Joining Bookstagram? A Bookstagrammers Survival Guide

I have been documenting my reading journey by posting about books on Instagram consistently for almost 4 years. If you’re just starting out, or even been here for a while, you may come across some of these problems.

With the help of my bookish friends, I can hopefully offer you a few words of wisdom that will help you not only stay sane, but thrive within your bookish community online.

You’re worried about what people will think?

Your social media is not for your friends and family, but for the audience who finds value in it. You are giving yourself a space for total immersion into the things you are most passionate about. It is not about 'influencing', but a form of self-expression you can grow into. You're bravely putting something out there into the world with purpose, sharing a part of yourself and those who want what you have to offer will find you.

You have limited time to read?

I know that is seems like all we bookblogger do is read. But remember social media only shows a glimpse into peoples lives. A lot goes unseen. You will find times when you are just not able to take in what you're reading. When you just can't find the right genre or you are feeling pressure to finish a book rather than engaging in it.

We often call these periods 'reading slumps' and there are ways to get out of them. They can be brought on by a few mediocre books, or even one really great book. They can also happen when life gets busy, or your feeling mentally/emotionally drained.

Here are some tried and tested ways out:

• Take a break (watch a movie/series)

• Take the pressure off (you are here for a good time)

• Commit to not reading anything for a certain period of time

• Write/journal - catch up on reviews or write about books (and their adaptations) that you have loved in the past.

• Listen to music/podcasts

If you prefer to read through it;

• join a bookclub read/start a buddy read

• read a palate cleanser genre (mine are often thrillers)

• listen to an audiobook

• dip into an old favourite

Either way, it will pass and you and your bookstagram account will be just fine.

Content creating is too time consuming?

Batch creating content is a great time saving method. It means creating a large batch of pics and videos in one session. You will then have enough content posts to stay present and engaging without worrying about new content everyday/week.

If you’re not feeling creative and have run out of things to post, then just engage with other accounts with purpose and appreciation. Enjoy the gorgeous feed you've built by following accounts that please and inspire you. You don’t have to be an innovator, you can take inspiration and create content from scrolling. Saving the content that sparks something for you. Giving a tag/acknowledgment to those accounts that inspire you is always good etiquette too.

Or you can grab some ideas from here

You’ve become overwhelmed by your current TBR?

One thing that I can promise you, once you join Bookstagram your TBR will grow exponentially. This can feel very overwhelming.

Talking from experience, this can be dealt with easily, it’s just a switch in perspective. The TBR shelves/piles are NOT a to do list, they are our much loved and well curated ‘wine cellars’. If we take out the expectation to finish it all and just appreciate that we have such a wonderful collection of books, giving us variety of choice each time we wish to pick up our next read, it will feel much less like pressure and more like pleasure.

People can be hurtful.

Being present online can leave you vulnerable to cruel comments. It’s not personal! Throw away negative comments and other unbookman-like conduct from those who don’t actually know you? Don't sweat it! If you sweat the small stuff, you're bound to find instances that will taint or spoil the experience for you.

Keep it fun, detach from negativity and remember why you started. Not everyone will behave the way you expect them to, and you can always block them if you can’t ignore them. This is your little space in the world, curate it as you please.

Pressure to post every day/go viral?

Going ‘Viral’ is a double-edged sword from what I've heard. Seek quality over quantity when you post. Make a routine that suits you and fits in with the demands of your everyday life. Watching for likes and follows, and trying to understand the algorithm will send you crazy. Step Away! Let your growth happen organically and let it lead you to connect with new people and try new things for the joy of learning and challenging yourself, not for the external validation of numbers.

Feeling pressure to read certain books

Do not get caught up in the hype. Believing that you have to read what is popular/new/intellectual. Read whatever you like. It is reading the books you like and wanting to shout about them from the rooftops that brought you here, so do not adapt for the sake of popularity. However, being open to change, exploring your curiosity and diversifying your reading is always good. You may even surprise yourself.

You don’t have money to spend on new books.

You can get some amazing free proofs from publishers, 99p or free kindle books, second hand books, eBay and Vinted a very popular, you can sign up to netgalley and not to mention use your local library. We love a library haul!!

You do not have to spend a fortune on books to be a book blogger. Your value is in your personal viewpoints and creative expression not the size of your bookshelves and the special edition collections you have.

Comparison is the thief of joy

Comparing your photos, reels, follower count, likes and even the number of books you read is out the window. You can be inspired, encouraged and full of admiration for your fellow bookstagammers but if you start comparing yourself, you’re going to come up short and rob yourself of joy in the experience.

Mistakes will be made

The lighting will be off, the text or audio will disappear from your reel, (this is so annoying) you will post typos (this kills me every time). Luckily, no one cares about or notices your mistakes more than you. So give yourself a break and have fun.

This advice was curated with the help of my bookish community. Welcome to Bookstagram, it’s the greatest corner of the internet and we’re so glad your here.

I hope you found this helpful and please keep in touch… you can even follow me on Instagram

Love,

Laura x