Good morning and Happy Blog Talk Tuesdays!
Today we’re kicking off the fourth installment in the series.
Previous Blog Talk Tuesdays topics include:
- How to Start a Blog, Blog Focus, Self Hosting and More
- Blogger Safety
- Company Outreach: Receiving Free Products, Hosting Giveaways, Posting Product Reviews and More
Today’s topic is a fun one!
Many of you have asked me about great ways to connect with other bloggers and become more involved in the massive world of blogging. I personally feel like my blog fits best in the healthy living blog niche, but I know there are blog communities for every possible niche out there, from book bloggers to parenting bloggers to space and technology bloggers.
Since my personal experience lies mostly within the healthy living blog community, that will be the niche I address in this post, but understand that there are resources just like the ones I detail below for many other blogging communities.
Connecting with Other Bloggers
- How do you find other bloggers in your area?
By reading a lot of blogs! Honestly, reading a large amount of blogs or at least exploring newer blogs or blogs I’d never read before led me to bloggers who lived in Orlando. These bloggers then exposed me to more Orlando bloggers: Fashion, book, design and travel bloggers and more!
Additionally, the website HealthyLivingBlogs.com has a page dedicated to categorizing blogs based on the location of the author behind he blog. It’s a great way to find bloggers who live not only in the same country or state as you, but also in the exact same city.
You can also put a call out on your blog or through Twitter, asking if anyone knows bloggers who live in your area. Blog readers are a tremendous resource because they’ve likely read a bunch of blogs you haven’t.
- How do you plan dinners or meet ups with bloggers in your area?
First, I try to build some kind of a relationship with the blogger. Whether I comment on their blog, communicate with them via Twitter or email them, letting the blogger know that I even exist is a great start! Once I have some kind of a connection with the blogger, I’ll broach the topic of getting together for lunch or dinner. For the most part, bloggers seem to jump at the chance to meet up with other bloggers.
Blogging is so “behind the scenes” and having the opportunity to talk about something so many of us pour our hearts into every day is wonderful!
Also, if you see other bloggers in your area talking about getting together via Twitter or something, feel free to be a little bold and jump in and say “I’d love to meet you guys, too!” I’m of the mindset that if they really wanted their plans to be private, they wouldn’t broadcast them over Twitter.
Additionally, I’ve had bloggers who were coming to Florida on vacation reach out to me a few weeks before their trip to plan a meet up, so meet up opportunities can occur outside your hometown as well.
- Sometimes I feel really left out of the blogging community… Like other bloggers are always getting together or tweeting to each other and I’m never involved. Did you ever feel this way?
Oh my gosh, YES. All the time. In fact, I still do sometimes. I actually wrote a guest post all about having “real life” friends who don’t blog on Hollaback Health after recognizing the insecure feelings I had about bloggers whose friends always seemed to be other bloggers. Why wasn’t I friends with other bloggers?
Well, slowly I did find myself becoming friends with other bloggers through meet ups in the Orlando area.
Once I started to put myself out there on Twitter and began reaching out to Orlando bloggers, I was blown away with how friendly and welcoming bloggers truly are and connected with bloggers on a deeper level and friendships began to form away from the computer.
I know I’ve said it before, but if you’re not already, get on Twitter. It’s seriously the easiest way to begin having “conversations” with other bloggers.
- As a relatively new blogger, I comment on other blogs because I like to let bloggers know when I really relate to or enjoy something in their post… but with all these “promote your blog” tips out there about commenting on other blogs so people find your blog, do high-traffic bloggers like yourself enjoy comments from people you don’t know, or are you ever concerned that it’s just other bloggers trying to direct more traffic to their own blogs?
Though I’ve read the same tips that you have about commenting on other blogs as a way to promote your own blog, I must say that as a blogger, I read and enjoy every comment that comes my way and honestly never really thought that people only comment on my blog to receive traffic to their own blog (though maybe this is naive?). Either way, I love when readers give me feedback on a post through their comments!
I will add that the comments people write that clearly take more time and energy to craft and convey emotion are the ones that stand out to me more. They seem heartfelt and thoughtful and, oddly enough, those are the ones that inspire me to click over and check out their blogs more often than not.
