When I started my blog, I felt like I was publishing blog posts that immediately vanished into thin air. No one read them. No one commented. My Facebook page was just a symphony of crickets and my Twitter had like 3 followers (one was my mom. I’m serious.). But over time, things started to pick up and suddenly I was making new friends, getting comments that were more insightful than the blog post they were left on, and really feeling a sense of community with my readers. Today, I’m sharing what worked for me as well as my tips for how to build community on your blog.
1. Be Yourself. Aww isn’t that cute advice? No, but really. I see lots of blogs with great ideas and neat content, but they write their posts as if they’re drafting a textbook. I barely read my textbooks in school (sorry mom and dad) and I definitely don’t want to read them now. Write like you normally speak. Share your opinions. Be personable. Imagine your readers are sitting across from you at a coffee shop. What would you say? Also, punctuation is your friend! Reinvent it. Ohmygod. YOU.can.write.like.THIS. WEEEEEEEEE Frrreeedommmm!! Just do whatever feels like you, because it’s hard to build a community when readers can’t connect to the blog’s author.
Related: How to Develop Your Own Unique Blogging Voice
2. Add a question for your readers at the end of posts. Asking a question gets your reader involved and best of all, gets them to think about your content in terms of their life. Think of something specific, but open-ended.
3. Include readers in your posts. Did one of your readers recently write a post that’s on the same wavelength with one you’re about to publish? Share it! Did a reader leave you a totally inspiring comment? Highlight it in your next post! Most of all, be genuine. Only include your praise when it’s something you know you’d do even if you didn’t have a blog.
4. Social Media!!!!!!! This is humongo! Connect to your readers and blog friends on Twitter, Facebook, and wherever else your peeps (or regular human beings) hang out. Yes. It takes a freakin’ LOT of time. But it is one of the most fun parts about blogging…I mean, you get to make friends! *awkward grin* Always ask yourself, “how can I build a conversation here?”
My tip in #2 is totally applicable to other forms of social media, too. Recently, I’ve started asking questions on my Facebook Page and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite social media outlets (I hardly used it before!). But now I am able to interact with my followers there and most of all, it’s totally about them! Get creative and build those connections, which brings me to….
5. Be a connector. Remember, YOU are the link between your readers. If your readers share themselves with you in the comments and you happen to notice that Susie and Bertha are both military wives or snail lovers or diehard Radiohead fans, then send them a shout-out on Twitter, or recommend their blog links to each other in a comment. This idea is full of possibilities! Did two people just share similar blog posts? Link ’em up. Are two people expats in the same country without knowing it? Link ’em up. Find ways to connect people and they will be excited to come back to your site AND they will have made a new friend. All in a day’s work, right cupid?
6. Respond to comments. Be thoughtful! Remember, these are real people sharing their lives and opinions with you. When I consistently don’t get replies from certain bloggers, I eventually just stop commenting on their blogs. I am looking to connect with someone, not talk to myself. Yes, it takes a lot of time, but it also takes time to read your blog posts each day and leave insightful thoughts. Also, I know that if you get a zillion comments a day, it’s not possible to stay sane and reply to ever commenter. I totally get it. Do what you can manage, but also realize that this is one of the biggest components to building a community on your blog, especially at first.
7. Speaking of blog comments, consider which comment platform you use. I use Disqus and I love it because it’s easy to leave comments, readers get an e-mail when I respond to them, and you can have threaded comments, where people can reply back and forth. Some comment systems put your replies in a weird place or force you to login to a random account you created three years ago or ask you to decipher the hieroglyphics of a random string of numbers just to leave a comment. Ain’t nobody got time for that! Make it easy and find a system that encourages community instead of one that takes it away. Also, I have a confession. I really hate the default Blogger platform comment system. There, I said it. Don’t judge me.
Related: 8 WordPress Plugins I Can’t Live Without
8. Host a linkup you’re passionate about. Some of my friends host a travel link-up, a self-portrait link-up, and one is even hosting a blogging inspiration linkup. These are all great ideas because they’re things that have a theme that’s actually important to those bloggers. I started a link-up called Weekly Wishes and it was one of my favorite things about this blog because it focused on something I’m passionate about. Are you passionate about photography? Art? Books? Create a link-up that reflects that and gets your readers involved.
