When I first started blogging, I never thought about the internet as a place where I would meet friends or become involved in a community much as I am in my off line world.
Then I put up my first blog, made my first post and went out to find other blogs to comment on. This was the beginning of an adventure.
What is an Online / Blogging Community?
If you have been blogging for some time, you have a good idea of what a Blogging Community is.
On the other hand, if you are new to blogging, you may be sitting there scratching your head saying “she is crazy”. How do you ever have a community of people online aside from somewhere like Facebook. Even on Facebook those are initially friends from off line.
A Blogging Community is a group of people who know each other from reading blog posts and support each other by commenting on blog posts.
Just like in the off line world you may know people who know people that you do not. You will develop your circle of friends and each of those friends will have their own circle of friends.
So, that is what a Blogging Community is. It is not really much different than any community of people you are involved with off line. The only real difference is, you only know these people online.
How Do You Get To Know People Online?
Getting to know people online is easy especially when you are all blogging. A great way to initially get to know another blogger, is to go to their blog and check out the About Me page. This is a great place to start getting to know a blogger. Then read their blog posts and leave your comments. In doing so you can start a conversation with them. In return they will probably come over to your blog and leave a comment.
Over time you will start to be friends and may even start to communicate in other ways.
Now that is really not much different than in the off line world either is it?
Where can I find places to connect with people besides blogs?
There are lots of other places to find friends and become a part of a community online.
I have met people many different places. Here are a few ideas:
- Blogs – As I discussed above, this is an easy and fun way to meet people and learn at the same time.
- Forums – This can be any kind of forum. In a public forum you may start following someone because you like what they are talking about. When you join into the conversation, you will start to get to know that person as well as everyone else in that conversation. I have met quite a few people in forums for products I have purchased. This is a great place to meet people as they have the same interests as you. You can be helpful to each other in these types of forums by supporting each other in using purchased product.
- Social Networks – When you start online many of your friends on social networks will most likely be from off line. As you meet people online they will become a part of your social network and you will get to know your online friends better.
- Groups on Social Networks – Groups on Social Networks are a great place to meet people. If you pick a group that deals with something you are interested in, then everyone in the group will have similar interests and you will have a lot in common
- Mastermind Groups – These are groups of people that meet at a designated time usually on Skype or in a Goggle Hangout. During these meeting they share what they are doing and give each other support. I just joined one of these groups and it is fabulous. I love talking to others who are doing similar things online and have similar issues. If you want to be a part of one of these groups just start asking some of the people you are meeting if they would like to be involved in a Mastermind Group and start your own group.
What is the advantage to being a part of a blogging community?
For me the the best part of being in a blogging community is the feeling that I am doing this with other people. Sitting in my office in my house is very lonely. I am a social person and love getting to know other people. The community also gives me people to turn to when I need help. I can either spend days combing the internet for an answer to my latest question or I can ask people I know. It is a lot faster to ask a question and a whole lot more fun.
I really believe that blogging or working online is something we can not be successful at alone. It takes a whole community to make us successful.
I love all of my blogging buddies and could not do this with out you all.
What about you? Are you a part of a community online or would you like to be?
I love comments and love to get to know new people as well as communicate with friends. So, leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s a great post Dee Ann and I definitely agree with you.
No matter what you’re doing online you cannot do it alone. Being a part of a blogging community is really the best way to meet people and learn what they’re involved in as well. Now you two might not want what the other person is promoting but the advice and friendship you can form can take you a very long way.
I’ve learned so much for reading other people’s blogs and it’s been a pleasure getting to know these awesome people as well.
You’re listed some great places people can start and I sure hope that if they don’t feel like they’re part of any blogging community right now that they’ll take your advice and reach out to others. It can benefit them in so many ways.
~Adrienne
Adrienne,
It really is about the relationships that are built by being a part of a community and not buying what others are promoting or promoting something to others.
Through those relationships we all succeed.
I also have learned so much by reading other people’s blogs and I love getting to know all of those people.
Glad you like my list. I hope it helps others get involved in the blogging community.
Thanks for your thoughts and for stopping by. Have a great day.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Win The Struggle With Time Management
Hi Dee Ann,
Great share!
Success online cannot be achieved without the support of others.I can really say that blogs are the place to start with for networking which can be gradually leveraged to build a formidable relationship. Social network like FB is more useful for the families to remain connected.
Relationship can be a 2 way street and can be beneficial to both the parties.
Thanks a lot for this great deal.
Sapna
Sapna,
Blogs are really the place to start networking. I have met so many people through blogs.
It is only through relationship building that we can all succeed.
These relationships are definitely beneficial to both parties.
I really love building relationships.
Thanks for your comment.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Win The Struggle With Time Management
Hello again Dee Ann
This is so refreshing for newbies like me. I believe everyone involved benefits. We all have something to share which might answer some question that another blogger has.
I read your “about me”. Wow you certainly have traveled. So much we can learn from other cultures. Thank you for sharing this evening.
Gladys posted…awareness by living your life consciously
Gladys recently posted…Awareness by Living your life consciously
Gladys,
It is good to see you at my blog.
Everyone involved definitely has benefits. We all have something to offer and to give. It is the sharing that makes it fun and beneficial to all
Yes, I have been a lot of places and have a lot of places I would still like to go or go back to. I am hoping one day to be able to show my husband all of the places where I have lived.
Thanks for your comment and have a great day.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Win The Struggle With Time Management
DeeAnn,
You are so right. When I discovered online communities of bloggers my whole world opened up. And the community is still expanding and getting larger just as you noted. I’m loving as my community grows and grows. Awesome.
Barbara
Barbara Charles recently posted…What The Hell Happened To Triberr?
Barbara,
It is so great when we are just starting out and discover that there is a whole community you there to support us.
