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?
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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.
