One of the facets of blogging that doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves is the networking aspect. Networking is a huge part of promoting your blog.
Successful bloggers read other blogs they are interested in, especially those in their same niche, and actively comment adding value to those blogs.
Many are also active on various other social media type web sites that are relationship oriented and make new connections there as a result. Two of my personal favorites are Facebook and Twitter.
Often conversations that started in a comment box, or on one of the other sites spill over into emails with different folks.
Or maybe it might even lead to a phone conversation like it did the other night when Chris Brogan Twittered his cell phone number and asked who wanted to give him a shout. I called his number and chatted with Chris for a few minutes.
And now I have a friend and professional contact in the Boston area that I doubt I’d have met without blogging.
Promoting your blog takes time, sure. But that time will equate to new contacts that your business could never make via traditional marketing approaches.
Is it worth it? I sure think so.
And it was a great conversation and I learned a ton about you. This is what it’s about. It’s not all the text on a page. It’s a relationship. These are just tools to get us there.
Glad we connected. : )
Networking is almost under rated, I think, Chris. It’s a toss up whether the social interaction or the business boosts are more valuable. Actually, it’s only in the past few months that I’m understanding what I’ve been missing by not using them more. In the next few months, I expect I’ll be living their impact.
Off topic, I really must get over here more often.
You are so right Chris.
Well said! (And I might borrow that one.
Carolyn, You are welcome here as often or as little as you like. None of us was meant to live in isolation. Gorgeous likes to tell me that people are basically herd animals!
Thank you, Chris. Been doing way too much of the isolation gig lately (I mean living out in the country). That’s changing, too, in a few weeks.
Back to topic: networking is even better than sliced bread!
And it’s more productive too, Carolyn!
I agreet – networking is a great way to both promote your blog and to make new contacts. Like you, I’ve also made ‘random’ friends in various cities through blogging. I’m thinking that Savannah needs to have monthly or tri-monthly blogger Happy Hours to network and build a group blogging community!
Brandi, A regular Savannah meet-up is a great idea! I’d like it to be something more productive for folks than the typical Savannah happy hour, though. I’m going to shoot you an email on that this weekend.
I have no idea how I missed the fact that you have a blog. To your post, networking really is the hidden ingredient to successful blogging.
I get bored with the set of feeds I read on a regular basis from time to time, which sets me up to go and take a look around the Blogosphere for new material – and it all starts with comments. Comments turn into Skype sessions or phone calls, which turn into joining groups on Facebook, which turn into friendships….
My favorite is meeting people in person, which I haven’t been able to do for a while.
Hey Tinu! Welcome to S-C. Interaction is where it’s at. This life is about people.
I don’t know where you’re located, but a great place to connect in person with people who value others is SOBCon. We are working out the dates for the next one in Chicago right now.