Thursday, August 9, 2012

Follow Friday(21)

Gain New Blog Followers

Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.
I am the feature this week I am so excited. I didn't even think that I would even be considered to be the feature. Thanks to the wonderful and awesome Rachel and Allison who chose me. =]

This week's Question is:
 
Q: What would you do over if you were to start your blog again from scratch?
 
This is really kind of a tough question this week. There are a few things but not a lot that I would change for my blog. The following is a list of items I would change or do over:
 
1) I would have a better background picture then the generic bookshelves that blogger provides, even though it does go with the name of my blog. I want a more authentic original look of my blog but I am not really that tech savvy to be able to do it myself. I tried before and almost messed up my entire blog.
 
2) This ties into number 1. I would want my blog to look more professional and look completely different than it is now.  If I had to do it from scratch, I would also consider going with a different blog creator other than blogger, like possibly wordpress. I didn't really research a lot about it before I just jumped right into it. I would do a ton more research if I started from scratch.
 
3) Another thing is, I would consider partnering with someone else to share in the postings, reviews and memes of my blog. When I started I didn't really realize how much work blogging actually is. Don't get me wrong I love blogging and enjoy doing it. It's just having another person to help run it would definitely bring off the edge of all the work that goes into it.
 
The bottom line from this question is that I would really never want to start over from scratch because I love all the hard work I have already put into it and unless I knew I would get everything I wanted there would be no point in starting over. Also I love the way my blog looks and I love all of my followers for supporting me on my blogging journey in trying to figure everything out that comes from this crazy, fun, and amazing book blogging blogosphere. =]
 
Below is the Linky Tool to sign up and be apart of this awesome Follow Friday blog hop. =]
 
 
Link me up to your Follow Friday's and I will be sure to follow you back.
Thanks for Visiting and Happy Friday =]
-Michael


75 comments:

  1. It's interesting that you started with blogger and wish you would have gone with wordpress. I started off with wordpress and made the switch to blogger- I've liked it a lot more! Congratulations on being the Feature for the week- I'm a new GFC Follower!
    Caitlin @ The Y.A. Bookworm Blogger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not that I wish I went with wordpress, its just I wish I did more research on which one to go with. Thanks. =]

      Delete
  2. I wish I was a bit more professional in the beginning as well! And I definitely didn't think blogging took as much work as it does either :0)

    Old follower. My FF.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Arg! Professionalism is such a crux! I wish I was/am more professional!

    New follower via GFC!

    -dee
    http://wellpinaroseonyournose.blogspot.com/2012/08/feature-5.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats on being featured! :) New follower!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congrats on being featured!!! Good answer I've only been blogging since this summer but I bet when classes and finals come I will be wishing for that second blogger.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats on the feature!

    Interesting answer! Ironically I said I would have started with blogger because blogger has more freedom with java and flash. Wordpress.com (The free wordpress) doesn't let you use Java and flash and many other scripts because of security. Which means no rafflecoper or linky tools. Which is annoying. But understandable.

    But I hear that once you host your own blog, using wordpress.org is way better. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to do that yet.

    New follower via RSS :)

    My FF

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats on being featured! I also wish I could've had some more HTML knowledge when making my blog!
    Old follower :)
    Here's my FF

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Michael, Congratulations on being featured in this Hop! You have a great site here and I'm so thrilled to be connecting with other book bloggers.

    I'm a new follower now following via Twitter, Linky, GFC (which I don't have), Goodreads, and email. Would appreciate the reciprocation. Thanks so much! Cheers! :)

    http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats on being this weeks feature :) I am an old follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congrats on being the feature this week!!

    I completely agree with you. At this point, I wouldn't want to start over! Whew, that was a lot of work to really get up a running.

    Happy Friday! New follower via GFC.


    Here's mine:
    http://www.sinnfulbooks.com/2012/08/follow-friday.html

    sinn @ sinnful books

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kudos for being this week's feature! I didn't do much research between Blogger and Wordpress either but since I was a long time user of Google services I figured I'd stick with blogger.

