Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anne Mendez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Anne , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

Since starting The Lit Bitch in 2010, I’ve managed my social media accounts on my own, initially using Facebook and Twitter to share my book reviews and track my reading. Social media was simpler then, mostly focused on sharing links and connecting with a book-loving community. Over the years, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have transformed social media from link-sharing to a more complex mix of visuals, reels, and stories, all of which demand more time and creativity.

Though I considered hiring someone to help manage these platforms, the cost has been a big factor, especially since blogging is a passion project rather than a paid role for me. I also enjoy the personal connection that managing my own accounts offers, even if it means having to scale back sometimes.

For business owners weighing whether to manage social media themselves or hire out, I’d suggest considering your goals and your time capacity. If the engagement aspect and staying hands-on is a priority, managing it yourself can be rewarding. However, if content creation feels overwhelming or becomes a barrier, hiring help might allow you to focus on the core of your business. Social media trends will keep shifting, so finding a balance that feels sustainable and authentic to your brand is key.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Anne Mendez, the creator of The Lit Bitch, a blog I started back in 2010 to track and review the books I was reading. The blog’s name actually came about in a fun brainstorming session with my sister—we thought “Lit” and “Bitch” had a nice ring to it, and it felt like the perfect fit for the voice and style I wanted to bring to the book blogging world.

At first, The Lit Bitch was just a personal creative outlet, a way to share my love of reading and keep track of the books I enjoyed or had on my “to be read” list. But over time, it evolved into a community-focused platform. Indie writers and self-published authors started reaching out to me, asking if I’d review their books. Then, I discovered book “tours” organized by bloggers and authors, where groups of reviewers would read and review new releases—often in collaboration with publishers. These connections opened the door to more opportunities with authors and publishing houses, allowing me to expand my reviews, cover reveals, and book features. I also started to write lists, movie reviews (of films based on books), and even the occasional sponsored post.

What sets The Lit Bitch apart is the balance of genuine, in-depth book reviews and a fun, accessible approach to literature. I want followers to feel like they’re talking with a friend about books rather than reading a formal critique. I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with authors, publishers, and readers—The Lit Bitch has become more than just a blog; it’s a community.

If you’re looking for honest book reviews, engaging book content, and a place to discover new reads, The Lit Bitch is where you’ll find it. Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just starting out, I’m here to help you discover your next favorite book.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation in the book review world comes from my commitment to providing thoughtful, constructive feedback. Rather than giving harsh or overly critical reviews, I focus on offering balanced insights, highlighting what worked well in a book and what could be improved. I don’t believe any book is flawless, so even when I give a five-star rating, I make it a point to discuss areas where the story could be enhanced or elements I’d like to see more of in a series. This approach helps readers get a comprehensive understanding of a book, allowing them to decide whether it aligns with their tastes and interests. I think this dedication to fair, constructive feedback is what has helped me earn trust among readers and authors alike.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Blogging and social media go hand in hand, so I quickly set up social media accounts to complement The Lit Bitch. When I started, Facebook was the dominant platform, and Twitter was just emerging, so managing these two was fairly straightforward—I could share links to my reviews easily without too much extra work. But as Instagram and TikTok rose in popularity, social media demands changed. It’s no longer just about sharing a link; now it’s about creating engaging reels, TikToks, stylized photos, and interactive stories. I dove into Instagram a few years ago, but with so many platforms and types of content to keep up with, balancing social media with blogging and reviewing books has become challenging.

As for advice to those trying to grow their social media, I’d say be true to your brand and focus on engaging, authentic ways to connect with your audience. Looking back, I wish I had developed a clearer social media strategy and perhaps collaborated with someone more knowledgeable to really enhance my approach. Visual quality matters—a lot—so paying attention to sound, lighting, and presentation in photos and videos can make a big difference. In the future, I may invest in help for content creation or spend more time learning to create eye-catching, polished visuals myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thelitbitch.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelit_bitch_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelitb
• Twitter: https://x.com/thelitbitch?s=21&t=CE0n6l4NFTQFTARXAMmfBw Ex

Image Credits

Heidi Timmons Photography