tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post7081589689667996961..comments2024-03-28T14:39:26.897-04:00Comments on We Live and Breathe Books: Discussion: Influencer or Enthusiast?Kiersten Kozbialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00538943081866009856noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-79104525997672356662018-08-28T09:55:15.623-04:002018-08-28T09:55:15.623-04:00This is the impression I am getting from a lot if ...This is the impression I am getting from a lot if the comments. I think I had the idea of the professional influence in mind, but have decided after reading all the comments that everyone is an influencer of sorts to some degreeSamantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-48912452959271114932018-08-28T08:33:42.061-04:002018-08-28T08:33:42.061-04:00I think I might be an influencer in how many of th...I think I might be an influencer in how many of the social media branches I cover, but more so an enthusiast with my reach... but I do some product placement things and advertisements so I am not entirely sure where that puts me? I would say an enthusiast for now, personally and would love to be an influencer someday because blogging as part of my job/income would be fun.Olivia's Catastrophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706765857201768908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-28708585711487070792018-08-27T04:57:38.760-04:002018-08-27T04:57:38.760-04:00Right there, you pointed out where I even fail on ...Right there, you pointed out where I even fail on a small scale - I rarely point people in the direction of a certain book. I have to know a lot about a person in order to do that successfully, and if you read my reviews, I never give recommendations, but I like to tell people how it made me feel, what I enjoyed, and maybe even, what I didn't enjoy. And I am with you! I will not sacrifice my reading time for promotion. I am first and foremost a reader. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-57142303531601073272018-08-27T04:55:00.551-04:002018-08-27T04:55:00.551-04:00I think when I saw the question originally, I was ...I think when I saw the question originally, I was thinking of those people, who create those artificial online lives to hawk goods, which seems to belong to celebs and lifestyle bloggers these days. After a quite a few comments, I can see it on a smaller scale, but still think that my intention, when I write a review, is to just lay out what I liked or didn't like. I have seen some reviews, which will say, "I recommend this book for....". Yeah, I never do that. I let the reader decide if they like or dislike the same things as me, which I feel puts me firmly in enthusiast territory. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-26296448545444120452018-08-27T04:36:27.350-04:002018-08-27T04:36:27.350-04:00I'm a definite enthusiast. I fail at utilising...I'm a definite enthusiast. I fail at utilising social media and I am most definitely not directing folks to reading certain books I'm just flailing about books and hoping people want to flail with me. Being an influencer sounds exhausting and honestly it would take the fun out of reading surely. I mean, you'd put so much work into it there would be no time for reading.Becky Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938602345709426466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-85822737689277206842018-08-26T20:54:08.119-04:002018-08-26T20:54:08.119-04:00I also think of myself more as an enthusiast, but ...I also think of myself more as an enthusiast, but at the same time, I think anyone who posts book reviews publicly has the potential to influence others' thoughts on books! This is a fascinating discussion; I'll have to ponder this some more!Madalyn @ Novel Inkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11797016319445347749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-7883117928258378122018-08-26T20:16:21.732-04:002018-08-26T20:16:21.732-04:00I was thinking of "influencer" in curren...I was thinking of "influencer" in current terms, but concede, that we are all have influenced someone at some point. Same with TTT - I have read many books from these lists, and my TBR grows exponentially every Tuesday. I don't really recommend books. I am more of a put my thoughts out there, and see how you feel about it. I know it takes more than one blogger to convince me to read something. Before I embark on a book, I read many reviews, but every one of those people had some degree of influence over my choice, I guess. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-50203141494180479552018-08-26T20:12:20.343-04:002018-08-26T20:12:20.343-04:00Same. I could never keep up if my blog was much bi...Same. I could never keep up if my blog was much bigger. I would love to hit 1000 somewhere (it's the bare minimum for a lot of pubs), but I am not holding my breath. I envy the kids, who always had social media. I don't think they appreciate how it's not natural for people like me. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-83728002869188310722018-08-26T17:34:40.569-04:002018-08-26T17:34:40.569-04:00Well, personally, I think the only difference betw...Well, personally, I think the only difference between an enthusiast and an influencer is a matter of degrees.