I am looking forward to soon announcing another new opportunity that I recently accepted (and that gets a total #woohoo) which means the more this blog continues to grow, the more I must strike a healthy balance within blogging and social media. I’ve written a ton of popular posts relating to these topics but today, I am sharing some fabulous sites that are worth investing your time in addition to visiting your favorite blogs. Whether you are a newbie or a veteran blogger I highly recommend the following to help grow your blog:
Join Supportive Blogging Communities: These communities offer resources and support in helping you reach your blogging goals and are wonderful places to meet other bloggers.
SITS is one of the first communities I ever joined and I found so many new and supportive bloggers in this forum. This community also offers Bloggy Boot Camp, a fantastic blogging conference run by none other than the SITS Girls themselves which they host in various cities across the country. Another very supportive community (of course I have to plug my own) is TMC because it’s another outstanding, supportive platform developed for bloggers to get noticed while networking with those who have similar interests.
Participate in Great Memes: This is a wonderful way to meet new bloggers and have your writing highlighted through a link up.
Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop is literally famous and a wonderful way to connect with bloggers while writing some great content in the process. It’s the perfect assignment especially if you’re struggling on not having a topic to write about because Mama Kat will give you tons of reasons to blog! Shell’s Pour Your Heart Out is also a very popular meme. She gives bloggers the opportunity to write passionately about something personal as well as the chance to link up to meet other bloggers as well.
Get More Exposure by Guest Posting on Other Blogs: Guest posting on other blogs gives you the chance to be seen by a completely different readership.
We all know Jill is one of the major pioneers of blogging and she has set up a section on her blog dedicated to highlighting guest posts. Of course, I also love the community here at Theta Mom so guest posting for the Network is another fabulous way to get noticed. Many other bloggers have set up a guest posting section so reach out and get your writing seen on other blogs.
Improve Your Writing Skills: Compelling content is paramount and is the driving force behind what fuels our blogs so it’s imperative that we continually improve our writing skills.
A supportive community like The Red Dress Club lead by the lovely Cheryl, Nichole and Katie is another fantastic way to meet bloggers and improve your own writing in the process! Just like a weekly meme, this site is also dedicated to providing bloggers with topics to write about with specific instructions including the chance to link up.
Stay Updated on Current Blogging Trends: Staying ahead of current trends in the blogosphere is vital in maintaining your blog.
One of my favorite sites that always provides buzz worthy information relating to the blogosphere (and in many instances as it’s happening) is She Posts. This is a perfectly organized site supported by many talented writers that never disappoint. Whenever something is happening in the blogosphere, She Posts will be one of the first to deliver the news. So you can totally imagine my excitement when I was recently featured on this amazing site.
Be an Active, Supportive, and Engaging Member of Social Media: Continue to engage in conversation and network with others. You already know that Twitter and Facebook are imperative tools for bloggers to utilize daily so while you are active in this space, retweet posts that you enjoy, link back to other bloggers, respond to comments when you can and continue to engage your audience. *But the key is to not let all of this consume you so much that it begins to take over your life.
My final piece of advice? As your blog begins to grow, don’t get too big for your britches and don’t forget where you came from. We were *ALL* newbies at some point. Just as in the real world, treat others the way you want to be treated in the blogosphere.
Enough said.
What are some of your favorite sites or helpful resources in the blogosphere? Where do you invest much of your time and how do you strike a balance within blogging and social media?
Awesome post. I must check out all these links you’ve provided! Thank you so much!
http://www.TheMcMommyDiaries.blogspot.com
I really appreciate all the information you put out there. Honestly, I’m too lazy to check this out by myself so these pointers are so, so useful. Could you just handle all my PR for me? K, thanks.
Wonderful information! I have bookmarked all the blogs/websites mentioned here and I will use them regularly! Thank you!
Just right as I posted about never being a BIG blogger, you send help
LOVE it!
Could you have packed any more great info in one post? That was the perfect list of pointers. GREAT post!!