9. Be creative! Mix things up. Add a poll or a reader survey and share the responses the next week. Or start something new. One of my favorite things I ever did with this blog was send postcards to my readers. All I did was ask them to leave a comment if they wanted one, and I was astounded by how many people were lit-rally thrilled with the idea. And besides that, I got to write a letter to each reader and build a stronger connection with many of them. Some other ideas? Start a hashtag that readers can add to their tweets or Instagram pictures (Use #TNChustler to be featured on my account!), create a monthly challenge, do a reader showcase, or photoshop your readers’ faces on their dogs’ bodies (possibly too far…). Think of something that resonates with you, because if you’re passionate about it, other people will be excited too!
As you can see, building a strong community on your blog can take a lot of work and time. Don’t kick yourself in the face if your posts get 1 comment and 14 pageviews. Keep at it.
You sound like a PRO 😀 this is an awesome reminder and I feel super inspired of making more and more blogging buddies! Oh I love this place! Thanks for sharing Melyssa!
hehe you’re so sweet, Lisa! I’m glad it could be helpful for you. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
i absolutely love hearing other people’s take on blogging! everyone has something unique to bring to the tale. oh and you totally caught me on the blogger format. i’ve been tempted to switch but didn’t realize it was difficult for non blogger people to use! even though i must say that when i see someone is on wordpress.com i want to bang my head against the desk because it’s annoying for a non wordpress user to..well..use.
I love hearing other people’s takes on blogging, too! It’s interesting to see how it affects people in different ways. And the Blogger format isn’t difficult to use per-say, but I just irrationally don’t like it haha…I know, I’m crazy! But you’re right, WordPress.com just gives me a headache! haha
One of the biggest things I have learned is how important it is to reply to every comment you receive Thankfully since moving to WP this has become a much easier task. Creating community is hard work, but totally worth it.
There it is! You totally said it, Kate. I wholeheartedly agree about the importance of replying to comments AND that it’s hard work. But you’re absolutely right – so worth it! Blogging just wouldn’t be the same without it!
The more I read about blogging from others, the more I learn from it and the more I want to do with my blog. Thank you so much for this, it is very helpful, even if I am a couple of months down the road. It’s never too late to learn more 🙂
Totally NEVER too late! And I agree, I learn so much from hearing other bloggers’ opinions on blogging! Would love to read yours one day! 🙂
I am totally with you on hating blogger’s default commenting system. When we redesigned Text Sketches I was very adamant about not having my readers have to decypher a bunch of letters and numbers. And if I want to leave a comment on a blog and see that it uses blogger’s system, I would actualy rethink leaving a comment.
Loving disqus so far though.
haha Nino I am so with you! I also rethink my comments if it seems like it’s going to be a bunch of trouble. I’m also glad I’m not alone in hating Blogger’s default comment system. Glad you’re enjoying Disqus – I love it too!
I love, love, love THIS post! I have been working hard at creating a solid base for the blog and I’ll be pretty much bookmarking this post so that I can keep reminding myself of how to keep my blog fresh and connected. Also, I hate the default blogger comment system too….let’s throw rocks at it.
I am scooping up rocks to throw as we speak. 😉 And you are creating an AWESOME foundation for your blog. You just started it and it’s already taking off – seriously, look at you rock it girl! Can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you do with your blog. You’ve already built an awesome community there. 🙂
Mel, this is such a fantastic list! As a back on the wagon blogger it is fun for me to read about how you seasoned bloggers do it. My biggest takeaway from this list is to be a connector. What a lovely idea. I am also utterly charmed by your postcard blitz 🙂 Keep your blogging columns coming!
Thank you Amy! I’m so glad your biggest takeaway was to be a connector because honestly I think that is the best advice I could give about starting community…anywhere! The postcard thing was super fun, if you’re ever in a snailmail mood, you should try it! 🙂 Also, did you call me a seasoned blogger? I’m glad I’m hiding my newbish self better than I thought!
I love tip #5! I haven’t heard that one in any other blogging tips articles.
Thanks Shannon! It’s honestly my favorite tip on here so I’m glad you liked it 🙂
I LOVE THE NECTAR THAT I GET FROM THIS SITE! Don’t give me juice, don’t give me soda — give me the NECTAR! #slightlycreepy
But seriously! Honestly! Your blog is just… I cannot even articulate it. I just want to pinch its cheeks and give it a big grandma hug!
There’s so much good stuff here always, and this post is NO EXCEPTION. I love this! Your advice is so on-point and DIGESTIBLE! It doesn’t intimidate me — it makes it seem possible and FUN! I mean, when you wrote about How to Grow Your Blog, something clicked for me, and it inspired me, and honestly, things have been really opening up for me since then.
