know it would be better to have someone I already know but I none of my friends like reading and I don't think they'd want to blog with me.
Suppose we did get on well, what if there's something I don't like about their reviews? I know everyone has their own style and I have no right to tell someone to do this or that but it's still my blog and I am somewhat of a perfectionist - which can be very annoying sometimes! The wonderful Eileen suggested I could get the people who sign up to write a guest review so I can get an idea of their style etc. (Thanks for the help, Eileen - it was very useful!) And if the person has no experience with using Blogger, I'd be more than happy to show them the 'ropes' but should you trust someone with your password so they can access all areas of your blog?
And how can you work well together? I'm guessing you'd have to be in regular contact through email to decide who does what each week. Since I'm a bit obsessed with checking my emails, I don't think that would be a problem. However, I'm a procrastinator. I don't plan ahead or schedule so maybe I'll have to change my 'ways' in order for everything to work out.
Say we get on really well and the schedule of the blog is perfectly organised between us, what if there are books we both want to read and review? How can we split it fairly? Should we write a joint review? I kinda have this thought that since I founded the blog and everything, I should get the first say but I want my co-blogger to have fun too, I don't want to end up being a grouchy, bossy thing who crashes the party -.- But then what if the co-blogger 'takes over' everything?
I'm not even sure if anyone will want to blog with me but I'm thinking of posting a form (a few weeks after school starts) for people to sign up if they're interested. I'm still not entirely sure if I want to go down this path but if you know anyone who likes reviewing but doesn't want to commit to their own blog, send them my way!
So, please please PLEASE leave me your thoughts on co-blogging. Do you think it would be a fun thing to do since it takes off some of the pressure on yourself? If you co-blog, I would appreciate it if you could tell me the highs and lows of co-blogging and what you do to make it work well.
I know this is meant to be a discussion but I've just realised I've asked a LOT of questions so any tips or advice will be highly appreciated!
Happy reading,
Beverley x
Posts
Hey Beverly!
ReplyDeleteI run a co-blog with Neevie from Totally Neevie called It Was Lovely Reading You. It is a review blog only and when Neevie asked me to co-blog with her I was really chuffed. There are definitely some good things about co-blogging. You make a strong friend in the person you are co-blogging with as you are contacting them so often. I always schedule my posts on my actual blog so it wasn't very hard for me to adjust but as it goes on I am finding it difficult to give up my time for that blog when I have my own one to do reviews for. Maybe if the person you got as a co-blogger had a blog but didn't post reviews on it that often so they wouldn't constantly be thinking, "oh I would rather have posted that review on my own blog." or if they do not spend that much time on their own blog. Or maybe they have a blog but they are not comfortable with it because maybe they don't have that many followers...that way they can maybe quit their blog and just focus on your one because they will have already have had experince blogging so they won't be complete novices...
One way to sort out the reviews is that you both go out and find your own books to review. You just make sure the other person isn't contacting the same publisher for the same book. If you both want to review the same book then why don't you just both review it and then link it together in the same post? You may even find the other person has picked up points about the book that you didn't..and if say you like the book and the other person didn't then the review will be VERY different so it will be harder to link it; maybe then you could post it in the same post butdivide them into
Beverly's review
----
(co-owners name's review...
----
I hope this helps and if you want to ask me anything then feel free to e-mail me!
Hope your new school year goes well! :) xo
sorry if i spellt anything wrong I was typing fast!!
Awwwwwww Bev! The prospect of shutting down something you dedicated so much time and effort to is certainly awful! It'll probably be a bit easier to co-blog with someone since you've be entering your most important year of high school- I'm currently preparing for my end of year exams which are pretty much like Uni entrance exams and it's almost impossible to continue posting (since posting takes AGES for me- like formatting and everything) while balancing out my studies etc. I actually don't know much about co-blogging...but I reckon it would take the pressure off you having to manage the blog all by yourself. But communication will be important- Like which day you'll be posting and what reviews and who's posting for which meme...etc must be sorted out! Anywayyyy I can't really offer much advice but I can offer encouragement :) GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SCHOOL YEAR! You'll be starting in...September? Study hard BUT don't stress out too muchh....:D Oh...and is it your last year of high school? Whether it is or not....YOU MUST HAVE FUN!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, Bev! I've actually been thinking about this lately. I also have a feeling I'm going to be super buys next year, and I really want to devote most of my time and effort to studies, but I really don't want to shut my blog down. I mean, especially after spending SO much time on it, and making so many awesome bloggy friends (like you), there's really no way I can do that. But it's still going to be really time consuming! -.- I could ask a friend or someone to co-host my blog, but I don't really want to ruin the close relationships I have with my friends. And maybe I could find someone new, but then I don't really know anything about them and it could get really messy... WHY, OH WHY does being a teenager have to be so complicated??? :'( *weary sigh of someone who feels like the world is on their shoulders* I think what I'm going to do is just make my studies and school life my priority, and blog over the holidays and whenever I have a little spare time during school days. Balance is key, no?? :D
