Blogging seems like a solitary job, but it’s not. In fact, if you go it alone you won’t experience the success, excitement and momentum you would if you connected with other bloggers.
Through my blog, I’ve connected with some of the best people I know.
The thing about bloggers is, a lot are (a tad) introverted. It’s tough to break out of your shell and get to know other bloggers, especially when you aren’t even sure where to start.
Blogging at home, working on your computer in your pajamas all day. It sounds like a dream, right? Okay, I’m not gonna lie. Blogging IS awesome. I love it! But I should admit after a few weeks of work-at-home time, you start craving more human interaction.
When I started blogging I didn’t really know how to network with other bloggers. I joined a few Facebook groups, I reached out to other bloggers who’s work I enjoyed. I talked about my blog to people I’d meet, local friends and family. I did my best to network on my own.
Then I signed up for Elite Blog Academy. Once I started in EBA all sorts of doors opened to me. Suddenly I was surrounded by a group of brilliant, awesome bloggers who were experiencing their own success. I learned tons from them. We clicked and they “got me.” I’d found my people.
Networking with other bloggers is really important, especially if you’re starting out. Don’t believe me?
Here are 12 reasons why (and how) you should network with other bloggers.
First the Why:
1. You Can Troubleshoot Problems
When you network with other bloggers they’re experiencing the same issues you’re facing. If you’re wondering why your Pinterest traffic suddenly dropped off or you lost your Amazon affiliate status, they’re there to help you understand what’s going on.
Your blogging networks are your greatest resource. The world of blogging is new, ever-changing and there’s a lot of uncharted territory out there. Problems pop up out of nowhere and it’s hard to know how to fix them or what path you should take. Let your fellow bloggers guide you.
2. You Can Hold Each Other Accountable
When you work on your own it’s hard to stay motivated. You need cheerleaders who share your success and talk you down when you’re ready to give up. If you network with other bloggers they’ll know exactly what you’re going through. They’ll keep you moving on.
Plus, getting to know other bloggers feels like there’s someone to answer to. If you suddenly stop posting or feel overwhelmed, they’ll notice. You need accountability to become successful.
3. Share Guest Posts
When you start to network with other bloggers, you might find friends with similar or related blog topics to your own. This is great because you can offer a guest post and ask them to return the favor. Their audience might be a little different than yours but the cross-post will give you exposure to new readers who might want to follow your blog as well.
Guest posting within your blogging networks is a fun and interesting way to stretch your writing skills. Writing for a different avatar, or audience, is a creative project to get your wheels turning. You know how to write to your people, but can you also connect with someone else’s?
4. Blogging Can Be Lonely
Let’s get real. You’re busy. I’m busy. I’ve got kids, a husband, family and friends. There’s a lot going on. Yet, sometimes blogging gets lonely. Blogging IS a solitary job. Even if you end up with a team or running a small business down the road, when you first start out you’re going it alone.
Other bloggers are like coworkers without drama or stress. You’re each running your own blog, working independently but knowing you’re going through the same struggles, frustrations and break-throughs is comforting. Find other bloggers who understand what it’s like. Find bloggers who are at your level and work together.
5. You’ll Help Each Other
When I needed to hire for Busy Budgeter, I immediately reached out to my blogging networks. Why? Because I knew they’d help me. Your network will help you with all sorts of issues.
Fellow bloggers give you someone to bounce ideas off. They’ll give a read through on your opt-in before it goes out. They’ll offer opinions on a new logo or look for your site. They’ll refer you to a great photographer, graphic designer or tech support person. Fellow bloggers are a great resource!
6. You Can Brainstorm Together
Feeling stuck? Blogging brain-block happens to ALL of us. Seriously, sometimes it’s impossible to come up with new ideas or get over a hurdle. If you’ve built a network of fellow bloggers reach out to them, ask for a little feedback or listen to what they do.
Sometimes reading other blogs gives you a jumpstart as well. Often, I’m inspired by other blogger’s posts and brainstorm ways to share similar ideas and concepts with my own avatar (Remember: we’re all writing to our own audience and there are plenty of readers out there).
7. You’ll Gain Access to Groups
When you start to network with other bloggers you might get asked to join a Facebook group or even a mastermind group of fellow bloggers working on similar topics. These groups are SO valuable! Share and discuss insights, industry trends, challenges and more.
My mastermind group is amazing, motivating and has allowed me to take my blog from a hobby, to a job, to a small business. I attribute so much of by growth as a blogger and a businesswoman to them. Imagine being surrounded by people who regularly coach you, hold you accountable, lift you up and push you further. Yeah. It’s seriously THAT amazing.
8. Because There’s Plenty of Success to Go Around!
The internet is HUGE. There’s so much to go around! You might feel afraid to share ideas or network with other bloggers because you’re concerned they’re going to “steal” your audience. An amazing concept about blogging is readers can enjoy MORE than one blog. Crazy, I know.
Instead of feeling like we’re in competition with each other for readers and an audience, we should realize there are plenty of people out there who enjoy all sorts of blogs. If you’re really writing to your audience, to YOUR people, then your message will reach them. It doesn’t matter if ten other blogs reach them too. It’s all about knowing who you’re writing to.
For more on discovering and reaching YOUR people, please check out Date Your List. It will literally walk you through every step to get your posts in front of an audience who LOVES you.
And the How:
So, you’re sold on networking with other bloggers, now, right? The next question of course, is how on earth do you find these awesome fellow-bloggers?
9. Take a Blogging Class
As I mentioned, Elite Blog Academy (EBA) was a HUGE game-changer for me. When I joined EBA I met tons of amazing, successful, up-and-coming, hilarious, wonderful bloggers. They’re just awesome.
