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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Blogoversary Suggestions Wrap Up #1

I appreciate all the entries, good wishes and comments on my Blogoversary. Thank you all.
I have a couple of suggestions to comment on and some I wish to seek input on, represented by the QQs below, from those who want to contribute their "two bits."

Item 1>
Several people asked for a way to subscribe. I too have found that email subscription to other blogs is an easy way to follow so I don't miss anything and I can look and delete each day after looking.  THERE IS AN EMAIL SUBSCRIPTION OPTION for MBS.  It is located directly  beneath the About Me paragraph and profile link on the upper left side bar.

Item 2>
Several people asked for more Author interviews and that was already in my thoughts and is in the works.  See more in my comments and the Blog schedule below.

Item 3>
QQ: Should the Giveaway list remain on top or be moved to the side?
I have had several commentors say they like the Giveaways at the top. I did get some comments though that  it was too long at the top. The list has gotten rather long and I don't see that slowing any time soon. I think it will continue to run at about eight open giveaways. I could move it to the side bar which will add one more thing to the full sidebars or I could do a link at the top to go to a page of Giveaways.
So - if you have an opinion on this, please vote in the poll which I will be posting (hopefully later on Thursday) on the side bar.
Feel free to leave a comment on this post too.

Item 4>
Should I post more reviews? I was going to put this to a poll but after listing my thoughts I am asserting executive decision here.
Here are my thoughts and reasons
a) A large number of the reviews I post are for publishers and authors. I have only been reading a few books from my own shelves. I have tried to post only two to three reviews a week so that they can get some attention (the goal) rather than be skimmed over because there are so many.
b) I read three to four books a week. Some of the reviews have been for other review sites, currently You Gotta Read Reviews and Romance Junkie Reviews (although I have not taken new books for two months while I get my backlog reviews completed). I could add the other reviews here but they can also be found at the review sites I write them for. It is unlikely I would have more than four reviews a week to post unless I pull some of my other reviews.
c) As I go visiting other blogs, there are many reviews to be read and we each only have so much time.
I am doing more interviews which take time for visitors to read too.
d) I have a bit of a blog schedule that I follow (see below) which really leaves three to four days open for reviews and other posts of interest.
e) I actually have full time work with a law office and title insurance company; now add to that the publishing company.  Almost all of my spare time is already spent reading, reviewing and posting - it all takes time which is in limited supply.  
So, although I am honored that people would ask for more reviews, my choice and preference is to continue to try to post a minimum of two and a maximum of four reviews per week. I hope to go for quality over quantity. Plus I will now be having at least one, and no more than two, interviews per week.

Item 5>
There was a comment that I had more giveaways than reviews.  That is possible.
Since most of my reviews lately include Giveaways that means I am posting two to three book giveaways a week. I generally hold off and post my Giveaways when I post the review but occasionally there will be a Giveaway before I finish the book.  And of course there are my own "gifty" giveaways, and follower giveaways and special event giveaways. Well - even if there may be more giveaways than reviews I hope that doesn't bother too many people. *BG*
QQ: I am curious though to know whether you prefer the giveaways in separate posts or joined with the reviews? I will post a poll for that question  soon.

Item 6>
I had several comments on the Blogoversary suggesting that I reinstate the Comment Tuesday posts or have more chats. I miss those too. I will be getting back to those so watch for them please and come chat away!


More suggestions will be discussed in Wrap Up #2 to be posted Saturday.

Below is the MBS Blog Schedule where some things are set and some are floating. This may help some of you to find posts you are looking for, like what am I reading or what books I received or when the reviews are posted. I will soon dedicate a day to the interviews.

Monday: two memes:
  • It's Monday. What are you Reading? Here I summarize the past week's posts, the books I completed, those I am currently reading and those coming up.  I try to make a succinct comment on the finished books to give my quick impression in case someone is interested and doesn't get back to read the review OR in case the review is being posted elsewhere OR in case it takes a few weeks to get the review posted. :)
  • Monday Mailbox - I have been using this only for books I win or pick up at bargain or the occasional book I actually purchase.  I may add review books that come in - I will probably put that to a poll.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday -  These are Reviews and Interview days. I am going to try to have at least one day dedicated to Author Features - Guest Blog, Interview or highlight feature.  I will be posting a sign up form in the near future. I will be including other bloggers to interview too (this was a splendid suggestion!). I hope to break this out to be a Hachette author once or twice a month, a Sourcebook author or Pump up Your Book author once a month, a guest author (hopefully from some of the groups I belong to and you have seen me promote like Sweet to Sensual Romance and The Sweetest Romance Authors) once a month and a blogger once a month. That will be at least four interview or guest blogs per month and will take up a day per week

Friday: I announce the previous Friday Pick Winners and post the new Friday Pick Giveaway each Friday morning. The rest of the day is open or I may post blog tour announcements or winners.

Saturday: An open day for occasional review/giveaway posts or items of interest, like upcoming blog tours. This could be used for Chat days and I have some ideas for that.

Sunday: Sunday Words of Encouragement.

Again thanks for the suggestions and check this Saturday for the second half of the wrap up.

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