How to Network Even If You're Not An Extrovert

By: | March 8, 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |
How Bloggers Can Meet Other Bloggers

Bloggers can network by attending conferences, classes, support groups, and blogging events.

Do you find the pressures of life in and out of the blogosphere demanding?  Can you relate to the following conversation?

When @PlaguedParent, @ContessaLysa, and myself were talking on Twitter about Pinterest, @PlaguedParent commented that promoting posts on social media, just one of the many demands of blogging, is like a full-time job.  We both vehemently agreed.

When new bloggers are asked what most surprises them about blogging, “time pressures” is one of the most common answers.  If you can relate to feeling overwhelmed by these demands and more, this blog post is for you.

Since many well-meaning people who don’t write don’t understand the pressures on a writer, ideally, you should find well-meaning writers as a support system.  Networking is crucial.  My post Secrets of Successful Bloggers is erroneously named.  There is only one secret, and that is networking.  There are many ways to find a network.

Conferences

There are various ways to find out about conferences.  I am a member of

An arrow leading to the blogging conference

Networking is the key to blogging success, so bloggers should attend conferences.

several Southern California Facebook blogging groups that notify me about local conferences.  My posts How Bloggers Can Focus and 6 Ways Bloggers Can Stay Focused detail the information I received while at a recent conference.  I not only received support as a result of my attendance, but my skills increased.

There are many online conferences too known as webinars.  Boost Blog Traffic and Blogger Babes are two of the organizations that I know of that hold them.

Classes

Today, many writing classes are offered online.  WordPress currently holds many online classes.  Blogging 101 is one of them.  In the few short weeks I was enrolled in the class, I gained ninety new blog followers.  There is just no substitute for networking.

The first place writers should look for a class is a traditional classroom setting.  Obvious places to look would be community colleges and adult schools.  I recently took a free photography class in hopes of improving my blog photos.  Our community Parks and Recreation program offers classes for all ages.  That’s how I found the photography class.  I read about it in their brochure.

Online Support Groups

Lidy Wilks holds an online support group for insecure writers.  I checked online and there are others as well.

Blogging Events

There are Twitter parties held just for writers.  Search the hashtag #writerwednesday and you’ll find many online writers.

In addition, bloggers go to WordPress blogging events, meet new writers, network, and in this way gain more followers.  WordPress has a daily prompt, for example, where bloggers come just to see how others responded to the Daily Prompt.

The SITS Girls hold linky parties on Saturdays that are world famous.  By networking with them, bloggers get a wealth of resources and information.  I even hold a linky party, also called a blog hop, on Mondays.

Networking just can’t be beat.  I maintain it is the Number 1 key to successful blogging.  As an emotional support system, as a way to improve skills, and even as a way to get a question answered, networking solves it all.

As part of my expert-round up post, …19 Experts Share Their Secrets, I interviewed Suzi81, creator of #SundayBlogShare.  She says networking is the best tip she can offer a writer.  For all these reasons, I agree.

Readers, if you think others could benefit from networking, please share.

What are your experiences with networking?  Are there any other ways to network you can think of?  I look forward to your views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. john doe

    I agree with some of your authorities that said content was the most important thing in a blog. It is chicken or the egg. You must network to get traffic but without content, nobody will share or re-blog your post if the post sucks. With that being said, what is more important, content or networking??????????

    • Janice Wald

      Networking, based on my observation and experience. However, you might have a point about the chicken or the egg. Two sides of the same coin?

  2. clara

    Networking is definitely important but I think targeted or appropriate networking even more so. Depending on why you want more followers, it’s no point getting lots of new interest in your blog if they’re not the right audience. I find that between writing posts, finishing my book, doing my day job, looking after two school age children and preparing for an overseas move I have very little time left for networking so when I do I try and make sure it’s with the right people. I’d love to do more as I feel I’m just scratching the surface but need a few more hours in the day!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Clara,
      That’s weird, I was just writing a reader about that very thing just seconds ago. I am a contributing writer for Divorced Moms. She said I should contribute. I said that I don’t have time to try and promote my writing to divorcees when the group I want to grow as readers are bloggers. If I had more time, definitely, but there are just so many hours in the day.
      Thanks for reading what I wrote and writing me. The timing was too funny.
      Janice
      PS Good luck with your move.

  3. Bianca

    Networking is on my to do list for time management on blogging. I too, feel overwhelmed at times because it is indeed a job in itself.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Bianca,
      Thank you for writing me. I don’t think we’ve written before. It totally is a job in itself. That’s why I started with the Tweet in which three people acknowledged that on Twitter. I’ve never embedded a Tweet before!
      While it takes time to network, it actually saves you time in the long run. Case in point. I attended a blogging class. While there I networked and met other bloggers. One reblogged my post last week, and I got many more followers. The people you end up meeting often help. One recently helped me promote my Facebook page. Networking definitely takes time, but it saves you time in the long run. Thanks for reading what I wrote and writing.
      Janice

  4. Elle (

    Great content with no readers is just too sad. Support and encouragement are vital to our well being imho be it on or offline. Be first to offer support, everything always returns to the giver imho.

  5. Janice Wald

    Hi Elle!
    Thank you so much for your support this weekend! You said support and encouragement are vital. I agree. Networking provides that, as I explained in the post. The group we are in has been amazingly supportive this weekend as well. I look forward to more interactions with you and everyone. Thanks again for the time and the concern. I definitely felt, and still feel, supported.
    Janice

  6. "Bethie"

    Your blog has been a valuable resource and tool for me, a newbie blogger. I strive to network and write quality content on my blog. I have found that blogging is a full-time job. 😀 Btw, a job I absolutely LOVE!

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  8. Kim Owens

    I agree that conferences are a great way to network. It is a concentrated, focused opportunity to make connections.

  9. lindasblogs

    Hi Janice, I agree that networking is important, but it is time consuming. For now, I’m limited to reading, enjoying and commenting on other blogs, promoting a few on Pinterest, photographing and, of course, writing. Whew! Content is key. Content is hard!

    • Janice Wald

      Sounds like you’re making the time. I need to make more time for it myself. Wish there were more hours in the day!

  10. Terri Webster Schrandt

    This is a great post!! To utilize Twitter, I keep a word doc ready with all the appropriate hashtags I can copy and paste into my post. I also think that commenting and following when you are beginning and beyond is really important. Developing relationships is the goal of networking.

    • Janice Wald

      I tried to take my own advice & network tonight. I got 5 new followers!! I need to take my own advice & network more. I wish there were more hours in the day!

  11. Julie Phelps

    I love this! I am struggling with gaining new followers and readers. Since my blog is kinda specialized– genealogy– I find that gaining readership has been challenging. I can’t wait to try some of your suggestions. You have gained a follower/reader in me! hank you for the post!
    Julie
    http://www.itsabeautifultree.com

  12. tashinadenise

    This was so helpful! Trying to get people to follow my blog and read whats going on and have discussions with me is something I desire strongly but have struggle to achieve. People will follow but not really comment and hold discussions. I think i’ll try and use some of these to gain followers, like i’ve already done Blogging 101 so thank you for the other options!

    • Janice Wald

      Thank you following my blog. I have a lot of posts that can help !! Thank you for the kind words. Welcome!

      • tashinadenise

        no problem! and the great thing as that now your blog is a place for people to network too, not just the places you mentioned so its a nice tool for me to use lol

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    • Janice Wald

      Thank you for the kind words.
      Thanks as well for reading what I wrote and contacting me. I’m sure you know as a blogger how validating it is.
      Janice

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