On top of that, this is just wonderful, too. I can’t tell you how much more community has been created since I got disqus instead of that awful default blogger system! And just… how I feel like I am starting to make real friends and connections — what I was hoping to do with my blog all along! And your blog has honestly been so helpful, a little guiding light, in encouraging that process and making it fun! And I also love disqus, too, because then I can leave comments that are letter-length and it’s more okay. (Maybe not but let’s just pretend.)
You’ve definitely touched on some things that I want to do more of now and also want to do more in the future. I’m not consistent enough to do a linkup yet (at least I feel… maybe I could do a monthly one or something) and I feel like I am still figuring out what my blog is, but this is a great reference that I will come back to time and time again (quite like your other post, too).
Keep spreading the “wisdom nectar” and blogging nectar and awesome nectar. Thank you for all you do!
(Hope this comment wasn’t too gushy!!! Mm, gushers… Remember those??)
Ha, you crack me up! Since you used to have blogger, can you let me know what you really think of Disqus vs blogger comments? I’m hesitant to make the switch because I love being able to respond via email that the public can’t see, but I also fear I’m not connecting with my “no-reply” commenters. I’d love your feedback!
Oh a,d Gushers! I remember them- dang, they were so good, and probably toxic.
Hahaha… “so good… and probably toxic.” HAHAHAHA! YES!
You know Rachel Sedaker, I thought I was going to miss it and I was really hesistant. But I decided to switch over, realizing that I could switch back if I hated it.
Well, let’s be honest: I haven’t looked back!
What I like about disqus besides the e-mail notifications to RESPONSES to your comments, too, is that it makes it more of a public discussion. Like even the discussion we’re having right now on Mel @ The Nectar Collective’s blog is something that would sort of end on blogger. Yes, you can have those private discussions and those are totally fun, too, but I also like that other people can jump in on it. I also enjoy reading the responses to OTHER comments from the blogger, too, and I think a lot of good discussion can happen in the comments.
So in terms of furthering conversation and creating community among the readers (and not just a direct line between you and the commenter), I love it. I also think people are more likely to check back… I find myself forgetting to go back to blogs that don’t have a notification system (and there’s also the problem that not everyone has a reply-to e-mail address on blogger, either. Maybe about 50-75% don’t???) 🙂
It’s been good, easy, and I’ve noticed other recent adopters have also had way more comment traffic as well. Could be a coincidence, but I think not! 😉
Ah, thank you so much, Erika! This is good stuff to know. I know I wish all wordpress bloggers used Disqus (because I hate logging in to WordPress, and also because I never know when I get a response). Maybe one day, we will all have a unified commenting system that makes everyone happy? One can dream…
Haha… I never go back to WordPress comments, it’s true. I’d prefer that as well… and it asks me to login at weird times. ALSO it took forever for me to figure out their login system… I was like, “But I don’t have a wordpress acount…”
I have a dream that one day… all people will be able to comment and respond to those comments… regardless of the content of the comment… regardless of the blogging platform… I HAVE A DREAM! 😛
Comment Queen does it again!! Seriously, I need to screenshot these and put them in my happy folder, because they make me grin and feel so happy and full and ahhhh! Anyways, now is probably the point when I should say thank you. So thank you for being such a sweet sweet supporter of me and my blog. It seriously means more than you could imagine!
I’m really glad Disqus has been great for you too! (I see those heaps of comments on your blog…it’s not like I didn’t already know it was rockin’ out for you!).
Also, I’m an INFJ so nothing is too gushy for me 🙂
ENFP + INFJ = GUSH FEST!!!
And why thank you!!!! I’m so glad!!! *puts crown on head* 😀
Thank you so much for sharing this! I found it really insightful. Your blog has become one of my favorites since finding it. You seem like a really awesome, genuine person! It’s refreshing to find that on the internet!
I check my email in a daze in the morning because it wakes up my mind and when I read your comment upon waking up, it totally made me feel so happy and ready for the day! Thank you for that and I’m so glad you could join me on my blog! 🙂
awesome post! just as your blog 🙂 no, really! you’re so kind with your advices..and I’m so happy to know you, and your blog! X
thanks so much for sharing it with others! there’s always a place for learning something new!
“there’s always a place for learning something new”
I totally agree with that and love how you articulated it! And thank you, I’m so glad you liked this post. You are really such a sweetheart, Vaida! 🙂
So happy that you started this, Melyssa! As you already know, you’re a huge blogging inspiration (blogspiration? Too far?) to me and to gain some insight into how you create your content is huge! I love how authentic your posts are and how I always feel happier when I click on your page- I can always come here for a good smile! I also like how you seem to be big on relationship building, which is huge! I’m a people person and like to (try) and connect with my readers. Even though I’m like that person you talked about- 1 comment, 14 page views *meep* I still try to respond and have genuine interactions whenever possible. Am so looking forward to the continuation of this series! x Have you created a media kit yet? That’s something that I’m trying to read up on!