Actually my post today is supposed to be fun … not woe is me 😉
Thanks for all you do Heather, clearly you will never wear britches!
All great tips! I also like to tell new bloggers not to get wrapped up in the numbers and remember why they started blogging in the first place. Makes it so much more fun and rewarding that way!
Can’t wait to hear about your new gig! I don’t know how you handle a full time job, kids, and now three other gigs!
My post today is about knowing when to say when with all these demands of blogging!
Great blogger highlights!
Great insights! I agree and you have to remember why you started blogging in the first place. Everyone has an unique voice and brings something exciting to the table, so just be yourself
Thank you for this information. I have a question for you…
Do you think it’s necessary to have a blog Facebook page in addition to your personal page? I link all my posts on my personal page, but was thinking I might do a more concentrated page for blog activity. Overkill?
I absolutely do and you can provide a direct link for peeps to like your FB “Business” page right on your blog as I have in my sidebar. It’s another wonderful community to build and give your blog exposure. Go for it!!
Okay great! Thank you. I was thinking I would do that, but thought it might be too much. I appreciate your thoughts. Also, thanks for linking to your previous posts about blog success. I don’t know why, but I’d not read any of those before. I’m gonna be late to work now. 😉
Fantastic posts, Heather. Love all the tips here, and I am working on getting better w/ the guest posting. That’s something that makes me really nervous (I mean nervous to post on others’ sites, A-hem!).
I loved that part at the end about not getting too big for your britches. I think there are a lot of people out there who need that reminder. ANd I appreciate that even though you are a “Big Fish,” you still reach out to the little people like me and take the time to connect.
😉
xo
I agree. There are MANY peeps who need that reminder… and thanks for thinking of me as a “big fish” but I’m just happy to be in the company of peeps like you who make this whole thing worth the ride.
As a newbie blogger this post is exactly what I need not only help me grow my blog but to remind me that I must find a balance. The blogosphere can be addictive! Especially when you meet so many wonderful inspiring people every day. Thanks for all of the tips and resources I will be checking them all out!
Great suggestions, and thanks for the shout-out!
I would also add one thing: Don’t stress about it all, it’s supposed to be fun! A few years ago, I was so concerned with posting every single day, thinking my blog would crumble if I didn’t. And, then I had a sort of epiphany– none of us is curing cancer here. Nobody’s life depends on our blogs. It’s ok to skip a few days, not to comment like crazy and just to lighten up. It’s blogging, after all, nothing more. Remembering this helps me not to go too crazy!
Wow! What a great shout out. You are the best, Heather.
Thanks a ton for the mention. It is only through helping one another that we can truly move forward as a community.
And I have to agree with Jill. Try not to get too wrapped up in this world. Remember the people outside of the computer who matter too.
This is an EXCELLENT point. I used to try and post at least 5x a week. And then…it wasn’t so fun. I post when I have saying to say or bitch about. It is much more fun that way!
Your final piece of advice? I love it!
Congrats on your new opportunity! And thanks for mentioning my meme!
Those are all right on the money. I need to be better about several things on this list…
Great list of suggestions!
This is a great list of resources. That is the awesome thing about the blogging community, it is big enough for everybody and therefore everyone is so helpful and willing to share what they have learned. I started in May of last year and was so lost. I reached out to other bloggers (joined SITS, joined here) and learned so much!
And I agree about not getting too big for your britches!
Bernice
10 steps to learning for life
This is great! I’ve been trying to put more effort into my blog, but its’ hard with a newborn and a husband to take care of. I need the most ‘bang for my buck’ as it is. These are excellent tips.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I will be trying to apply your tips.
What a wonderful list of resources, Heather!
I love your advice about not outgrowing your britches.
Thank you for listing us amongst these other amazing sites.
You are truly so supportive and lovely.
Great advice. And I loved seeing Shell mentioned on here!
Wow! Thanks for the mention.
I look forward to Writer’s Workshop every week…there are always so many amazing blog posts to read. Great advice here!
What great advice! You pointed out some wonderful sites and memes lead by some wonderful bloggers!
