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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Thank you so much for introducing me to Healthy Living Blogs! I didn’t know this resource existed, and I always find it enjoyable to read the blogs of folks that live in and around the Chicago area (I know you have a connection in the ‘burbs there too). It’s just one more thing to have in common and bond over 🙂
Thanks for another great Blog Talk Tuesday! I’ve been wanting to find other bloggers in my area and didn’t really know how to go about it. The whole process will probably be interesting for me as I don’t live in an area quite as populated as Orlando. I’ll do my best though. I do echo your sentiments about Twitter though. It’s an amazing place to meet people and exchange information.
Can’t wait until I can afford a conference – your blog is what inspired me to be a part of this community, so thank you! 🙂
I’m really enjoying blog talk tuesdays! This was an especially great one! Sometimes as a new blogger it’s easy to feel “left out” or not quite sure where your niche is. I know that I feel this from time to time because I have only been blogging about 3 months. Thanks for explaining that you have been there, it helps 😉 As always, I just love your blog and sadie pics 🙂
Breaking News: Fit Chick joined twitter yesterday @Fitchikonthefly ! Woo-hoo!!
I’m only a month into blogging and I am so hooked! I can’t wait to meet other healthy living bloggers in my area.
Do you know of any in the fort lauderdale area?
Thank you Julie for another great Blog Talk Tuesday! I’ve been considering taking a break from blogging. At first it was an outlet for me to blog and I loved everything about it, but recently I’ve become discouraged by the lack of views and comments on my posts. Your tips today made me realize that it takes effort to get your blog name heard and read by others…so thank you for your valuable tips and motivation to keep blogging! 🙂
Hi Julie. Thanks for the tips. I have been on Twitter for a while now and I love it! I follow a number of bloggers and enjoy reading their tweets (kind of like a little supplement to their blogs!). But I am a little unsure how to get a two-way conversation going with other bloggers. I have tweeted some a handful of times and sometimes get responses, but mostly don’t get any. I sort of feel like they are thinking…who is this person and why are they tweeting me?! What other tips do you have for reaching out in the Twitter world? THANKS!!
Hi Julie! I was excited this morning when I remembered it was Blog Talk Tuesday and this one really gave me some great ideas and insight. I used to be afraid to reach out to people on twitter but I have loved getting to know “high traffic” bloggers and new bloggers around the community. It is such a different friendship because you get to “choose” friends based on your likes, interests, etc! Looking forward to next week!
These Blog Talk Tuesday are such a fabulous idea.. I still am struggling to get myself off of wordpress so that I can link up w FoodBuzz- did you know wordpress now won’t let you have ads period, even if you are no longer a .wordpress url? I’m so confused haha but apparently I have to become self-hosted, whatever the heck that entails.
hmm. that’s weird! i blog through wordpress, though my blog is hosted by site5. i wonder when they changed that!
I have been reading about it on the WordPress site because I was going to go ahead and buy my own domain, but I noticed that it said you still couldn’t have ads, which would include FoodBuzz. 🙁 If you hear of anything about this, let me know please!
Oh, Julie, you wise owl of blogging prowess!
I just had my first REAL LIFE meetup this past weekend with a blogger and the most hilarious part was just jumping into a conversation because we didn’t have to cover that whole “so…. where did you grow up? Do you like…. weather? How about those Tar Heels?”
Instead, we could skip that (since we already have read about each others lives [in a totally non-creepy way]) and jump right into the good stuff, the stuff that can tie people together more so than a standard blog post.
And honestly, what I’m most looking forward to at HLS this weekend is seeing bloggers in their natural habitat…. just letting loose, perhaps teaching one another to “dougie”, as I’ve heard the kids call it.
These are great tips 🙂 I’m loving this blog talk series on your blog.
I love this post so much! I’ve got to admit, I sometimes feel a little intimidated by the ‘big blogs’ (yes, that includes PBFingers! Even though you seem awesome!) and am often too shy to even comment because everyone already seems very ‘connected’.
I’m meeting some UK based bloggers for the first time at the end of this month. I essentially did what you said about weedling into a mass meet-up on twitter! I’m looking forward to it, but also a little nervous.
Great tips (as usual)!
PS. that pic of Sadie with her lips all funny is maybe the best picture ever… well I dunno the grass butt picture might be runner up! (kidding!)
I love these posts so much. I just started blogging in June but I have been reading some blogs since November or so. Many times I feel like I am annoying when I leave comments or tweet other people that don’t actually follow me! I can definitely relate to feeling left out at times but I know that I am a newbie so it will just take time!