I feel the same way about this blog, @kaylischattner:disqus 🙂 You said it!
Right?! We might as well just start a fan club.
We’re already in it! HAHA!
I’ll order the t-shirts, k? They will say: “Monja for President.” 😉
Yes! And it can have his face on it with his eyes looking up at that the sky staring at a bird he’s trying to chase! They will be light blue…am I going too far? Can totally see this in my head.
Hahaha, I think too far was a few steps back!!!
We can call our fan club “The Creeper Collective.” HAHAHA
Hahahaha, oh my gosh, YES. It will be epic.
HAHAHAH
This is spot on because Monja LOVESFUHSOIFVGUSDA chasing birds.
Aw Kayli you are just a bundle of sunshine every time I talk to you! Thank you for your sweet words! You’re definitely right though, I think relationship-building is SO important in life and to our mental health and wellbeing. So glad you’re with me on that and I can totally see it in you. Trust me, keep building those genuine interactions and you WILL get more readers. It does take time but you’re already a sweet, community-loving girl so I definitely think you’ve got it! And I have created a media kit – I’ll talk about that in my next blogging post! 🙂
Yay! I can’t wait to read about yours! Thank you so much for your kind words- I try to be as genuine as I am in person as I am online, and I think it pays off!
Love this! So helpful. I know one of the things I need to do MUCH better is reach out to other bloggers. I love reading other blogs but I’m usually a lurker (yes I just admitted to being a creep) who doesn’t really comment. It is my goal to change that!
haha it’s ok for most of my life I was a lurker too! And then I read posts like this one and realized I needed to reach out a little more. I’ll admit, it’s a lot of work, but definitely makes this whole blogging thing more fun! 🙂 By the way, I saw someone wearing yellow and cobalt blue shoes today and it totally reminded me of you because in your design form you said you liked those colors. Now IIIII feel like a lurker!
As a complete newbie, I found so many great points here. I’m bookmarking this too!! (Seriously, how can you stand my comments? I’ve been saying this very sentence in almost comment I leave here.) I’ve been reading several blogs for years now, and have always just lurked around. I never ever Ever left a comment anywhere… until I finally took the plunge and started my own little one. Networking is extremely time consuming though, that’s why I’m probably the worst blogger in terms of reaching out and connecting with potential followers.
haha how can I STAND your comments? More like, how did I ever live without them before!? They always make me smile, that’s a wonderful thing! 🙂 And I feel you about networking being time consuming. I work part-time now so it’s really helpful for reaching out to people and networking and basically doing everything I listed above! But with busy lives, work, school, etc, it can be nearly impossible! Whatever works for you is definitely the best option 🙂
I love your advice! Comments are my favorite thing about blogging, but I’ve been hesitant to switch from blogger comments to disqus- I like being able to have a personal email response. The biggest trouble with blogger is no-reply commenters- I fear they have no idea I’ve responded to them! I respond to absolutely every comment I receive on my blog, and I love it. I love connecting with people. I also love how you act as blog cupid- that is so cool!
It’s so funny — I was going to respond to this and try to talk you into disqus and then I saw your comment down below! 🙂
I love comments too! It’s so amazing to share your thoughts and have people actually respond! I think Erika laid out all the benefits of Disqus for you already, but I’ll add one other thing – when someone leaves you a comment, their email address is sent to you, too! So technically if it was a personal comment, you could totally use that email address to send them an email instead of replying to their comment. 🙂 I definitely get you though about wanting to keep that personal connection!
Ah, that is so good to know! I’ve made the switch now, so here’s hoping things go smoothly!
“Ain’t nobody got time fo dat”
hahaha! I love you Melyssa >.< x
hahaha I love you back Louise!! <3
Awesome post! Number one is why I had so much trouble kick starting my blog before this one but now I’m just letting loose terrible jokes and all.
Social Media and I are frenemies but I do see it’s potential I’m just a really awkward social panda so I’m working on that.
You know one of my fave things about your blog is the amazing banter that goes down in the comments makes me grin like a child because of the community you’ve built here.
Pretty fab!
haha terrible jokes are where it’s AT! I actually really like them! Because you have to be more vulnerable to let loose the crappy jokes.
haha social media frenemies. Start with your bad jokes and I’m sure you’ll make friends in no time! But at least you’re working on it! That’s about all we can ever do 🙂
And thank you for that last comment, I totally loved it! Honestly I love reading the comments down here too! People say some hilarious things!
