My youngest son and I are sitting at the kitchen island listening to the Brooklyn Duo. Evan is working on an English paper and I am writing a blog post; my version of an English assignment. But instead of letter grades, I receive comments. What a difference three weeks makes.
Three weeks (it feels like six weeks) ago I checked my phone and had two missed calls from my son and husband. “Mom, they are sending us home and I have to be out of the dorm by tomorrow at 5 pm.” Wasn’t it yesterday that I said my goodbyes?
So this moment, at the kitchen island, is a gift. A moment in time where I get a little more time with him. I know I am the last person he wants to hang with on a Wednesday night. I am sad he will miss one of the best seasons in the midwest; when the sun starts to shine through the clouds and the mornings offer a stillness that cannot be captured by the written word.
But at this moment … my son is explaining to me the forms of torture in the US criminal justice system.
And, I just asked him which of two blog titles he preferred. I am using the title he chose. He thought my working title, ” How Not to Be One of Those Bloggers” did not set the right tone.
Life is complicated and filled with uncertainties. But this moment I feel a community of support in my friends, neighbors, work friends, family and my blog. As bloggers, we are a community spread across the country and continents. There are relationships and partnerships that bring us routine and structure to a day filled with run-on sentences and grainy photos. Now, more than ever is an opportunity to build our blog community.
Will you join me? I am having a moment.
How to Build Our Blog Community
Leave Comments How do you feel when you wake up to an inbox of comments? And, then how do you feel when you write the funniest post okay sentence, according to your sister, and there is not one comment. Like this post, I wrote the other day. I cracked myself up over the Bic lighter comment.
My goal is to leave 10 comments a week on various blogs. When I read this post about how to handle bloggers who never reply to comments it was an a-ha moment for me. Why? Because I always reply to comments. Hugh’s advice? Stop commenting and move on to bloggers who routinely reply back to your questions and compliments.
How to Build a Blog Community
And along this journey, I met a few wonderful women bloggers.
I connected immediately with Katie and her popular blog, She had me at preppy.
And, my blog friendship with Heather through her blog. Heather is one of my longest blog friends. We originally connected through a weekly Link Party ( I think). The party was full of technical glitches, but our friendship grew.
We discovered our love for Trader Joe’s. And, then we realized we were living parallel lives with our empty nests (just in different parts of the country).
How to Be a Better Blogger
Bloglovin’ Add new blogs to your Bloglovin’ feed. This is my go to destination to catch blog posts and add new blogs to follow.
Join Monthly Challenges: Recently I joined Cindy’s monthly challenge and it has been so much fun. I get double-digit comments and traffic! Not sure where to find a monthly challenge? Start to follow a few and then ask if they have an opening for a new “hostess” or participants. I don’t remember how I found Cindy, but I love her enthusiasm in her posts.
Include a blogger’s funny post or Instagram in one of your posts. And, take a minute to leave a comment or tag him/her on Insta and let them know they are being featured.
I suggest leaving comments on similar size blogs or followers. Except, you know who always emails me back? This wildly successful author, blogger, influencer and busy mom.
Join a Giveaway A few years ago I met Katherine and began to participate in her Season of Giveaways. It is a great way to grow your base and meet new bloggers.
Invite: Katherine and I are looking for ten bloggers who would like to participate in a choice of a Pottery Barn or Amazon gift card. We need a minimum of ten bloggers to contribute $10.00. The larger the group the bigger the giveaway or we can have 2 simultaneous giveaways. If you are interested in participating please reach out to me or stop by Katherine’s blog.
On a side note, Katherine has become a dear friend and we are “state neighbors.”
How to Build a Blog Community
Do you have any ideas on how to build a blog community? What works? What does not work? How do you engage with other bloggers? How do you connect with local bloggers? I would love to hear your ideas.
And, if you have a monthly or quarterly challenge I would love to get on your waitlist. If you would consider joining my once a week newsletter you can add your email address below:
Thank you so much for mentioning me, dear Laura. I have met the most wonderful people thru blogging. As a matter of fact, two of my closest friends here in Mass. were readers of my blog. They reached out to me, thank God, because the first 6 months of our life in our new state I felt isolated and lonely. Btw… I have an idea for a post for you. I was talking to one of my buds and she mentioned they had planned to put their house on the market this month. Naturally, that is off for now. She told me she knows she should be taking advantage of her free time and getting her house ready but she doesn’t know what she should be doing. I thought of how many people are in the same situation. They could use your expertise. Anyway, that’s my two cents. Stay safe and healthy!
Thank you Katie! Thank you! Will you forward this link to your friend: https://everydayedits.co/10-items-to-pack-before-1st-showing/
Home Depot is open for boxes to start the “pack + stack.”
Happy Easter and Good Friday! I thought of you the other day when I mentioned to my baby girl that the Easter Bunny may be delayed by 5-8 business days. She had a meltdown; she is a CPA. CPA’s don’t have meltdowns, but I know she has loves traditions. So her Easter Basket might be include Goldfish, Pringles and of course a gift card. Thank you for the suggestions. That is such great feedback from your friend. xo laura
It’s been so nice getting to know you through the years. I love my blog friendships!
Same here Heather! I find myself talking about my blog friends more. I think I told you this, but my husband loves your blog name! Happy Easter! laura
Building a blog following is hard work, and it doesn’t stop. I find having interesting and informative content helps. I read other’s blogs and make comments. But the bottom line is I enjoy writing and posting. That’s the key for me, – Margy
Thank you Margy! I agree! I love to write!