Remember when you went to high school, or college? The people in your homeroom or who shared your major became your crew, right? Well, EBA is like that too, but on a whole other level. Not only was it an amazing class in terms of professional development, but it helped me realize I was part of a great network of fellow bloggers. We were all going through the same process, the same struggles. We were learning together. They became my crew.
10. Join a Group on Facebook
If you aren’t ready to take the plunge with a blogging class, join a few affinity groups on Facebook. Search out your niche. There are groups for crunchy organic bloggers. There are groups for budget bloggers. There are groups for single mom bloggers. There are groups for retired bloggers. Seriously. There is a group for you and your blog!
In fact, there are probably multiple blogging groups you could join. Many of these groups offer to share each other’s posts. Some groups are a bit “spammy” but there are plenty of groups where everyone cheers each other on and helps each other out. Start checking out Facebook groups.
11. Reach Out to Bloggers You Admire
If there’s a blog you love to read, or another blogger you admire, reach out and let her (or him) know! Most bloggers are a little shell-shocked from constant spam, so don’t comment on their blog and say, “Great blog! Will you promote my product/blog/essential oils/candles/etc.,” because in most cases it will result in being ignored.
Instead, send out an email. Let them know you admire their blog and why. Tell them you’re hoping to network with fellow bloggers and ask if they belong to any networks or groups they could recommend to you. Once you’ve started to build up a relationship, the networking comes naturally.
12. Attend a Conference or Event
I recently spoke at the Activate EBA Live conference and it was so amazing to connect with tons of great bloggers. Many of the attendees were starting out and it was fun to listen to everyone bounce ideas off each other. Conferences are often energizing and motivating (and this one was awesome, you guys).
If you can’t go to a blogging conference, there are tons of Facebook Live presentations, seminars and Q&A’s to participate in. While these aren’t quite as exciting as a big conference, they’re still full of smart expert bloggers giving you great answers and helping you along the way. Network with fellow participants as well as those presenting. You never know where you’ll find a connection.
Great post!
Hi author,
Happy reading your article!
It is the truth that, Blogging at home, working on your computer in your pajamas all day. It sounds like a dream. Really I love blogging. Because It’s interesting, easy, fun and inspiring.
Hi Rosemarie,
Thanks for the roundup of reasons to network. I am an introvert myself and was shy to reach out to bloggers because I felt that I would be wasting their time, but I am surprised that about 80% of the time, I’ve received consistent communication from my top role models. It gave me the confidence to reach out to them for a round up of top advice to help beginner blogger with overwhelm, and they provided such invaluable tips. Even though I’m still struggling to figure things out (I have no tech or social media background, so everything has been a huge learning curve), their support is what keeps me going. I’ve also found (relatively new) bloggers within my niche and it’s so encouraging to share in their wins and struggles.
Of all the side hustles I was considering (I’m trying to get this into a full-time stint so I can stay home with my young son), I find blogging to feel the most meaningful. Thanks for validating the reasons why!
Well, I absolutely agree with you! Your co-bloggers are the only ones who will understand you perfectly in the problems you encounter. Also, having a blogger squad is for your support group, too! It feels wonderful when other bloggers are there to help you.
It’s so true: blogging is very lonely. I’ve decided that I’m going to start networking with other bloggers as part of my daily work routine now. It’ll be good for me as an introvert, not just my business. Thanks for this post—it really motivated me!
I’ve just started this journey and I hope more established bloggers will excuse my rookie mistakes! It can be intimidating for newbies like me to network when we’re not sure what’s proper blogging etiquette.
Yes networking with other bloggers has helped me out so much! I have joined several blogging groups in Virginia and have learned so much from other bloggers! It is a great way to network, learn new tips and may even get you some paid opportunities!
Another good reason for networking is that you learn about reputable people to take courses from, hire for jobs etc. When I hear many people comment on the benefits of a course, I feel safe spending my money on it. Same as hiring someone to work on my site- I wouldn’t have even known where to start if I hadn’t heard Grayson Bell’s name mentioned by numerous bloggers!
Of these, the blogging conference was what worked. the best. I got to meet and mingle with a large group of people I would have never otherwise met. They also sent out how to connect ideas before the conference to prepare us for the conference. The number one tip for that was to have your business cards ready. I saw a number of awesome cards from shots people have taken in their travels to specialized paper stock. But my all-time favorite business card is a pen. They cost about the same as a traditional business card but are 100 times less likely to get tossed. People get ride of cards, but we hold on to pins. When we are bored or nervous we read whats on our pens. Then we remember the great site or service. Plus there is a likely hood that your pen will end up in a purse or handed off to a friend in needs. Instant share. You would rarely do that with a business card, but you wouldn’t think twice about doing it with a pen.
This is great! I am a new blogger (in EBA – whoo!!) and love the EBA FB group! I’m hoping to attend a live conference and some local meet ups!! Currently, I have about one friend that “gets it” so I really appreciate this advice!
I want to join fb group. Do you have some recommendations??
Great tips & I agree! It’s amazing to have a group of bloggers to talk to. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
After riding this post now I know the power of networking.
I wil definitely going to start making networking with other bloggers.
Networking with other bloggers also save us in our bad times.
Thank you for such great tips..😊
Great post! Thank you very much for sharing this informative write-up. There is very much to learn from the blog. This is really very useful.
Another great post Rosemarie. I’m actually with a handful of Facebook networking groups, and am involved with an online community of other bloggers, but finding new people to network with is always on my to-do-list. 🙂