I remember when I first started book reviewing, just about two years ago. Shortly after that day, just as I was getting into my groove, someone on another blog mentioned that really book bloggers write their reviews for other book bloggers.
At the time I heartily disagreed. In fact I was a little put off about the statement – it sounded so self-serving and made me visualize a circle of people reviewing books, posting about books, and then reading books they seen that other book bloggers reviewed and then reading those books… starting the circle over again.
No, I thought. I write about books for the masses… for the book lovers everywhere that want an honest opinion on a book.
*Pause here for dramatic effect.*
I write reviews for anyone looking on-line for thoughts about a particular book or a particular genre….
Ok… ok. Now… here I am thinking these last few days is that still true? What I set out to do (books for the masses, honest reviews, book talk genre talk for everyone….) is it still true that I am writing for everyone, and not just chatting it up with other book reviewers?
Honestly, most of you who comment here are book reviewers as well. And honestly – I have grown to really love that because we truly are an incredible community of people and together we have a voice that can make a difference – and has made a difference. I like knowing my frequent commenters, even if it is virtually. I know from reading your own blogs the type of books you enjoy, injuries, sicknesses, trips, exciting news, and sometimes hardships too. I like being able to comment something to the effect that is more personal like, “glad to see you made it back from _______________”. or , “I know you will love this book as it reminded me a lot of the other book you read and loved.” And of course with the addition of BEA where I actually was able to meet many of you – well that just is too awesome for words. 😀
I have noticed that my original “for the masses” *let masses echo in your head* plan of attack, is not always accurate when I write posts like this, or about BEA (do the masses care that I am going?), or about meme’s (although I honestly wish none book bloggers would partake too as I honestly do really want to know what everyone is reading. :razz:)
I turn this question back to you….
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as a book reviewer/blogger, who do you write your posts for?
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Do you have a targeted audience in mind?
Book Journey 
I think I do write my reviews for everyone–it just so happens that a lot of people who read book blogs are other book bloggers. That doesn’t mean I’m catering my reviews to them. I actually have quite a few nonblogging readers, they just don’t comment.
I get that too Ash…. I am always surprise when someone I know says they love my blog or they liked what I wrote when I had no idea they even read it! 😀
I’m the same as Ash, I write them for everyone. In fact if anything I think I write them more for the masses than the book bloggers.
I feel that way too Charlie – the point of reviewing for me was to share my love of books with others – hopefully book lovers. 😀
I think it’s good to know who you’re writing for. But it can definitely change (become more refined?) over time.
I know for me that is true from day one blogging to now. 🙂
Oh, same here!
You write for me!! I love to read , I love to talk about books(but have no one to talk to b/c of my hectic mom of 4 boys schedule), I love to get ideas, wish lists, other peoples thoughts and its knowing also little tidbits about u bloggers that make u real. I am techie deficient so cant figure out rss, and twitter etc, but i do ck daily the blogs. Please continue this and look at it as another mission to connect people. Thank you, Kathy
P.S. To all bloggers tho I wish it was easier for non bloggers to sometimes win one of ya’lls contests:)
I’m probably being self-centered here, but I just write for myself. LOL. Ok, I know we all do that. So between bloggers and non-bloggers, I’d say I just write for my audience. Unlike you though, I started blogging believing I was writing for other bloggers. It might be because at that time every one who visited me were reviewers. Every time I get a comment, I pay the person a visit to comment back, and sometimes I’m surprised when there’s no blog there. That person’s a reader! *Worship Worship* Over the last year, I’ve met in person and online quite a few of my non-blogging blog visitors. I know that many of them don’t leave a comment but they still read. So I just continue blogging for myself or for everyone, and while some posts will be geared for other bloggers (aren’t we such an amazing community?), many are just generic.
I primarily write for myself too. I write the reviews of the books I most want to remember.
I suspect that most people who read my blog are other bloggers. Different audiences require different review styles. If I were writing for other library professionals (like I hope to do someday) my reviews would be shorter and very different in tone/style like the reviews in Publishers Weekly or Booklist. My thoughts on the books however would remain the same.
The reviews I currently write are for the average reader rather than professionals. I post my reviews on Goodreads and occasionally on Amazon.com so nonbloggers will hopefully read them too. I know I am not the only book blogger who does this. My goal when I write a book review is to be as honest as I can about how I felt about the book and any flaws or positives I perceived.
I consider book bloggers to be readers too. I value their opinions and sometimes select books for library purchase based on reviews at trusted/favorite book blog sites, like this one. If you feel you are only writing for other book bloggers, try copying and pasting your reviews on Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. Your reviews could help the average reader decide whether they want to buy a book or not and you’d be reaching a wider audience of nonbloggers. Just a thought…
I hope I’m writing for everyone. I originally started with reviews on goodreads. Then I wondered what if goodreads went away and I lost my reviews. So I started a blog for books. I already had one for gardening and I didn’t want to put reviews there. Then I found the book blog community.
