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Groups & Tribes {Finding Support in the Blogosphere}

Well, hello, Tuesday! Are we here already? I’m super excited today because I’m collaborating with a group of fabulous {crafty} bloggers {who are totally out of my league} on a series called, Grow Your Blog! Pretty appropriate since we are in the middle of a blogging series here, aptly (and predictably titled), How *I* Write a Blog Post. (Aren’t you glad you stopped by today with titles like those?)

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Anyway, welcome to you from Live. Laugh. Rowe’s Grow Your Blog series and yesterday’s hostess-with-the-mostest, The 39th Avenue! And to the rest of you old-timers, grab something from the fridge and let’s get started!

I have been blogging for a long time–in fact, last Friday was my FIVE YEAR blog-iversary! And when I first started blogging, there were not linky parties on every street, there was no Twitter, no Pinterest and no Facebook. We were just mom bloggers! You just did what you did and hoped someone read it. Your biggest form of PR was to read other blogs and leave comments. Basically, to grow your blog you had to be a reader.

And that’s where my community began. I read blogs and commented. Those bloggers read my blog and commented. If someone left a comment I didn’t know, I’d go to their blog, start reading and comment. That was it. You grew your blog by making friends.

That’s what I love most about blogging. And it’s what I love about having a no-niche memoir blog. I find like-minded people here. We aren’t all crafty, or all homeschoolers, or whatever-other-niche is out there. We’re just those weird people who somehow became friends over pictures of our kids and stories of memories, dumb things that happen to us and musings we had to get out of our heads.

And somewhere along the way, SOCIAL MEDIA happened. And blogging exploded. And Facebook and Pinterest and Twitter and networking just took over! And you could get lost in the blogosphere!

If you want to grow your blog in the deep and fast moving waters of social media, you MUST have a group or tribe to help you! You had to find your people, your group and your clan to stay afloat in the awesomeness that has exploded in blogging and social media. Today I want to talk about those groups and how to find them, keep them and yes, even leverage them to help grow your blog.

Ready?

MY TOP TEN TIPS for FINDING, KEEPING & LOVING YOUR BLOGGY TRIBE

1.  Find Them

So, how do you find your tribe? Well, sometimes they just happen. Sometimes these groups form because you just can’t NOT be a group!

My first and most close-knit tribe is my #sisterchicks. My best friends in real life are my Sisterchicks–and when 4 of us went to Blissdom a few years ago, we added a few new chickies to our flock. These ladies are people we met online and couldn’t get enough of during the conference. People we wished lived in Atlanta so we could have GNOs with them every weekend!

blogging tribes

#sisterchicks photo by the fabulous aliciashomemaking.com

We talk on Skype (just text chat) every day. Nothing scheduled, nothing profound. Just chatting. But hardly a day goes by that one of us doesn’t say, “Hey, I need help with this post.” or “How much should I charge for this ad?” or “Did you hear about this opportunity?”.

It’s a safe place for us to share numbers, ask dumb questions and give advice. This group is also full of my closest friends. These are the girls that I pray for and pray for me. These girls would drop everything and fly across the country for me. I know they would because I’d do the same for them.

2. Find Them #2

My second group is a Please-Pimp-My-Post group. There’s about 20 of us from all corners of the blogosphere in a Google group. We have a single email address and when we have a really great post that we want to see do well, we email it to the group. Then it’s kind of up to everyone in the group to decide what they want to do with it. They can ignore it. (Totally legal.) Or pin it, stumble it, tweet it, comment on it or just visit it!

This is how my Creative Guest Book post got an insane amount of traffic–someone in that group Stumbled it right away and it got stumbled about 22,000 more times (that is not an exaggeration).

I know some people feel like this is cheating. It’s not organic or raw. I don’t. The blogosphere is not the oh-look-at-this-adorable-blog-I-just-found anymore. Blogging requires promotion. And to me this *is* an organic way to promote. There’s no pressure, no strings–I see it as a do-unto-others kinda thing. Someone shows me their heart and I want to promote it the same way I wish others would do mine!

Maybe we should rename it, The Golden Rule Group? That might be better than the pimping…

3. Find Them #3

My last group is a private Facebook Group of Atlanta bloggers. We don’t all blog about Atlanta, we just live here! We share our recent posts (similar to our pimping Golden Rule Group), talk about events in Atlanta, share PR contacts and generally figure out ways to get together at fun places in Atlanta!

