SOCIAL MEDIA

Sunday 24 July 2016

PrintedWordsAnd Turns Four With Many Celebrations And Gifts!!

I don't know how to start this post off but it's been four years since I've started blogging. FOUR YEARS?! I don't know where time's gone. I definitely have written a post on how I started and things like that, but briefly - I was in my last year of high school and I figured why not. Now here we are. 

It still feels surreal but for the past four years I've gone from having fun to trying to build up this blog and committing more to it. I definitely still have a lot of work to do but I've invested so much time into this that now it's become my baby. I don't know if this is me bragging but I really am proud of where the blog has gone. It started off on a basic website to something that I've designed myself and will continue to pour more effort and love into. Already I'm thinking of re-designing and creating more content. There's so much work but I do it because I love it!!

I wanted to share the reasons why I love blogging but also some tips if you're contemplating on starting or have started blogging. I don't claim to be an expert for 4 years is pretty lengthy right? I feel like I would've gained some things from these past few years. To celebrate I also have a mini giveaway just to thank you all for supporting me! Read on lovelies! 
1. Blogging Community 
The people that are on here, both bloggers and just readers, are absolutely amazing. Whilst I'm not 100% involved - I admit, I can be terrible with keeping up and replying/writing comments - I do not forget that there are so many fantastic people I've connected with. I really appreciate any kind words and all the people I've been acquainted with.

2. Books!! 
Really I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to talk about books. I love that I can write about what I want and feel passionate about, and know that there are people who feel the same way I do.

3. Share what I love
When I started this, a part of me did it because I only had a handful of people to talk to about books, so this became an outlet to discover others who would want to know what books I wanted to recommend. I blog to share with you guys my favourite reads - especially those I think deserve more attention. I want to share books that are unknown but are amazing reads, which is why I'm here.

4. Discover new books
This definitely comes under connecting with the community, but I blog about books I love and in turn I get to discover books other bloggers love. It's a win-win situation, am I right?
 
1. Write About What You Love 
Discover your passion and write about it. If you start to follow a trend or think you need to write what people want to read about it, then it's going to show. You're either going to sound generic, bored or really uncertain about the content. That's the worst. Instead, write about what you love and how you feel about the subject will come across. It also means that you'll be passionate about it and will want to keep on blogging.

2. Consistency is key
This is huge and something I definitely do struggle with. Having content on your blog is key to having readers. You don't necessarily have to be posting every day but having a constant pattern for every week is great because visitors can anticipate when you will be releasing new posts and will come by! I'm still getting there with this but I swear it's super important to blogging!

3. Organise like a boss
Organisation is huge for being consistent. Whether this be having all your contacts listed and filed, month scheduled out or even having posts written well in advance - being organised is going to be a life saver when it comes to blogging. It's never easy, especially if you lead a busy life, so having a day (or two) to really dedicate time to working on your blog and getting things organised is something to consider!

4. Be Personal
I love being able to connect with blogs/bloggers and a lot of the time it's because they come across as sincere and genuine - pretty much a real person. I know who the person is, their personality, likes/dislikes and if we ever become acquainted it's just an instant connection. I don't know if that's overtly weird but I do enjoy knowing the person behind the blog.

I wanted to show my appreciation by gifting you guys with some things that I love. There are three giveaways to enter, two of which are international. The giveaways will last 2 weeks before I announce the winners. I'll make sure to tweet you guys but this post will be updated as well. Just read the guidelines and you're set!

PRIZE ONE: FAVOURITES BOOK PACK (INTL GIVEAWAY)

There are so many books that I love but I wanted to share with you guys three of the ones that are really precious to me, and hopefully you'll love them as well! For the first week it'll be a secret, but I'll reveal what the three are on my Twitter a few days before the giveaway ends so keep an eye out! Make sure The Book Depository ships to you because they'll be my trusty delivery guys. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PRIZE TWO: BOOKISH MUG OR TOTE (INTL GIVEAWAY)

I've admired PaperFury's bookish designs for so long on her store, which is why I wanted to gift one of you guys your choice of a mug or tote bag from her various options! Check out her amazing designs to see which one you would like to win, and snap me a pic once you do get it! Also do make sure Society6 ships to your country as well!


Mug Examples - many more to choose from!

Tote Examples - many more to choose from!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

PRIZE THREE: POP! VINYL DOLL (AUST GIVEAWAY)


Personally, I think is a super exciting Giveaway. I love Pop! Vinyl Dolls and I'm on my way to collecting all the different figurines. For this giveaway I'm going to stick to bookish related ones, namely Harry Potter or Alice in Wonderland because they're both books I love with characters I love. Check out the standard size figurines on the Zing website and pick your favourite!

Figurine Examples - many more to choose from!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
That's really everything to this post. I just wanted to say thank you once more for preserving with me and my blogging journey. It's been a huge one already, and hopefully there are many more to come! Good luck to everyone entering in the giveaways! 

HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY TO ME!

24 comments :

  1. Great tips! I've been blogging for a while too, and I still struggle with consistency... anyway. Congrats on four years! I'm a pretty new follower of your blog, but I've quite enjoyed your posts so far and I'm really looking forward to seeing them continue.