Still, I think most bloggers welcome any and all comments. I love comments! They are what keep me going. They inspire me, crack me up, make me cry and turn my blog into a discussion at times rather than just a one-sided sharing space.
- How do you make a name for yourself and make yourself “known” in the blogging community?
By participating in the community beyond simply blogging. Sure writing an awesome blog is a great way to attract attention, but to receive attention you have to give attention, too.
If a blogger links to one of my workouts or recipes, I definitely notice and greatly appreciate this gesture. I am much more likely to visit their blog again and again, which increases the likelihood that I’ll find something inspiring on their blog that I will want to link to one day, thus exposing my readers to their blog as well.
Also, utilize social media. Create a Facebook page and get on Twitter. Plan or attend blogger meet ups in your area or go to a blogging conference like Fitbloggin’, Foodbuzz Festival, BlogHer or the Healthy Living Summit. I personally didn’t feel comfortable attending a blogger conference until after I had been blogging for nearly a year and a half, but I know many other bloggers love theses conferences not only for the informational sessions, but for the opportunities to meet and connect with other bloggers.
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Thanks for the info – as usual 🙂 I’ve been loving some blogger meetups lately. So much fun!
great tipss!! iwish i cud do more meetups or attend HLS and fitbloggin but im all the way across the sea!!!
I totally agree with the “heartfelt” comment note. The ones that show readers actually care enough to write something meaningful other than an “it looks great!” or shows their personality are the ones that make me want to go read their blog. 🙂
I hope you never stop this series- it’s so helpful!
It’s taken me so long to understand twitter, and I’m still learning a lot, but I agree that it’s a great way to connect to other bloggers AND to readers. Plus, with smart phones, it’s an easier way to stay in touch when I’m not at my computer.
And Sadie, I will continue to tell you how pretty you are! I am amazed at all the cute pictures you get of Sadie. Don’t tell Koda, but most of her pictures end up making her look like a sad old man. I need to get better at snapping quick pictures outside, when she’s in her happy place 🙂
hahahah YES! we have a whole bunch of pictures of sadie that we call her “old man sadie” pics. they’re hysterical. 🙂 i just ALWAYS use the action mode on my camera when photographing her. it makes a world of difference.
Julie, I love these posts, and thank you taking the extra time to write them!
Wow, so many incredible tips! Thank you so much for starting BlogTalk Tuesdays. It was such a great and useful idea! I really appreciate it!
I wish there were more bloggers in Canada. There seems to be a significant imbalance of American health living bloggers vs Canadian ones.
Any Canadian bloggers out there? Give me a shout!
angela (http://ohsheglows.com) is a fantastic canadian blogger!
Yes! She’s incredible!!
Susan at thegreatbalancingact.com is another amazing Canadian blogger!
Hey Bee!
Completely agree with your comment on BlogTalk Tuesdays – so helpful!
Also agree on the dearth of Canadian bloggers – where are they all? Would love to connect with more Canucks!
Haha, “smother them until they are your friend.” Hilar. Thank you for this post! I just got a new job–and it allows me to actually give my blog some attention! And following tips has helped me get more traffic!
I can’t wait to have comments to start reading, lol. And PS-I have gotten quite a few clicks from leaving a comment here!
See you Friday! 🙂
i’m so glad! 🙂 i think readers typically click on the commenters who leave great comments! 🙂
I love this series, and it comes through that a lot of thought (and time!) is put into writing it! I have confidence as a person but not necessarily as a blogger, if that makes sense. So while meeting people is fine, meeting bloggers becomes a little intimidating. Case in point, I did not introduce myself to you at CFL Blog Con even though you were one of… two? people I recognized! I need to get out of my blogger shell 😛
you totally should have!! but i know what you mean – i feel totally awkward at first too, but honestly haven’t met a blogger who wasn’t friendly yet!
Great tips, Julie! Especially for us new bloggers looking to get our feet in the blooging door! 🙂
I always feel intimidated trying to contact bigger bloggers in my area, but I guess I should get over it and try. Thanks again for all the great tips!
