Bookworms are taking over the web! Book lovers are creating their own sub-genres on social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram dedicated to books. These sub-genres are often referred to by their “bookish” name, such as BookTube and Bookstagram in conversation.
While I don’t know very much about BookTube, I do know a few ins and outs of the Bookstagram community. Interested in starting your own? Here are some helpful tips to get you started!
1. Pick a Theme (Or Don’t?)
Many Bookstagrammers often have a theme to their account, in which all the photos have a similar appearance to make it appealing to look at. Although many accounts do this, there are many that do not, instead choosing to use the same props in repeated pictures, such as mugs of coffee. Try different things to see what suits your style best. For example, my Bookstagram @beautynherbooks consists of warmer tones, giving a fall theme to all my posts.
2. Filters & Natural Light
This is one of the more difficult tips to stick to. If you are like me, natural light does not enter your room as much as it does in other places. A good way to test this is to try and take photos at different times of the day and see which times work best. Once that is done, applying a filter is the next step. My favourite app to use is VSCO, which provides a variety of filters and settings to edit your photos.
3. Props, Props, Props!
Props are a VITAL asset to Bookstagram photos. Anything can be used, but some of the more popular items include the following: fairy lights, candles, mugs, blankets, and fake flowers. Many of these items can be found at your local dollar store or at the craft store, but have fun and make your account YOU!
4. Don’t Force Your Creativity
Not every picture is going to turn out exactly how you want it to, and that’s ok. Quality is better than quantity. Take breaks in between your photo shoots to clear your mind. Your pictures are a representation of you, and you should always show people the best version of yourself.
5. Plan Ahead
Everyone gets busy–trust me, I know. We all have lives outside of our social media. But that does not mean your content has to suffer due to this. One of my favourite tricks (that I just recently discovered) is an app called Planoly. Planoly allows you to schedule your posts on both your computer AND phone. Then the app will send you reminders that you have a post scheduled for that day.
6. Don’t Give Up!
Starting out is tough and requires a bit of your attention to get everything perfect, but just keep pushing through it. There are so many wonderful and helpful people in the Bookstagram community who are encouraging and love welcoming new book lovers.
Since joining the Bookstagram community, I have made so many new friends that I would have never found if it were not for our common interest in books. Many publishers and authors are also a part of this community, and this is the perfect way to get yourself noticed, especially if you are pursuing a career in publishing, editing, or writing. It is never too early to start reaching for your goals!