How Has Digital Media Affected Readers?
As we live in a digital age, it is easier for readers to share their hobbies. This is no different for readers who can use different digital media to do this. The usage of digital and social media, these helps book lovers communicate with fellow book lovers.
Social Media for Readers:
Social media can alternate from user to user based on likes and follows they have given to other people. One user can have a different experience when using the same platform as someone else. Likes and interests can create a theme that will turn a plain platform into something fun. Normal social media like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube are some of the platforms readers use on a day-to-day basis. With the addition of blogs and Goodreads, book lovers can connect with one another around the globe.
Out of the different platforms out there, Instagram is one of the easiest ones to use. This is because, with the usage of images, people can share their hobbies easily. Through ‘Bookstagram‘, people can interact with one another by showing off books. By sharing this with their follower base, they can see what current trends are occurring within the book world. An example of someone doing this is @weereader. The usage of a theme on this platform can allow you to share what sort of feel you want others to see. Deciding whether to use a dark or light then can affect the way your followers enjoy the look and feel of the feed you are uploading.
YouTube
People who post book-themed videos on their Youtube accounts are called ‘BookTubers‘. YouTube is a huge platform for people to use. From gamers to vloggers, it is a hard platform to quick off in. An example of a BookTuber is @abookutopia. When using a platform which is video-based, it is easy to show your excitement or show your true feelings. When comparing it to a blog, it is easier to explain something to your audience. New ‘BookTubers’ find it hard to create a strong follower base. That is why some of them move from a ‘Bookstagram’ account or a book blog.
Blogs
Blogging about hobbies and topics has become a now in this digital age. Book blogging has also become something popular for people interested in expressing their love for books without going on YouTube. An example of a ‘Book blogger‘ is a blog called The Little Booknerds in the Corner. The characteristics of a ‘BookTuber’ and ‘Book blogger’ aren’t different from one another. Most BookTubers, build up the following base on a blog and then goes onto YouTube if they feel like it is a good move for them. Blogging is also another escape for people moving from a social media platform to a blog. For example, some ‘Bookstagramers’ have moved between Instagram and a book blog they have created.
When comparing Twitter to different platforms, it is considered to be used as a secondary platform when it is combined with other social media platforms. ‘BookTubers’, ‘Book bloggers’ and ‘Bookstagramers’ use this platform to connect with their readers in another way. An example of a BookTuber that has a Twitter account is @emmmabooks. With the addition of this social media, their followers are able to keep track easily of their reading habits and opinions on news within the publishing world. This news can be from book publishers and popular authors.
Goodreads
Aside from looking at popular social media, that is used by other users, Goodreads is the social media for readers. This platform is made for readers who are either lovers or have any other social media account that is for reading. This can be a book blog, BookTube or a Bookstagram. Goodreads are great when you are connecting with other readers that have read the books you have read and share anything you need to express. Goodreads is a place where you can feel safe when connecting with book lovers without the pressure of followers and likes.
There are many positives about why book readers use digital media. Social media is a way to connect with readers, publishers, and authors for news and updates. This allows everyone to stay connected with topics that they find interesting.
Written by: Amy Massey
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