I wanted to share that I went to my First Body Pump class today at a local gym (Thanks to a great living Social deal). The hardest part was figuring out which weights to use for which tracks. It was HARD and I know I will be sore tomorrow. But I wanted to share that the instructor called me out after a couple of songs and said how great I was doing and that everyone should be paying attention to my counting, and that she couldn’t believe it was my first class! I was embarassed but beaming inside!!! Anyway, I never would have even known what Body Pump was if not for you and Carrots N Cake 🙂 Thanks!
Thank you for the tips! I am really hoping to have a blog meet up, but haven’t met many bloggers from New Jersey- if you know any, please let me know!
I also keep saying to myself I really need to get to a blogger event like HLS so I’m definitely considering it for next year.
I’ve been a blogger for a few years, but just started blogging in the “healthy living” realm a few months ago. These tips are awesome. Thanks again!
Julie,
I love your blog talk Tuesdays – they are so informative, so I hope you keep them up! I’ve been to a few blogger meet ups in my area but I always feel really shy. Maybe just going to more will help me break out of my shell?
Anyway, if you continue to do this, I have a question: You mentioned in one of your previous posts about giveaways. How did this affect the traffic of your blog? How do you decide what you give away (did you always reach out to companies to get products?). Also, do you cover the shipping and handling (I could imagine for someone who does a lot of giveaways, it can get expensive!).
in my experience giveaways don’t really affect my traffic at all. you may want to read my last blog talk tuesdays post b/c i get into more detail about whether or not i reach out to companies. as for shipping and handling, the companies usually cover this, but i have done it myself on a few occasions.
Thanks for the tips! I am already checking out the healthy living blog site for bloggers in Atlanta!
There’s so much to talk about on this post! The two that really stick out to me though is the “smother them” and commenting just for traffic. I have to keep telling myself that commenting a ton and writing huge comments does not mean I am creepy stalking other bloggers. (Even though I love their blogs so much!) Also, while I love commenters, I still get so little traffic that I get really disheartened when I get the comments that are clearly just for traffic boosts. I can’t wait until I get home and can finally attend some meetups and conferences. 🙂
I love this series, it means a lot to a beginner blogger like me. So thanks Julie!
I’m off to check out Healthy Living Blogs now – appreciate the link!
Julie, I absolutely love your blog, and this blogger series is great. I have been in a new town, and starting a new career for the past two years and honestly struggling but reading about other 20-somethings that have similar hobbies and interests and similar struggles in the blog world has seriously helped me AND I recently got up the nerve to actually start a blog of my own, although I still struggle with why in the world anyone would read it, it really isn’t much now but I hope that it is able to grow along with me. Thanks so much for your tips and for putting your life out here for all of us to be a part of! Looking forward to putting some of your advice in to action!
Another great post! You always have such good tips! Thanks for taking your time to put these together, I definitely find them helpful and love that I can relate to so many of your points. 🙂
Oh my gosh this post wAs so helpful! I also liked your post last week about products and how you don’t typically accept products you wouldn’t actually use. I started thinking about it a lot and that’s really admirable that even though people are willing to send you things for their own promotion you don’t take advantage just for free stuff. I always enjoy your tips and tricks for blogging because I just started recently after reading for years and honestly did not even know where to begin! You and many other seasoned bloggers have definitely helped me and inspired me to make mine better and something I’m proud of. Thank you and I can’t wait yonder you this weekend 🙂
I love this blogging series – all great tips. Thank you for sharing them 🙂
I think Sadie secretly types stuff into your livewriter when you’re not looking.
Thank you for these tips! I love your blog and getting your insight will hopefully help me get my sad little blog up and running.
not necessarily a criticism, because i understand you have a LOT of readers and thus a lot of commenters, but i’ve noticed that you don’t really respond to very many of your comments.
anyway, thanks for the blog tips you’ve been posting. they are very good insights.
i try to respond to comments that ask me a question or really resonnate with me. as an avid blog reader, i don’t really expect responses to most of the comments i leave on other blogs but i really do try to repsond to comments that have a lot to say. i also don’t want to take over the comments section of my posts with my own comments because i think some of the best comments and discussions come from you guys!
I THINK this each time I read your blog but never SAY it – your Sadie-lines on her photos always make me start my day with a smile. Keep ’em coming. I’m not a blogger 🙂 but you’re directed me to a few others I enjoy as well and thank you for that, too.
haha I love the pop in pictures of Sadie!!
