Six months ago I picked out a little home in this world called the Blogosphere. I established an address, chose my color scheme and arranged my space. I put out the welcome sign and even told a few friends that I was now taking visitors.
At first, I had a handful of people stop by and say hello, but that was it. I was thankful for my early followers, many of them good friends and family, but I was eager to meet other blogging neighbors.
At first, I had a handful of people stop by and say hello, but that was it. I was thankful for my early followers, many of them good friends and family, but I was eager to meet other blogging neighbors.
I've been a new member of a church, a new mom in MOPS, a new parent in an early childhood class, the "new" girl in high school and a new employee at a business - but I've never been a new blogger in the blogging world. How does one go about making friends in the Blogosphere?
It was time to ask for help from a long time blogging friend. She said that the neighbors don't come to you at first, you have to go to them. Visit their blog homes, read their posts and add thoughtful comments. Not everyone would stop by my blogging home to say hello, she told me, but many of them would and over time I'd start making friends in the Blogosphere. Hmmm.
So I decided to go out and meet the neighbors. I was a little hesitant at first. Would the neighbors like me? Would they visit? Would they extend the offer of friendship when I visited them? Did I really have anything to say that would keep them coming back? I wouldn't know until I tried.
I started by finding a handful of authors blogs and I began clicking on the people who commented. It didn't take me long to realize that a lot of them knew each other already. Have you ever walked into a room of people who you'd never met, but they already knew each other? Had inside jokes and a history together? It's intimidating, to say the least! But over the weeks, I continued to visit them regularly and, to my great delight, I found that they are not an exclusive group, but they love welcoming new neighbors with open arms. Many of them came to visit me and we've begun to build bonds of lasting friendship.
At first it was overwhelming keeping track of all the people I was meeting! So many names, blog homes and faces to memorize. But even though it was overwhelming, it was also exhilarating! I was finally meeting my neighbors - and what I realized is that I had a great deal in common with all of them! We're writers. We have writer's hearts and we all dream about sharing our words with the world. Each person has a unique gift that is solely theirs, but the beauty of it is, we all work for the same Boss. He's commissioned each of us to do our part and He's enables us to fellowship so that we can encourage and edify each other. How awesome is that?
I'm so happy I chose to move into the Blogosphere. After six months I've changed my color scheme (have you noticed my new background?) and I feel like I'm getting settled to be here for a long time.
What was the best advice you received when you first started blogging? Any tips for someone who is new to the Blogosphere?
~ ~ ~ ~
In honor of my six months of blogging, I'm doing a giveaway! I will enter every Blog Follower and Facebook Fan into a drawing for a free $15 Dairy Queen gift card (who doesn't love the DQ?!?!). I will close the drawing on Sunday, August 5th at 11:59 p.m. To enter please follow my blog (it's easy, just click the "Join this Site" button and follow the directions) and like me on Facebook! You can be entered twice!
This is for all NEW followers and old ones, too.
Hey Gabrielle,
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about blogging and how to connect more in the blogging world. Now that I have finished college, I have more time to blog and I am really enjoying it! It is a fun neighborhood. I love your description of it and thanks for the tips!
BTW, I enjoy reading your blog! So many fun stories!
Mandy
It's crazy, isn't it? That this whole, wonderful community of people exists inside our computers? ;) I am so grateful for the connections I've made through blogging...and I can see you understand exactly what I mean!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog today! I'm following you back, and look forward to getting to know you. : )
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add, that as a relatively new blogger myself, I can completely relate to what you've said.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post, and the giveaway! :)
The writing community is such a great neighborhood! And I'm soooo glad you have moved in!!!! And yes, I love your new background! It looks like something I would have chosen. ;)
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!
Ooh, I love the new look!! Very classy. :) I think I'm already a follower and Facebook "like," but I'll double-check. And yes, DQ is the stuff of dreams come true. Hehehe...
ReplyDeleteHappy blogging anniversary! :)
I'm so happy you're here! Nope, not exclusive at all. OPEN door always!
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Your blog looks great. I love our little blogging world. I've met so many wonderful people!
ReplyDeleteLove the redo on your blog -- it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've enjoyed getting to know you through your blog, Gabrielle! You're a welcome addition to the neighborhood -- a warm smile that brightens my day!