Another fantastic post–and all things that I have found to be really, really true as a still-pretty-new-at-this blogger. When I was first starting out, I decided to just go for it as I was trying to meet other bloggers, and I signed up for a Share Our Strength bake sale being organized in the NYC area. There I was lucky enough to meet a bunch of amazing and already well-established food bloggers who gave me many of the same tips you communicated here–they were SO welcoming and helpful, and I’m still incredibly grateful (hopefully it shows!). I think the thing I agree with the most here is: GET ON TWITTER. It seems like everyone, their mom, and their dog is tweeting about everything…and it’s kinda like passing notes in class to make friends–less scary than just walking up to people! 😉
YESSSS! i resisted twitter for the LONGEST time. i’m so glad i bit the bullet and joined.
These are some really great tips! 🙂 I’ve only met one blogger in person. I’m nervous about meeting new people. I’m actually quite shy at first so I don’t really go to too many meet-ups or anything. I should try though! 🙂
Julie, this is such a great post and great series. Even though (and perhaps especially since) I don’t personally blog, it is nteresting to read your take on the big issues relating to blogging. I consider your blog to be the gold standard; it’s awesome of you to share your tips and perspective.
thank you very much, brittany. 🙂
Those Sadie pictures had me laughing out loud throughout that post! Besides her being a total ham, your captions are hysterical. Thanks for all the tips, especially on having ‘real life friends’ that don’t blog. A whopping 0% of my ‘real’ friends are bloggers, and sometimes I feel like I’m living a double life! I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling like a blogger outcast sometimes. I’m really digging these Blog Talk Tuesdays! Thanks Julie 🙂
you’re definitely not! i totally feel ya!
I enjoy these Blog Talk Tuesday posts. I find them very helpful! I’ll be at HLS this weekend so I hope to meet you in person!
woohoo!
These Blog Talk Tuesday posts have been incredibly helpful, Julie! I’ve been blogging for a little over a year now and just find myself getting more and more addicted haha. I LOVE when I get comments, and only hope that they’ll continue to grow in number 🙂
And now that I’ve moved to NYC permanently, I’m so excited to bust into the blogging community here too. Be my friends! ha.
Haha I felt the same way when I moved to Orlando! “Ooh, fellow blogger? BE MAH FRIEND!!!” It’s such an instant connection…and esp in the healthy living/food blogging world, most of us never turn down a chance to go out to eat, at the very least!
“Ohhhh, Sadie…You ARE pretty!!!”
Your captions of her crack me up every time! I saw a Vizsla yesterday while I was out for a run. Pretty sure the owners thought I was nutso because I had the biggest, cheesiest grin every time I saw their dog.
Julie- great post! I’m actually on vacation right now and in Jenn’s (from Peas & Crayons) area and we’re planning a meet up for lunch! It’s nice to finally be able to connect with someone I read all the time since there are not many bloggers by me at home. I really appreciate a lot of these tips being sort of new to the blogging scene and like with most things, I think it just takes time and effort 🙂
Hi Julie! I love these Tuesday posts — they are so insightful. I especially like this one. I am so interested in leading a healthy yet fun lifestyle that even if I only get a couple hundered hits per day, I am so proud of StephSnacks. There are definitely times when I wish my blog could be soooo successful but then I take a step back and realize that it already is because I am writing about what I LOVE. And that simply makes me happy! I wish so much I could be attending HLS but I have a wedding to attend 🙁 Hopefully next year!
exactly! i remember my pastor saying that we should be happy with the success we have NOW. once our blog grows a little, we can find ourselves wanting it to grow more (which is natural), but it’s also important to remember why we blog and that we’re happy doing it right at this moment even if nothing comes of it or is doesn’t grow at all.
I’ve noticed sometimes my posts sound like they’re catered to an audience and I have to step back and remember why I’m blogging – for me! An audience eventually will be cool, but I definitely don’t have one now so there’s no use pretending. Good advice, be happy that you have an outlet and you are writing!
Might as well use this time to perfect my voice & network!