Oh Melyssa, what would we do with out you?! I need to print this out! 🙂
hehe *grin* Do it!! 🙂
Great post Melyssa! I’ve hated the blogger default comments for so long too but never did anything about it…. til now! I just made the switch to disqus! Yay for me! Seems it was a good move too reading all these positive comments! Here’s to community building!! x
Yay I’m excited for you and I hope you like it!! I think Disqus is pretty much where it’s at 🙂
Thank you for sharing this with us! I’ve only been on blogger for a week and a half and would love to gain a bigger readership who will follow my blog for updates whenever I write a new post. I’m still trying to find my way around, but this definitely helped me a bit further already! It’s so complicated, because you can connect with so many different social media sites, but I try and keep everything updated. It’s a bit scary, though!! 🙂
Hang in there! It can definitely be overwhelming at first (and if we’re being honest, keeping up with all the different forms of social media can still overwhelm me!). But it’ll definitely get better! Maybe focus on building up one social media site at a time so you can give each one your best shot? I’d start with Twitter 🙂 Most of all, have fun with your blog and congrats on getting it started!
Haha, I think you’re onto something with the photo-shopping people’s face on their dogs
Totally normal, right? 😉
love these! the amazing thing about blogging and about getting into the blogging community is that we all learn and grow so much together – blogging changes SO quickly that if we don’t all help each other figure things out, we’ll miss out too. thank you 🙂
I totally agree! It’s definitely a fun hobby for all of those reasons you named. 🙂
Great advice! Your blog is definitely one of my favourites to read, and as a blogger I can see that you practice what you preach which is an inspiration in itself.
My biggest problem with blogging is that I’m still not fully committed to it. I want to be…sort of….but I haven’t made that leap yet. I’m a reluctant blogger, and perhaps that needs to change in order for me to get more from it.
You’re so sweet, thank you Amy! I blogged on lots of different blogs before starting this one and I was exactly the same way – I loved blogging, but once a week was good enough for me and I didn’t want to take the time to get super involved with it (and trust me, it takes a looot of time!). But for some reason I just decided to commit to it and I’m really glad I did! I think it will all just happen that way when it’s meant to. 🙂
I love this series already! Your post on how to grow your blog was one of the very first posts of you that I ever read and ever since then I’ve been not only following you, but I have started to look at blogging from a different angle and for that I will be forever thankful! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you’re going to talk about next!
xx
You’re so sweet, Melanie! It’s crazy to think that was one of my first posts you ever read…for some reason you just seem like an old soul, like you’ve been around the blogging world for so long! 🙂
I think it really only seems that way because I became kind of obsessed with blogging! 😉
Love this! A community is what makes your blog thrive. I also think it’s important for bloggers to remember that it’s not necessary the quantity of your community (which it is always amazing to have so many readers) but to find solace in the community itself, even if it’s just two or three people. Thank you for shairng!
I totally agree with you Angel! I also think it’s easy to get caught up in numbers (how many people commented? etc) instead of valuing the people that DO always read and comment on your work. Thanks for that reminder – it’s definitely an important one!
Hey Mel! Loved this post – so many good ideas and tips. I had an idea for you – it might be super lame but here it goes: Even though I’ve been blogging for a little over a year I only got interested in this world of blogging and all its potential a couple months ago. I’d love for you to do a post about how to create those cute “icons” (is that what they’re called?) you create – for example the weekly wishes where you have the words with the pictures and I see so many other awesome bloggers creating their own portrait art! I’d love to know how to do that! Also I’m thinking of adding more pages to my blog across the top – currently I only have an about me page and want to add more but don’t know where to start. Or even like a “blogging for beginners” or something – even though I’ve been blogging for a year I still feel new to all of this. I’m constantly on blogs including yours going – “that’s so sweet! I want to do something like that too!!” I hope these requests aren’t too basic for you : ) I always love reading your blog and totally agree that you are a “blogspiration” lol! Thanks for starting this series!