<br /><br />We all influence someone, whether in small or large ways. For example, years ago, when my niece told me she loved Divergent, I bought her the Legend trilogy for a Christmas present, thinking that she would love that as well.<br /><br />I'm willing to bet at least 90% of the people commenting and saying that they were enthusiasts are influencing people through their blog. I've read blog posts on Top Ten Tuesday and thought to myself "I have to read that book" and then I go out and get the book from the library or buy it. That's influence.<br /><br />And it's okay if you don't have the time or want to be a big-time influencer. But if you have a blog and are recommending books, you're probably an influencer of some sort. Even if your influence is small.Brooke Lorrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11622836180397123557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-2628679796055507672018-08-26T16:21:29.393-04:002018-08-26T16:21:29.393-04:00I would be an enthusiast as well. I do know that ...I would be an enthusiast as well. I do know that people have bought books based on my recommendations but my reach is somewhat limited. My blog isn't big but I don't know that I could handle it if it were any bigger. I kind of suck at social media right now. Carole's Random Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06737905249530702688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-84050971631165566792018-08-25T19:42:39.211-04:002018-08-25T19:42:39.211-04:00You are too kind, but I am happy to have you aroun...You are too kind, but I am happy to have you around to read some contemporaries with me, as I feel alone in a sea of fantasy readers. Those people, who are able to be everywhere and in a million groups, while still producing content on their blogs awe me. That will never be me, but I am impressed by their skills. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-50399254888355349062018-08-25T19:40:43.796-04:002018-08-25T19:40:43.796-04:00I feel like the platform focus has shifted. Instag...I feel like the platform focus has shifted. Instagram seems like the pub darling right now, but I don't think there is a ton of engagement there. So, it's awesome pictures, tons of followers, but I don't find it as fulfilling as interacting with bloggers on their sites or even Twitter. I find I am happiest when I balance ARCs and non-ARCs. I have learned a lot over the year, and my core group of followers seem to like the combination as well. And like you said, being an enthusiast comes with more freedom. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-30942340566970773242018-08-25T17:33:42.770-04:002018-08-25T17:33:42.770-04:00Such an interesting discussion, Sam! I never reall...Such an interesting discussion, Sam! I never really thought about the differences, but I totally see what you mean. I see bloggers that have their feet in all of the social media and I'm like, yup, total influencer. Also those that REALLY excel at it. Totally not sure what I fall into. But I have to say that you've lately become such an influencer for me with contemporary books, Sam! ;) Wonderful post! :)BookPrincessReviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03949455459995423974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-16217289156719618922018-08-25T16:22:15.601-04:002018-08-25T16:22:15.601-04:00I loved that you expanded in this! In my early blo...I loved that you expanded in this! In my early blogging days I thought myself an influencer because publishers were a lot more open to working with bloggers with a smaller following. But that's such a rat race. <br /><br />This year, I officially realize that I'm an enthusiast. I care about ARCs still (because jealousy and all) but I allow myself to read what I want and promote what I want. I feel happier that way and I'm able to focus on what I want (especially in regards to social media, Instagram is a pain). <br /><br />Yay for us enthusiasts!Amber Elise @ Du Livrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18300971303892555161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-73724697841548165172018-08-25T11:42:45.119-04:002018-08-25T11:42:45.119-04:00Truth! I have no idea how those people do it all. ...Truth! I have no idea how those people do it all. Even the mid-level bloggers/bookstgrammers seem to be everywhere, all the time. I think there is that dark side to being an influencer, just like with any kind of sponsorship. It is really easy to spot genuine enthusiasm as well. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-58500798925822076952018-08-25T11:40:29.611-04:002018-08-25T11:40:29.611-04:00Yes, to everything you said. When I was in high sc...Yes, to everything you said. When I was in high school, I complained about the books they made us read, but as an adult, I found there are so many other people, who were also forced to read those book, and we can connect via that. Obviously, I like talking about the books I pick myself and really enjoy, which is why I love having a bookish place in this world. It's more about the quality of the connections for me, rather than the amount. