 |
| image via We Heart It |
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
A new year and plenty of changes on the blog!
New Look
First off, Daisy Chain Books has a whole new look. I hope you like it. I kept my old blog layout for almost five years, and I felt like it was time for a change. I wasn't totally sold on this new look when I first saw it on Etsy, but I did like the colour scheme (as the pinks and greens matched the old blog) and with a few tweaks courtesy of Carina from It's All About Books, I got the look I wanted. I've had 100% positive feedback on the new look from my blogger friends, so hopefully this layout is a good fit for the blog - easy to read and navigate etc.
Book Reviews
So, here's the thing: many times in 2014 I almost decided that I'd had enough of blogging. I've taken extensive breaks from blogging and I've felt very 'blah' about the whole thing at times. It's no secret that I really value reader interaction i.e. comments on the blog - and like a lot of book bloggers it baffles me when I put a lot of time into writing a review which then receives few hits and even less comments. Now, I don't want to moan about this (at least not too much!) - and I know comments are not everything, but sometimes, you know, it feels like I'm just talking to myself here. Sometimes it feels like I spend an hour writing a review that nobody reads or comments on and I think well, maybe I could have just spent that time doing something else. Like watching Scandal.
Book blogging and reviewing - it's VERY time consuming.
So, I've decided to mix up my reviewing style with shorter reviews and round-up posts where I detail the books I've read each month. I'll still write longer reviews for select books - but they may run to 500/600 words instead of 1000. Hopefully it'll free up some time for me, and also I think that shorter reviews might appeal to more people who don't have the time to invest in reading lengthy reviews (I do go on at times). Arianne is also on board with these changes, so between us we should have a plentiful and varied mix of reviews to share with you.
Which leads me to...
Beauty Reviews
Now I know that I've pretty much restricted myself to only ever writing book reviews thanks to the title of this blog. I constantly kick myself for naming the blog on a whim and not putting any thought into it. But I've been thinking about branching out into beauty reviews for a while now, and I think 2015 is the year I'm going to give it a whirl. My first ever blog was a fashion/beauty blog, so I guess I've come full circle. I have thought about renaming the blog if the beauty reviews become a permanent thing - but I'll wait and see how they work out before I make any drastic changes - because this means I'll have to rename social media/email accounts etc too.
I will be sticking with my monthly round-up of non-bookish things - so even if the beauty reviews don't work out, there's that. The two non-bookish round-ups I've posted up have been pretty popular - more popular than most of my book reviews, anyway!
Facebook
I've decided to stop updating the blog's Facebook account - as I don't think anybody ever really sees those posts. The blog has over a thousand Facebook followers - but maybe only ten of those followers ever see any given post. I did have an auto-update thingy on there, but it always captured incorrect text/pictures and basically looked a mess so I deleted that and then had to update everything manually. Basically, Facebook wants you to pay for people to see your page, and I'm not prepared to pay Facebook anything, so I've decided to discontinue the page for now. I'm not deleting it, as I may go back to it in the future, but for now, the best way to follow the blog is via Email subscription, Bloglovin or Twitter. Check the sidebar for further details.
I may just find a different auto-update tool to update Facebook if I ever get around to it - but I really don't think Facebook is the very best way to follow blogs these days.
I think that's pretty much it for the changes - at least for now!
What do you think?
I'd love to hear your feedback.
*****
Happy New Year, Becky!
ReplyDeleteYou should so start doing beauty reviews! I'd love to read them. One of the main reasons for the beauty reviews idea is that I've also been getting a sample box these last few months & so have been trying out a lot of different products!
Glad you like the new design! x
I love the new blog design! Great colour scheme, and I like that it's simple and really easy to navigate. Looking forward to seeing the new content in 2015. I completely get how you feel about blogging. Sometimes I feel like the only reason I do it is because I'm procrastinating from doing uni work. I'm sure the new varied types of reviews will be as awesome as ever. I'm also looking forward to your beauty reviews! Happy New Year, and have a great 2015 :).
ReplyDeleteI like the new look of your blog, I did the same myself earlier today as it felt too fussy to me! And good for you for branching out, this is your blog after all and it should make you happy if nothing else. Look forward to reading your beauty tips!
ReplyDeleteI definitely can see what you mean about the whole no comments thing. I am currently in the process of revamping my whole blog layout design, and narrowing down some good writing materials. lol I'm still somewhat of a new blogger still, but hopefully my readership will go up! Also, I am one of your new followers! Your reviews are spectacular! They really help with what books I should and shouldn't buy :) If you would like, check out my blog! I have an assortment of good reads!
ReplyDeleteAlhana
http://ibelievesoidid.blogspot.com
I have my sister and her boyfriend listening to Serial now. They are hooked after the first episode - and already suspicious of Jay. I just don't believe a word he says. I'm also really wondering what Stephanie knows - because I'm pretty sure she knows the truth. I really hope the case will be reviewed - although a lot of experts seem to think it won't be.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the new colour scheme, Liz! The beauty reviews should be fun - haven't tried writing one yet, mind you! Ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! Glad you like the new look! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoy the reviews! Have fun blogging - I'll stop by to check out your blog, for sure! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to recommend Serial for pretty much everyone I know, but I don't think anyone has started to listen to it yet.... Everyone just kept telling me that I should not be as obsessed with true crime as I am... There's just something so fascinating with these stories though. I watched Dear Zachary after seeing it here on your post and oh my, I definitely did not expect that. Also watched a documentary called Cropsey, which was also pretty interesting and involved a murder investigation of sorts.
ReplyDeleteI love the blog design! I've been feeling the same way about blogging lately taking tons of long breaks. I think for me I just need to actually write and plan time to do book blogging things in between college and life.
ReplyDeleteAwesome changes coming up here! I can't wait to see what is in store! :) I love your beauty reviews so far, so keep them coming! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to watch Cropsey too. I was not expecting that at all from Dear Zachary. I felt so sorry for those people. :(
ReplyDeleteFor a while I would read posts on blogs, write a comment and then delete it because I'd think my comment seems pointless! I have no idea why I've always felt so awkward about commenting, especially as it's on the internet which should surely make things easier haha. I have however, recently started to interact with other bloggers, which has made the whole thing much more enjoyable. It's nice to feel as if someone is actually reading the posts and to be able to discuss all the thoughts and feelings you are putting out there is nice.
ReplyDelete