Great advice, especially for newbie bloggers and bloggers trying to take their blogs to the next level!
Thank you so much or this post! I will never forget the first month I started blogging, I emailed a “big blogger” who emailed me back and actually said “Sorry, I don’t help others out and share my resources”. She actually said that!
Any email or tweet I get asking for advice or help I always make sure to answer now!
Wow, Heather! You nailed it with this one! So many great tips and links here! I am honored that you listed us in there too!
And the part about not getting too good? Love that. So true. Best piece of advice on there!
Great advice!!
For me, it’s easy to get involved in things.
The hard thing?
How the heck do you visit or comment to everyone that visits? ANd still allow yourself time to sleep and be with your family?
How is that done? I have no idea.
If anyone has ideas, I would love to know.
Maybe it’s a matter of organization. I’d hate for anyone to feel ignored..
But how to prioritize?
If we do all these actitivites, then post, then visit and comment on each person that visits us, how do we have time for anything but blogging?
Especially if you have a goal of a daily post?
These are the things that cause me unhappiness with blogging.
I love to post, I love to visit blogs…but the more you do, the more there is to do.
Oh Empress, I had the same feelings about one year in and I realized, we can’t be THAT blogger to everyone. I would *love* to comment and visit EVERY single person that takes the time to comment on my blog. But the reality is, it still would never be enough hours in the day.
I had to let go of that unrealistic goal and find other ways to connect and show my support.
For me, linking back in a post like this shouts, “You are awesome and I’m glad you’re here.” A retweet of a favorite post reminds another blogger that you’re still there supporting them. An email here and there or a comment or reply will always keep the relationship going. But you cannot let this whole thing take over your life.
You are an amazing blogger, one I am so happy to have found in the blogosphere. And if I don’t get to your blog today or you on mine tomorrow – that’s ok, b/c we BOTH know we fully support one another <—and THAT is what makes this whole thing worth the ride.
xoxoxo
‘support one other’, thats the point.
For it to be a community, we have to work like one … and you both do it so well.
Alexandra, I remember we tweeted about this a while back. Maybe a month ago? I was in my 2nd or 3rd month blogging and still fully able to respond to all comments. I’m only starting month 5 now, but those days are generally gone (a good problem)–especially since I’m immersed in writing a novel again. Although I still think it’s true commenters don’t want to feel ignored, I also think we all have to prioritize and like Heather said, we can’t all be everything to everybody. I like what Francesca and Jill said too–the ideas of remembering to stay in touch with the people OUTSIDE the computer as well as keep the whole thing fun are really important to me. Wish me luck!
Love this post and all super fab resources! I agree with a lot of the comments here. Over the last few months, I have to decided to relax more about it. I can’t post everyday, I can’t visit every blog that comes to mine all of the time, and how many subscribers I have? I have no idea. My blog is MINE..and I do what I want with it! Ha! On the other hand, I am involved with a lot of your resources above that you mentioned and they are ALL wonderful!!
Wow! So much information! It’s like a miniature bootcamp all in one post! Thank you for this. I will definitely be referencing it.
Oh, and the comment about the ‘too big for your britches’ was awesome. I have met some high profile folks since I started my blog in January and almost all of them have bent over backward to help me. It is refreshing to see so many people willing to help one another. I’m so glad that I met good people right out of the gate.
Great post. I will be checking out all of these links. Thank you!
I am still finding my way, finding my balance between real life and blog life. I love doing the Red Dress Club prompts when I can, to work more on the writing that I started my blog for in the first place.
There are SO many ways to blog, so many reasons to blog, and finding YOUR reason can take some time! Thanks for bringing it all together here, Heather.
I agree. Once you find YOUR reason to blog, everything else seems to fall in its place, as it should be. 😉
Awesome post!! And I love the “Dont get too big for your britches” advice! There are definitely some “big bloggers” that should be reading this! lol
Great info. It’s always nice to be reminded from time to time. I need to check out She Posts. Like right now!
