Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Almost one year ago I uploaded my Newbie Tag. Today, thanks to all of you in the Booktube community , my BookTube journey has seen my channel reach 1,000 subscribers.
I'm Mike - this is Riff Raff's Reading Renaissance. Welcome!
After almost one year on BookTube and reaching the milestone of 1,000 subscribers, I'm looking back on the journey—from my very first Newbie Tag to book reviews, tags, buddy reads, reading events, response videos, and passion projects like Read the Beloved Country.
In this video I share:
📚 How I grew from 0 to 1,000 subscribers in 11 months
📚 The videos that performed best on my channel
📚 What I learned about BookTube growth and audience building
📚 Why tags, collaborations, and book reviews still matter
📚 Mistakes I made and lessons I learned along the way
📚 Advice for new BookTubers just starting their journey
📚 Reflections on community, reading, and finding fellow book lovers around the world
Along the way I discuss BookTube events, collaborations with fellow creators, classic literature reviews, reading challenges, subscriber growth, branding, and what makes a sustainable BookTube channel.
Most importantly, this video is a thank-you to everyone who has watched, commented, subscribed, and shared in this reading journey.
Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 Some dogs and upcoming milestones
01:25 Thank You to the Booktube Commmunity
02:39 Five Things on my mind
04:28 Starting BookTube: The Newbie Tag
06:01 Why Tags Matter for Growth
07:25 Early Lessons from BookTube Events
13:37 Slow & Steady Subscriber Growth
14:36 Buddy Reads, Response Videos & Co-Hosting
16:46 Do Book Reviews Still Work?
17:58 In Defence of Book Buying
19:10 Balancing BookTube with Real Life
21:27 Planning My Reading Year (the Spreadsheet)
22:32 The 500 Subscriber Q&A Success
24:26 Reading The Iliad on BookTube
25:22 Launching "Read the Beloved Country"
26:16 Branding your BookTube Channel
28:19 Monthly Reading Wrap-Ups
29:16 Response Videos & Engagement
30:12 Another Mammoth Book review (Wolf Hall)
31:45 The Sound of May & New Creators
33:31 The Seriously Well-Read Tag
34:20 Reaching 1,000 Subscribers
35:01 Thank You to the Community
36:20 Final Reflections
What has been the biggest lesson you've learned from BookTube—or from creating content online? Let me know in the comments.
👍 Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Bell if you'd like to follow the next chapter of the Riff Raff Reading Renaissance journey!
Wonderful Booktubers who inspired or assisted me along the way (they are mentioned in the video):
Steve - @saintdonoghue
Shelly - @Shellyish
Mark - @BookTimewithElvis
Randy - @LiterateTexan
Gareth - @bookssongsandothermagic
Katie - @katiejlumsden
Aaron - @AaronReadABook
Alison - @alisontalksbooks
Caden - @CadenConley27
I'd love to know:
What has been your biggest BookTube lesson—whether as a creator, commenter, or viewer?
And if you're a newer BookTuber, feel free to share your channel below and tell us what kind of books you love to read.
Thank you all for making this journey such a rewarding one. 📚
And for the almighty algorithm:
#BookTube #BookTubeGrowth #ReadingCommunity #BookReviews #Books #Reading #Bookish #ClassicLiterature #BookTubeJourney #ReadingRenaissance
Almost one year ago I uploaded my Newbie Tag. Today, thanks to all of you in the Booktube community , my BookTube journey has seen my channel reach 1,000 subscribers.
I'm Mike - this is Riff Raff's Reading Renaissance. Welcome!
After almost one year on BookTube and reaching the milestone of 1,000 subscribers, I'm looking back on the journey—from my very first Newbie Tag to book reviews, tags, buddy reads, reading events, response videos, and passion projects like Read the Beloved Country.
In this video I share:
📚 How I grew from 0 to 1,000 subscribers in 11 months
📚 The videos that performed best on my channel
📚 What I learned about BookTube growth and audience building
📚 Why tags, collaborations, and book reviews still matter
📚 Mistakes I made and lessons I learned along the way
📚 Advice for new BookTubers just starting their journey
📚 Reflections on community, reading, and finding fellow book lovers around the world
Along the way I discuss BookTube events, collaborations with fellow creators, classic literature reviews, reading challenges, subscriber growth, branding, and what makes a sustainable BookTube channel.
Most importantly, this video is a thank-you to everyone who has watched, commented, subscribed, and shared in this reading journey.
Timestamps & Chapters
00:00 Some dogs and upcoming milestones
01:25 Thank You to the Booktube Commmunity
02:39 Five Things on my mind
04:28 Starting BookTube: The Newbie Tag
06:01 Why Tags Matter for Growth
07:25 Early Lessons from BookTube Events
13:37 Slow & Steady Subscriber Growth
14:36 Buddy Reads, Response Videos & Co-Hosting
16:46 Do Book Reviews Still Work?
17:58 In Defence of Book Buying
19:10 Balancing BookTube with Real Life
21:27 Planning My Reading Year (the Spreadsheet)
22:32 The 500 Subscriber Q&A Success
24:26 Reading The Iliad on BookTube
25:22 Launching "Read the Beloved Country"
26:16 Branding your BookTube Channel
28:19 Monthly Reading Wrap-Ups
29:16 Response Videos & Engagement
30:12 Another Mammoth Book review (Wolf Hall)
31:45 The Sound of May & New Creators
33:31 The Seriously Well-Read Tag
34:20 Reaching 1,000 Subscribers
35:01 Thank You to the Community
36:20 Final Reflections
What has been the biggest lesson you've learned from BookTube—or from creating content online? Let me know in the comments.
👍 Like, Subscribe, and Ring the Bell if you'd like to follow the next chapter of the Riff Raff Reading Renaissance journey!
Wonderful Booktubers who inspired or assisted me along the way (they are mentioned in the video):
Steve - @saintdonoghue
Shelly - @Shellyish
Mark - @BookTimewithElvis
Randy - @LiterateTexan
Gareth - @bookssongsandothermagic
Katie - @katiejlumsden
Aaron - @AaronReadABook
Alison - @alisontalksbooks
Caden - @CadenConley27
I'd love to know:
What has been your biggest BookTube lesson—whether as a creator, commenter, or viewer?
And if you're a newer BookTuber, feel free to share your channel below and tell us what kind of books you love to read.
Thank you all for making this journey such a rewarding one. 📚
And for the almighty algorithm:
#BookTube #BookTubeGrowth #ReadingCommunity #BookReviews #Books #Reading #Bookish #ClassicLiterature #BookTubeJourney #ReadingRenaissance