This is a fast-moving, large group and if you ever need any kind of bloggy advice, contact or idea, this is the place to go! (If you blog in Atlanta and aren’t in this group, let me know and I’ll add you!)

4. Make Them

A few years ago, Staci, Mandi and I did a once-a-month-cooking day after reading Once a Month Mom. We tweeted about it, updated throughout the day and wrote blog posts about our experience. And we were not friends with Tricia, author of Once a Month Mom. We didn’t know her. We weren’t affiliates of her site. We just loved what she did and we wanted everyone to know it.

source: d sharon pruitt

Well, when we all went to Blissdom that next year, Tricia wanted to meet us! We became instant friends and are part of the #sisterchicks tribe today! Tricia is not in my niche. Her blog is way huge-r than mine. But because we bonded over mutual love and affection, we’ve stayed together!

I asked Tricia what she thinks about blogging tribes and groups. She said, “The most powerful group to be a part of is the one where you share ideals and ethics, not necessarily a niche, traffic or geography – because no matter what happens in life, it all comes back to your core beliefs. Some of the blogs in your group will grow, others will stay small. Some will bring in money, some will be purely entertainment. At the end of the day though, you need a group of people that you can laugh and cry with.”

Isn’t that good? But I know what you’re thinking, “Yeah, but how do I find these awesome people?!“

5. List Them

Start Twitter lists of your fave bloggers, people who RT you and people you want to be friends with. Organize your feed reader with a folder of MUST READS or MUST COMMENT blogs. I have Sticky Notes on my computer with linky parties I link up to regularly. Get involved in their blogs!

6. Get Strategic

Search out people who seem “bigger” than you AND “smaller”. I love love love this story from Becki at Infarrantly Creative about forming a tribe with different bloggers.

7. Don’t Freak Out

“I think the important part of niches/tribes is being OK with who are you and what you do. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing. If you don’t want to Tweet, DON’T. If you don’t like Facebook, don’t do it. Just be confident in your decisions.” -Jessie, Vanderbilt Wife (one of my #sisterchicks)

9. A Word About Stumble Upon

Stumble Upon is a great promotion tool for blogging. However, they have strict guidelines on self-promotion. And recently, they have removed direct-links which is a big blow to bloggers. Click on those posts to find out more!

10. In Summary


source: d sharon pruitt

Just like your real life, you need friends online. And you need support. You need people who are willing to talk you up and give up a little piece of themselves for you. Online that little piece might be a tweet or a pin. But these small gifts will bring big rewards for your blog.

And when you see your blog grow because of something someone did for you–it bonds you together! There’s a camaraderie when you work together! Here’s one more quote from one of my #sisterchicks about tribes…

Blogging can be hard and you know you’ve found your tribe when you don’t get jealous of their success… -Mary, Giving Up On Perfect

Now, go find some people you can get excited about promoting THEIR blog!
And please, leave us some insight in the comments–do you have a bloggy tribe?

:: :: ::

Thanks for stopping by and reading! If you’re here for the first time, I’d love for you to join us for Top Ten {Tuesday} today! All you have to do is WRITE a top ten post on your blog. Then LINK to me in it somewhere (you can use my cute little button if you want). Come back here and PASTE the direct url in the linky below. Then start LOVIN’ on the rest of the participants with visits, comments, tweets (#toptentues), stumbles, pins and more!

Don’t forget to continue on the Grow Your Blog Hop tomorrow at Carolyn’s blog, homework. She’s sharing a fabulous post about how Pinterest can grow your blog! Oh, and on Sunday, we’ll be hosting another Blog Hop where YOU can link up your blog!

And catch up on my how-to blog series while you’re here…
writing tips for blog newbies

Comments

  1. I love that you’re in multiple groups. I think that’s a great strategy. I have one group (that I started) that are my go-to girls. I once told my husband, “Sometimes, I feel like some of those of those girls would do anything for me.” It’s a nice feeling. 🙂

    I have thought from time to time, however, that it would also be nice to have some other people that were outside of that circle as well. So, the multiple groups you’re in is an idea I like.

  4. Happy Blog-iversary! Thanks for being so generous with your knowledge, tips and insights. I’ve really enjoyed reading them. I haven’t decided how far I (or God) wants me to take my little blog but I am really taking the info you give to heart.

  5. Love this, Amanda! So important that we consider ways to build community – both large and small. We need support and encouragement from each other.

