Learnt it the Hard Way has come to an end!

Hi guys!

So, sadly, it's time to wrap up our first event at Chasing Faerytales - Learnt it the Hard Way.

When I came up with the idea for this event and made plans with Jillian, I had no idea that it will be such a big success!

Every time someone sent us a tweet saying that they loved the series of posts and twitter chats and that it was informative and helpful, we were super happy and excited!

All we wanted to do through LITHW is help bloggers, and we're glad that we've achieved our goal!

I've got to say thank you for a lot of people. Let's go one by one shall we?

Everyone who guest posted - I love all eleven of you! With the bottom of my heart:) Thank you Nova, Hazel, Ashley, Rachel, Aimee, Megan. Kat, Alexa, Faye, Kelly and April! Thanks a lot for helping us with our event by contributing with your awesome guest posts!

Everyone who took part in our twitter chats - You guys were amazing! Me and Jill thought that we'll only get the attention of 10 people, and finish the chat within the hour. But we were stumped by the amount of people who joined in! Love you all!

Jillian - My lovely co blogger! We word vomited each other in twitter DMs, and our brains started to get all muddled with the planning and scheduling but we survived! I couldn't have done this all without her, so a huge thank you to you Jill!

All of my lovely readers - The response you guys gave for the guest posts were wonderful! Some of you even asked for a repeat! We are not sure about that, but who knows? We might do another event like this in the future since we loved this round so much!

The Recap

In case you missed it, here's the complete list of guest posts we featured during LITHW!

Nova listed the classic mistakes of a beginner blogger

Hazel explained the importance of a good blog design

Ashley gave a rundown of blogging platforms

Rachel shared some tips on organizing

Aimee offered some tips on how to face the consequences of negative reviews

Yours truly listed everything you need to know about discussion posts.

Megan explained the art of commenting

Jillian discussed the pros and cons of writing personal posts

Kat shared some expert advice on finding your blogging style

Faye told us why co bloggers rock your socks

Kelly taught us how to be social in social media

April shared her views on blogging superiority

Twitter Chats

We managed to have two twitter chats during the event, and you even asked for more! Jillian and I have planned to make this a monthly chat since you guys seem to love our chat a lot! Don't miss the next chat in September!

I wanted to include as much tweets as possible, but there were too many and I didn't want to spam you guys! So here are a few selected tweets.

The first chat

 Question #1

Let's get to the Qs! Q1 : What kind of posts do you like reading on other blogs? What type of posts do you wish were posted more? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) July 25, 2015

Answers

Q1: I love reading all kinds of posts! My favorites are list & personal life posts, both of which I wish people posted more. :) #LITHW15

— Aimee (@AimeeReads) July 25, 2015

Discussions are my fave kind of post. Like I always gravitate towards them #LITHW15

— Novacaine (@NovaBlogder) July 25, 2015

I love reviews and book posts but my favorite are the occasional glimpses into blogger's lives #lithw15

— Emily (@Emren) July 25, 2015

A1: Hm, I enjoy book comparison posts. Example: If you like ____ then you'll like___. #LITHW15

— Sarah K (@thebooktraveler) July 25, 2015

Question #2

Q2 : Which type of posts do you skip while reading another blog? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) July 25, 2015

Answers

Q2: I skip promos/blitzes/posts that are just copied + pasted and without *unique* material. >_< #LITHW15

— Aimee (@AimeeReads) July 25, 2015 

I tend to skip author interviews (when idk the author), any promo posts, discussions for books idk/idc about #LITHW15

— Novacaine (@NovaBlogder) July 25, 2015

Reviews that state that they include spoilers (especially if the review in question is for a book I'm planning to read) #LITHW15

— Milka (@milkamilka) July 25, 2015

Question #3

Q3: Should there be a limit in how much we reveal about our personal life on our blogs? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) July 25, 2015

Answers

Personal posts help me connect with the blogger. Otherwise it's just words on a screen with no one behind them. #LITHW15

— Ashley (Nose Graze) (@NoseGraze) July 25, 2015

A3- IMO, yes. A personal post is one thing but please I don't read blogs where bloggers air their dirty laundry on on it 😂 #LITHW15

— Novacaine (@NovaBlogder) July 25, 2015

Q3: I think that's up to the discretion of the blogger. I don't reveal anything that I wouldn't want on the Internet. #LITHW15

— Ashley (@bookishrealm) July 25, 2015

Question #4

Q4 : Let's talk about commenting! Do you reply to your comments? And, or comment back? How often do you do it? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) July 25, 2015

Answers

A4: I love responding to comments and commenting back! It gives me a sense of community. :) I do it as often as I can! #LITHW15

— Aimee (@AimeeReads) July 25, 2015

A4: I am SO bad at replying, but I try really hard to comment back. It feels nice when people comment, so I do the same thing. #LITHW15

— Claudia Victoria (@penmarkings) July 25, 2015

I believe in commenting when you have something to say. Don't comment bc you feel you HAVE to or because you OWE it to someone. #LITHW15

— Ashley (Nose Graze) (@NoseGraze) July 25, 2015

Question #5

A5: What are the methods you use to promote your latest posts? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) July 25, 2015

Answers

I do a few posts to twitter (LOVE the new twitter cards, btw), instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. #lithw15

— Emily Ellsworth (@emsreadingroom) July 25, 2015

A5: I basically just use Twitter to promote posts, but I occassionally turn to Goodreads since I have readers there also. :) #LITHW15

— Aimee (@AimeeReads) July 25, 2015

Question #6

Q6: How important is visuals in a blog post? Banners, gifs, images? What's your opinion of them? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) July 25, 2015

Answers

Visuals are a way to show your creativity and personality, but it is important not to let them overpower your words and thoughts #LITHW15