Jenna you’re soso sweet! I love your ideas! I have a couple questions just to clarify – so for the icons you’re talking about, I use Photoshop, and I know that not everyone has that program. Do you think that if I share a post about it with using photoshop, people will be confused since they might not have the program? Am I losing you? haha. And you also mentioned how I got the pages across the top – are you talking about physically how did I get them there (i.e. how to create a new page) or something else? Thanks girl! Would love to answer your questions 🙂
Hey Mel – So here is newbie me being difficult again lol! I can’t figure out how to respond in the same thread so I’m just going to respond here – I didn’t realize you needed Photoshop to make those “icons” maybe you could do something a little more broad about what are good programs and equipment to invest in for new bloggers? I feel like there are a lot of tools out there designed up help bloggers but I am unaware of most – including different website (just ran across picmonkey.com which helps you edit pictures for free). In terms of the pages I guess what I mean is how to categorize them. Currently my only page is an about me page which I think is a good start but I’m not sure about what to do for other pages. I’m thinking of creating a page for each country I’ve traveled to, or to create something that’s independent of my posts, etc. I feel a little overwhelmed and so I still just have the about me page and no other pages! Lol I really want people to come to my blog and be able to spend time exploring it instead of just reading the current post and moving on. I know that’s a bit specific by person so it might be hard to do a post on but maybe something like how to create an engaging blog. Hope that clarifies things a little : ) Thanks for all your help!
OHOHOH! I can just explain the pages thing right now! So what I would do is create categories. On your wordpress dashboard, go to Posts, then Categories. And create a category for each “page” you want, like “travel” “books” or whatever you want! Then whenever you write a post about those topics, you can easily tag it with that category (the category should appear on the right when you’re writing your post and you can just select the correct one). Then you can go to Appearance, then to Menus and you should see your categories listed and then you can just click “add to menu” for whichever ones you want to be displayed. Then whenever people click “travel” or something, it will take them to all the posts you’ve written about travel.
And I’ve heard of Picmonkey! I’ve never used it but I’ve heard it’s a good picture-editing tool. Maybe I will check it out for a post 🙂
You’ve got some great ideas here, I especially love the postcard in the mail idea. In fact I’m really inspired to do that on my blog as well (giving you credit for the brilliant idea of course!) and this is on an unrelated note but I just have to say that I LOVE your button design for your weekly wishes link-up. Love the idea for the link-up in general actually! I am definitely your newest follower.
Haylee, you’re so sweet, thank you! The postcard thing was definitely one of my favorite things I’ve done here. You should totally do it!! And thank you for the button compliment! Little things like those are always fun to make 🙂 Thanks for following!!
great advice!! i would love to put a couple of these into practice! you are great 🙂
Thank you Elizabeth! I hope you try some out! And you are greater!! 🙂
Melyssa! I know I’ve been away for far too long…but know that I’ve been sneaking peeks every now and then at The Nectar Collective, and I have to say that you are doing SUCH a fantastic job of creating such a welcoming communal space here. I love how each new post is always so chock full of take-aways for your readers…you are such a generous writer in that way. And you do such a great job of welcoming us into your world. After leaving your blog, I always feel like I’ve been to Tokyo and back.
And thanks for the link love to my Reader Showcase! You are the sweetest. And while none of us are experts at this blogging game, I think we all can learn a lot from you, m’dear. You have such a unique, fresh, and positive on life and that trickles into your approach to blogging.
Love this series! Since you’re taking requests for posts, I’d love to read one from you on sidebar layout…or blog planning…or time management when it comes to blogging and living a full and rich life apart from blogging. (That’s what I’m trying to figure out right now myself….)
Major hugs to you, my friend! And congrats on all of your successes here at T.N.C.
Lauren
Lauren, it is SO great to hear your voice here again! And thank you so much for your sweet words. They really do mean a lot and I appreciate your support soso much. I loved your Reader Showcase and was so happy to include it. It’s a beautiful and generous idea. And if we’re giving congrats here, then I should probably congratulate YOU on all of your successes with the Thinking Closet. You are totally rockin’ out in the craft world my friend and it’s wonderful to see your blog grow and flourish. I will think of how to incorporate your requests into a future post. Thank you for the ideas!
Major hugs back to you! <3
Oh boy, I love that I ran across this post! And your blog, as well. I’m a new reader 🙂 I have actually been struggling with this! I’m a pretty new blogger and I’m not always sure how to “meet” people. So, this post is awesome. Thanks 🙂
I’m so glad it could help you, Sarah! And thanks for stopping by 🙂
Hey Mel! Can I just say what a fabulous job you are doing! Oh my goodness, I just literally stumbled upon your blog and what a surprise 🙂 Thank you so much for all this wonderful advice, I’ve been blogging for 18 months now and I think my silly blogger comments system (I know I know…. So tragic!!) is really preventing me from connecting. But I’ve got some fabulous ideas from you… Very inspiring stuff, you are amazing! Anyway, be blessed, thanks for bringing such joy to this world through your beautiful blog 🙂
Love Nat xxxx
Really informative blog post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
Hey! I realize this is sort of off-topic but I needed to ask.