    I especially love that you show how those bloggy friends become “real” friends!! That has been my experience as well.

    Love it!
    tl

  7. I have to admit, this post made me feel like a n00b. I’ve been blogging for 10 years now and have yet to join any kind of formal group like this. I’m so glad you shared this though because it gives me something to think about!

    • I think that’s kind of it–the formality of it. I have always had groups of people that I’ve loved and gravitated to. Even people I’ve felt free to email with questions. But having a group focused on that is really helpful!

      a

  8. I have only been blogging about one month and a half but I came across a mastermind group that I joined and it is great! We will post various bloggy posts we come across that might help the group. Saves some of the leg work for each if us!

  9. Thanks for the great advice! I’m new to blogging so I learned a lot! I want to join a group or tribe now!
    Also thanks for hosting Top 10 Tuesday!

  10. Thanks for this great post, Amanda. I am in a Chicago area bloggers group and I love having a local group of moms to share local opportunities with. I am in multiple facebook based blogging groups and I love them because it’s always nice to have people to bounce ideas off of 🙂

  11. I’ve found others to promote, but I haven’t found a group of bloggers who we all mutually promote one another. I’m really bad about asking others to promote my stuff… it’s just awkward for me.

  12. This was a great post! Now I just need to go find my tribe 🙂 ha ha. I think I’ve been doing things the ‘old fashioned’ way. Going to other blogs and commenting, hoping we’ll become friends.. and I’ve made some too. This post was full of good advice… I’m going to work on these things!

  13. Not long after I first started blogging I found a group of mummy bloggers and joined their site. I don’t participate in everything (actually just do one thing – an event every week or two where we visit each other’s sites and comment), but through them, have found a few really nice people who I’m also now friends with.

    I tend to just stumble across things, and if I like them, I visit whenever I have time – that’s how I found your blog a while ago, and started reading, and then my kids and I followed your Truth in The Tinsel book over Christmas and had fun making and posting our creations on FB, and through that, sort of “met” people too:)

    My blog is only little and isn’t something I promote anywhere or ask anyone to promote – it’s just a little project for me – it’s something fun to do and has generated lots of conversations btwn my friends and myself about all the little things we do with our kids, and I like that:)

  14. Wow, Amanda, these are SUCH great ideas. Now if I just had time to make those lists. . . . Seriously, though, I will be trying to do some of what you suggest. Thanks so much!

  15. Girl, I can’t tell you how much I love this post! I’m not the biggest fish in the pond, but I continue to blog because of the camaraderie in the blogging world. Those girls keep me going!! My fellow bloggers are usually so extremely supportive of one another, not matter the size of niche of your blog! I don’t care about being huge or even making money, I just want to find some new friends that have the interests as me (which in the “normal” world can be hard to find). Congrats on the 5 years! YOU ROCK!

  16. This is what I’m missing. Moving slowly through the blogosphere and hoping to create bonds with some of these amazing women with shared interests!! Thank you so much for this information.

  17. Great post! I love the virtual and real friendships I have made in our FB group and find a real sense of community there. We are all just women (and a few dudes) who, despite our differences, are there to support each other and truly practice the Golden Rule. *high-five*

  19. Fabulous post! I am about 6 months into blogging and seeking out support groups. I have found a few great ones, including the Atlanta FB group. I’m hoping to get to know the other bloggers a bit better and perhaps make some lasting connections like the ones you have described.

  21. Thanks for the great advice, Amanda! I am enjoying your blog series, as well as the Grow Your Blog series. I have been linking up to Top 10 Tuesdays for the past few weeks…. It is a great motivator and not so scary for a newbie like me!

  22. I just found you through Infarrantly Creative and am so glad I did! This is great info and I would LOVE to join your ATL FB group! I’m way OTP in Milton though. Off to read more of your posts! Happy Valentines! ~Stephanie @ Pinafores and Pinwheels

  23. Thank you so much for this post!! You have so many great ideas on how to help me grow my blog. I’ve never really thought about making friends with other bloggers, but it totally makes sense!! Thanks for helping me realize that! I’m really excited to make new friends and have fun with blogging. I’ve been blogging for about 4 years, but I just barely started my crafty/organizing/preparedness blog and I’m having so much fun with it!!

