How to Build Friendships Through Blogging
When I was 13 years old, my dad and stepmom took me to Maui. It was so much fun! We received leis when we arrived and we snorkeled, ate snacks, and had a great time. On my trip, I met a girl from Canada. We hung out during most of the trip – going for walks, hanging out at the pool, and building a friendship. We were penpals (do you remember that phrase?) and wrote to each other every few weeks up through the end of high school. I then found her online in college. We’ve lost contact since, but my parents still talk to her parents around the holidays.
Talking with other bloggers is like “virtual penpals” in my mind. I know bloggers who I email and email me back on a regular basis. They know the names of my kids and family and vice versa. There are even some emails that are hilarious because it’s a full-on conversation between 3 or 4 of us. It’s funny to find a new email with 20 replies – lol!
I have been amazed by many of the women I have met through blogging. I have built friendships with these women. I have even had the opportunity to meet some of them in person. There have been a few bloggers that I’ve met in person and instantly hit it off with. We’d talk through emails and once I met them in person, I felt like I’d known them forever! My blogging friends have helped me through stressful and tough times, without even knowing all the details of what I was facing. I am thankful for them!
So, how do you build friendships through blogging?
(1) Leave comments on personal posts. I have had the opportunity to get to know other bloggers by leaving comments on their posts and vice versa. When I post something important to me (i.e. the Nasty Comments post I wrote not long ago) and they leave me comments, it makes me feel like they care. I want to return that friendship and empathy to them. So I leave them comments on their personal posts. The funny thing is that I am interested in how they are doing and what joys they are celebrating or trials they are facing!
(2) Respond to comments left on your personal posts. I make an effort to respond to comments left on my personal posts. I don’t respond to my giveaway comments because I would be on my email all day long – lol! If you host giveaways, you know what I’m talking about. However, I do try to reply to their comments most of the time. I have had readers tell me how much they appreciate my responses. I appreciate their comments.
(3) Be nice. This is huge in the blogosphere. There are many who feel that drama is what makes them popular in the blogosphere. I think it has the opposite effect. While drama may get you more traffic, it doesn’t reflect kindly on who you may actually be as a person. Remember, that people who read your blog only know you by what you write. If you constantly put other people down on your site, they’ll think that’s what you do in real life. You will have killed potential friendships before they even started.
(4) Go to blogging events. I have made new friends through the different blogging events I’ve attended. I met a few at the General Mills Eat and Greet (and met 2 in real life for the first time – lol) and I got to know a few more at the Smucker’s Pantry Event on a more personal level. I have not yet been to a blogging conference, but I know of many who make “blogging” friends at these events. Don’t be afraid to shake a hand and introduce yourself.
Blogging is “social” – both in our personal lives and the media. I am thankful for my blog and the friendships I have made. I am also thankful for the blessings I have received from friends, my readers, and the companies who have helped to keep The Mommy-Files going strong!
Thanks everyone! Happy blogging and building friendships!
It looks like you have lots of fun! Recently, I have been trying to comment on more personal posts and become more outgoing online. I am really enjoying it. Thanks for the lovely post! π
It is amazing how many wonderful bloggers I have met through my blog that I consider my friend, even if I have yet to meet them! When I started my blog, I never imagined it would be like this. I love reading other peoples personal posts and keeping up with them and their families!
[…] How to Build Friendships Through Blogging : The Mommy-Files When I was 13 years old, my dad and stepmom took me to Maui. It was so much fun! We received leis when we arrived and we snorkeled, ate snacks, and had a great time. On my trip, I met a girl from Canada. We hung out during most of the … […]
Fabulous post. I went into blogging three years ago for something to do while I was pregnant with my second child and then at home with an infant. I quickly found amazing friends online by commenting on other blogs and connecting with people. I have met several of them at blogging events and hope to meet more in the future. The social aspect of blogging is something extra special that I never expected but love.
I have actually just started talking to people instead of just entering contests. There are some cool people out there.
Shannon… if only everyone took the advice you gave in the post… then we’d all be one big happy blogging family! π You are a great friend! I know I have appreciated getting to know you better. These days when find myself having wAAAy less time to read blogs than I used to, I always try to keep up with your blog, because it makes me happy!I don’t comment on everything, but I like knowing what you’re up to and what things your doing lately! I love when I hear back from you too. It’s great having a friend and not feeling like I’m butting into someone’s blog… which is how it feels when you comment and “talk” to someone all the time and they never say ANYthing back!)
In my long-winded-ness, I’m trying to say= You are awesome… I like you… and I’m glad we’re friends! π
I couldn’t agree with you more! I have met so many wonderful people through blogging – you being among one of them! π When I finally did get to go to a blogging event here in Disney World, I got to meet some of my friends in real life and you are right, it is like we had known each other forever! We just went up to each other and embraced. It weas so wonderful and I hope to get to go to another one soon. Michelle from Flying Giggles and Lollipops is also one of my good friends that I have met through blogging that I hope to meet in real life some day. She and her darling girls Aiyana and Chloe are just beautiful and love Disney as much as I do!
When you have a minute, please stop over on my blog, I have something for you:
http://wmljshewbridge.blogspot.com/2010/03/im-total-slacker-blogger-awards.html
great post Shannon and I agree with you! Have fun but most importantly be yourself!
Hi Shannon! Great post. I loved meeting you guys in “real life” at the Smucker event!
I can’t wait to meet up with more bloggers soon!!! xoxo
Love that you reposted this in FB today. I’m glad to know you and look forward to seeing you next weekend in Carlsbad! π