Let’s have an honest and real convo about Booktube. It’s been something I’ve been batting around for months. I keep getting hyped to try it and then I put the thought in the back of my mind. Then I get itchy to do it and want to do it. I’m feeling this now.
However, I’m going to let it sit for a while because it’s something I’m seriously considering but it’s also one of those things where I jump into without making a plan. Maybe I’ll make some test videos for lighting and sound. Prepare myself properly. There’s been so many times that I’ve rushed into something without thinking and just lose steam or focus.
But I will admit there are a few things holding me back from doing this. First off, I’m afraid of the criticism. I’m worried I’ll share myself too much and lose my privacy. I’m afraid that I’ll say something the universe didn’t want to hear and I’ll become a joke. I’m afraid people will just hate me for being me. These are excuses that are really debilitating me right now.
I’m also worried that it will amount to nothing at all. I feel like Booktube is a bet where the winning hand is so unstable that you can come out on top or on the very bottom. Because of those odds, I’m hesitant to even get started. This kind of doubt really steps me back.
But I’m a little bored of what I’ve been doing with reviews and hoping to find another outlet. I also have these lists that I do pretty much every month and I think I’ll transfer those to Youtube as well. Here’s what would possibly go from the blog to accommodate another social media platform:
- Mid-month checkins
- Weekly wrap ups
- Monthly wrap ups
- Book Hauls
- Some Reviews
- Reading Vlogs
I mean, I feel like it won’t be that bad to get rid of these from the blog and make them vlogs. I think that goes double for the fact that I don’t know if people want to read a wall of text about what I read this month.
I don’t normally do reading vlogs, but I’m willing to try them. After all, I spend most of my time reading anyway so it might be a good use of my time to just keep the camera on me while I do it.
What are your thoughts? Would you watch a booktube channel with me in it? Do you booktube? I need opinions before I can finally pull this trigger.
Simone and Her Books 
I’ve never actually followed any BookTuber and while I’m aware of how it works, my primary mode of keeping up to date with my favourite bloggers is via their blog. That being said, I would find it really interesting to check out BookTubers and I think the content you would want to put on there would work really well! I can see why you might be concerned about privacy and freedom of speech, but I think it’s a risk worth taking! I hope you give it a shot and I’ll definitely check out your content if you do!
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Do it, Simone! I’ve found it incredible fun and I think there’s an incredibly strong, diverse and supportive community on booktube! ❤️
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If it’s something you’re interested in, you should totally give it a try! I love reading book blogs, but I also subscribe to a ton of booktubers. It seems like the booktube community is just as supportive and fun as the book blogging community. I wish I had the time since there are lots of bookish ideas that I think would come across better as videos, but I’m trying to be creative and make them work as blog posts!
Good luck if you do try xx
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I watched your old video and I would definitely watch your new ones if ever you want to start/continue making them. ♥
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Do it Simone! I would definitely watch 🙂
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I’ve been toying with the idea too, I totally understand your hesitations and fears! But I say go for it, I’m just waiting to move into a new house before I try figuring out all the video/sound/lighting stuff 🙂 I would definitely subscribe!
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I’ve never heard of Booktube up until now but I understand your hesitation about putting yourself out there completely. A while back I contemplated a YouTube channel about brewing beer and while I had all the (basic) equipment there were those similar thoughts:
-I’ve only been doing it for a year, what if I’m horribly innaccurate?
-I’m better behind a camera, how bad will I fall in front of it?
-What if nobody watches? What if they share it for the wrong reasons (something I said/did incorrectly)
-I have a mole on my face. WILL THE MOLE RESONATE MORE THAN I WILL?
So I started with one video and after a week I saw that someone other than I had watched it. And they didn’t lob up on my door ready to torch the place. A great sign!
One became two, two became four. I found an old interview with a brewer I did for a podcast I could repurpose and that was a big hit. I’m almost at 20 videos now. It’s a lot of work but there’s also that creation buzz with each upload.
Start slowly, don’t worry about what the world thinks and have fun. You’ll be fine C:
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If it’s something you really want to do then I say GO FOR IT! Even if it’s just to find out that it isn’t really your thing. You have at least 1 sure subscriber right here 😀
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Hi! Newish follower here. I’ve never watched a Booktuber and generally I like reading blogs more than watching videos. That being said, you should go for it since you’ve been wanting to for so long. I bet lots would watch.
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I think if it’s something you want to do, there’s no harm in trying! I feel like I’m also in the same boat you’re in, booktube is something that I’ve been thinking on and off about for the last couple of years. My sister and I planned on making a channel together last summer, made sure the name was available and everything, but I’m super worried about the privacy aspect of it. In the profession I’m trying to get into, we’re not supposed to self disclose much to clients, so I worry about how much info about myself is going to be online and available to anyone.
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I should start by saying that I don’t watch a whole lot of booktube right now. Youtube in general is just a dangerous place for my productivity…and I feel like booktube and Twitter are the two places that bring out the most jealousy when it comes to what I wish my blogging life looked like vs what it actually looks like.
That being said, I would 100000000% watch your booktube channel! You’ve become one of my favorite bloggers lately and I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on books. I think if making a booktube channel is something that would bring you joy and inspire you in other aspects of life, then you should totally go for it!
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I’d definitely watch you on booktube. I love your blog so it’s a no brainer for me. 💕
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