    Here's my FF

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats on the feature. Great answers to the question. I am a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats on being featured this week! I totally agree with you on how time-consuming blogging can be. My cousin co-blogs with me, and even with two of us sharing the workload, it's still crazy at times.

    Old follower. Our FF

    ReplyDelete
  14. for your number 1, google helped me a lot with mine! :) and some friends.. :)

    New follower. Here's my FF ▲

    ReplyDelete
  15. I do hear ya on that...I may have gone with a different blogging platform.

    Dude, Michael! Congrats on being the feature! :)

    Have an awesome weekend!

    My FF

    ReplyDelete
  16. Congrats on being featured! I am with you on number 2 although I started with Wordpress and hated it. I ended up switching to Blogger and I do like it much better. I also wouldn't want to start my blog over again. Why would I want to go through that hellish pain and stress again? Just learning the ropes was a trial.

    I am a new GFC follower.

    My Follow Friday

    ReplyDelete
  17. I agree with blogging being a lot of work. I've partnered up with my wife and I still find myself doing quite a bit. I will admit, it does help having another person with doing the blog

    New follower GFC

    http://abookishco-op.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I agree with you that blogging is a lot of work. Congrats on having your blog featured.

    My FF

    New GFC follower.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations on being featured! We've got two of us over at our blog & I still feel like I need more help lol :) I'm an old follower via GFC. Hope you have a great weekend!

    Chrystina @BookLiaison

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi there! Congrats on being featured <3 New follower!

    My FF

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congrats on being featured....just hoppin through as an old follower, (lucyatmax through GFC, no pix)
    Loved your answer to the question....similar to my own
    Hugs
    Beth
    @http://bethartfromtheheart.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. congrats. I am an old follower
    My links are not working all the time on some blogs, so deleted the last one, here it is again. sorry about that. http://concisebookreviewsbymichelle.blogspot.com/2012/08/feature-and-follow-friday-hop-810.html

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on bein featured. I'm a new follower, stop by my blog if you have the time.
    Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congrats on the Feature! I sometime wish for a partner in crime, I'd have twice the reviews, something I feel is lacking from the site as of late.
    Stopping through with My FF!
    Happy Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I also wanted my blog to look 'professional'..but I'm starting to like the way it is now. It's me and I guess some of my blog droppers are enjoying it. I don't want to start all over. I've met a lot of friends and learned a lot of things.
    Congrats on being featured!
    Here's mine.
    Happy Friday!
    *New follower.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats on the Feature! Lovely answers!


    Followed you on RSS :)

    Happy Friday! My FF
    Promiscuous Diva

    ReplyDelete
  28. Congrats on the feature!
    Following on GFC.
    I had trouble with the templates when I started, but I started fiddling about with all advanced settings and finally felt less restricted. It was scary...and I messed up a few times too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I too didn't realize how much time it took. I also wish my blog was more professional looking. I like your blog though.

    Old follower.

    Mine: http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/2012/08/follow-friday-38-tgif-30.html

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi, I'm a new follower! Congratulations on being featured!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I also underestimated how much work goes into bookblog, but I do quite enjoy it! I also wish at times my blog looked more professional. Congrats on being feature, I'm an old follower :)
    My FF Post
    Juli @ Universe in Words

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hopping thru! *old follower* Congrats on the feature!


    Keely @ Realms of an Open Mind

    ReplyDelete
  33. Congrats on the feature! You totally listed some great reasons. I personally went with posting more. I knew blogging would mean a lot of work going into it, but with so many distractions, I'll be damned if I finish writing my review/post/rant within the hour >.<

    New Follower via GFC

    My FF

    Ana♥ Beach Bum Reads

    ReplyDelete
  34. I know exactly what you mean about blog design. It took me literally months to work out how to do mine. I would be in tears some nights because I just didn't understand all the techy stuff and I got really frustrated!