Mandy, you're always impressed me with your heart for writing and connecting others with God! I'm looking forward to seeing you around the Blogosphere more now that you've graduated! Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteMissy - thank you for the advice when I first started blogging! It was a great start and I've had so much fun connecting with all my blogging neighbors since then. :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I'm so happy I found your blog! It's just the right combination of so many great things: music, food and inspirational words! Thanks for following my blog - I look forward to connecting, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Gabrielle! I'm glad you found my blog, too. : )
DeleteSherrinda! You always warm my heart. You're the best kind of neighbor. :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa! You've always been one of my faithful followers. I love connecting with you here and at your blog. It's been fun watching your journey unfold these past few months!!
ReplyDeleteWendy, you've always had your doors open to me and I'm so thankful we've connected. I love your thoughts and your posts (here and at your site) - they always leave me thinking more deeply and boardly.
ReplyDeleteJulie, thank you! I love this new look, although I'm having trouble replying to each person's comments...I don't know why. Thanks for stopping by, I'm so happy to have you as a blogging neighbor!
ReplyDeleteYour words rang true with me today. I know what you mean. My blog is different from yours. It's a bunch of us cancer moms who know that life. But your post is true for any blogging situation. People in that type of blog aren't just going to stop what they are doing and come to "visit" you, until you get yourself out there and let others know you exist. And WHAT A GIFT, when others respond and share with you too! My "blog" has been going on for almost 4 years now, and I can't tell you how many new friends I have made over the years~ such wonderfully treasured new friends!! It is good to have these people in my life, as we share a common bond that not a lot of other people around me understand.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogging Gabe~ I enjoy getting to read each one!
Blessings to you and yours~
Jennifer Bailey
Beth, it's good to see you here! I've had so much fun settling into the "neighborhood" these past few months and getting to know all of you. Your blog and your visits brighten my day, as well!
ReplyDeleteLast night I spent some time with Alli, Daniel & Seth. I had to put down the book and go to sleep right after the avalanche...ahh!!! I can't wait to get back to them and see how Alli is doing! :)
Jennifer, your blog was born of a different kind of need in your life - one that you didn't invite, but you've used to bless others. I'm so thankful for this modern technology and for all the friends and neighbors we're able to meet out in cyberland - I agree that they are all gifts to cherish. Thanks for stopping by!!
ReplyDeleteLove this post, probably because I can relate. At times the blogosphere is still intimidating to me, but little by little I'm connecting and making friends. I've realized I have to take it in small chunks and steps, otherwise I'll become overwhelmed. There's no way to connect with everyone, but with time and diligence I have discovered a group of neighbors (as you called them) I enjoy hanging out with.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great analogy! I think when I started blogging it might've been kind of new in writer's circles...not sure, but many of my longtime blogging friends started when I did or before me.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice from your blogging friend. :-) I think the advice I heard was to keep the posts short, easy to read, and on a schedule, but that was before the dashboard of followers came out (or maybe before I learned to use it, lol)
Love your new look! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I used much the same approach as you. Started reading agents' blogs and from there began following people who commented on those. Found Katie Ganshert's blog that way and just found person after person that way. When they started coming to my blog and commenting, I was blown away.
I went to learn from them and extend friendship, not necessarily to get them to read my blog. But those friendships just sort of blossomed.
I'm so glad you came to my blog and left a comment so that we met!! You're so awesome, Gabe. I love your heart.
Teri, I'm so happy I saw your guest post on Katie Ganshert's blog a few months ago. You've been a huge blessing as I settle into my new "home" and I'm honored to have you as a neighbor and a friend.
ReplyDeleteJessica - I wish I would have known about the Blogosphere a couple years ago! These past six months have been incredible. I love your advice - I try to keep my posts short (because I know how much time I invest in blogging, I don't want to waste other people's time) and I try to be consistent.
Lindsay - I remember the first time I found your blog home! I was so happy to find another "newbie" in the neighborhood. :) Your blogs bless me so much and I love your heart, too. Thank you for being a faithful friend and follower on my blog - I love visiting with you on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays! :)
When I started blogging, I had a lot of encouragement from a fellow blogger/author named Jill. She helped me when I had questions, yeah, even the silly ones. I was such a novice.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this post. I moved into the blogosphere and slowly started having coffee with the neighbors. It's been great! And I've made some awesome friends.