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-20836415195420764962018-08-25T11:37:09.659-04:002018-08-25T11:37:09.659-04:00I am not the type of person, who likes too much at...I am not the type of person, who likes too much attention. Therefore, I am pleased with the group I have, and like you, I celebrate any time I can get a book in someone's hands or a non-reader to read. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-24080204122994543642018-08-25T07:12:51.340-04:002018-08-25T07:12:51.340-04:00I'm definitely an Enthusiast. I don't have...I'm definitely an Enthusiast. I don't have the time and energy required to be an influencer (never mind the followers) and I don't think I'd want to be even if I did. <br />I like marching to the beat of my own drum and hate being told what to do. Being an influencer - to me - is essentially convincing others to do what you've been told (and paid) to do. <br />It doesn't sound all that fun, original or inspiring but someone who is actually enthusiastic about something? That's convincing and inspiring. Niccihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12122972546470154598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-46120912429781180012018-08-24T21:28:53.783-04:002018-08-24T21:28:53.783-04:00Definitely an enthusiast! I love getting others of...Definitely an enthusiast! I love getting others of any age to read. Whether a child or an occasional reader, books can widen your world and your understanding. It’s a way to connect and make a stranger an instant friend! ❤️❤️Dani @ Perspective of a Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15431727579736210318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-29555124468835113842018-08-24T20:22:20.825-04:002018-08-24T20:22:20.825-04:00Definitely an enthusiast! My reach is way too sma...Definitely an enthusiast! My reach is way too small. But I love bringing books to even a small audience, and I got my sister back into reading a couple years ago. She encourages me to talk about books all the time, because you never know who you might inspire!Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746631124966726182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-45403074678819059612018-08-24T20:05:29.051-04:002018-08-24T20:05:29.051-04:00Aw, shucks. You're making me blush. I am glad ...Aw, shucks. You're making me blush. I am glad I come across as passionate and not batty. My goal is 1000 on Twitter (which may never happen), so I think you have quite an awesome following. I know I am more drawn to the bloggers who are, like you said, passionate, and also, who engage with people on any of their platforms. I am going to put a stellar example out there of a BIG blogger, who is so good at being well known and engaging - Cait. She is pretty big. Lots of followers EVERYWHERE, and she still blog hops and responds to all comments on her blog, Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram. I am exhausted just thinking about it (and yeah, she writes books too). That level of engagement is not the norm with the bigger bloggers, so I am amazed by her. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-67922305285988819002018-08-24T20:00:45.667-04:002018-08-24T20:00:45.667-04:00I feel so much better reading this. I thought it w...I feel so much better reading this. I thought it was just me, who had to deal with ARC disappointments. You just hit on a magic thing right there - active followers. I have been to blogs that have 2K followers, but their posts have not interactions. I would rather sit here with my under 500 followers, and enjoy engaging with them. I wonder if it's something that suffers because they are out on all the social media platforms, and just don't have the time to engage with their following. And yes, WAY less pressure. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-35237631199882698462018-08-24T19:58:07.118-04:002018-08-24T19:58:07.118-04:00Now I am singing that song!!! =)
So true, I think ...Now I am singing that song!!! =)<br />So true, I think it become more of a job, when trying to build those legions of followers. I know I don't have it in me to dedicate all my free time to curating my image and all that. But yeah, I am more of less happy in my space, and like you, super pleased if I convince someone to read a book here and there. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-85214496460910537112018-08-24T19:56:08.584-04:002018-08-24T19:56:08.584-04:00I am always happy if a person reads (and likes) a ...I am always happy if a person reads (and likes) a book because of me. At least I am in good company. You know what else I notice? Enthusiasts interact more than influencers, and that is really why I am here. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-70174714002383100542018-08-24T17:50:29.866-04:002018-08-24T17:50:29.866-04:00I'm definitely an enthusiast. I'm hit and...I'm definitely an enthusiast. I'm hit and miss when it comes to being able to get ARCs and my follower counts are nowhere near high enough for me to be considered an influencer. I love my role as an enthusiast though for all of the reasons that you mentioned and if I happen to influence someone to read a book they might not have otherwise chosen, that's always a bonus. :)Suzanne @ The Bookish Librahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16116292880784513187noreply@blogger.com