I am 100% passionate about the brilliance of blogging communities, Barbara.

In my opinion, having a healthy audience around a blog propels it through the blogosphere.

Engaged and enthusiastic readers are the lifeblood, with the blogger at the heart.

The reader is an equal with the writer. There is no other media where this is true.

Coincidentally, I am writing an article on this very topic as we speak

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I like how you turned your learning into a pattern for results. It’s a win win. You find a new blog and the constellation expands.

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Hi Barbara – Scott and Hunter were smart weren’t they? Like you, it took me a while to fathom it all out.

I think the main advice I would give to people is a) look at commenting on other people’s blogs as a way of building community. b) encourage people to participate in your community – by asking questions.

c) don’t flit from blog to blog hoping to catch people’s attention. comment on blogs you enjoy and get involved in communities you enjoy being part of.

d) look to build genuine relationships. don’t do things like link to a particular blog and tell everyone it is your favourite when it isn’t. the blogger will know you’re being insincere and so will everyone else.

There’s heaps more Barbara. But i just wanted to point out that your blog has helped so many new bloggers. When you and i started blogging, we didn’t build our traffic, or communities half as fast as some of the new bloggers who are awarded NBOTW now. They have been lucky that you found them.

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Hi Catherine,

Yes, Scott and Hunter had an advantage over us.

Thank you for sharing such superb ideas! C and D are especially true. I’ve been on blogs that have great communities, but I don’t feel welcome or feel they’re a “fit” for me, so I just move on.

I was laughing as I researched for this post. I dug through my archives and looked to see when I really started getting comments. A lot of times it was you, Ian , Asako, Natural, plus a few others who would show up now and then. I looked at one post and saw it had two comments, but instead they were two trackbacks from me linking to them.

It makes me happy to know the NBOTW series is working. There are so many great blogs out there and it would be a shame if the authors quit, due to lack of comments.

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Actually Barbara, I have slowed down on how often I post because:

1. i need a break

2. it gives me time to visit and comment on more blog. i actually do find this as enjoyable as writing on my blog. i’ve found some great blogs out there, information and as a result have brought in some new faces to my blog.

if i’m not tied up posting and commenting on my blog so much, i can go out there and support others. i can do more and build a community.

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PS I love the blog title – that’s exactly what I try to teach when I encourage people to rid themselves of Somedays.

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hi Barbara,

Right when I started blogging I made a committment to myself that I wasn’t going to *use* commenting on other blogs as a way of building my own blog. That didn’t mean that I didn’t want to read other blogs or leave comments, only that I would do so if I was really interested in the blog, felt I had something to add or say or wanted to add support and be part of that community. In short, I wanted to blog with integrity. I knew it would take me a lot longer to build up and I don’t have a long string of people who come to leave comments just because I’m the next *hot* spot, but I have a community of like-minded wonderful great people that I adore. For me, taking the time to search out blogs that I really enjoyed instead of hitting just the quick *flavor of the month* has been very rewarding. I still try to keep on the search for new blogs that I love and you are a huge resource for that!

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or is your blog so much about reaching out to others that you are failing to take care of yourself.

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Hi Barbara. I don’t feel imprisoned by my blog. Like others have mentioned above though, time is my issue.

I am subscribed to a lot of blogs but at the end of the day, I just don’t have the time between owning a business, writing my blog, 2 young children, my wife owns her own business, dealing with customers, networking with other businesses, etc.

You know what I might like to see here on this blog, how to speed read LOL. Maybe there’s a guest speaker you could find? I need to figure out how to read faster. I skim, but then never soak up enough information to feel confident enough to leave a comment – maybe I’ll say something the author already said which I skimmed over.

Maybe my problem is I don’t consider myself a full time blogger? I can see why many A-list authors don’t comment on many blogs, there’s just not enough time in the day. It really sucks! LOL

I don’t know how you guys do it?

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Thanks for this converstation Barbara – and the same to all the commenters.

I am finding that blogging is a great way to build new e-relations (yes I coined the term , but it can become a word fest also. As I value silience, the conflict is obvious. I really enjoy visiting other blogs, and need to add more, but I read so many now that it seems like too much talking to keep expanding.

I have done what seems to be the unspoken tast though…I have deleted many blogs from my feed that after reviewing for sometime, I realize I just don’t fit in “that” community. I think we have to respect our time and efforts enough to know that, and wish people, albiet silently, a kind farewell.

