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| Picture via Cassi Faye |
For all you bloggers out there, whether you just started last week or have been blogging for five years, blogger networking is something that is an absolute must. I feel like networking with bloggers is not talked about often and many of you probably don’t have the slightest idea of even how to start a blog network. At my college, they emphasize building your professional network soooo much that every time a professor brings it up, half the class rolls their eyes because they’ve heard it 50 million times. In all honesty though, networking is so important in the real world and is just as important in the blogger world! Below I complied a few blogger networking dos and don’ts that I have experienced during my blogging days!
Do: Conduct interviews of your favorite bloggers!
I love reaching out to some of my favorite bloggers to conducts a mini interview on how they got started blogging and everything in between. A lot of the time these bloggers are more “well-known” than me and featuring them on my blog not only helps me build relationships with my fellow bloggers, but it can also be a win-win for both parties. If they have a Twitter for their blog, sometimes they will tweet your feature on them, which can bring traffic to your site. Check out some of my recent ‘Meet the Blogger” features I have done HERE HERE and HERE!
Don’t: Forget who you have worked with in the past!
This irks me to the max! Whether you worked with a brand or a blogger don’t forget your collaboration. For example, I once was corresponding with a pretty well-known blogger and about a month after our last email I created a Twitter for my blog and followed said blogger. A day later I received a unpersonalized Twitter message clearly copy and pasted from the well-known blogger telling me to check out said blogger’s website and follow said blogger’s Instagram account. I am all for self-promos, but HOLD UP! Obviously said blogger did not take the time to realize we had exchanged at least seven emails and visited each other’s blogs multiple times less than a month before. I 100% understand that bloggers get busy (I do too), but take your time and don’t make mistakes like this because if you do, you’ll just be embarrassing yourself!
Do: Comment on posts!
Commenting on a post your like is the perfect way to network with other bloggers. It shows genuine interest and is a great way to build connections and even find inspiration if your have blogger’s block! And hey, it is totally okay to link your blog at the end of your comment to drive traffic to your website.
Don’t: Be a spam commenter
This is a huge pet peeve of mine and probably every other blogger in the world. Take the time to actually read the post if you are going to comment. Don’t comment “awesome!”, link your blog, and then click “publish”. What if the blog post was a more serious topic and you completely disregarded the post, headed straight to the comments, and wrote ‘awesome’ while in actuality the blogger was paying tribute to their dog that passed away. Talk about embarrassing! I’ve had pictures of my sister on my blog and clearly write about how it is my sis in the pictures and not me, yet I still get comments saying, “You look great!” now here is the link to my blog. Don’t be that person!
Do: Reach out to bloggers to get blog advice!
You don’t have to be doing an interview/feature to reach out to a blogger. I love Erica’s blog, Coming Up Roses and recently I reached out to her asking advice on how to make a media kit. Home girl was so helpful and responded back with a step by step guide on how to put together my own personalized media kit. If you like something a blogger does well or just want their opinion, don’t hesitate to reach out to them. I know I love getting emails from all my Miss Olivia Says readers!
I hope these helped all you bloggers out there! Comment down below telling me your Dos and Don’ts of Blogger Networking!
xoxo
Olivia
What great advice, lady!! Such great points!
xo
Abby
I get the spam commenting pet peeve. Especially when people leave a rolodex of link beneath their comment, a website is sufficient!
Chelsey | http://www.chelseythornton.com
HA yes!! So annoying!! xo
Such great advice! Thanks Olivia 🙂
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
Great article! love it!
http://www.alovelystyle.com/
Such great tips, thanks for sharing Olivia!
xo, Syd
anchoredinthesouth.com
These are really wonderful tips! Networking is so important and even more so in the blog world. Thanks for sharing!
Christina :: Simple and Delish
Olivia, this is a great post with very useful tips! I gotta confess I have struggled with connecting with other bloggers due to grad school taking time off blogging, but this advice is great!
Love,
Ane | Basque Prep