Does running a well-established blog like yours take a
lot of work? I am completely new to writing a blog however I
do write in my journal on a daily basis. I’d like to start a
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Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for
new aspiring blog owners. Appreciate it!
This is a topic that’s close to my heart… Best wishes!
Exactly where are your contact details though?
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Thanks for the tips Mel! I love your blog because you can sense your personality and it’s so creative. I have been trying to build my blog community lately and will be putting some of these awesome ideas into play. Also, how do you add disquis? Is this pretty simple?
I truly love your site.. Pleasant colors & theme.
Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create
my own site and would like to find out where you got this from or what the theme is called.
Appreciate it!
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I’ve just found your blog today, and I’m so excited about it! I love how your personality shines through. Thank you for writing this post. It’s great advice and wonderful encouragement for a person like me who hasn’t been blogging all too long…
Aw I’m glad to hear that, Kayse! Thank you so much! 🙂 Good luck on your blogging journey!!
Thank you 🙂
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A lot of people add a question at the end of the post and in the early days of my own blogging I did the same.. but I find it quite forced now. Blog content should be good enough that you don’t need a question. I no longer include questions and I always receive a high level of engagement with my readers. I think the “ask a question to prompt engagement” works more as a barrier than a tool for engagement; I think it can come across as a little condescending rather than encouraging.
I’m a huge advocate for answering all comments though, this is so important it’s unreal. I see so many bloggers not responding and it’s bizarre – why blog if you don’t engage with your readers.
[ Smiles ] Excellent advice and I like the idea that you have chosen the Disqus commenting plugin.
Thanks Renard! And thanks for stopping by to my blog! 🙂
[ Smiles ] You are most welcome, Mel!
I am strongly considering changing to Disqus now! One of the reason I don’t always reply to comment because I realized with the regular Blogger comments that I have there is no way for people to know I responded to them. It is also frustrating when I ask a question on another blog and I have to keep checking checking back to see if they answered. Almost makes you not want to comment. Also I know you suggest saying more than than just thank you in your comment replies, and I hate just saying Thank you, Thanks , Thank you, do you have any suggestions for better replies when people just leave a simple comment (hope that makes sense). Thanks for the article 🙂
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I think you’ll love Disqus since it combats all of those things you mentioned about Blogger’s comments! I always get an email and it emails readers when I respond. Plus the interface is nice. 🙂
As for what to do when people leave short comments — I usually like to think that my reply should match their comment. So if they leave me something longer and heartfelt, I’ll take the time to do the same. But if it’s a short “thanks!” then it’s natural to give them a short response. 🙂
Hey Melyssa, Loved this post! I really agree with community building. It’s just amazing knowing that there are people out there who just wait for your next move. lol It’s also an awesome traffic method since people tend to share your content all over the place.
I love how you ended it though. #9 is exactly where it needs to be! Don’t you think so? lol Being creative is exactly what blogging is all about. It’s about being ourselves and allowing a place for us to share with the world whatever is going on in our minds.
I appreciate you for sharing this! Great stuff! Keep it up! 🙂
Hi Pj! Glad you enjoyed this post. 🙂 And I totally agree — #9 is where it’s at! That’s really the fun of blogging, isn’t it? 🙂
Ohmygod YES. So useful!!! This is the exact question I keep asking, and you have given me the answer! Thank you so much! I love you for this!
xx Lane
So happy to help, Lane! 🙂
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The postcard idea is brilliant, so thoughtful. http://www.themoremandy.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you Mandy! That was such a fun community-building activity for me. 🙂
I only stumbled on this post via Bloglovin’, but I totally needed it today! I’ve been blogging for a little over a year now and feel like I’ve kind of lost myself in my worry about creating content people will read and comment on. As much as I love blogging most of the time, it’s tough stuff! The feeling of writing posts that vanish into thin air is all too familiar 🙂
Ahh I know that position and it’s tough, Somer. Is there a place where YOUR passion collides with what your people read and comment on? That intersection is the sweet spot and will make it so much easier to write content that feels good both for you, and for them. 🙂
Thank you really good tips !!! Love it
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Woohoo! 🙂
We shall take notes and hope it helps our blog grow! Thank you for this 🙂
Woohoo! Hope it helps you, too, ladies!
Hello, I just found you on Bloglovin’. I love your posts! Thanks for sharing.
Aw thank you Sara, I really appreciate that. 🙂
Melyssa, this post is gold! I mean, that idea of sending out postcards is just absolutely genius. The next time I travel to an awesome place I’m definitely putting that out there for my readers. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, loving it! <3
Thank you Grace! Glad you liked that idea. I really enjoyed doing it — I think I’ll do it again! 🙂
Excellent, I think I am reading most of your articles here! Hahaha
you are very engaging.