Wonderful post, Gabrielle!
Your new looks is LOVELY! I'm so glad you joined the blogging world, Gabrielle. Your posts are thoughtful, relevant, and God-centered. And you lend rich insight when you comment on other blogs (thank you!). I can't wait to meet you in person one day. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI love your analogy of blogging. I started blogging this year to connect with other writers and to be able to discuss writing stuff since I couldn't go to local writer's guild. I feel very new to all this, but it has been a great learning experience. One place that I've learned a lot is from Kristen Lamb at http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/ She has a few books on writer's blogging that I would like to get eventually :) I love how you blog...I think you and your charisma shines through. So glad we reconnected!
ReplyDeleteGabrielle,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a successful 6 months. You have such a joyful, contagious spirit no wonder you're a hit in the neighborhood.
My only bit of advice come from experience--Don't stop blogging, as I did for nearly two years. It is incredibly hard to build the neighborhood back up when you return.
Love the new look to your site!
I love the new look! You were one of my first finds in the Blogosphere. And Katie Ganshert, then Heather Day Gilbert, then Lindsay Harrel, then Jessica patch, then Jim, Andrew and on and on. I consider many of these people my friends. Oops, gotta run, it's breakfast time in Phoenix...where Lindsay and I will meet tomorrow!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy 6 months Gabrielle!!!!!
Loree - having mentors and teachers, for anything, is the best way to go! I still have questions about my blog (like why won't it let me reply to comments?!?!?), but knowing I can go to someone for the answers is so refreshing. Thanks for stopping by and having coffee with me! :)
ReplyDeleteDonna - you are such an inspiration and encouragement to me! I love your blog posts and I love your comments, you always make me feel so special. I can't wait to meet you, too. The only downfall to blogging is the lack of looking at one another face to face.
Jennette - I didn't realize your blog was so young! It looks lovely and your posts are always so well done. I love your heart for writing. Your words have always been so full of wisdom and insight. Your comment about my charisma makes me smile - that was one of the first things Dave said he liked about me - and at the age of seventeen I had to look up the word to see what he meant! Thank you - I'm so happy we reconnected, too.
Ava - I have wondered how it's been for you to reconnect with the Blogosphere after you took a break. When Sherrinda shared your blog on her Facebook page I was happy to stop by and say hi, and I'm so happy I did! I love your posts. Those two years you took off to learn the craft of writing have paid off - you have a great voice and an engaging style. Great things are in store for you - I just know it!
Jennifer Major!! I didn't know I was one of the first neighbors you called upon - I feel honored. :) I remember the first time you stopped by you made me smile, and you've been making me smile - and laugh out loud - ever since! I'm so happy you moved into the neighborhood.
Hi - great to "meet" you - saw you in Cheryl's comments today. I have boy tiwns of almost 5 and a 7 year old girl. Greetings from South Africa
ReplyDeleteCat, welcome and hello from Minnesota! Five year old twins...I can only imagine! We're getting through the terrific twos around here, it is much different when you have 2 two year olds in the house!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
You have a wonderful blog, Gabrielle. One of the best things I ever did to make connections and to feed my writer's muse was to blog. I've been doing it now for many years. It also helped boost my confidence as a writer. These were some of the stepping stones on my road to publication. And I've met some amazing people on the way. Now I blog at writingtodistraction.blogspot.com, although I've been a bit lax this year since I have an injured wrist. Best blogging advice is to reciprocate. Visit the blogs of those who visit you. And seek out new relationships from other blogs, too. Networking at its best!
ReplyDeleteHello, Carla! I don't know how I missed your comment here. Thank you for stopping to chat. I agree, the best advice is to seek out other bloggers - that's how I developed some of my best writing friendships. The hard part is to keep up with everyone I'm meeting, which is a good problem to have! :)
ReplyDeleteI read this post a while ago and this is a great post. I completely agree that you must come to people on their blogs, people won't come to you in the Blogosphere. If you come to their blog and comment, they may visit your blog, comment and follow.
ReplyDeleteYou have to make an effort to gain an audience in the Blogosphereand yes, you have to stop by your neighbors and say "Hi". I've realized that I have pretty good neighbors in the Blogosphere :)
I'm so happy you came to visit my blog home, Livia! I'm enjoying getting to know you!
Delete