I remember when I was just starting and realized that I was not alone. I was so excited to meet people and develop relationships.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Google Reader Will No Longer Exist
Hi Dee Ann, So true! I am amazed at the friendships I have made through blog commenting. People who aren’t part of the online world don’t understand but you really can be friends online!
All of the ways you have suggested are great. I also am a big fan of Triberr, though it’s having some growing pains at the moment. The community there is very strong and supportive, as displayed by members who are being very supportive during this difficult time.
Thanks for this article, Dee Ann that reminds us vets to appreciate our communities and guides the newbies on how to find them!
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Carolyn,
I also have some amazing friendships that have developed because I am online. I never dreamed that I would make such great friends online.
I did not think about Triberr but you are right that is another way to get involved in a community. I am involved in Triberr also and love it.
I think sometimes when we have been online for a while we just take it for granted that everyone knows what we do and forget that beginners are unaware. I think it is good to introduce beginners to the benefits of a community by including them in our communities. I know I forget to do this a lot.
Thanks for stopping by.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Win The Struggle With Time Management
Hi Dee Ann
Oh I so agree with you. You must have a community online. You cannot go it alone.
I was fortunate to become part of a group of bloggers when I first came online. We were all learning together. I have stayed friends with some of those people.
I knew I needed connections to syndicate and the like but I did not know the levels of friendship we could make online. I love as an Australian I can have friend all around the world.
I am part of a mastermind group with some fellow bloggers and it is just awesome.
A great post Dee Ann.
Sue
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Sue,
I also was a part of a group when I was first online and am still very good friends with several of them. It is great to have these friendships. We have share so much.
I also love having friends all over the world. It is great to learn from so many different prospectives.
I am also in a mastermind group and it is great to share with others who are doing the same thing I am.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Dee Ann
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Hi DeeAnn,
Blogging communities are priceless and I am here to tell you and your readers that I’ve built relationships above and beyond whatever I’ve expected when I first started to mangle with other bloggers.
From that was born some very close friends. Actually, some of which are right up above this thread of comments, and I am now part of a mastermind group that was born from such blogging community.
I cannot recommend enough for people who have a blog to start connecting and building relationships with other bloggers.
Thanks for this great information.
Sylviane Nuccio recently posted…How to Improve Your Emotional Health
Sylviane,
Isn’t it great how you can make such good friends online. I know I would be lost without some of the friends I have made online.
Everyone needs to connect with other people and build relationships. I think that is what blogging is all about building relationships.
Thank you for your thoughts.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…The Secret To Great Blog Post Topics
I had no idea when I first started of the friendships I would make and people I would meet. It’s great to make friends with like minded people via blogging. I’ve also met many via Twitter and Google+.
You can really get to know someone via their blog if they at times reveal some things about themselves. It helps to make it more interesting too
I’ve heard of masterminds and they sound wonderful Dee Ann.
Lisa recently posted…Blogging On The Go With Fantastic Apps And Tools
Lisa,
I really had no idea when I started blogging either that there was a whole community out there.
It is great thought and I love it. I love doing things with others that have the same interests. It is great.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
Dee Ann
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Hi DeeAnn,
Without blogging communities, your blog will be a ghost town! I was fortunate when I first started blogging to catch on quickly to this.
Communities are great and there are so many to choose from. The one thing to make sure of when joining a communicate is the factor of reciprocity.
If people are dropping their links and running, Get Out Quick! lol. But there are many dedicated communities that will never miss a beat.
I’m in a few and love them. The best part for me is the learning curve I always receive when I visit someone’s blog.
Thank you for bringing up this topic!
Donna
Donna,
I also caught on really quick that without the community I would not have a blog. I immediately started commenting on other peoples blogs.
I agree with you if you are somewhere that people just drop their links you are in the wrong spot. You need to be somewhere that people not only share their links but give you support as well.
I think the best thing about going to other blogs is what I learn. I learn so much when I read blog posts. I love it.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Win The Struggle With Time Management
Heru,
I like being a part of a blogging community because I get to know others that are doing the same thing I am.
I can give support and get support. We all need each other to be successful.
I have made some really good friends though these communities and don’t know what I would do without them.
Thanks for your thoughts and have a great day.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Win The Struggle With Time Management
OMG!!!! I can’t believe I didn’t start blogging earlier!!!! Well I did but it was on another fitness website which built an amazing community of like minded women and connected us from all various parts of the globe!
Now 5 years later, I have 4 children (under 7) started only blogging since last June and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I’m so passionate about what I share, I ADORE all my friends (aka followers, readers, likers) and just recently started on Twitter and sorry another OMG moment, it’s like going to a party and just working the room with people from all walks of life!!! I seriously should’ve worked in PR.
Thanks for a great article and yes I am truly thankful for being part of a blogging community, love visiting them and so excited when people come to visit mine.
Have a great weekend x x x Dani
Dani,
I am also thankful for the blogging community. I just love developing relationships with people.
I have met so many great people blogging.
Blogging really is exciting and I love it also.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Google Reader Will No Longer Exist
Dee Ann,
I love this post. I totally agree that it has been great meeting new people online. It’s funny because I find that most of the blogging community I have met are all upbeat, positive people. I think that’s so important in all aspects of life. I know I’ve cherished the relationships that I have been building online. As you said, you don’t feel so alone. Thanks so much for the post.
Lisa,
That is the great thing about the blogging community. Most people are positive people. I think you really have to be positive to do this. Anyone that is very negative would probably quit.
Thank you for your comment and have a great day.
Dee Ann
Dee Ann Rice recently posted…Google Reader Will No Longer Exist
It’s a good idea to use blogging communities. I think we can learn many things from there. We should join the groups.
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