    Old follower on GFC, new follower on Linky : )

    My FF and international giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Congrats on your feature! And I totally agree with your answer :-)

    Old follower.

    Ensconced in YA
    http://cahreviews.blogspot.com/2012/08/feature-and-follow-6.html

    ReplyDelete
  36. oh really nice choices! I agree with some of your points as well. I had a co-blogger since the biginning so na problems with that but you're right.

    old follower

    here is mine

    ReplyDelete
  37. Happy Friday! Hopping through, new follower!

    ~Keegan
    http://thepaperparadise.blogspot.com/2012/08/feature-follow-5.html

    ReplyDelete
  38. I wouldn't want to change my blog myself. It took a lot of work but I think I finally got it to be something I am happy with!

    Here's my Friday Hops

    Have a GREAT weekend!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Congrats on being featured, Michael! It is hard in the beginning, I agree, I am still kind of tweaking mine.

    Here's my FF Post #7 Please come over and leave me a comment :) I'm an old follower.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I've been playing around with the background on my page, too. I think I've finally gotten it where I like it. If you're looking for some neat tiled patterns for your background, patterncooler.com has a pretty good selection.

    I'm a new GFC follower -- my blog is nickieanderson.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Congrats on being featured!! I'm a new follower :D

    My FF Post

    ReplyDelete
  42. I can certainly see the sense in your first 2 items, but the way I see it, I could do that at any time . . . as soon as I stop procrastinating (LOL). I think a blog refresh can be far more valuable/impacting than starting again.

    New GFC follower.

    Bob @ Beauty in Ruins

    ReplyDelete
  43. Great answer!

    I'm a new follower. I'd love it if you returned the favour.

    My FF

    ReplyDelete
  44. Congratulations on being featured! I hope I'd get featured one day. I've already followed you before, but I just actually started on blogging! Check out my blog?(: simple-books.blogspot.com Thanks! If you have any advice for me please tell!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hello! Nice to meet you :)
    I definitely agree with everything you had to say. One day I was like "I'm going to write a book blog" and just started it, no research or anything, and I'm a little less than thrilled with mine too. Also, doing it with someone would be a good idea, sometimes I find myself trying to rush through books so I can post about them because I haven't in a little while, if there was more than one reader, it would be a little less pressure!
    Here is my answer to the Q: http://immabookworm.blogspot.ca/2012/08/follow-friday-returns-to-my-blog.html

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great answers! I wish I had done more research on blogging because I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. New follower :)

    World of Books

    ReplyDelete
  47. I like the baground picture of the bookshelf. I'm a new GFC follower.

    My F & F - http://bookbloggermom.blogspot.com/2012/08/follow-my-book-blog-friday-1.html

    ReplyDelete
  48. Congrats! on being featured, good answer.

    http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2012/08/feature_10.html

    ReplyDelete
  49. Congrats on being featured! That's great :).

    This is my first FF and here is the link:

    http://uncorkedthoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/feature-and-follow-1.html

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  50. Congratulations on being one of this week's features!!! Your background is actually what I originally started with, too. :) I wish I had a blogging partner - I have 3 kids and sometimes I really just don't have the time to do it all myself. Unfortunately, none of the folks I know personally are avid readers. :/

    Have a great weekend, Michael!
    Old follower. My FF

    ReplyDelete
  51. Congratulations on being featured! I"m a new follower. I started with a basic Blogger background too, and one year paid someone with my tax return to do a more personal background that I have now. I don't know if I'd want a partner, I'm kind of a control freak. :-) Stop by and check out my FF if you can as I have some giveaways going on with my Blogoversary celebration right now.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Whoa. You sure have a lot to change! :)) But I think your blog looks really great. :D
    Happy Friday!
    Marian @WheneverLifeGetsTough

    ReplyDelete
  53. Good answers, I have been working on getting my daughter to be an associate reviewer with me for the same reasons. Sometimes, life just gets in the way of blogging as much as I want to!

