One thing that is essential for bloggers is networking.
I’ll be the first to admit that this is not my strong suit, as I am very shy, but there are some amazing people I have met along the way.
Over the years, I have come to realize that networking is important and can ultimately make or break your blog. This is one reason I am working to improve on it. I am completely sure that my site would not be anything close to what it is today without networking with these bloggers, so I wanted to share their sites with you along with some tips I have learned along the way.
Why is networking so important?
- You get to meet new people
- You gain new friends
- You have someone to promote your site while you promote his/hers
- You can improve reach all over the world (especially great if you blog to make a difference, like I do!)
- You have someone to go to for advice and encouragement
- You have someone to keep you accountable
- You have someone to bounce your ideas off of
- You have someone to keep you stable through the thick and thin of blogging
What are some ways to network?
- Find blogs you love and interact with the creators
- Be genuine
- Participate in groups
- Support other bloggers (like and share their posts, tag them and celebrate in their accomplishments…)
Do you have any networking tips? Feel free to share in the comments below!
I really wanted to give a shout out to just a few of these lovely ladies that have encouraged and inspired me along this 5-year journey! There are way more people to credit than I will be sharing here, but I want to focus on a few that have really made a difference for me.
When I first started out (when I’d never planned on blogging: read “I Never Meant to Start Blogging, But…“) I don’t really remember how, but I met two lovely ladies.
My first blog that I started to really do something with was a coupon blog and, somehow, I got mixed up with some bloggers who were just starting out their coupon blogs.
Who were these bloggers?
Sarah from Coupon Savvy Sarah
Kristin from Coupon Friendly
These ladies were there with me me at the start and watched as my website slowly transformed (and changed over to this one.) I watched their sites grow and grow and love how successful they have become with their websites! After all these years, we still keep in touch and try to help each other out. Sarah is the master of product and service reviews and Kristin registered her blog as an LLC!
I went several years where I would meet people here and there, but very few stuck. I really did not put that much effort into blogging.
I became weary of keeping up with a coupon blog and just wanted to start over so I began Arts & Crackers. That’s when I started really diving into my blog and meeting more people.
Now, I don’t recall who did this, but someone added me to a Facebook group. I saw someone was looking for guest posters on her food blog, and I love sharing recipes so I volunteered. She kindly pointed out that my photography needed improvement…her pictures are gorgeous so I gladly took the tip!
She gave me all sorts of advice and added me to some groups where I could learn to be a better photographer (I’ll share some tips on this later in this series!)
Ugh, my pictures did stink (see picture below.)
I am slowly working on creating new and improved pictures for these old posts (or completely redoing these posts.)
See how much my pictures improved (continue reading)?? *Happy dance*
Still, I will continue to learn more and train my eye so my photography only improves.
Who was this blogger?
Dina at Buttercream Bakehouse
While I was in that group, I met someone else. She had been asking some questions, as she was new to blogging, and I was able to help with several, as I’d been blogging so long. We had tons of long conversations and those conversations still continue! She has far surpassed me on blog growth knowledge and challenges and encourages me all the time. I am able to bounce ideas off of her and she bounces ideas off of me! If I had to choose someone who has made the biggest impact on my blogging career, I’d have to say it would be her.
Before I met this person, I really was a “hobby blogger.” She has encouraged me and built me up to where I am now and really she keeps me going. I love that we can share our worries and our successes with each other, in blogging and in life in general. Last July I had the privilege of meeting her in person! She’s just as sweet and awesome in person (and I hope to spend time with her again this year.)
Who is this blogger?
Menucha at Moms and Crafters
My friend Menucha introduced me to several other wonderful bloggers. One of these has a lot in common with me and I absolutely love her site. It inspires me to clean up how my site looks, take better pictures, have a branded “signature” item (my fish), and she has even helped me to better find my personal style. Her site is so fun and she always posts encouraging verses.
Who is this blogger?
Jennifer at The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Recently, someone encouraged me to take the leap of paying for blog training. She even gave me a discount code so I could afford it. In all my years of blogging, I have not really done any blog training…especially ones I have to pay for. She convinced me it was worth it and I’m glad she did. Her site is fabulous and she was the inspiration for the GIF images I include in a few posts!
Who is this blogger?
JoAnn at Whimsicle
Of course, there are bigger bloggers that have great sites that have awesome social media followings and great posts, like Mum in the Mad House and The Pinterested Parent, who inspire me to grow my social media too.
SO THANK YOU!
Thank you to Sarah, Kristin, Dina, Menucha, Menucha, Jennifer, JoAnn and all the others who have been there for me and helped me out! I want you to know you are appreciated!
While I may not be an outgoing person and really, really have a difficult time reaching out and connecting with people in person or online, I am so thankful all these lovely ladies have come into my life in one way or another. They have pointed me in the right direction, encouraged me in life, challenged me to be better and given me the resources to get better, and helped me learn how to make income blogging (psst, by supporting my site, clicking around, making purchases through my affiliate links, or buying products from the Arts & Crackers Gumroad store, you are helping me earn money towards us purchasing our first house some day!)
I would love to hear from you in the comments below–What are some of your favorite blogs? Is there someone who has been a great friend and mentor, whether it’s in the blog world or life in general (or maybe another job you have)? Who? Do you have any networking tips to share?
This post is a part of the Behind the Blog Series! I will be joining other bloggers in sharing a little of my “behind the scenes” each month for the whole year! Visit these lovely bloggers below to read their posts then come back and visit each month to read on the topics in the graphic below!
- by The Speckled Palate
- My Most Coveted Blogs (that you should read, too) by Robb Restyle
- by Twin Stripe
- Best Blogs to Follow With Published Books by The Life of Jennifer Dawn
- Blogs with crafts you can actually make! by Moms & Crafters
- Best Blogging Websites for Homeschooling Moms by The Natural Homeschool
- Blogs This Blogger Loves by Smart Girls DIY
- Here’s my post from last month’s topic
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I love the tips you shared! 🙂
Thanks, Tanya!
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One of my good learning source is artscrackers.