Blogging comes along with a bunch of pretty great perks, one of the best ones being community. We truly believe that blogging is meant to be communal (unless you like really like talking about things you love to nobody). With all the “grow your brand, get more followers!” tips out there, one might begin to think that blogging is a one-person game. But having self-focused goals will get you nowhere in the end – growing your blog or business authentically only happens when you’re open to connecting with your audience and letting people grow along with you.
A few months ago, we gathered community-related resources for bloggers, and today we’re sharing even more. I love hearing all of the success stories of friendships and support that have come from the strange world of blogging. :)
1. Who says your online friendships can’t be just as special as your face-to-face friendships? I loved reading Elsie’s thoughts on making real friendships on the internet over on A Beautiful Mess.
2. Collaborating with other bloggers is the perfect way to build friendships, get inspired, and grow you blog all at the same time. Read about the many reasons to collaborate with other bloggers on Coffee With Summer!
3. I definitely admire a good one-woman business or blog, but connecting with others makes the process of blogging both easier and more interesting. Check out Lizzie’s post on October June about how to find your blog tribe (and why you need to).
4. Looking for ways to grow your blog through community? Read this inspiring post on Meg O. On The Go to gather some ideas on how to grow your blog’s influence with community.
Have you been able to find community easily in the blogosphere? If so, what are your favorite places to connect with other bloggers?
In case you missed it, last summer I shared seven ways to create community with your blog!
Happy weekend!!
Heidi says
This is an interesting topic. I’ve been blogging for about 5 years (about just as long as you guys because I remember when we all were starting out!), sometimes not so much, other times every day. I’ve noticed that within that time, nothing has changed, and that’s why I haven’t been consistently blogging sometimes– because nothing changes and it begins to feel like it’s not worth it. I still have about the same number of followers. I still engage with the same people despite trying to connect with new bloggers. I don’t know that community exists in the blogging world in the same way that it used to. I am as authentic as you can get on my blog– I write about real experiences, I don’t cave to the plethora of money-making opportunities out there like some bloggers have, etc. I also really think that blogging is supposed to be communal, but I’m usually talking to myself when I write. There’s definitely an “it” factor there, which is rather strange, I find. Anyway, sorry for the long rambling comment, but this post really stuck out to me because of my experiences with “community” in blogging.
Jennifer says
Yeah, I feel ya. I agree that the blogging community has changed a lot over the past few years. I just read your “What Happened to Community in Blogging” post and I feel the exact same way. It’s such a bummer that the money-making mentality is what moves people to engage in community. I definitely prefer having a small close community. :)
Angela says
Definitely get what you’re saying Heidi. To be painfully truthful, I think that had we not made The Blog Market, I’d say the same thing. Which I think says something to just the timeliness and topics of this blog, rather than if found make, which I’ve written forever without it “taking off”. When I was on Etsy I felt like I had a pretty good community, but like you’re saying, it never really expanded over the years. Then again I wasn’t consistent at all with topics or posting for awhile there! It does get to me that it’s often about trending content rather than community. I write for a big blog part-time and they used to get *tons* of comments, and now it’s 1-2 per post. Yet people are looking.
Still, so happy to connect with the few that have been around for so long! Man do we have dedication :).
Heidi says
Yes! It is often about trending content, and I definitely agree that timeliness is a factor. If you miss the bus just by chance then that’s it. Sorry if my comment came off as rude or if it seemed as though I was criticizing you guys because that was not my intent (and I worry that others may have thought that too 😔)– obviously, I wouldn’t be reading your blog if I didn’t enjoy it or it didn’t connect to me in some way. The post just opened up a bunch of thoughts and feelings I’ve been thinking about in terms of blogging as of late since community is the main reason I blog. I think dialogue is what makes blogging so interesting.
Diana Maria says
This is so true, I was just running the topic over in my head today! There are so many posts about how to gain a larger following, but I really look at blogging as a community. We are all a community, and are all here to support one another! That’s the beauty of blogging, and I love the posts you added here, I’m definitely going to check them out to see what these ladies have to say too!
http://mylovelierdays.com
Angela says
Your blog is super cute Diana! We appreciate you commenting, because that’s the point – engaging and interacting with people :)
Meg O. says
Thank you so much for featuring my post! I really appreciate it! Community is so important to me!
Desi / My Lovely Hook says
Useful tips, thank you!
Desi from Italy | http://mylovelyhook.blogspot.it/
Boh says
Great post and always love reading about and promoting a solid and positive blog community! I really don’t understand some people being nasty! Great post xx
http://www.blackandwhiteinisder.com