Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

What social media do you use for your blog and/or what do you wish you knew more about so you could?

When I first started book blogging, it was really just a hobby for me. I didn't so much care about the recognition or noticeability of my blog, and I didn't really think about how very interconnected the world of social media really is. After about a year of blogging though, I began to realize that as my blog continued to grow, so did the potential reach of my blog, as well.

That's a pretty tricky thing to balance though. To ensure that your blog has a high viewership, attracts the attention of authors and publishers and really stands out in the world of social media, I realized I really needed an active presence...just about everywhere.

Luckily enough, I got a job as a social media marketing manager, and I began to really started to piece it all together, as well as to search out new avenues to use in the promotion of my blog.

Today, I use Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+ and Pinterest to promote my blog. While I'm comfortable with most, I'll admit that Google+ is probably my least favourite of the sites that I use. In theory, it's the perfect way to promote your blog. If used correctly, you have the opportunity to begin to directly affect your search results, thus boosting your SEO potential. Sounds great, right? Right(isn). Here's the thing...I don't find it to be the most engaging platform and, frankly, though easy enough to use, it's also not that prominent in terms of reaching out to publishers and authors. 

I use it...but not nearly enough. I think that Twitter and Facebook have had the biggest impact on my blog, right behind Goodreads, which obviously made a huge difference for me. Plus, those three are all super user-friendly and entertaining. Pinterest is great to promote giveaways, covers, artwork...plus, let's be honest, I mostly pin recipes and travel on there anyway.

What about you? Which platforms do you use...and do you have a favourite/least favourite?

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish.

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a great way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Things That Make Being a Book Blogger/Reviewer Easier

1. NetGalley - The easiest way to read and access eARCs. Plain and simply, my friends. It's fantastic.

2. eReader - I own a Barnes & Noble Nook. While I'm attached to my hard copies, this lil' device has changed reviewing books for the better. Forever.

3. SEO - It sounds silly, but my day job has made my book blogging easier. SEO lets me make my site more visible to search engines and to lovely readers like you.

4. Edelweiss - I swear this is one of the best kept secrets of book blogging. It's incredible to browse and sometimes access e-galleys from publisher catalogs.

5. Book Expo America - If you've been, you get it. Meet the publishers, meet the authors, meet your friends. It's awesome.

6. Facebook - This is a no-brainer. Connect with one of the largest social engines on the web and your site and reach will boost exponentially.

7. Book Blogger Convention - I only went the first year, but I hear it got a lot better this past year, which means it can only get better. I can't wait to see what else they have in store for us.

8. LibraryThing - Enter your library. Share it with a community of book lovers like yourself. Spread the word about great books. It's awesome.

9. Twitter - This is also a pretty obvious one. Real-time interactions between authors, book lovers and publishers, plus an easy way to get the word out about your posts? Yes, please.

10. Goodreads - This should be first on my list, and it kind of really is. I think that reviewing was made a HELL of a lot more simple with this awesome site. To date, I've posted 382 reviews there, and I have really found some of the best recommendations and libraries ever. I love it. You MUST have it.

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books That Are On The Top Of My TBR List For Fall:

1. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - As one who has a penchant for all things creepy and macabre, allow me to tell you how very stoked I am to be reading this one VERY soon.

2. The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson - Usually, series are the death of a great first book for me (that didn't make sense, but you know what I mean). This one, however, I am just DYING to start.

3. Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey - Well, for one, it has one awesome premise. For another, the cover is to die for. For yet another...it's going to be a different read for me with the LGBT story line, and I like to read out of my comfort zone.

4. Frost by Marianna Baer - Two words - Boarding. School. Nothing good can come of it, and I'm just fascinated by both the premise and the creeptastic cover. I'm in the mood for spooks, kids!

5. As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott - If I'm not wrong (and I often am), this one sounds a bit different than her usual books, and that excites me. I love it when an author pushes the boundaries of his/her comfort zones! Plus, holy great premise!

6. Variant by Robison Wells - You know what I love more than a great premise? A premise that only hints, but that hint is enough to spark my interest. Again with the creep factor, I'm loving the touches of originality this one seems to have.

7. Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon - I have this one sitting my shelf, and while I'm a cover slut, the premise is equally incredible. Plus, Leigh is fabulous, so I can't wait to start this one.

8. Bunheads by Sophie Flack - Confession time. I was a ballet dancer once upon a time before I gave it up to swim full time. Was I good? Adequate is probably more like it. Anyway, this contemporary read is one that's been sitting on my shelf tempting me, and it sounds so good.

9. Seizure by Kathy Reichs - It's no secret I'm a huge BONES nut, and when I read Virals, I absolutely died with glee. I'm so excited to see if the second installment is better than the first.

10. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler - Well, it's two great authors, a highly entertaining and intriguing premise and, frankly, I can't imagine a life before my facebook, so let's be honest...who doesn't want to read this?