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You’re so sweet. Thank you for reading, Ifeoma! 🙂
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Hi Melyssa! This post was so helpful and hilarious. I’m a new reader here, and just participated my first #Nectarchat and I’m hooked on this place. Thanks for being so insightful and for the laugh. 🙂
That’s so awesome to hear! I’m glad you found #NectarChat
I totally agree with the comment part, sometimes it’s easier not to comment when they’re asking you to do math or look at super blurry pictures. It’s frustrating.
I’m still working on building my community, I feel like I have a good readership but no real relationships with people
Definitely! That is totally understandable – social media is a great place to start building those friendships!
Thanks so much for these great ideas! I’m slowly building an audience and these are great tips!
That’s awesome, keep up the amazing work! >_<
This was such an amazing post! I love these tips. Thank you so much <3
xx, Carmen – http://www.carmitive.com
You are so welcome, Carmen!
Love this, really useful and fab tips! x
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Thanks so much! 🙂
Ah this is awesome. I love the postcards idea, such a great and original way to build a genuine connection with your readers. Also, number 5 is bomb. I wouldn’t have thought of it, but I can definitely see it being a game changer in terms of building a community.
xx
IMAN | MANIGAZER
It’s so cool to link people up! I love to doing that one 🙂
Grab some stationery and get to it! Snail mail is so fun 🙂
I hate the blogger comment system as well!!! So glad someone else feels the same way.
SOO with you, Ria 🙂
Very awesome list! Quick Question, Can you go into a bit more info about what a link up is I have never heard of it before and I’m definitely intrigued on trying it 🙂
p.s. If I missed the link on it, i’m new to your site <3
I think what she meant was like a weekly subject that you’ve got a different aspects for or something you’ve a lot to talk about, for example I’ve this new linkup about the Egyptian actresses style in old movies (50,60,70’s…) and I talk about a different actress every week! IN.THE. MOST. FUN. WAY. OF. COURSE!!! Anyway great tips Melssya!
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oh okay, so like a series almost? That sounds fun thank you for the inspiration both of you
Thank you so much for sharing this list! Your advise is so helpful! I especially LOVE the idea of the postcards, that is so cute!
Allegra xx
http://www.allegraghiloni.wordpress.com
Thanks so much, Allegra! Snail mail is awesome to send and receive 🙂
Need to use Disqus too, anyone know how to do it?
Kiran | http://www.alittlekiran.co.uk
Go to disqus.com and find how. It’s very easy, trust me.
Good luck
miriwhispers.blogspot.com
Thanks Miri! And let us know if you need help Kiran 🙂
Such great tips, thank you! I found the Disqus commenting system from blog posts like this that talk about building community and love it so much 🙂
Diana | thechicdiary.com/blog
So glad you found Disqus! 🙂 I hope it works out well on your site.
Thank you! An easy read for a new blogger/old fitness coach! (Yes… I’m 51 with the mind/spirit of a twenty something!) I’ll keep following!
~Beth
I love it, Beth! Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂
Stumbled upon this post through Bloglovin’s newsletter and I’m loving it. Thanks for the great insights… especially on your bit about punctuation!
You’ve inspired me to be a little more outgoing with my writing!
Best,
Colby | Fossypants.com
I’m so glad to hear that, Colby! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I got here through SEMrush, I added it to my book marks folder. You actually give ACTIONABLE advice with real insights and tools (instead of just talking concepts with no examples). Thank you for the info.
I’m so glad you found this post helpful 🙂 Best of luck to you my friend!
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Thanks so much for the kind words, Casey! Best of luck to you and please keep me posted on your progress 🙂
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Oh my gosh, Melyssa! Thanks for writing this! I totally struggle with being social online because I’m such an introvert. Seriously, it’s extremely difficult for me to go onto social media and engage with people…Not really sure what the deal is but it’s just not natural for me somehow. Anyway, I would completely LOVE if this would be the next course/workshop/webinar that you put out to help blogger/solopreneurs be more engaged online and learn how to really connect to mentors and followers. Thanks for the great read!
Thanks for the suggestion, Kristen! You might not be good at it now but it’s all about baby steps. Get outside of your comfort zone just a tiny bit every single day and you’ll get there! There was once a time when I’m sure you had no idea what “hosting” and “plugins” were but look at you now! 😉
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I really didn’t understand, what is a link-up. Maybe because english isn’t my mother language. Could you please axplain shortly? 🙂