Another great post! I definitely feel like I am on the outside pretty often, but when I get comments from other bloggers who are reading my posts regularly, it really really makes my day! 🙂
Yet another fabulous post!! I agree with you that all comments are always appreciated. I remember when I was just beginning my blog about a year and a half ago, and I’d be absolutely over the moon if I got one comment! I’d be like, “wait, people actually want to read this!?” It’s very flattering! And you can bet that if I’m ever in the Florida area for a holiday, I’ll be tweeting at you for sure!! 🙂 PS. Tell Sadie she’s pretty!
My fave Blog Talk Tuesday post so far, hands down!
I definitely feel left out sometimes when I see all these bloggers meeting up and skyping… I remember reading that article you wrote a while ago about how it’s okay to have real friends – I try to keep that in mind!
I love any and all comments, love love love them!!!
As a new blogger — we’re talking like a few months — I’ve been self-conscious to reach out to other bloggers, even to comment on a post I really connected with! Now I feel crazy ridiculous because you’re absolutely right: bloggers are nice! If you’re any indication of how other bloggers are, than I have nothing to worry about. Thanks for great tips AND your honesty 🙂
get yourself out there, giiiiirl! 🙂
Julie thanks so much for this great post!! I have been feeling the “left out” thing so it is awesome to read about it on your blog which is one I respect so much! Also your Sadie pics are priceless and make me laugh every time!
Keep it up with Blog Talk Tuesdays, they are the best!!!
You answereed a lot of questions that I had on my mind today and that I just didn’t have the “guts” to ask! thanks for the tips, I really love this Blog Talk Series!!!!
Love, love, love these posts Julie! Such great & helpful information. I hope to meet some bloggers who live around me soon! 🙂
Julie, I have to say that you are the first blog I read when I get settled in the morning. You always seem to brighten up my day! I just started a blog about 6 months ago and had my first “blogger meet up”! She was a gem and it could not have gone more smoothly! I am going to attend the healthy living summit this year and am so excited to meet you as Kate (the blogger I just meet) and I think of you as a “celebrity”! I am thrilled you are doing these posts every Tuesday as they always are packed with great advice …. Thanks 😉
as name twins, i’m sure we’ll hit it off at HLS! 😀
I am a new follower and I just love your posts!
As a new blogger, I just wanted to say THANK YOU for this ‘Blog Talk Tuesday’ series that you’re doing. It’s seriously so hopeful and sometimes opens up my eyes to things I never even thought about. It also gets me excited to really immerse myself into the blogging world.
Also, the pic of Sadie with the caption “Stop leaving me out you little jerks!” is hilarious!
This is so great, especially for a new blogger like myself 🙂 I’m still trying to get the hang of everything and I love learning more about what other bloggers think of the blog world. so thank you for this!
Great tips! You rock 🙂
Yes to all of this!
I’ve felt awkward meeting bloggers every step of the way, but then when I actually meet them in person I realize how friendly, open, and genuine they are.
Oh, And I would have NEVER thought that people comment just to get traffic. {I’m probably one of the most naive people you’ve ever met though – ha}
Great post filled with great tips!
Another tip I would give is to not be afraid. 9 times out of 10, other bloggers WANT to meet other bloggers and new friends, so reach out to new people! The blog community is almost always a positive one. 🙂
Oh hey you there, wanna meet up? 😛
Nope, not at all. 😛
Your such an inspiration to new bloggers…you have a “can-do” attitude that I LOVE!! I enjoy every one of your posts & all the great advice. Thank you 🙂
Wow! Thanks so much for all of these tips! As a relatively new blogger, I really look forward to these posts!
Thank you so much for all of this information! You are fabulous! You’re writing is always awesome- you should write a book 🙂
As always, very informative & articulate. Thank you Julie! 🙂
First of all, I LOVE blog tuesdays. They are awesome and so informative.
Secondly, I have made your peanut butter granola so many times this summer that my family knows exactly what is in the oven when they smell the peanut buttery goodnesss. It is SO Much cheaper than buying it at the store so I am one happy camper. Also, as I was making it yesterday, I realized I didn’t have any creamy PB so I used crunchy instead. I am currently eating chocolately oats with the granola on top and MY GOSH! The peanuts in the peanut butter add an extra crunch that is DELISH. Just thought I would share 🙂
oooh i should try it with crunchy pb. i used crunchy almond butter before and loved it, so i bet it would be fantastic!