— Milka (@milkamilka) July 25, 2015

Personally I am a MASSIVE fan of images. Especially bookish photography. ;) #LITHW15

— Kara Terzis (@kara_terzis) July 25, 2015

@chasingfaes Good images are really important for pinterest and they can REALLY help with your SEO. #lithw15

— Emily Ellsworth (@emsreadingroom) July 25, 2015

The amount of images my blog posts usually determine the seriousness of the content. Ex. In controversial discussions, no gifs. #LITHW15

— Novacaine (@NovaBlogder) July 25, 2015

Question #7 

Q7 : What kind of a blogging style do you prefer in the blogs you read and follow? ( eg - professional , snarky , funny etc,) #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) July 25, 2015

Answers

Q7: I like a blend! I like versatile bloggers who can be professional sometimes, snarky yet personal at times, and is fun(ny) #LITHW15

— Rachel (@yaperfectionist) July 25, 2015

I like blogs where the people act normal - just like themselves. I like posts full of personality, whatever that is. #LITHW15

— Ashley (Nose Graze) (@NoseGraze) July 25, 2015

Question #8

Final question of today's chat! What advice would you like to give to all your fellow bloggers? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) July 25, 2015

Answers

My advice, it takes time to build your blog to make it how you want, but don't compare yourself to anyone! Blog your own way 😉 #LITHW15

— Rachel (@yaperfectionist) July 25, 2015

#LITHW15 ENJOY BLOGGING! It's supposed to be fun. If you ever feel stressed about it, take a step back & find the love in it again. <3

— Kara Terzis (@kara_terzis) July 25, 2015

Find your voice, don't try to sound like anyone other than yourself. And remember to have fun. #LITHW15

— Ruby (@Rubysbooks) July 25, 2015

Don't measure your blog in terms of how many followers you have or how many views you get. Measure it in how happy it makes you #LITHW15

— Rachel (@yaperfectionist) July 25, 2015

If you need to follow stats and push yourself every day, do that, but make sure the challenge still makes you satisfied! #LITHW15

— Whitley Birks (@whitleybirks) July 25, 2015

The Second Chat

Question #1

Okay, time for the first Q - What do you think is the most effective way of building connections in the blogging community? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) August 15, 2015

Answers

A1: Twitter & commenting back! Twitter connects you to bloggers, publishers, and authors while commenting intros you to new blogs #LITHW15

— Rachel (@yaperfectionist) August 15, 2015

A1: INTERACTING. Whether on their blogs, Twitter, Goodreads or anywhere else, the blogger MUST be approachable and responsive. #LITHW15

— Aimee (@AimeeReads) August 15, 2015

A1. I also think by going to events like Yallwest/BEA and joining twitter chats like #LITHW15

— Leigh (@LittleBookStar) August 15, 2015

Question #3

Now we'll move on to the Qs, previously submitted by bloggers.Q3 : How do you increase your blog's visibility? (by @readatmidnight) #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) August 15, 2015

Answers

A3: Increase visibility by commenting on other blogs. Boost SEO by publishing regularly. Keep ppl around by posting GREAT content. #LITHW15

— Ashley (Nose Graze) (@NoseGraze) August 15, 2015

A3: I increase my blog's visibility by cross-posting reviews on GR, Amazon, B&N, tweeting links to posts, commenting on blogs, etc #LITHW15

— Rachel (@yaperfectionist) August 15, 2015

A3: ALSO being a nice person in general. Don't be an ass. Nobody likes an ass. #LITHW15

— Claudia Victoria (@penmarkings) August 15, 2015

Question #4

Q4: (By @MyNSRL) What do you define as " quality content" ? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) August 15, 2015

Answers

A4: Quality content is a mixture of creativity, relatability, originality, good writing, and some charm/personality thrown in #LITHW15

— Rachel (@yaperfectionist) August 15, 2015

A4: Quality content either solves a problem or sparks a strong reaction from the reader. (The latter being more open ended) #LITHW15

— Ashley (Nose Graze) (@NoseGraze) August 15, 2015

A4: Originality. Well-thought. Legible. Proper grammer/spelling. Polite. Thought-provoking. #LITHW15

— Claudia Victoria (@penmarkings) August 15, 2015

Quality content is something that shows that the writer behind it, is passionate about the concept. It must make the reader feel. #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) August 15, 2015

A4: Quality content is actionable. What do you want a reader to do when they are done reading? #lithw15

— Emily Ellsworth (@emsreadingroom) August 15, 2015

Question #5

Q5 : How daring do you think a blogger should be? What do you feel about tackling controversial concepts? #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) August 15, 2015

Answers

A5: DO ALL THE CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS IF YOU WANT. Sometimes I can't sleep because I need to write a post that's been bothering me. #LITHW15

— Novacaine (@NovaBlogder) August 15, 2015

A5: If you feel like the topic SHOULD be talked about, go for it. But maybe get a friend or two to beta-read for offensive words. #LITHW15

— Aimee (@AimeeReads) August 15, 2015

A5: Be daring enough to speak your mind, but not enough just to stir shit up. We need engaging conversation, not a soap opera. #LITHW15

— Claudia Victoria (@penmarkings) August 15, 2015

Also, if you are attempting to tackle a controversial topic just for the sake of pageviews and attention, then please don't do it! #LITHW15

— Mishma (@chasingfaes) August 15, 2015

By the end of the second chat, we also opened the chat for bloggers to ask their own questions. I Which we're planning to do in the future monthly chats as well!

Plus, if you need a reminder when we host our next #LITHW15 chat, let me know! I'll add you to my twitter list!


I am sorry the post was super long guys!:) But I really hope that Learnt it the Hard Way was an informative event to you all! I had such a great time putting up with this event!