ReplyDeleteI know that Jasprit and Rachel have a really cool system where they both share the blog. Maybe we could ask J how she found Rachel and ask them about the pros and cons of co-blogging? They do have a really cool system worked out... I'm so happy I have someone my age who understands what I'm going through, Bev!! I honestly thought I was the only one who worried about this!! ILY!!! And no matter what, you can't stop blogging, k??? Promise???? :P
I also have a very busy time ahead. I'm finishing my thesis (for my MA) and the blog suffers. And as you said, shutting it down would be a disaster. I don't have a co-blogger, but rather a contributor, my best friend/boyfriend because I know I can trust him. He reviews movies since he's a professional, and genres that I don't usually read. Once or twice a week he sends me a review, all I have to do is post it. And we're having fun without me feeling like someone is imposing on my precious territory :D
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Oh, Beverley, this is such an awesome discussion post! <3 I don't think I can do much to help you anyway since I don't have co-blogger. I've been thinking a lot to have a co-blogger too, since like you said, it would take many pressure off my shoulders! I'm such a moody person so when I'm not in the mood to blog, it would be super awesome to have another person to take over. :P I've been trying to get my sister as a guest review but she said she's too busy to do that. :(
ReplyDeleteI think a form would be a great idea, Bev. Or maybe you can wander around Goodreads and find someone with no blog who write amazing reviews and propose the idea to the person. :) I read some joint reviews and I love it so much, so I don't think it would be a problem. :D
Good luck finding a co-blogger, Beverley! <33
PS: there's NO WAY we can get rid of you and your beautiful blog that easily, Bev! Rest assured! ;)
Thanks for mentioning me! :) Also, for Blogger, there's an "Author" option and that person will be able to go in and make new posts but that's it. If you want to change them to "Admin" then they will have control over everything just like you :) I don't have a co-blogger but from what I've seen people usually put up a form, and then they individually analyze each person and the ones you like you can do a one-week trial with them and have them post a little during that week to decide whether you like them or not :)
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, I won't be letting you shut down your awesomesauce blog! I'll wrestle you to keep you from doing that actually ;)
Oh my gosh, this is such an AMAZING discussion topic! I've been recently wondering the EXACT same thing!
ReplyDeleteOn the plus sign, I think that it'd be so cool to have a co-blogger because then you don't have to worry about rushing to post something everyday if you had someone else to take alternating days or something, and I always feel bad when I leave my blog postless too :')
But on the negative side... As much as I LOVE the idea and think it's SO great for those who can pull it off, I don't think co-blogging is my cup of tea :') I'm just SO protective of my blog and all my posts are written in a Mimi-style kind of way and I always reply to comments and there are just so many other things I worry about x) And I'm a last minute procrastination blogger like you (*high fives*) so planning ahead? Probably wouldn't work :') Plus, my blog is my name LOL so that wouldn't really work! x)
BUT! I think it's so awesome that you're considering it, Bev! You're blog is already AMAZING as it is (Ask anyone and they'll tell you! <3), but if you decided to take up a co-blogger, I would be your BIGGEST supporter -- always! :) <3
Co-blogging is a great idea! Don't you dare close down your blog, hehe ;D I agree with Eileen's advice, you could get everyone who is interested to do a guest review and see which one matches your style. However, it doesn't necessarily have to match your review style, having a balance of the way you write could be a good thing. Also, if you both want the same book to review, you could do seperate reviews on the same post.
ReplyDeleteI can totally empathise with you though about exams - in only year nine I had to take a break from blogging! I'm in year ten next year, so I think I'm just going to roll with it and maybe being more organised with schedules etc.
Good luck with school, I hope you find a suitable co-partner! :) <3 xxx
I think having a co-blogger could be a huge benefit for you Beverley, especially if you are going to have a busy schedule and want to keep the blog running. I think having potential co-bloggers submit a sample review to you is a brilliant idea, because honestly, it's a little like a job interview. This blog has your name on it, and you want to post the best content you can, so you need to research and make sure the person contributing meets the criteria you need them to meet to maintain what you've so painstakingly established. Nothing wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteAs far as all your other concerns, some of those you'll probably just have to be upfront with the person about. Express your worries and just be honest - and ask the same from them in return:)
I'm a new follower. I think having a co-blogger has both good and bad points. I would make potential co-bloggers send you a sample of their work so you can see what you like and don't like.
ReplyDeleteIf you like contemporary books please visit my blog - http://bookbloggermom.blogspot.com
Ooh, what an interesting topic! :D I'm seeing more and more people add a blogger to their team and I can definitely see both sides of the argument. I think it would probably be a BLAST to have someone to do it all with! I assume that if you like blogging/reading, you already have a HUGE common interest and really, talking to other bloggers and readers is like my favourite part of this whole thing! So having a partner just means you get to share all the tougher challenges and enjoy the good parts together! SOUNDS GREAT!