I know I have readers that are not bloggers. Once in a while they comment on my photos. I assume they also see an occasional book review so I try to write them for everyone.
I write for myself. I don’t have a specific target audience beyond “people who like books.” I can tell you that my readership is made up of:
– parents looking for books for their kids
– librarians
– book bloggers
– authors
– students who are researching books for book reports
I really wish there was a popular general blog hop about as sometimes I think bloggers in general get quite isolated in their little niches. I do get a lot of people click through from Twitter and Facebook that generally wouldn’t read book blogs but I am aware a lot of my readers are going to be bloggers too.
There’s been a lot of discussion on this topic recently. I write for myself first and foremost. So really, if everyone stops reading my blog tomorrow I’d probably carry on writing as it helps me get my thoughts together on a book.
Before I had a book blog, I was reviewing on Amazon. So I guess my target audience started out as those potential readers/customers who might want to check out a specific book.
I don’t think that focus has changed for me, but I know that I enjoy the comments which come from other book bloggers.
Good question! Can honestly say that I’ve never really thought about it, so guess I don’t have a target audience. I post my reviews on BN.com, amazon, and other sites, so guess I’m trying to help my fellow book lovers choose their next books!
I would say that I review for everyone but the commenters are often other reviewers. Though I do have a few commenters who aren’t which is nice.
I don’t really have a target audience in mind though I assume I have an older crowd and obviously people who enjoy a bit more non-fiction in their lives 🙂
I write reviews for myself and in the hopes of reaching out and connecting with others. 🙂
I write my reviews for whoever wants to read them. My thought is someone may have an interest in the book or someone may be looking for a new book to read. Hopefully someone may pick up the book I read and also enjoy it.
I am not a book blogger, I aspire to be one, but I haven’t made that big step and have actually done it. I am a book blog lurker who looks forward to reading reviews, it is like a little vacation for me on a daily basis. I am an avid reader and always love hearing other peoples opinions on books that I have or even haven’t enjoyed. The wonderful thing about books is that no two people will get the exact same thing out of any story and each reader brings their own experiences to the table.
I love hearing what is going on in the book blogging world. BEA sounds like a dream come true for me. I don’t feel excluded, I just wish that I could join in the fun! I find myself accepting the challenges and broadening my own reading thanks to the amazing book bloggers in the world.
Keep doing what you are doing Sheila. With coffee in hand I look forward to your post each morning. You inspire me to start my own blog, so I too can share my love for the written word with the world. Who knows, perhaps I will. 🙂
I’m not sure I’ve ever thought about it before, at least not on purpose. I think for the most part I write my reviews for anyone who is willing to read them.
I’m still amazed that anyone is even interested in reading what I think about a particular book or the occasional movie. I’m honored that I have people who either comment often or that person who only occasional reads my blog. I think I’m rambling now.
So I think i write for everyone and then for myself. At least I pick the books for myself, I don’t read books based off of what I think others want to read reviews about. I read what I want and hopefully others care about what I have to say about them.
I started blogging about the books I read just as a way to connect with other readers and to keep track of what I was reading. I connected with those readers and also publicists, publishers and authors. It’s my hobby – reading and blogging. I’m not a professional critic and I didn’t major in English Lit, etc so I’m not writing critical reviews – more my thoughts. My posts are quite short – I don’t want to talk too much about a book because I don’t want to give too much away.
I enjoy your style, Sheila. Although I don’t always have time to comment I do try to read your posts when they come through my google reader.
Have a great time at BEA!!!
I started out writing reviews for myself, mainly to help me get better with writing as I need it for my business life, I used to make simple mistakes like ‘alot’, one bad habit down and more to go, lol
I mainly write reviews for other bloggers now or whoever reads my blog. I enjoy getting recommendations from bloggers who after almost 2 years I know have similar interest.
Also, now my goal would be for an author or publisher to capture a statement from one of my reviews, now that would be cool.
I kept lists of my books for years before I started writing reviews. I think I started writing for everyone…but if I really wanted to reach a more general audience I would be posting the reviews on Amazon which I hope to do soon.
I do think that it is a lot of bloggers who read my reviews. And I enjoy reading reviews by other bloggers..there have been books I wouldn’t have read otherwise.
As a book reviewer, I write my reviews for myself and for other bloggers. Writing reviews are a challenge so that’s one of the reasons why I write them and also because I might read a great book that I want to share with others since it’s a book that I don’t want to be ignored.
I get a lot of hits on my blog for banned books so I know that non-bloggers do read my blog (sometimes)! 😉
I think when it comes down to it, I review for myself. I absolutely love that we all have this community, and that we can all talk about the books that we’ve read, but I used to keep a book journal before I blogged and just found that blogging what I thought is easier than writing it out.