    Congratulations for being featured!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Congratulations. Good answers. I think we all just stumbled into blogging, not realizing how demanding it can be. A writing buddy would definitely be good!. I'm a new followers via FF. You can find me at: http://todayinshenaya.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Congratz! And I think what's most important is the content, not necessarily the design. :)
    I followed through GFC!

    My link: http://incandescentenchantments.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I like your blog! It's very charming, and the bookshelves add character, ha.

    New follower via GFC!

    Sophie @ The Dreaming Reader

    ReplyDelete
  57. Congrats on the feature. I agree with your changes. I think most bloggers start with a generic background but that's an easy fix. I was opposite from you in the fact that my first blog was with my sister so we could share reviews. Well, it went wrong when she kept putting me off so I ended up posting for a year by myself. Therefore, I started a different blog and moved all my reviews over. Not fun starting from scratch with the followers, but it's all me now. So I would say if you partner up make sure they are as committed as you are.

    I'm a new GFC Follower! Happy Friday!

    My Friday Follows

    ReplyDelete
  58. Good answers :D I completely agree with the fact that I didn't realise the amount of work that goes into a a blog and some help with it would be nice and also how important a role of a book blogger is :D **New Follower via GFC**
    bookishtimes.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  59. Partnering definitely would have been a good idea! Grad school keeps me busy enough without having blogging to worry about too. Good thing I love it. *New follower via GFC!*

    C.J.
    http://cjlistro.blogspot.com/2012/08/feature-follow-mandee-compelled-by-words.html

    ReplyDelete
  60. Hi Michael! Congrats on being featured this week! You have a great blog! (Existing follower) I feel your pain on the background. After I started my blog I changed mine. Luckily, my blog was still within a month or so old. Redoing it wasn't as bad as it would be now.

    Here’s my FF

    ReplyDelete
  61. I like your background! It fits your blog name ^_^ Starting everything layout-wise from scratch is a LOT of hard work, though... then again, it's a very rewarding experience as well. Great answers, and congrats on being featured!!!

    Old Follower
    Vivi's F&F

    ReplyDelete
  62. Congrats on the feature! I didn't think a blog was going to be as much work as it is either, but it's been a fun learning process. I'm an exisiting follower via GFC. You can find my FF at http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/2012/08/feature-and-follow-3.html

    ReplyDelete
  63. Congratulations on your feature this week :)

    I think the books fit wonderful with your voice in blogging. :)

    The Brunette Librarian Blog

    ReplyDelete
  64. Wow great answer!

    new follower
    http://itchingforbooks.blogspot.com/2012/08/feature-and-follow-810.html

    ReplyDelete
  65. It is amazing how much work goes into blogging, but I think you have done a great job. I personally love your bookshelf design. Congrats on the feature! I'm an old GFC follower.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Congrats on being the "other" feature this week! I think you're doing a great job! I have been looking for a partner too. It really is hard work by yourself but it's so worth it on days like this when you see how many supportive people are out there. I just got a new blog design and she was super affordable and awesome to work with. Her link is at the bottom of my blog if you're interested. :D

    ReplyDelete
  67. It was a pleasure to find out about your blog. I joined your site. Looking forward to your posts. Visit my site and let me know what you think @ http://gonebookserk.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Congrats on being featured! Im a new follower :) here's my first FF.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Congrats on being featured this week, I totally agree with you about not wanting to start over, but I do wish I had done a few things differently. I am now following you via GFC and look forward to exploring your blog. Have a fantastic weekend. WV Stitcher

    ReplyDelete
  70. Congrats on the feature! New follower!

    ReplyDelete
  71. congrats on being the featured blog! New Follower! (and while I think your background is fine, you can always change it, I've changed my three or four times since I started, nothing wrong with that!).

    Here's a link to mine, Scarlett at Books Before Bed!

    ReplyDelete