First things first. Random Tuesday and Saturday has been difficult for me to think up, so I’ll be splitting them up. Tuesday’s will remain Random Tuesday and Saturday’s will become Saturday’s Discussion, where I discuss something about books or blogging.
Memes:
So, memes, a hotly contested subject between bloggers and publishers. I currently participate in three days worth of memes. Four days a week I have original content either reviews or discussion, but three days a week I participate in some of the most popular memes. That’s basically a disclaimer to this post.
My opinion on memes:
I believe memes are incredibly helpful to bloggers, especially those who post daily. My favorite memes are Waiting on Wednesday and the Friday blog hops. I’ve heard many people complain about Follow Friday and such, but I don’t do them for the extra follows, okay they are nice icing, but as I’ve been doing them weekly I no longer get huge spikes on Fridays due to these.
I do, however, get to answer questions that make me think about things I wouldn’t otherwise think about. I then, get to discuss these with people that I haven’t before had the chance to talk to. Those comments that are "Hi, come follow me.” Annoy me to no end. I want to put each and every one of them in spam.
Waiting on Wednesday, is the number one way I find new books. I have a confession to make, when I started blogging I was trying unsuccessfully to find paranormal books that I would enjoy. I HATED paranormal when it first came out.
Though, this may seem like a justification of memes, the main reason for this post is a simple statement. Memes are an important part of book blogging and can be used to serve a good purpose when done correctly.
Please weigh in. Should memes be obliterated or do they serve an important service within book blogging.
Categories: Saturday Discussion
I think memes are a huge part of book blogging. Without them I would still be stuck on 20 odd followers, not nearly 200. And I wouldn't have met as many awesome people as I have. I fact, I found you through one of the memes! Yes, some people are do just doing it for the follows, there's one person in particular who I have blocked for a very good reason - everytime they stop by a blog (on Top Ten Tuesday) they just put 'great choices, stop and see mine.' on every single blog. Pretty obvious that they haven't actually bothered to read any posts, just trying to get follows. When they posted on mine I dived at the delete and block button (thank you Disqus!)
ReplyDeleteSo, in summary, memes are an amazing way to connect with other bloggers, as long as you and everyone else doesn't abuse the system.
I didn't realise people disliked memes, why is this? If you don't like something, surely you just don't participate in it? I agree, I love WoW for the same reason you do: the books. When I first started blogging about 2months ago my reading habits were getting really stale; but I've branched out a lot recently and that's mainly thanks to WoW. I'd've thought publishers loved this; because it's free (and good) publicity for pre-published books!
ReplyDeleteI love the follow fridays too, but that's cause I'm nosey and I like to blog hop and read answers. It's nothing to do with getting followers for me it's about finding new people for me to follow! and it's easier to do that with loads of people's links in the same place!
Sorry the the massive essay! Enoy your saturday, and thanks for the interesting discussion =]
Yes, some abuse the memes, which is sad because they really are helpful.
ReplyDeleteI try not to be one of them. If I can't think of something clever to say in response to a post I'll just not comment.
There are bloggers who don't participate in them, others who do and and treat them just like any other post, as I try to, and those who abuse them.
ReplyDeleteIf I go onto a blog and all I see are memes I'll likely back out very quickly. There needs to be original content (not questions from memes) to balance the memes. We are book reviewers after all.
If you go through The Story Siren's "Dear Publisher" posts, you'll see many publishers say they don't like to see too many memes and others that say they like all original content.
I like the massive essay!
I like them, generally. I just started book blogging, and it helps me have something to say. It also helps connect with other bloggers. I've found so many books just by memes!
ReplyDeleteI only do two of them right now. I don't have a lot of content yet and I don't want my blog bogged down with only memes. What's the point in that, you know? I wanted a blog to keep track of the books I've read and what I think about them.
I wouldn't have many blogs to go and read if there weren't memes. I also wouldn't really have anyone to come and read mine. I don't really have anyone in my real life that likes to read as much as I do, so it's not like they would read my blog. This way I find new people to talk to. I'm really liking it.
Also, I don't comment unless I can find something to say other than "good pick" or "great book". I like to leave a little bit more meaningful responses.
I guess my overall opinion is that I like them as a means to interact and as long as they aren't overdone they are great. :)
Jennifer of Little Shelf
I'm a new blogger and I LOVE memes. It is the only way I find new blogs to follow. I only participate in two memes myself. But I like to hop around and visit blogs who participate in my favorite memes. For example, I participate in Follow Friday and Blogger Hop but I love Top Ten Tuesday. I don't participate in the meme on my blog, but I try to hop to as many blogs as I can to read everyone's answers.
ReplyDeleteI think if you only do memes without any other content, it is probably bad but I think memes help people feel comfortable in the community. Before memes, I was a lurker. I would visit blogs but feel like I had nothing to say so I would never comment. But with memes, it gives a little more direction, and I slowly became comfortable.
Oh and I hate people who just say... "Hi! Come see my answer." Spammers... but overall I think memes provide a lot of good if done correctly.
I love memes. I don't even do it for the follows, like you. I got over those after the first week. I just love answering the questions and seeing what everyone else has got to say! WOW is definitely my favourite. Where would I hear about all of these great books without it? :)
ReplyDelete