Last week we talked about our blog platforms. I shared with you that I am a former Blogger gal turned WordPress fan. I am excited for those of you who are considering making the switch! If you’re still on the fence, check out this great offer from Blogelina!
Today’s discussion is going to focus on networking. Because networking is fun. And because I didn’t feel like I needed to tell you {again} that a DARK background with a LIGHT font was a bad idea.
What is networking? Networking is marketing your blog. You are your marketing department. What you choose to do is going to make or break it for your blog. If you’re thinking to yourself, how am I going to network with people I’ve never met in person, than this post is written for you.
Get the tools: If you haven’t already created a fan page on Facebook for your blog, go do that NOW. It is free. You’ll want to set up your fan page to have your blog posts directly imported. I use the Networked Blogs application to import my blog posts. And, that is is free, too.
Tweet tweet! No twitter account either? Yikes. See why networking is hard. It is hard because you’re not doing it. Head over to twitter and create your account. You can import your blog posts directly to your twitter feed, too, using Networked Blogs!
After joining these networks, it is important to install the widgets on your blog. You want people to find you, right? And please, please, please put them in an easy to find location. It’s best to group them together too. Remember the first post in this series we talked about making it easy for your readers. My preference is to have the Google Friend Connect widget on the top and then the secondary widgets underneath.
Spread the word! Create a blog post to let your readers know about all of the NEW social networks you’re on. Your readers will be excited for you, and many will follow you right away. Be active on your fan page and twitter account. Engagement is the key to success.
You need to get out there and read other blogs. Leave comments on the posts that inspired you, that made you cry, that made you think, that led you to that meet-and-greet giveaway with Matthew McConaughey {when you find that one, tweet me the details!}. I try to visit and comment on at least 70 blog posts per week. That is an average of ten per day. It sounds like a big commitment, and it is. But so is blogging. Do I do it every day? No, but that’s my goal. And goals are good.
How do you find new blogs to follow? You join blog hops. I co-host two each week, and one linky party. Check those out here. Another way to find new blogs is to click on the ‘sponsor’ buttons of blogs that you enjoy reading. That is how I’ve found many of my favorite blogs!
When commenting, don’t just say “Hi. I’m following you from the hop! Please follow back. Emily” Instead, try something like “Hi! I just read your post about shaking Matthew McConaughey’s hand at the airport! I’m so jealous. Have you washed your hand yet? I found your blog through the hop, and look forward to reading more from you! Emily” The second comment is so friendly, isn’t it? And shows that you’ve actually read their blog. My least favorite comments are those who seem to beg me to follow back.
What are some of your favorite ways to network with other bloggers?
Great post! I was reluctant to join Twitter, but am so glad I did. I have made so many new (and great) bloggy friends.
Also, I completely agree with the “Following you – follow me back” comments. Hate them. If you can’t post a thoughtful comment on my blog, I’m probably not going to check yours out. Sorry…
Yay! That made me feel good! I am on the right track with networking. I am doing all of those things! In just 4 short months I have gained over 500 followers! The networking really does work. I just haven’t hosted my own blog hop or blog hop linky party yet. I had a dream last night that I did. lol. I am afraid that nobody will link up. I also need to find some other blogs to co-host with me. Any ideas on how you found blogs to co-host with? Also, once you start your blog hop, how do you spread the word about it?
Heee hee, I thought I was the only one who dreamed about blogging and blogging failures. Glad to see I’m not alone!
You guys are soooo not alone. Every night this week I’ve been dreaming about html, design layouts, blog posts – I’m was beginning to think I’d gone a little nuts. Thank Goodness it’s not just me!
Although, I did find myself scribbling down a blog post idea at 3am a few nights ago. I ended up using it too. Apparently, the crazy dreams can be useful.
Great post. I’m impressed that you read 70 blogs a week. I may, too, but it is hard to keep up because people post frequently, and I’m always behind.
It’s hard work, especially since I get “distracted” by the buttons displayed on blogs. I click on one that I find interesting, end up loving that blog and reading a bunch of posts, and then clicking on a button from that one…it goes on & on. I do have favorites, which I read daily but don’t necessarily comment on each time I read. I’m sure that I have readers who do the same for me {at least I like to think that I do!}
Seriously, I’d never wash my hand if I got to shake hands with Matthew McConaughey. I get so annoyed with just “follow me back” comments. I get so excited when I see a comment on my blog and then it’s so disappointed because I am confident that they didn’t even read anything! I don’t even click on the link lest I improve their traffic numbers!
Great great great advice!
I so agree with you on the begging for a follow back. It makes me even hate to go check out their blog…even though I do…but asking me to follow doesn’t mean that I actually will. A person who seems interested in being a bloggy friend is more appealing that someone who is looking to up their GF count. You have made some great points here and social media can definitely be a help if you aren’t in it just to promote your stuff. On Saturday’s I have started having parties on Twitter and occasionally on FB where I retweet and post blog posts of my readers. I want to show them that I value them, listen to what they say, and I want others to find them just as they have found me. It’s actually been fun and I cant wait until my next party. Ok, sorry, I am so rambling….
I’m so glad I stumbled across your site from a blog hop. I’m following you, now will you follow me? JUST KIDDING. Really. Those comments bother me too. I just started a blog about two weeks ago, and I’ve been following advice on networking. I’m trying to figure out the whole Twitter thing. I was previously just a Facebook gal.
I really had no idea how many amazing blogs were out there, but I have a 9 month old son, so I’m not sure I’ll be able to compete with your 70/week quota.
Keep up the good posts, I look forward to reading them. 🙂
I try to comment on blogs when I can and always attempt to return a comment for every comment I receive on my blog. It’s not always easy, but I do try and make an effort.
engagement sounds really important!!
Spreading the word is very important. Having Facebook, Twitter, NetworkedBlogs, etc., is really important to have and utilizes. You make excellent points in this post and it is very comprehensive. I found it helpful and motivating.
I often find new interesting blogs via the comments section of the blogs I already read. If I read an interesting comment, and that commenter has a link back to their blog, I’ll click on it to see what kind of things they write about. I’ve found some of my favorite blogs this way.
Getting into Blogging theres more and more information everyday. Thank you. Jerri Davis
I get on blog hop kicks, but don’t always do them. and I’m terrible at updating my facebook! I need to get on it! Thanks!
Very informative post! The concept of blog hops as marketing is a new one to me, especially as I’ve seen this movement pick up steam over the past six months. It really is brilliant and seems rather effective.
These are great tips! Blog hops are definitely good ways to find new blogs and/or advertise your own blog 🙂
Never thought about creating a fan page. Thanks for the tips.
I find networking so hard! You want to “network” but you also want to remain genuine and not just collect followers…I hate the “follow you follow me” garbage. Thanks for some great advice on how to network successfully and with integrity!
These are great tips! I especially like that you said networking is marketing your blog. I think that is absolutely right, but I know some bloggers who feel like networking is just socializing, and isn’t important. Good points!
Thanks! I love visiting through blog hops.
I think exposure ie advertising and such is key to running a succseful blog
Thanks for this! A Facebook page is on my to-do list. It takes a lot of effort to get the social networking going in the right direction but I know it is worth it. I’m getting there. Tips like these are super helpful! 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by, Holly! Good luck with your blog and your social networking, it does take a lot of work – but once you begin to reap the fruits of your labor it is so worth it!