I have been writing a series that I pray will cause you to blog better and influence others. Each week I have been talking about one of the 5 Tips for New Bloggers.
You can read the previous posts by following the links below.
Introductory Post – 5 Tips for New Bloggers
I want you to know that I learn as I blog. I don’t have this blogging business all figured out.
Some days I think I’ve got a handle on writing and interacting, and other days it feels like it may as well be my first morning in blogland.
I am hesitant to share. I second guess my words. I want to crawl under a rock when someone I know in real life visits my blog.
Maybe that feeling goes away and maybe it doesn’t. I have no idea, but I do know that a key to successful blogging is being social.
In my introductory post I said that we’re talking up a storm, hoping someone will listen, will respond, will pat us on the back, or pass a tissue, but too often, all is silent.
Interacting with your readers is certainly an important way to be social. I know some bloggers get too overwhelmed with comments and emails to be able to interact with their readers, but I think they are missing out on part of what makes blogging great – community.
I want to visit other bloggers who read The Domestic Fringe. I want to interact on Facebook and Twitter. Being social is important, but I’ve recently learned that being social is not enough.
You must be part of a tribe.
I don’t know about you, but this city born girl isn’t too keen on tribal living, maybe country living, but the outback of North Carolina is a far cry from the tribes of one of those countries whose name I cannot pronounce.
You know?
From what I understand, a tribe is a group of bloggers who band together to form a network of support and promotion.
For instance, say I write a heart-wrenching post. My tribe would not only Tweet it, but they would share it on Facebook and pin it to their Pinterest wall.
I think of this less as tribal living and more as being engaged in my blogging community, but whatever. I can get on board with the experts, just as long as you understand that I want to promote you whether we’ve made a pact in some sort of primitive internet ritual or not.
I believe a little encouragement and a Facebook share go a long way.
That said, I like the idea of a tribe, a group of bloggers that commit to encourage and promote, not for personal gain, but so another can succeed.
Here are few suggestions on forming your tribe.
- Pray – Seek the Lord’s direction in forming friendships within the blogging world.
- Choose Wisely – Look for bloggers who you can mesh with on a personal and business level, and be sure they want their blog to grow.
- Commit – Be sold out for those in your tribe. Read, comment, and share.
Remember that while we do our part as bloggers, God is the one who gives the increase, so don’t be discouraged.
Be passionate, write often, and be social.
I’d love to hear from you.
Do you have the tribal marks of a blogging support group?
What is your favorite social media platform (i.e. blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.)?
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