I think I have the best community in the blogosphere.
If you’re a regular reader/commenter here, you are a part of that awesomeness. 
For that, I say “Thank you”.
Today’s Lesson
When I started blogging, I didn’t even know there was such a thing as “community”. Sure, I saw people commenting on other blogs, but to me, that’s all they were; comments.
Little did I know comments are the building blocks of a blog community.
My community was born when a blogger named Akemi commented on this blog. Via her blog I met Cath, who in turn introduced me to Ian. The three of us visited each others blogs, commented and followed each others progress. Slowly more bloggers entered the circle and each of us began growing our respective communities.
Some of the members (for lack of a better word) frequented one or two of our blogs, but not necessarily all of them.
That’s how blogging communities work since all blogs won’t appeal to everyone.
When I made it my mission to help new bloggers “get found”, I started a series named “New Blog of the Week”. Each week I hunted for new bloggers (usually 3 months old or less), and showcased them and a sampling of their blog entries on this blog. I’d ask my community members to visit them, read their posts and leave a comment.
My community obliged. (See how great they/you are?)
In the process, their communities grew, as did mine.
How about you? How can YOU build a community?
- Be visible. Get out there. Visit other blogs, leave comments and answer the comments on your blog.
- Link to the posts of your new online friends or share their post(s) on Twitter, Facebook or your favorite social networking site.
- Form a pact with another blogger (or two) and agree to help each other succeed.
- Continually visit, read and comment on the posts of your new friends. Continually answer the comments on your blog.
- Don’t get hung up on the size of your community.
- Keep in mind, community building is not tit for tat.
- In time, some of our community members will move on, comment less often or even disappear.
- Some people believe blog communities are dying due to social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook or Google+.
If you’re new to blogging, I’d suggest finding other new bloggers to connect with. Take time to read their “about” page and see if they’re someone you’d like to befriend. If they’re answering comments, chances are, they’re looking to grow a community too.
Not all bloggers will reciprocate by visiting you, but some will. These are the ones who can potentially become part of your community.
Also, when you leave comments on another blog, you’re leaving bread crumbs. The readers of that blog may be intrigued with your words and click over to your link. All the more reason to leave meaningful, heartfelt comments.
Remember, it’s all about karma.
Here again, promote the posts of one another. If you feel comfortable (and safe) taking the conversation offline, email each other behind the scenes to discuss your strategy.
Just like real life friendships. a blog community needs to be nurtured. Make time for yours.
Blog communities take time to form. Patience is key. Build yours on a solid foundation.
We might be a part of another blogger’s community, but that blog author may not be part of ours. And the same holds true for us. Someone may be a part of our community, but we’re not a part of theirs.
Remember, just like in real life, we and our blog/topic may not appeal to everyone. Don’t take it personally.
It’s not easy to sustain a blog, therefore we can lose community members . Add to that how bloggers are also using their blog(s) as a stepping stone to other endeavors. Enjoy the time you have with your members.
Although commenting on blogs may have decreased over the past few years, communication on blogs “feels” more intimate. Personally I prefer commenting on blogs vs on social networking sites, however, community can be built on social networking sites, as well.
In the four and a half years I’ve blogged, there has not been a blogger I’ve met that I’ve forgotten.
And even though we may no longer visit each others blogs, when we bump into one another online, it’s like seeing an old friend.
Today’s Assignment
If you’re a seasoned blogger, what hints would you give a new blogger about forming a community?
If you’re a new blogger, what’s your biggest challenge in forming a community?
Care to share?
P.S. As for Akemi, Cath and Ian; Akemi appears to have left the blogosphere. I see Ian occasionally on Facebook. Cath remains to be a great friend who is on a blogging hiatus, however we continue to communicate on Facebook.
P.S.S. I ended my New Blog of the Week series after a year and a half. The complete list of the ninety bloggers I showcased is here (in my sidebar under “Featured Blogs From the Past”).
P.S.S.S. If you’re not sure where to find other bloggers, click on the names of the bloggers who comment on this blog, and/or check out my “Free Blog Registry” – where over 500 bloggers have entered their names and a short description of their blogs. (While there, add your name, too.)
When we start blogging, we usually add blogging to our already busy schedule. As our platter of life fills up, we begin to feel overwhelmed.
Hi. I'm Barbara Swafford and I'd like to welcome you to Blogging Without A Blog. Grab a seat, share your thoughts and join in the conversation. 
But most of us have seen other blogs and said to ourselves, “I want that.”, “And that.”.
“That” is usually more readers. More subscribers. More comments.
Take your pick.
Today’s Lesson
In the comments of the post titled, Become a Blogging Phenomenon in Hours, Maddie of The Kids Ate My Homework shared (in part):
I agree with Maddie. In the beginning, most new bloggers aren’t ready.
And here’s why.
Let’s say you’re new to blogging. Still learning the ropes. Spending time tweaking your theme, learning behind the scenes stuff and maxing out your daily blogging time allotment.
Let’s say one of your blog posts goes viral and you become an overnight sensation.
The readers pour in. As do the comments.
Now what?
After you’ve done your happy dance and called all of your friends, you’ll be asking yourself, “How can I quickly add enough quality content to keep these new readers?” as well as, “How will I find the time to answer all of these comments?”.
Before that happens, here’s a few things I’d suggest:
What about you?
Today’s Assignment
Would you be ready if one of your posts went viral?
Care to share?
Photo Credit: Tiny Froglet