Julie, this was a perfect topic! I am trying to figure out how to get more involved in the blogging community, so thank you!!!
p.s. I almost died when I saw that coconute mocha thingy at starbucks…it’s amazing what those people can make..haha!
Can I tell you how good it is to know that you feel left out sometimes, too? Not that I’m happy you’re feeling that way, but because I feel it a lot, too, and now I realize it’s just silly! Thanks, as always, for being so totally relateable (how the heck do you spell that word?!?), Julie.
Thank you so much for this! I didn’t know Healthy Living Blogs existed – definitely will be checking it out 🙂
I have loved getting to know Tina from Faith, Fitness, Fun and others on Twitter. It’s such a great tool to just pop in and say hey or quickly give a shout-out to someone!
I have also noticed that once I found one blogger in my area, I began finding tons of them! It’s also great to get to know some bloggers who are Alumni of UGA, where I go to school.
Finding things you have in common with others is a great resource as well.
Thanks, Julie. These have been beyond helpful for a new blogger like myself.
Thanks for these great tips! I think that blogger meet ups are such a great way to connect with other bloggers. I have also made some really nice ‘blog friends’ through Twitter! Sometimes you just have to jump into convos and I realize that when I do, people are always responsive and friendly!
I wish there was a blogger conference around me 🙁 I would definitely go! I meet up with a blogger that was in town for ballet from California! It was so much fun shopping at the mall and eating ice cream together 🙂 Bloggers make the best friends whether it’s via the computer or in person a friend is a friend <3
This was so helpful!
I’ve been looking for “unspoken tips” through other Blogger’s posts, but this is the clearest one!
How did you get on Twitter? I’ve been thinking about doing it, but I’m afraid no one will follow me back or tweet back at me
just create an account through twitter.com and then follow bloggers, friends, companies, restaurants and tweet to them (you do this by using the “@” symbol before their twitter name). then people and bloggers will likely follow you back! it’s really a great resource for connecting!
oooh these are great tips, Julie! I appreciate it all 🙂
Twitter intimidates me and I don’t want to get addicted, though…
Thanks so much for the advice, Julie! I really value all of your tips and thoughts. I just recently connected with another blogger that lives in my area, and we’re planning on meeting up for some fro-yo in the near future…so excited!!!
I’m still having a hard time with Twitter. I joined it for like 2 days and then deactivated my account. It overwhelms me and I don’t quite “get it”. Am I the only one? Maybe I should give it another chance…
i would really encourage you to keep at it. i felt SO lost for the first month or so i was on it – and STILL very confused by some aspects of twitter, but using it only makes it easier!
You are definitely not alone! I’ve had an account for a while now but only followed people. I’ve tweeted six times in the past few weeks. And 5 of those were retweets. I find the hashtag concept so confusing and I am also scared that no one would be interested in my tweets.
Can anyone out there provide a crash course in Twitter?
Oh good, I’m glad I’m not the only one. Ok, Julie, I think I’ll take your advice and try it out again. 😉 And yes, anyone who is willing to provide a crash course on Twitter would be greatly appreciated!!
I always enjoy Blog Talk Tuesday but this one even more so! As a fellow blogger, i agree that all comments go a long way…the fact that someone even took the time and bothered to write something despite their actual intention means a lot. Have a blast at the HLS this weekend, I would love to attend something like this eventually and meet some of favorite bloggers, including you :)! Call me cheesy but I feel like you guys are my best friends because I know so much about you all! Haha better not let my real-life besties read this!
Julie, these posts are so helpful to me since I’m a fairly new blogger! Those pics of Sadie are hillarious and absolutely adorable! I agree that so many people are very helpful and nice in blog world. I’m just a teenager but yet, even some of the older and more experienced bloggers have reached out to me and made me feel welcome! It’s just such a great community! Thanks for being so inspiring 😀
I second this. Could NOT have put it better.
This was just one of the best ideas for a series ever. I read every one completely through and feel like I come out a more knowledgeable blogger every time 🙂
I agree with a lot of what you said up there – and I definitely don’t think you’re naive to believe (or at least hope!) that people don’t just comment for traffic purposes! I hope the same for my blog!