Blogging is a fantastic hobby, you’ll agree. I’d also add, it is a lonesome task. Blogging is usually just you, the screen and a cup of chai. But once your blog is up, what will you do next? Who reads your blog? Your family? Friends? How long will that last though? Do you think you can make it all by yourself? That’s when Blogging Communities play a huge role.
Having a blogging community is one of the best things about blogging. When I started this blog back in 2013, I had no idea what I was doing. It was all about food initially and I expected people to drop by and appreciate.
I waited…
and waited…
and waited!
But no one came and I cried! That was when I learned about blogging communities and joined Write Tribe. I found myself surrounded with like-minded people who could understand and relate to what I was writing. I discovered new blogs to read and a network of friendly bloggers who easily became my pals. Meanwhile, I stumbled upon other communities and also started to write fiction, poetry, life as an Army Wife, travel and lifestyle. I have done it all. And much to my surprise, my posts were welcomed and appreciated. My blog’s fourth birthday is around the corner and as I look back, I know I couldn’t have achieved anything without the support of my tribe.
[tweetshare tweet=”Yes, it is my blog! So, why do I need Blogging Communities?” username=”kohleyedme”]
What did I gain from Blogging Communities?
a. Genuine readership
Even during the initial days of blogging, I loved reading blogs but trust me, I was too scared to leave a comment. But when I dropped my fear and started leaving meaningful comments on the blogs I read, they started commenting on mine. It was a great exposure and a brilliant way to connect with the bloggers. Once you start delivering good content, it opens the way to more traffic as well.
b. Genuine relationships
Networking is a huge plus of blogging communities. It offers a chance to learn, grow together and build everlasting friendships. I have made many friends through blogging, most of whom I have not met in real life.
c. Learning opportunities
This is the best part. When I read about SEO, social media, monetization or self-hosting for the first time, I went crazy. It was too much to take in all at once. Though I ain’t tech-challenged, it was definitely difficult. But I found many people of my tribe willing to listen and advise.
[tweetshare tweet=”Blogging is like any job. You need work friends. #BloggingCommunities” username=”kohleyedme”]
There were people around me who knew what I did. It’s like any job. You need work friends. We can ask questions, brainstorm ideas and support each other. We can also come up with honest critiques and helpful suggestions.
d. Growing the blog
Imagine if there weren’t any loyal readers aka fellow bloggers coming to your site to read your writes and share them on social media, where would your blog be? Also, how would you brush off the idea of quitting your blog? Admit it. We all have thought of it at least once and if not for your blogging friends you’d have done and dusted your blog a long time ago.
I connect with bloggers by joining in a link party. Often, all the participants would encourage and read each other’s posts. I also love the different Facebook groups and Twitter chats as well. It is also great to meet bloggers offline, attend conferences and events.
When I read this prompt ‘No bird soars too high if he flies on his own wings. – William Blake‘ for the #FridayReflections, I knew I had to write about how blogging communities helped to spread my wings. I believe the only way to gain is from helping and supporting others. So, invest in it!
Tell me. Are you part of a blogging community? Or are you all about competition?
I’m linking the post to Friday Reflections by Corinne and Sanch.
You have highlighted some of the best outcomes that one may enjoy if he or she is a part of the blogging community. Keep going shalini. It means a lot
Honest pointers. No one can survive solo. If no blogging communities, we can just write in a journal and be happy but never grow or test our limits.
What a lovely read today morning with my cup of chai. Yup you need one to write n one to read as well 😁
I totallu agree with you here. We need interaction for our blogs to grow, to learn and to appreciate how far we have come…
I am very thankful for blogging communities too – our connect is via one such and I am delighted to have you as a blogger friend. You have helped me tremendously with tips n advise and i am so grateful to you for it. Thank you Gorgeous. May your wings attain new heights and sight awesome horizons too 💜
When I started blogging way back in 2014 I hardly had visitors to my blog. I often felt I was not a good writer but then I joined Write Tribe and my blog got flooded with visitors. I met such wonderful people through this community. Not only I started getting visitors but I also came to know about so many amazing blogs and bloggers. I also met you through WT. Great post to reflect on a tired Friday morning.
It takes a village Shalini and your blog has gone from strength to strength . I too found no success t I joined communities and find it more interesting and meaningful to blog for a known audience than just leap into the unknown.
I’ve always vouched for Blogging as a community activity. Grow together for the best results. Great post.
Love this, Shalini. I’ve always been an advocate of good blogging communities. But it’s not always easy to find such generous and supportive bloggers such as you! I appreciate you for all you do to make the blogging world a better community!
This is an eye opener for me 🙂
Thank you !!
Indeed week’s prompt aptly applies to blogging. No one van survive here alone not without that push and encouragement we get from fellow bloggers. Love this post Shalini!
So true, Shalini. Blogging communities are the wind beneath the wings for so many of us out there who decided to start on our blogging journeys. You are an amazing blogger yourself and reading your experiences makes me feel that I haven’t been alone in this struggle to find a foothold as a blogger. I can say that most bloggers will vouch for the trust, the support and the partnership of the blogging communities in helping them carve out a niche for themselves today. It would never have been possible had they been on their own.
Perfect take on the prompt. Reminds me how important it is to read as much as it is to write.
This is so true about blogging communities. Its a awesome bunch of people who read, take genuine interest and egg us on. So glad to have met you through this forum
You know what community I’m a part of, I’m very glad to be there and am proud of the amazing things bloggers do. 🙂
IT’s so important to have that community isn’t it? They keep us going but in the end, are also our friends!
The best part about blogging is the bloggers’ communities – Totally agree. When I started to write, I used to just write a looooong facebook post where I used to share my views & opinions with the world. Soon I realized that those thoughts were not meant to be on FB where they will get a lot of instant gratification but soon be lost in the million posts people read everyday. That’s when my journey of blogging began (Almost a year back)
Very informative post, especially for someone like me who had had a blog for 2 years and is just discovering the power of blogging communities.
My first readers- I am sooo thankful for them and to be the part of it. They are the ones who helps you realize the worth of words. Its been 2 years into Blogging and I am loving the support we get here.
Man is a gregarious animal. So anything man made has to be gregarious. It cant be in vacuum or in isolation. Blog is one such example. Going by our own example of MocktailMommies blog, we do vouch for community spirit!
Good read.
– Anagha from TeamMocktailMommies
I recently started blogging and the community has been generous enough. I have met wonderful people along the way and have made great friends too. They are so encouraging. I think this is what I really needed to read.
Thank you.
Goodluck too 🙂
Very informative and interesting post. Great thought. Thanks for sharing.
I’m a part of a lot of blog communities. I just saw the herd going there, and since i was new, i stuck with the herd and its decisions, This time, it was a good thing to do!
I have recently joined a few blogging communities and still exploring the benefits I’d reap with time. So, thanks for the post. Thanks for summing up everything I can forward to. M glad to have bumped into blogging communities. 🙂 cheers!
Totally agree with you on the fact that blogging communities are really important for the growth of a blogger in more ways than one. In the initial years, I wasn’t really that much into blogging communities but I guess slowly but surely when I did come into contact with various bloggers, I realized how important it was to network and build relationships with various bloggers many of whom have turned out to be good friends as well :). Can surely help one grow as a blogger :D.
Hi. Loved your blog. I’ve recently started blogging again and it’s mostly about travel. Could you please suggest some blogging communities that I could join?
Regards from an Army kid 🙂
Completely agree, blogging communities keeps us going and motivates us more better writing too 🙂
Cheers
MeenalSonal from AuraOfThoughts