Thanks for this great series, Julie! I have been reading your blog (and commenting on it… and emailing you… hahaha) for what seems like a couple of years now, and you were one of my main inspirations for starting my own blog. Although my focus is more on makeup/beauty with food/recipes/health as a subtopic, I have gotten a lot from your blog–both as general inspiration, and from the helpful tips in this series! Thanks again so much!
This is a great post. 🙂 I am going to forward this and the other related links on to the wifey, who I am trying to get into blogging. I had her guest post on my site and she really enjoyed it.
Great topic and lots of good points 🙂 Also, I love the captioned pics of Sadie that go with each question – I practically laugh out loud! Are you bringing her to HLS this weekend? 😉 Haha, I hope to get a chance to talk to you there though!
she won’t be there unfortunately, but she does make a lil’ debut in our presentation if you attend the panel about negativity. 🙂
Great tips! Thanks for this post…I’m newish to this blogging community and am slowly “getting to know” other bloggers through their posts and slowly through interaction on Twitter and by leaving comments. It’s pretty neat!
I won a ticket to the HLS and am going as of 2 weeks ago! I’m super excited but nervous; I feel like no one else “knows” me even though I “know” them and am unsure of how to approach people and connect, but that’s what I’m there for, so I know I just have to go for it! I hope to meet you – great work on your blog; I’d be curious to chat about how you do this full-time! So cool. 🙂
Thanks again for an informative (and bang-on!) post. Have a great rest of your day!
I took your advice and joined twitter: bloghelloworld, but I have NO idea what I’m doing!! How did you figure out twitter lingo? It’s like a whole new world?! And do I tweet even though I have 6 followers?
And also, if you created an entire blog where you only posted pictures of Sadie with funny captions, I would read it ALL the time! Those pictures/captions make my day!
yeah i just kind of dove right in! i asked a lot of my coworkers (who were on twitter already) what all the stuff meant an definitely googled a lot too!
Great post, Julie! I love the Sadie comments.
Thanks so much for this post. It’s really interesting and inspiring for you to tell us your journey or blogging and how you got so big. I think all these topics are so good for new bloggers! The pictures of Sadie and indispensable as well:)
As a new blogger (mine will be a month old tomorrow!), I really do appreciate these posts. I’m sure you can relate, but I feel like I’m stumbling around in the dark most of the time and can’t find the light switch. I’m looking forward to attending blogger conferences and meeting everyone I follow. It’ll be like meeting the blogger worlds’ celebrities!
Oh my gosh, I don’t think I could ever get sick of pictures of Sadie 😀
I love these posts that you do! Being a new blogger I look forward to these tips so thank you 😀
Thank you so much for doing this Blog Talk Tuesdays! Since I’m working on getting the word of my blog out, it’s a great resource. I probably would have never known about Healthy Living Blogs if it hadn’t been for this post. I’m going to email them with my blog location, and hopefully that will get me some more traffic.
I LOVE when you put adorable pictures of Sadie with the hilarious captions, she is adorable and funny!!
Thanks for all the wonderful tips! Hopefully with these tips my blog can be as “big” as yours 🙂
Thank you so much for doing this series! As a relatively new blogger I sometimes feel like a fish out of water. I would really like to learn more about being self-hosted and losing the .wordpress from my name…but I’m scared I won’t know what I’m doing!
That was a great post. Full if a lot of useful information. Thank you Julie for taking the time to put that together. 🙂
Whoa just found you through Sarah’s site and am loving it already! How did I not discover you before? Thanks for the tips. I am fairly new to the blogging world. I started on YouTube with some Pilates videos but now I am finding such a tight knit community here in the HL world. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!!!
I love reading your “Blog Talk Tuesdays” posts. They are extremely helpful to me as a new blogger. I am really starting to love sharing my thoughts, tips, recipes and things about my family on my blog. I am reading and learning so much everyday, it’s a never-endind world of information out their on the web about blogging. My dream is to one day have the time to blog full time, every day. I started out vlogging about a year ago and moving into the blogging has been so much fun. Thank you for all the inspiration, keep it coming! Have a great day! 🙂
again..I love “Blog Talk Tuesdays”.. They seriously couldn’t have come at a better time. I started my blog in June and sometimes it gets frustrating for me because I want to feel connected & part of the community right away, but I have to remember it’s only been a couple of months. I only live 40 minutes from SF so I was thinking about going to the Foodbuzz Festival when I received the invitation, but I don’t think my blog’s old enough to start branching out to festivals.
I love this series! As a new-ish blogger it is so nice to read tips from someone as established and fabulous as you! I really liked this one too about connecting with other bloggers. I have been contemplating joining the Healthy Living Bloggers network and will hopefully meet more bloggers soon!