How to Start a Bookstagram

Have you heard the term “bookstagram” being thrown around online? If you haven’t, you’re pretty late to the party as, for the past few years, the concept of a “booksta” has been well and truly enthralling readers and online bloggers alike. 

The idea of an Instagram page solely dedicated to the consumption and review of books appeals to many, with thousands of users setting up new accounts every day. That being said, the market is already inundated. So, if you’re a newcomer looking to hop on the trend, how can you make sure your account stands out from the others?

In this blog post, we’ll take you through the basics — from username choice and account set-up to content creation and image choice, helping you to stand out amongst the crowd.

Setting up your bookstagram

Bookstagrams have been breathing new life into the reading scene for years now and are an excellent way to engage with books on a whole new level. The visual strength of Instagram as a platform lends itself really well to a book review format, while the comment and story features allow users and followers alike to get so much more out of their books. 

Be it posting long-form reviews of your favourite books, following your most-loved presses and authors, or sharing bookish memes, a bookstagram allows you to carve a little online space just for you and your reading habits. The best part? It’s a complete account away from the regular hustle and bustle of what’s on your regular feed. 

Choosing a username 

Many bookstagrammers (yes, that’s an official term) will often choose a literary-themed username when setting up their account. Oftentimes, this is a variation of [their name] + [reads] or a pun on something bookish. So experiment with different options before you settle on your final handle. 

Get creative with your bio 

The bio — or biography — is where you can customise your account with a quote or additional information that you wish to share with your audiences. This can be anything from a count of the books you’ve read this year, a note of your current read, or a quote that resonates well with you. Crafting a concise and relevant bio is an essential part of a bookstagram as it will tell your followers all they need to know about the type of reader you are — and can often inform whether people wish to engage with your account or not. Here’s our ‘bio’. 

Cultivating your own aesthetic 

The most popular bookstagram accounts are usually connected by one core element: a defined aesthetic. Usually, book Instagrammers will settle on a certain ‘theme’ or style for their page. This may be by exclusively posting in black and white, using certain filters, or setting up each post in a similar visual style with repeating props or angles. 

Visually, for users, a consistent theme on the grid is helpful and engaging. Decide on what theme you’d like to go for early on and stick to it – you’ll thank yourself later!

Producing content 

Usually, social media accounts that post regularly perform better. So, if you; ‘re looking to rack up the likes, you should aim to post at least once every couple of days.

If you’re simply aiming to use your Instagram as a place to keep track of the books you’ve read, it is unlikely that you will be able to post every day (unless you’re a lightning-speed reader). That being said, many users also choose to post book-related content as well as regular reviews. Here’s some inspiration for the kinds of posts you might want to share:

• Book-related reposts or memes.
• Pictures of your library, bookshelves, or book organisation system.
• Book hauls. These are collections of books that you have recently bought.
• Books in the wild. This refers to ‘action shots’ of you reading  — usually this is 
• An Image of your ‘TBR’ or ‘to be read’  list.
• Images of book covers that caught your eye.  
• The cover of a book you’ve been enjoying lately.
• An artsy shot of you reading.
• Your reading setup — complete with pens, accessories, drinks, and snacks. 
• Some artwork you’ve found online that relates to one of your favourite books. 
• An inspirational quote about reading that resonates with you.

If you’re struggling for ideas, get following any of the countless bookstagrams already in action. Pinching a few book recommendations or post ideas is completely allowed!

Taking photos 

Instagram is a highly photo-heavy platform as every post has to have an image as its main part. As such, making sure that your pictures are clear and of high quality is essential. 

Making use of fun angles and natural light, playing around with filters, and trying to capture something interesting would be our top tips for taking the photos for your bookstagram. 

Engaging with the bookstagram community 

Lastly, posting online wouldn’t be complete without following and interacting with other, similar accounts. There is a rich, vibrant community of individuals passionate about books online. So, all that’s left to do once you’ve set up your account is to find them! 

This can be done easily by using the explore page features to find similar accounts. You can search for certain hashtags such as “#booklovers” or “#readingcommunity” to find accounts like yours or engage in certain challenges online, Also, commenting on others’ posts and responding to their stories is another way to get your foot in the door of this fantastic community.

That being said, you could always post things yourself that invoke responses such as interactive stories with Q&A features or captions that ask for follower replies or input.

Get online today 

Sold on the idea? Make your account today and start to engage with books on a whole new, virtual level. If you’re stuck on what to post first, how about a book review of one of our top-rated reads? We look forward to seeing your bookstagrams grow! In the meantime, be sure to keep up with the Victoria Freudenheim blog for more literary inspiration and top tips.