Harmony’s last blog post..Silver Medal – Golden Effort

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I think that what I’ve done with Medicine Mondays but it still is slow.

I really want people to hear the heart of a doctor. The judgment and criticism that people have comes out of frustration. I work hard to remind everyone that we’re human. If I do that enough times maybe it’ll catch on.

Dr. Cason’s last blog post..Thanks for Listening

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Barbara, It’s funny you wrote this today. I just got bombarded with emails today and yesterday from people who evidently like what I’m writing and want to be my friend. They have been so generous offering to selflessly help me promote my blog. They have excellent blogs and I want to help them succeed as well. I wish I could devote all my time to helping others promote their blogs. Maybe I need to rework some things so that I can do a better job of that. So to answer your question – yes, sometimes I do feel imprisoned by my blog.

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Hi Eric,

You’re right, writing for an audience make a difference. One thing I found was that even if no one commented, I “believed” someone was reading my words. It kept me motivated in those early months when I didn’t have a community yet.

Hi Natural,

Cutting back on posting is a great way to help build our communities. It’s something I’ve kicked around as my Google reader has so many great blogs I want to visit, work takes up a lot of my time, and writing is time consuming, as well.

Hi Alex,

Thanks! The blog title is a phrase I’ve used many times as the kids were growing up.

Introverted? That seems to be a common trait many bloggers possess. Building community is a great way to become more social.

Hi Al,

Ebook? Maybe….someday.

I agree, within blogosphere there are tons of sites where we can get self help/growth ideas. When I look around the BWAB community, many of you are helping others by making your readers think and become better people. Your blog included.

Hi Wendi,

You are on target as to how to grow a community of like minded people. Like you said, joining the community of the latest “flavor of the month” gets us no where, if we don’t feel at home or if it’s a blog that doesn’t interest us. It sounds like the slow growth is paying off and your community has become like a second family.

Hi Karl,

That’s right! Linking to other blogs is a great way to build our connections. Even though many are afraid to link out for fear a reader will leave us and never come back, it usually works the other way around and that same reader keeps coming back to see what other great finds you’re linking to.

Hi MizFit,

Good point! Reaching out needs to be on our list BELOW taking care of that which is important to us. If we don’t take time to build our own blog, we’ll have nothing to share when readers do show up.

Hi Writer Dad,

Yes, commenting on other blogs does help us to meet people, and it also exposes us to others in blogosphere (and they can find us).

Hi John,

Oh yes, that time issue. We have our priorities, which are usually our daily life issues, and blogging often takes a back seat. Most days I can’t fit in all of the blogging activities I would like to either. When I look at my reader and it shows I have over 200 unread posts, I have to start picking and choosing, skimming titles, marking some as “mark all as read” and hope for the best.

I think most bloggers realize the time crunch everyone else is under, so if they don’t comment, it’s not because they aren’t supportive, but they’re busy.

Hi Robin,

That’s fabulous advice. Other new bloggers are in the same boat and often a friendship develops as each of you grows your blog.

Hi Harmony,

You’re welcome.

I like that “e-relations”.

Deleting blogs from our readers is often tough to do, but like you said, if we don’t feel we “fit” into the community, it’s time to move on.

Hi SpaceAgeSage,

Yes, we all have our own “battles” with blogging, and finding what works for us individually is the key.

The tech stuff get me, too. Plus, it can be VERY time consuming. Those who are technologically smart, have half the battle won.

Hi Dr. Cason,

I love your Medicine Mondays posts. That is a brilliant idea, and like my NBOTW series, it takes awhile to catch on. Just keep writing from your heart, and it will become a huge success.

Hi Ellen,

That is a good point. As our community grows, our free time lessens.

For me, it’s a matter of setting priorities. My blog comes first, answering comments comes second, and visiting others is third. I do the best I can every day, and what doesn’t get done, waits. (kind of like housework or laundry).

Hi Jennifer,

To me it sounds like whatever you’re doing, it’s affecting and helping others. Keep in mind, if any of those bloggers would meet the “less than four months old” and “quality content”, criteria, you can nominate them for the NBOTW series, and I’ll help you get them some recognition.

You might also consider adding a series or some type of promotional “gadget” to your blog to showcase their work.

It’s rewarding helping others, isn’t it?

Hi Marelisa,

Thank you for referring that new blogger to BWAB.