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    1. Thanks Kelly!! I know consistency is one of those things that I wish I could nail, but it's super hard with everything that's going on. Thank you for your support! :)

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  2. Congratulations on your four years and for the success of your blog! You're totally allowed to brag about it 😁

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    1. Haha aw you're too kind Angelya. I mean I'm super proud, but trying to keep it low key!

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  3. Happy blogoversary Tracey! How fast does time fly hey? I'm approaching my own blogoversary very soon (four years as well!), but there's still so much to be learnt...for me, this means scheduling and actually KEEPING up with the blog. Eek! Here's to the next year, and many more! :) :)

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    1. I know!! How crazy, 4 years is actually so short in the scheme of things but it's a huge accomplishment for me. Yay for being blog twins!! Keeping up is the hardest but super satisfying when it happens from. Thanks Joy, cheers to many years for yours as well :)

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  4. Happy blogoversary!!! Four years, that is amazing!!!!
    I agree with all your tips - the only other one I can add, is don't stress yourself out. Life happens, and sometimes blogging has to take the back seat for a while, and when that happens you can't help but feel guilty. But it is best to take the time you need and get back to it when you can - do not make it a burden, keep it a passion.
    I love your passion, and I hope there is another four more years, and more, to come!

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    1. Thanks Kristy!!

      Also that is great advice! I do find that I stress out heaps if I've fallen behind and that effects the way I feel about my blog. I hope to keep blogging though, and I really enjoy reading it yours as well.

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  5. Happy blogoversary! Four years is such a milestone so congratulations. :) I like your blog the way it is--it's simple and classy. ;) Talking to fellow bookworms is what I like the most as a blogger. Also, because of blogging I discovered a lot of books that I considered as 'hidden gems' (they're mostly written by indie authors). I hope I'll be able to read the same kind of milestone that you've achieved.

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    1. Thank you for your support Alyssa! I know for sure you can get to 4 years and above, but just enjoy it. So long as your passionate and having fun with it then you got this!! ;)

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  6. Happy blogoversary Tracey!!! Four years is such an achievement. I don't have a blog but I write the occasional review so the work you must put in is astounding. Consider my mind officially blown. What I love reading on blogs are fun lists that put together books based on a creative theme and also reviews that have been well thought out (whether or not they are critical or singing the praises of the book). Your blog looks amazing and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the years (decades?) to come.

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    1. Thanks for that Elle!! I can't believe its been four years as well. Eeeep. I will keep that in mind and start brainstorming because I do need some ideas to keep producing content. I hope you keep reading and link me to your reviews please!! I would love to check it out :)

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  7. Happy Blogoversary! That's great that you've stuck with it for four years. How exciting! As for what I want to see on the blog, I honestly want to know the blogger loves what they are doing so I have no set tips! Just do you! :)

    As for me, I've been blogging since 2007 so it will be 9 years next month. Crazy for me! haha I think the biggest thing I've learned is to do what makes you happy and make connections with other bloggers, because it's more fun that way!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for that Lauren, definitely got a shoot of confidence from you! 9 years?! WOW huge congratulations to you, that is so insanely impressive. Definitely something I am aiming for. For sure will be checking out your blog now, keep it up. Thanks for the support :)

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  8. I've had many different blogs over the years, but only recently started book blogging seriously. I was inspired to start by all the lovely bookstagram/book bloggers I kept finding, and all the awesome books they were introducing me to. I wanted to play too!

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    1. Yes!! Bookstagram is so awesome, such a happy place to be. Link me your blog, I would love to check it out and thanks for stopping by!!

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  9. I am a new follower to your blog. Honestly you have very beautiful blog.
    I am not a blogger and my favorite things about blogs are:
    Discover new books and authors.
    Anything "bookish"

    Happy birthday!!!!!
    Many more to come........and thank you for the chance.

    Raffle name: Artemis Giote

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    1. Thanks so much Diana!! I'm trying hard to keep this blog creative and am thinking of re-designing actually. Thanks for coming by, I appreciate it!!

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  10. I am sorry for any trouble and the second comment. I can't find how to follow you via email (on raffle have put my email. Following via Bloglovin as Artemis Giote.

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  11. Ah, so many congrats on your fourth blogoversary! That's honestly so amazing! My blogoversary is actually tomorrow, so I'm super duper excited! As for recs, I do love reading reviews, so I wouldn't mind reading more of those!

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  12. So many congrats on your blogoversary! You've done so much in the past few years, and I can't wait to see what other material you put out for your readers. Congrats again! :)

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    1. Thanks Alice!! Congrats on your four years as well, it's a huge accomplishment. I will be sure to produce more content, and will check yours out!!

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  13. Happy Blogoversary! My one big tip is to have fun with blogging, the second it becomes a chore it's hard to remember you actually love reading!

    Thanks!
    Pavan

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    1. Thanks Pavan!! I think connecting with other bloggers/readers like you makes it fun and motivates me to keep going. And your advice definitely needs to be taken on board because I do find that sometimes I think of blogging as a chore, which shouldn't be.

      Appreciate you coming by!!

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