Hi there! I’m Eliza Noel. Germaine invited me to write a post about bookstagram. I’ve been running my bookstagram for almost two years and it’s something I truly enjoy. So here we go!

 

 

 

What is a bookstagram?

A bookstagram is an Instagram account where a reader posts aesthetically pleasing pictures of books.

 

Why should you have a bookstagram?

-You love books and you want to share your favorites (or not favorites) with everyone!
-In addition to the above reason, you’re a writer and bookstagram looks like a fun, creative way to grow your following.

 

How to start one.

Download the Instagram app and follow the directions to set up an account.

 

Be safe.

If you’re still a kid, keep your parents involved in this step. Decide how much personal information is safe to share. Will your account be public (if it’s not it may be hard for other accounts to find you and decide to follow you)? Will you use your full real name? How specific will you be about where you live? Will you share pictures of yourself and/or your family? I’ve chosen to use my first and middle name, keep my account public, and share what state I live in.

 

Theme ideas!

Take a look at these bookstagram feeds and try to come up with some ideas of what you would like yours to be. What background will you use? Any specific colors?

 

 

This is author, Nadine Brandes’ bookstagram. Her pictures are gorgeous and her baby is adorable!

 

This is Hannah’s instagram. It’s so aesthetic and her blog is amazing too.

 

Sienna does a similar type thing and I love it!

 

The amazing Jill Williamson (one of the authors behind Go Teen Writers) includes her map in most of the pictures.

 

I love how Victoria did a field of flowers background here!

 

This rustic wood background Abi did for a bit was beautiful.

 

I’ve changed my theme so many times, but one thing I really like to do now is alternate between an everyday life type pic and books with a plain background. I know I like to get to know people as well as the books they like, so this seems to be a good way to keep that balance on my account.

 

 

Another fun thing to do is have people ‘model’ books. This takes a bit more time and preparation.

 

Photography tips

Try to make sure your pictures are well-lit. I like to take my pictures outside on sunny days. If a picture doesn’t look quite right, don’t freak out – you can always edit it. I go back and forth between editing in the Instagram app, using Snapseed and using Google photos. Find an app or website that works well for you. I like to keep my theme consistent by editing similarly or using the same filters.

 

Numbers aren’t everything, but they help

-Use hashtags ( #bookstagram, #igbooks, #readersofinstagram, hashtags for each book in the picture…do your research)
-Join a #bookstagramchallenge by posting pictures for the prompts. I’ve found and been found by a lot of new accounts this way
-Install the app ‘Unfollow’. When you have a public account, it’s typical for people to follow you then unfollow the moment you follow them back. Before you know it, you’re following way more accounts than are following you! This app helps you see who unfollowed you. Just don’t get sucked into making it personal when someone does unfollow you.
-Engage with other accounts. Like, comment, reply to stories, etc.! But don’t make it about gaining followers, make it about making new friends.

 

Scheduling

I use the Buffer app to schedule posts. I’m not all that consistent with posting, but I would like to post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Right now I’m doing a bookstagram challenge so I just post whenever I have something that fits the day’s prompt. Sometimes I’m a month ahead in scheduling and other times I don’t have anything scheduled. I definitely prefer having posts scheduled so that I basically only worry about replying to comments and looking at other people’s posts. You figure out what works best for you!

 

 

That’s it, that’s all!

It’s Germaine again. Heaps of thanks to Eliza for agreeing to guest post on my site this week, I hope it helps you a lot.

Here’s a link to Eliza’s instagram; I’ll see you again with another post next week.

Cheers!