How to Connect with Other Bloggers

This is for my blogger friends, no matter if you’re new to the game or if you’ve been blogging for years.

The longer I blog, the more I learn that it is imperative to have a strong Blogger Family to back you up and support what you do. Not all of your friends and family are going to understand what goes into blogging. Sure, it seems like FUN all the time and it is but a lot of hard work goes into it.  I started blogging almost 5 years ago didn’t really know what I was getting into. My sister has always been on top of everything related to digital media and she was the one who introduced me to everything about social media. (Thanks, Molly!)

Unfortunately, in everything you do in life there will be many people trying to pull you down. There is lots and lots of haters and it sucks that I’ve had to experience SO many. As the saying goes, “if you have haters, you must be doing something right.” I’ve never let any of those people get to me. There is no reason for it, it’s all non sense. I’ve seen many people get into blogging for the freebies and it KILLS me.  Enjoying freebies isn’t what blogging is all about.  Yes, I do receive some free meals and products to write about but that isn’t the purpose of my blog. It’s to share things that I love and hope that my readers will discover (or re-discover) restaurants, products, or activities.

My goal for 2013 is to grow my blogger family, meet others who have the same passion that I do for social networking and learn from them. Bloggers need to learn that this isn’t a competition. You shouldn’t be bad mouthing another blog that has the same niche as  you, you should be supporting the blog and writer. I try my hardest to share many others blogs that relate to Dallas Socials as often as I can, because the info on their blog benefits my followers. It’s a win-win situation all around.

Instead of hating on other bloggers, learn from them. If you’re mad that you didn’t get to review xyz product or weren’t invited to the “hottest event” but they were, evaluate what the other blogger is doing and make changes accordingly. I’m not saying to copy their every move, but improve your blog by learning from others. Here are a few ways to connect with other bloggers and grow your blogger family.

Attend Conferences – Online and Offline

In efforts to make my blog the best that it can be, I learned the value of blogging conferences whether they are online or offline.

I attended Blissdom which was held in Dallas this year where I met tons of people in real life that I’ve been working with online for years. Blissdom is a great conference for Beginners and Experts. This conference offers classes covering all topics from SEO to Photography. No matter what you need help with related to your blog, they’re able to help.  (Fingers crossed that Blissdom is held in Dallas again in 2014.)

The next workshop that I’ll be attending is called The Blog Workshop. If you’re looking to take your blog to the next level, I highly recommend signing up. It’s all online, so you can attend the classes and listen while you are in your pajamas eating a bowl of ice cream and no one will pass judgement on you. The first workshop is on June 26th and only costs $25. Well worth your money. The Blog Workshop also has a “University” that is a year long program broken up into 4 semesters where you learn everything from Blog Design to Blog Marketing.

The amount of knowledge that you walk away with after attending conferences is priceless. Not only will you learn tons, you will walk away extremely motivated and ready to work hard on your blog.

Search Twitter

If you’re online often, the you are probably really good about being able to find anything and everything you ever look for online. Sometimes it’s embarrassing when I’m able to research someone or something so much that I may or may not feel like I’m invading their personal space. Hey, if it’s online and public domain then I don’t feel too bad about it. I’m not telling you that you should STALK everyone you find interesting on Twitter but check out their website, mention them on Facebook and start a conversation. There are many twitter chats that go on every night, follow hashtags and join the convo. Here is a list of Twitter chats listed by each day of the week.

Join a Facebook Group

Search for local blogger groups on Facebook. Although you might not have a local niche, it’s a good idea to find bloggers who live near you. This will allow you to meet them in person, attend Meet Ups and even local events that they might shoot your way. Meeting people in real life is sometimes a little awkward but if you have things in common like blogging, it’s not nearly as bad as you think. These Facebook Groups are a great way to share your articles, have people comment on them or even give you advice on things you can improve on your blog. A little constructive criticism never hurt anyone!

Connect

Don’t be shy, say Hello! If you find a blogger online that you’re impressed by, send them an email and connect with them. It’s always great to receive emails from other bloggers who admire what you’re doing. Not only will they make a great connection, it’s a nice gesture to compliment a blog that you know has taken a lot of time and effort on the back end.

If you’re in the DFW area and would like to connect with other Bloggers, please fill out my form. I will setting up a Facebook Group and hosting  a Blogger Party so we can all meet in person. If you would like to connect with me sometime, please email me at Betsy@TheDallasSocials.com I look forward to chatting with you!

How are you reaching out to other bloggers?