Blogtrepreneur by Adam: The blogosphere is a big, scary place when you’re just starting out. There are millions of blogs and you may be competing with other, more established writers who have already established a following on the very subject of your blog. Some popular blogging genres include technology, politics, parenting, and fashion. True, you have your own unique spin on things; and that’s why you want to start up your own blog in the first place. But in order to lay a foundation for generating traffic and creating a brand around your blog, you need to accept one important fact: No Blog is an Island! That is, if you want to succeed as a professional blogger, you’ve got to form alliances.

The best way to start building your alliances is to search for as many other blogs that you can find on the same topic as yours. Make a list and visit them all every single week for three months, leaving thoughtful comments. With few exceptions, most bloggers aren’t making tons of money on their blogs. They write as part of their business or as a hobby. The one thing that keeps them motivated is getting real (non-spam) comments on their posts. After a few months of reading and commenting, you will probably have isolated a handful (10-20) blogs that you really enjoy reading and look forward to visiting.

At this point, send a polite message to the blogger and ask them if they would be interested in exchanging links with you. Tell them how much you enjoy reading their blog, that you’d like to add them to your blogroll, and that you’d appreciate a reciprocal link. The vast majority of the time they will be receptive to this request, especially if you’ve been commenting long enough that they recognize you have a genuine interest in reading their blog—not just swapping links.

Out of the group of blogs that you’ve exchanged links with, you may have formed a special relationship with one or two bloggers who have similar writing styles to you; or who you especially admire. You can then approach these individuals and ask them if they would be willing to allow you to do a guest post on their blog. Having a post on their front page with the link to your blog in the text will up your exposure, as will having the endorsement of an already popular blogger. Most bloggers would be delighted to allow you to guest post, since it’s free, original content for their site.

Finally, make sure that you have included all your blogging contacts in your social media circle. Most bloggers have accounts at Twitter, Facebook, and other sites. Be sure to include those folks in your own network and engage with them there, too. If your blogging friends post a Tweet, be sure to Re-Tweet it; and you can expect the same treatment in return.

The good news is that the blogging community tends to be very open. Sure there are some snobby ‘cliques’ out there, but the overwhelming majority of bloggers are ready and willing to help you promote your blog as long as you are willing to do the same for them.

Building Relationships With Other Bloggers [Blogtrepreneur]

• 0 Comments

  

Comments

 Add your own comments

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)

What next?

 Digg it

 Save This Page

 Subscribe to GetEntrepreneurial.com

 Leave a comment

Next Article: The Transformation Of Meaning... »

Previous Article: Small Business Startup Myths Debunked »

Steven Teo is a GE Network Expert. View Steven Teo's profile or read more articles from Steven Teo. Learn more about the GE Experts Network.

Have an expert opinion on issues entrepreneurs and small business owners face everyday? Join the GetEntrepreneurial.com Experts Network and share your expertise with the community!

The new GE Experts Network is inviting seasoned entrepreneurs and small business owners to come on board and contribute small business advice to our community of aspiring entrepreneurs. If you have an effective way of generating sales or you know how to use social networking to connect with your customers, join us in providing wider entrepreneurial content that would benefit small business owners worldwide.

Click Here to Learn More >>

Related Articles

 Ooh Local Activities » If you can find and do great, local stuff at home, why not do great local stuff that’s run by local people...

 Necktie Reuse » New Startups: Narwhal Company is the inspirational idea of an everyday person that was looking to move away from the 9-5 lifestyle...

 Dog’s Collar Comes with Tweets » "Puppy Tweets" dog’s collar allows dog owners to follow their dog on twitter. This plastic tag (introduced by Mattel), comes equipped with...

 Friend of Trends » Trend Friend is an online (and smartphone accessible) gift idea database that allows users to quickly find the trendiest gifts based on...

Need more brand new promising business ideas and innovations around the world you wish you'd thought of? Visit CoolBusinessIdeas.com now!

Ever wanted to be the CEO of your very own Starbucks or Amazon.com? Fire your boss and be your own boss? Now you can, with BIZNESS! - the free biweekly business newsletter about new business ideas, opportunities and innovations from around the world. More than just new business trends, BIZNESS! helps the aspiring entrepreneur (you!) with small business advice, business tips, and entrepreneur resources and opportunities.

   Subscribe for free now!    

---