On the other hand, it really helps that so many other people are writing reviews and there’s a fantastic group of people to get recommendations from. I like to think that other book readers will take something away from what I write, because I have certainly found books through blogging that I wouldn’t have otherwise found 🙂
My target audience is really those would love to pop in and have a discussion. I guess that would appeal only to other book bloggers, right? I don’t know if other random people (non-book bloggers) ever read my blog….
I write for whoever wants to read my review. I think what happens is that bloggers will leave more comments after reading reviews, but people who are only readers will be more shy about it. I know I read blogs and reviews a little while before I actually started my little blog, but I never commented!
I honestly never really thought about it. I started reviewing books after bloggiesta and all the bookbloggers kind of sucked me in. But I write it for everyone who wants to read it. It is true that people who comment are almost always other bookbloggers and it is also true that I put a lot of books on my wishlist that I have seen blogs about. BUT I also believe that a blog has many more readers than you know about and who knows who I inspire to read a book? Not everyone who reads, comments. But honestly, I write those reviews because I think it is a fun thing to do 🙂
The main reason that I blog is because I enjoy writing posts. I write my reviews and posts for anyone who is interested, but I am more and more aware that bloggers are some of the readers.
Great discussion here. I think that I write for readers. But the thing is, every book blogger out there is a reader, so it’s almost like hitting two birds with one stone in a way.
as a non blogger..i read the blogs for book reviews and the occasional non book things like the morning meanderings though i do like it best when it is book related
i don’t like the posts that are entirely related to bloggers “are bloggers ignored by the industry” and i hate the blogs that are all about “the books i request for review” which is really just a way of saying “i’m not paying for a book i want to read”
that being said….it’s not my blog and i have a delete button! i’m just a 100 book a year reader who’s looking for new titles or the ones i missed
love your blog…enjoy new york!
I try to write for everyone and post my reviews online everywhere I can and not only when I love the book but also when I think they should check out the book from the library or not waste their time or money.
Most times I pick the books to read and hopefully I like them because they are the genres I like, but I have taken some books from publicists that I can’t believe ever made it to print, plain awful and not just because I didn’t like the subject matter, they were so poorly written, and those are the hardest reviews to write. You try to give constructive criticism but sometimes it is so hard.
When I started this blog I committed to giving honest reviews which I do, but it is also “my opinion”. I can hate a book someone else will love, but that’s why we are human and all like different things.
I know most of my readers are bloggers but many are just readers and followers but I try to inform and write my opinions for everyone. Bloggers seem to leave comments more often than non-bloggers. I do love the community I have found in this blogging world.
Plus in answer to Kathy most of us use a random software or widget to chose our giveaway winners and at least on my blog it doesn’t matter if you are a blogger or not. Blogger entries are weighted exactly the same as non-blogger entries.
I actually write my reviews for myself – my own thoughts and feelings on the book – I DO keep in mind that I read an eclectic mix of books, and I keep parents and more sensitive readers in mind, adding notes for them if warranted (for example, a YA book that has sex – some parents don’t want their teens reading ANYthing about sex, some don’t mind a little of it, so I let them know and they can make up their own mind about it.
My blog didn’t start out to be a book blog but has gradually evolved into one. I’ve written reviews for newspapers and magazines before and I write them nearly the same way now. The only difference is that I put more of myself into them because most of my blog readers are other bloggers and friends (virtual and otherwise). If I want to write something personal or non-book-related, I feel free to do that and actually I get a lot of comments when I write about my life rather than what I’m reading. The beauty of blogging is that your blog can be anything you want it to be.
I write my book reviews for friends, family, bloggers and readers. Before I started writing reviews, I had managed to get a few friends hooked on some of the books I’d read/was reading and so I thought maybe I should write some reviews rather than just talking about the books.
Target audience? Whoever happens to be passing!
I hope you have a great week!
When I read the title if this post, I thought, “well, that’s obvious isn’t it? I write reviews for readers.”
But what you’ve written here makes some good points – all of which I agree with!
Honestly, I was a bit disillusioned at first by book blogging because I was dismayed to see that all of my commenters seemed to be only other book bloggers. Like you, at first, this seemed like a never-ending circle to me and didn’t make much sense.
Like you, I have grown very fond of my fellow book bloggers (including you!) and also love to hear about their personal lives. I am always happy to see a familiar name in my comments.
I still don’t know for sure whether many of my blog readers are just readers, not bloggers, but they just don’t comment. I do know I have enjoyed sharing my book blog posts on Facebook (which I reserve only for real-life close friends and family) – I think some of them read my blogs now (though never comment there!) And I do enjoy the virtual friendships and camaraderie of other book bloggers, though I still wish I knew how to better pull non-bloggers into reading, commenting, and interacting on my blogs.
Great topic!
Sue
No target audience in mind really, just thrilled when I get comments as it means someone has actually read the review. I do enjoy the feedback but the blog started as a way to keep track of what I think of the books and authors I read. The community that has grown from this is a welcome bonus and I envy you the opportunity of having met some of your virtual book blogging friends. Maybe one day 🙂