Starting out as a new blogger is exciting. It’s a chance to share your knowledge, learn new skills and express your creativity. It can also be a little lonely. If you’re just starting out online, chances are you haven’t gotten to know other bloggers yet and probably haven’t acquired many readers. Even the most popular or well-known blogger was once in your shoes. As with any endeavor, making connections is key to finding your footing and gaining momentum. You need readers, but you also need a tribe of friends who are going through similar experiences and can be a support system as you learn and grow. These friends are also essential to growing your blog through promotion. You’ll be amazed at the opportunities that exist for sharing each other’s content or collaborating on projects as your network increases. To get started, follow these suggestions to discover where bloggers can find their networking tribe.
Embrace Community
There are online communities dedicated to bloggers of various niches. A Google search should help you on your way toward finding a group that fits your personality and interests. Blogging communities exist in the form of websites that provide informative articles, special interest groups, educational opportunities, calls for sponsored posts and more. Some sites offer forums where participants can ask questions and interact. You’ll also find communities that encourage members to submit articles and highlight members regularly.
Get Social
Social media sites offer wonderful platforms for promoting your posts, and they’re also great for networking. Do some research to determine where other bloggers in your niche and related topics hang out, along with their readers. You’ll burn out quickly if you try to be everywhere, so choose a couple that seem to be where you’ll find your people. Twitter is perfect for sharing information and having short conversations in real time. It can also work well if you plan to host parties with sponsors and prizes or if you’d like to engage your audience in a themed chat. Pinterest is optimal for image sharing. It’s great for crafters, DIY enthusiasts, educational niches and lifestyle blogs, among others. Facebook is a good place to set up a page or a group for your blog, as well as to engage individually from your personal profile.
Join a Group
Facebook groups can be a gold mine for meeting like-minded blog buddies. Some of the blogs you read regularly may offer a closed Facebook group. Check them out to see if they seem to offer the kinds of opportunities you seek. You can also enter a query into the Facebook search bar for the particular type of group you want to join. The beauty of such places is that you can always try another one if it turns out the first doesn’t meet your needs. Another place to find groups is on Pinterest. Group boards allow bloggers to band together in order to promote each other. It can be a far more effective method for getting re-pins than going it alone. You can search Google for group Pinterest boards in your interest area.
Be Real
Online networking is wonderful, but there’s nothing like meeting in real life to really enhance a connection. Blog conferences are an option you definitely don’t want to rule out, as they tend to be well worth the investment of time and money if you can manage it. Some research will provide you with a bunch of conferences from which to choose. Consider which offers topics of interest to you, seems to cater to people you find compatible and is in a location that is accessible. Then be sure to take advantage of the workshops, sponsor activities and social events to meet your potential tribe.
No matter which route you take, be sure to get involved. You can’t grow your network if you don’t participate in conversations and opportunities. Have fun finding your networking tribe.
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