**smiles** Do we ever stop learning? I know I don’t.

That is pretty neat when we see familiar “faces” on other blogs. It reminds me of seeing a friend in the park or a store. Blogosphere is actually quite small in some aspects, isn’t it?

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Hi Vered,

I was hoping you would show up. For leaving comments around blogosphere and building a community, you’re the best. I remember when I would frequent other blogs, I ALWAYS saw you had been there, leaving your words of wisdom. Finally, I had to find out who you were. That’s when I came to your blog and introduced myself. I’m so happy I did.

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Hi Urban Panther,

That’s a great idea to make it a goal to meet someone new each week. It not only gets you “out there”, but pulls someone into your community. I’m sure when you find a new blog, they’re always thrilled to meet you.

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Yeah, that’s about how it works for me too. But I still find that I work harder at commenting than the other two previously stated objectives. The other first objective, like most writing projects, is mainly in my head for awhile.

You know, this has given me a knew idea for a topic. Something with a crown…hehehe

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I don’t feel imprisoned by my blog because I love what I do and have cut down on writing so that I can interact on the blogosphere. While the interacting part can be time consuming (because the list of friends just gets longer and longer), there are other benefits like joy in having connected with someone new. It’s great hat I not only have offline friends but a whole bunch of online friends who have views that I’m keen to know about!!

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Barbabra – My dilemma at times is to keep up with reading other blogs and comment. I enjoy doing that. You have put my dilemma in clear words with these lines, “didn’t put myself “out there” I didn’t work on expanding my community. I didn’t go past my comfort zone. I only commented on blogs of authors who commented on mine (with a few exceptions).” — very true.

Shilpan

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I have no strategy with blogging so I have mostly written my stuff, made friends and hoped for a community. I enjoy comments more than anything to be honest. Sometimes I forget that there are other people reading who don’t drop in to say hello.

So, I’d like to know what IS the best way to build a community? I visit lost of blogs but don’t always comment because I like to have something worthwhile to say. I stumble lost of posts where I don’t comment, but maybe people would prefer if I commented.

I do have a lovely little community over at SHE-POWER, but a few more regulars would be nice. Maybe I should have a strategy…

Kelly@SHE-POWER

Kelly@SHE-POWER’s last blog post..The Marbella Money Shot

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Hi Ricardo,

You hit a nail on the head by saying “be transparent”. That’s extremely important, isn’t it?

You’re right on both of your other points, too. Spammy comments don’t cut it. That’s a great way to build a poor reputation in blogosphere. And yes, when we give, we receive. Life is way to short to live it selfishly.

Hi Ellen,

I’m so happy I inspired a blog post for you. I’m waiting to read what it is.

Hi Annie,

Yes, connecting is SO important. Without it, we could get very lonely.

Hi Evelyn,

Cutting back on posting does give us more time to connect. I’m trying that concept this week. We’ll see how it goes.

Aren’t online friends great?

Hi Chris,

Yes, growing a blog is very much like raising children. They need a lot of care. And as a child grows, so does our blog.

Hi Shilpan.

It’s tough, isn’t it? We all have so much to do, and not enough time to do it all.

Hi Annie,

That’s great advice you’re sharing. I agree, it’s very important to be ourselves. That’s what makes our blogs, US.

Hi Kelly,

Different people use different strategies to build their communities, but the consensus here seems to be, visit other blogs you like, comment regularly, and more than likely those blog authors will becomes a part of your community.

I know you have Stumbled some of my posts, and I love to see the traffic spikes, but honestly I would rather see your smiling avatar and read your opinion.

Hi Ajith,

**smiles**. Your comment would have made a great blog post. I like your bullet points. Good content is still the most important thing, isn’t it?

Yes, we do need to do a lot of reading. All we need is to find enough time to do it all. THAT is the challenge.

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I’m impressed by the approach Hunter took – and Scott too – if he ends up developing a blog of his own.

I think the ideal would be to immerse oneself into the blogosphere prior to starting ones own blog.

That way, when they start – they will already be quite knowledgeable and will make it through beginning stages more effectively. That’s powerful.

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I have found that my blog takes a lot of time and attention to get it to where I want it to be. But, I don’t feel imprisoned. Really, I feel liberated. I’m liberated because I can share my viewpoints, and get honest and heartfelt feedback. And, part of the “fun” of blogging for me is commenting on other blogs, and really developing a new connection with another blogger. Like you, Barbara.

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