    Thanks again and I can’t wait to get to know you and your blog better:)

  24. I L-O-V-E this so much. This community thing is why I got into blogging in the first place. My blog tribe has gotten me through some hard times with that @#$% depression just by being there to be accountable to and to have that back and forth that makes the days go by at an acceptable rate.
    But it reminds me that I want to continue to grow my tribe or add another one. Thanks for that reminder and for the tips!

  25. These are fabulous ideas. I’ve been blogging for a little over a year and while I’ve “met” some great folks blogging I haven’t found tribe so to speak. How exactly did your group organize itself…or did it just happen? I live in Atlanta as well & would love to join the facebook group!

  27. Amanda, you’re post it awe to the some!! Thank you for being a contributor to this series. I’m sad to say that I don’t have one group that I’m a part of… and I really need one because there are days I need a little extra support, ,encouragement and/or a laugh {smile}. Maybe I need to search for a findyourbloggertribe.com dating site. LOL j/k.

    Hugs. Thanks again!
    Kelly

  28. The “pimp my post” group sounds like a good idea because you are mutually promoting everyone :-). Would it work to use Facebook for that kind of group and when you have a really good post you post it to the Facebook group to do with what they want? Just trying to think about logistics before trying to assemble a group 🙂 thanks for your great ideas!

  30. Thanks for the great ideas…. I have to admit I really haven’t ventured too far from my “niche” circles but I have so many other interests too…I will make an effort to get around more! 🙂

  31. Thank you for taking part in helping out so many others. I am new to blogging and have so enjoyed reading what you all have had to say. Thanks also for hosting a top ten link. It gave me a push to do a top ten. I have had fun thinking about the events in my life that made the list and I hope to post it today and link up. I have 3 little ones and the baby had 3 immunizations yesterday so we will see!!

    Have a blessed day!

  32. This is such a great post. This will be very helpful for bloggers. I enjoyed reading all the 10 tips for finding, keeping & loving one’s bloggy tribe.

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.

    -Callum

  33. This is a great post!!! I have a bunch of bloggers that I talk with a lot, but don’t really have a ‘tribe’ where we promote each other and such…it’s such a great concept though!

  36. Hi,
    I just found this blog through a fellow pinner on Pinterest. Great info here. I look forward to coming back and learning more.

  37. This is a completely fascinating idea. I’ve been trying to bootstrap up my own blog lately and haven’t had a clue how to do it. I’m sure it doesn’t help that I recently switched from Squarespace to Blogger, so a lot of my previous readers didn’t follow me (I like to think that now I know who was the most loyal!!) 😉

    I’m a little confused on how to find/make these groups though. Only a couple girls I know IRL blog, and while I’ve (virtually) met some great girls online that feel like kindred spirits, I’m not sure how I would go about forming them into a group. Was this something you all sat down and decided? I guess you must have since you have group names and all. I’d be curious to find out more about HOW to create a group like this.

    • Honestly, the “pimp my post” group (I’m the only one who calls it that, btw) happened after reading a post like this one about having “stumble groups”. I mentioned I wanted to be in one and a few other people said, “ME, TOO!” then we all kinda added some of our friends and then as we meet new people we like we might mention it to them and add them. Nothing formal, or anything.

      Altho’ at one point, one of the girls wrote a great email w/some tips on promotion on stumbleupon, etc. so we would all be on the same page.

      Does that help?
      a

  38. Oh one other question – how do you set up a group w/ one email? That sounds like a good way to do it, but I wasn’t sure how that worked exactly. Is it a separate email address that you all check or is it some sort of system that emails everyone?

  39. Sooo, we all want to be a part of a group, so why don’t we ALL just become a group???? It sounds like some of us have a group for support etc. but would be interested in a “golden rule” group for mutual promotion? If anyone wants to form a group like this email me! spoonfedbaby1 (at) yahoo (dot) com. Amanda, if this is totally out of line to do this here…let me know! Just seems like we all want the same thing, but it is hard to organize that! Going out on a limb here…..

  40. Thank s so much for the tips. I’m coming late to this series. I definitely need to find a group or tribe. I’m the only person I know who blogs and I have found a few blog friends, but this is an area I needed to work on and now I can make a plan!

    • Adorable I love the light in these photos they must not have been shot in Maine thoguh because I know it’s been colder than heck there!

  42. Amanda – your post has inspired me! Thank you. I have my little core blogger buddies group but now we are going to branch out and create Pimp my Post group…thank you so much for the ideas!!
    Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

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