ReplyDeleteBut then I get the other side too. I PANIC just thinking about letting someone else have full access to my blog to do what they please. Not that I wouldn't trust them, but it's just that loss of control that makes it tough. That said, if you picked the right person, established boundaries and stayed respectful and friendly, I don't see why it couldn't work out perfectly! :)
And of course, if getting a co-blogger means that you don't have to quit your blog... FULL STEAM AHEAD! <333
Sonia
Beverley, you have pretty much addressed all my concerns about co-blogging! I always wish I could have someone on board to help me out but there are SO MANY questions running through my head too. First and foremost, I am a control freak. I want my blog to be perfect and exactly the way I want it to be. I imagine if I ever had a co-blogger, the poor person would wish they never signed up. Of course, I don't want to be a bossy boots, but it's pretty inevitable with me really. :P
ReplyDeleteI've thought about this quite a lot and reckon the only thing I might be comfortable with is having a guest reviewer. Asking for sample reviews is always a good idea. Beyond sending me reviews, I don't think I would be willing to allow someone equal access to my blog.
Wow... I sound kind of stingy but there we have it. ;) I'm most comfortable blogging alone, even if the work load gets a little too much. It's always okay to take a break if needed or blog at a pace suitable to you. :) Best of luck with your decision!
:) i find co-blogging a perfectly good idea! I always enjoy reading joint reviews, its so nice seeing what different people thought of the same book. Jaspirt and Rachel posted an unforgettable joint review of Pushing the limits awhile ago. i think trials with different bloggers is a great idea. or working with a friend from goodreads who hasn't yet made their own blog. in the end, its your choice. Good Luck!
ReplyDeletei completely understand the stress of school and blogging, its my senior year this year so from Sept to Dec i will not be blogging as often as i would like.
I can see how you'd want the extra help with your busy schedule, Beverly. I don't think I could ever run a blog on my own, it would be too time consuming for me. I can see how you'd have reservations taking someone on though and your idea of trying out a guest reviewer is a good one.
ReplyDeleteI started with Jasprit as a guest reviewer because of my apprehension with the time issues. When I realized how much I loved it and that it wasn't as scary or time-consuming as I thought, Jasprit was kind enough to add me as a co-blogger. I couldn't ask for a nicer or more considerate partner if I tried! We communicate and work very well together. On my part though, I went into this with the express knowledge that The Readers Den is first and foremost Jasprit's blog. She is the one who spent the time and hard work starting it up and I wouldn't know how to do anything with it if she didn't patiently guide me through the process. I will always defer to her judgment if there any questions or concerns. We usually schedule things ahead of time through email. I'll send Jasprit a list of books that I'd like to review or a post I'd like to put up and she sends me a list of possible dates. I don't think it's a problem if you want to read and review the same books. We've both posted reviews of the same book before but recently we did a joint post on a book we both read and I think we had great fun with that. You could try something like that.
I think it all boils down to choosing the right person and being clear with your expectations and general vision of your blog.
Don't close your blog! I'm sure you've put a lot of time and hard work into it and we'd all hate to see you go! :)
I started off co-blogging, but it didn't work. She had a really busy schedule and just couldn't keep up. I co-blogged with my best friend, so we were in really regular contact. I wouldn't be able to co-blog with someone I just met over the internet. I'd have trust issues and demand to meet them and get to know them in real life.
ReplyDeleteAdvice for this...er...making sure that you get on with them and that you have clear expectations of them, and they of you. As Rachel said, joint reviews are fun!
It all depends on what works best for you...but don't close your blog! I definitely don't want to get rid of you :-)
I have to say that I hope you don't quit your blog, I really enjoy your reviews, so even if you have to reduce the amount that you post to keep it going, you should keep at it!
ReplyDeleteI think taking on a co-blogger could work and like others have mentioned, you do not have to give them full access, you could post their reviews for them or they could create a blogger account and you could invite them to be an author but not an admin. Or even an admin but you will still remain control. It's something you need to think about a lot, my co-bloggers and I all started together and right now I do most of the posting but I am always happy when they want to do a review, and if one of us wants to review a book, then they get to do it.
Talking to Jas and Rachel from The Readers Den would be a great idea too!
I've often wished I could find a good co/blogger, but the problem is that I don't really have any writing friends. Well, just one or two. But one of them has a particularly intense personality that I'd NOT want to deal with..hahaha...and the other one is a guy so...I feel like we wouldn't really want to read the same books. Hmmm..
ReplyDeleteI think that if you find a co-blogger that has your same interest in book genre's, and who is passionate about blogging, it should be fine and great fun! So kudos to you and much luck in the process of finding one! :))
I wish you all the best of luck as you struggle with your decision on how to carry on blogging! I thought about co-blogging as well, but eventually decided that I couldn't give over any control at all to somebody else. My blog is my own and I can't share.
ReplyDeleteBut what I did do was took on a couple of (awesome) guest reviewers. I send them two books every few weeks and they provide me with reviews to fill in those blanks that occur when life takes over and I cannot post my own reviews/posts.
I hope you find a method that works for you!