Thanks for all the helpful tips!! I am only one month into this, and as fun (and therapeutic) it has been, it also has a tendency to be overwhelming!!! Sometimes I don’t know which way is up!
how brilliant are you? great piece. i love me some Shell, even though I don’t always participate in the PYHO, I read a lot of the links.
I still feel like a rookie. So this was great.
great ideas! I’m getting ready to do something really fun for my 2 yr blogging anniversary in april- it is centered around OTHER bloggers, and I’m super excited! 😉
All excellent websites! Great places to start and network with other bloggers.
Excited to see what they new addition to your blog is!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for posting this. So much helpful information!
I look forward to meeting new bloggers!
Funny you should post this today, since it’s my SITS Day, but I headed over this way because I realized I forgot to check out Friday’s FB here! I also regularly participate in Pour Your Heart Out and have done Writer’s Workshop in the past. I’ve also seen Red Dress Club prompts floating about a lot lately and have been meaning to check it out!
Such good advice! I’m doing a lot of this already, so that makes me feel good!
Thank you so much for the advice, vision, encouragement and resources! While I still consider myself a newbie with so much to learn. I’m just beginning to pull out of the deep, dark, miserable hole of depression and mommy guilt. I have a long way too go! But I need to find my voice again! The woman inside of me, that has disregarded herself to place everyone’s needs and desires first, is bursting out! Finding a voice in my corner of the blog world is just the way to do it!!
I can’t wait to check out each and every tip, link and treasure you have shared as well as so many other bloggers I deeply respect and admire from a distance. Thank you.
It sounds like you have a whole new direction – go for it!!
I have a Feature every Friday on my blog if anyone on here is interested! Just email me at mymommymonologues{at}gmail{dot}com. I just ask that you subscribe to my blog in some way. I started it as a way to meet other people & I have had so much fun with it. So many cool people have contacted me and wanted to write, in fact I’ve found some of my favorite blogs through these features every week at my place.
I’ve kind of had a love/hate relationship with blogging these days. I think because it’s finally taking off in the direction I want it to but that means it’s sooo busy at the same time.
As far as getting back to everyone, I just assume that some bloggers I won’t hear back from. That’s when I’m always amazed when I hear back from you, Heather, because I just don’t expect it. It’s always a reality check, if Heather can get back to people & read her comments then I can too. It’s inspiring to know that you’re out there & are interested in your readers.
I love what you said about not getting too big for your britches, because I’m about to write a post on that in the next few days.
Happy Monday Heather!
Happy Monday mama! And I appreciate the kind words. I *so* wish I could visit and comment and every blog but it is not realistic – when we can chat on Twitter or catch up through email or in a situation like this, THAT reminds us that we’re supportive of one another.
Thanks so much for being here!!
It is so easy to become overwhelmed by blogging! One thing that I have long admired about you is that you have a plan…a true direction for your blog.
Of course I also love the advice you spelled out here.
Have a fab week!
I loved this post thank you so much for it! I’m always looking for advice!
Thanks for these awesome ideas! I’ve spent the past year basically just writing and hitting publish. It’s time to start delving into the other aspects of blogging. This post is an invaluable tool.
Great post! I, too, have been just writing and hitting publish for the past few months and I’m just now starting to wonder what else is out in the blogging world for me.
Thanks!
Fantastic!! All of it!
It is so important to support one another- I know when I started out, I was so afraid to contact other bloggers. However, once I did, I realized I had no reason to worry! Everyone that I have connected with has, as Brandon mentioned, bent over backwards to help, offer advice or be available to bounce ideas.
And you are so right on the money- I love when folks comment and start a conversation on the blog, but I also appreciate and look forward to the connection via email, twitter and facebook.
Thanks for sharing this today and remaining a *grounded* blogger!
That means a lot to me girl. I wish some other bloggers would remember that, too. 😉
Annnnnd, bookmark! Such a great collection of resources. Thank you.
What a great resource list! I’ll be checking these out. I also love the Wordless Wednesday meme.