Do Followers Really Matter?

[Victoria @ Birdy Books]

Clearly when I see a blog with 200+ followers, I assume it's pretty important. But do followers serve any real purpose other than to make a good first impression?

 

BirdyBooks.blogspot.com

[Lori]

I absolutely agree with this.  I too see blogs with a large number of followers who post a synopsis and then a line or two stating "I really liked this book.  The plot was fun" or some such thing.  To me that's not a review, that's a short opinion.  I do wonder why people would choose follow blogs that offer no more than Amazon but maybe that's just me. 

 

I do think it's important to have readers who will interact with your posts, regardless of how many are "followers".

[Maria Behar]

Hi,Bri!!  I agree with you wholeheartedly!  I can't understand, for the life of me, why such blogs have so many followers.  I put a lot of work into my blog.  I enjoy writing, so I do my best to post reviews that truly analyze a book.  And I write more than three paragraphs in each one.  I also post literary musings, which are my thoughts regarding aspects of the literature of the fantastic, specifically.  I also include fan fiction (Twilight and The Phantom of the Opera), as well as a bit of original fiction, now and then.

 

I also strive to make my blog visually appealing.  This is as important to me as the writing.  That comes from being an art major in college.   Sometimes, due to computer problems, as well as my nitpicky perfectionism, it can take me as much as TWO hours (or more!) to complete one post!  Everything has to be "just right" before I actually publish.  And then, even AFTER I publish, I go back and edit if I missed something somewhere.

 

Well, I only have 35 followers.  Maybe that's not so bad, but I would definitely like to have more!  Also, I wish more of the followers I already have would comment.  I feel so disappointed when I check my blog and see that I haven't had any comments (or new followers!) for days....

 

When I get a little down, I even feel like deleting the whole thing.  But this doesn't last very long.  I tell myself that I have already put a lot of work (and I have TWO jobs, too!) into this, that I am doing it primarily for my own enjoyment, and that like-minded souls are free to join in if they so desire. 

 

Still, it's so depressing sometimes to see no comments, and the same number of followers....I have even tried posting more often, and that doesn't seem to do the trick, either.

 

I don't want to host giveaways, although I do sometimes write a post about another blog's giveaway, and link back to the blog.  I am also reluctant to monetize my blog.  I don't want to clutter it up with ads. 

 

I want people to follow and comment because they like the blog itself, not because I'm giving away anything,  And monetizing it makes it look like I'm in it just for the money, which I'm definitely not!  For me, it's a labor of LOVE -- THE LOVE OF BOOKS!!!!

 

Well, I'm off my soapbox now....lol.  : ) 

[Victoria @ Birdy Books]

I'm just wondering how many people follow your blog because they want to read it, rather than following in hope you'll follow back. On one hand I want followers so my blog is respected, but I want those followers to read and discuss what I write, because that's why I started the blog in the first place. :)

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

 

I once joined a blog hop and got seven new followers. That was last year and I haven't heard a peep out of one of them since. My guess is that they followed other blogs in the hope of getting some quick follows for themselves--which, given the stated purpose of the hop I joined, was something they were entitled to do. But after I read their content, I realised I wasn't interested enough to follow them and didn't reciprocate. 

[Kelli Wheelwright]

I only follow blogs that I actually want to come back to. I hope that the same is done for mine, but you never know. If I do eventually host giveaways I will NOT be requiring people to follow me... I would rather have followers who like what I review then followers who couldn't care less.

 

I guess in the start up though, maybe sheer numbers is good? I dont know :)

 

KW

http://www.ekfamilybooks.blogspot.com

 

[ManOfLaBook.com]

Like everything in life...

 

No, followers don't matter if you have a lot.

 

Yes, followers do matter if you don't have many.

[Enbrethiliel]

+JMJ+

 

LOL!!! How true . . . =)

[Evie Seo]

Followers do matter in a way, they help to spread the word about your blog, so that the community is growing. Also it feels good to know that someone out there is actually reading what you wrote sometimes, right?

I'm a beginner in reviewing and blogging and it's damn hard to get anyone to follow me, which is a bit discouraging, but at the same time makes me realize that I still have a long way to go, before my blog will attract anyone.

 

Evie, from Bookish

[Marrion James]

Yes. Followers are one of the most important in blogging. Aside from sharing books and having fun time to discuss about it. It is the heart of your blog.

 

Your blog wouldn't be noticeable if it weren't for them. You cannot promote or share the book you love if it weren't for them. Your blog wouldn't get a recognition it weren't for them. And also, them is the reason why publishers and authors are eager to give you an advance copy of a book for review, so you be able to share your opinion about it before publishing it if you have enough followers/audience in your blog, they will not approve if you only have 10 or 30 audience in your blog.

 

You cannot host a giveaway if there are no followers. You cannot post something where no one will read it. Am I right?

 

LOL! I sounded like I am lecturing. Though these are facts. I can't lie about it. The rest is up to you how will you make your blog to be interesting and fascinating. And how will you progress it from time to time. :]

 

Did this thing help? hehehe... Well, Happy Reading! :]

[Majanka Verstraete]

I think followers are important for several reasons:

1) Publishers look at how many followers you have, how many people instantly know you are posting a review, what your influence is, the amount of visitors you have each day, etc. As the amount of followers is a huge component in deciding whether or not a publisher will send you a certain ARC, it is important.

 

2) I follow blogs I want to come back to, but I also try to follow everyone who follows my blog. I think that's just common courtesy in a way.

[Marisa@Armchair Archives]

I suppose all of this boils down to what the goal of your blog actually is. Many people think blogs are for sharing, but a minority also use them as a means of keeping a record.  For example, I love to engage in discussions with other readers, but my primary reason for starting a blog was to keep a record of the books I've read and any notes I have about them. Of course I'm happy if people join in along the way and add their voices, but it wasn't my first intention in creating a blog. 

 

Also, not all bloggers are interested in attracting publishers or hosting giveaways (those do indeed need followers to create impact and participation, though).  Nothing wrong with those things, of course, but that's not every blogger's personal goal. 

 

Definitely agree about the common courtesy of following others who follow me! It's just natural and friendly. :)

 

[Savanah Warman]

I don't think followers matter. Although they do matter when your trying to work with a publisher and they ask how many followers and/or views do you get a month. It really matters then. But otherwise, I began book blogging for my own sake so I could keep track of the books I've read and my opinion of them. It just happens to be an enjoyment of others to read my reviews.

 

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