It’s easy to fear and dislike The Competition. However, it’s better to see other bloggers in your niche as potential allies…even friends. In fact, doing so can increase your blogging success. Today, freelance writer Beth Bauer (@JourneyofBethB) explains the many benefits of forming strong ties with other bloggers—inside or outside your subject area.
It’s tempting to think of other bloggers as competition, especially if the topic they cover is similar to yours. But that’s the wrong perspective. Instead of competition, see other bloggers in your niche as your support network.
In fact, other bloggers can be a tremendous asset. They can become sources of inspiration, confidants, lifelines, colleagues, and friends. For these reasons, forming relationships with other bloggers is essential to your success.
Problem Solving
Is that new app driving you crazy? Having trouble with the latest WordPress plug-in, or trying to decide if you should go to the upcoming conference in New York? Other bloggers are probably having many of the same issues. In fact, not only might those in your blogging network be able to provide you with answers, you might know how to help some of your blogging buddies resolve their problems as well.
Your network of bloggers is a fantastic source of information and experiences. They’re an asset, and you should treat them accordingly. The world of blogging is always changing, and there’s a lot to learn, regardless if you’re a seasoned veteran or rookie. Problems come up all the time, and your fellow bloggers can give you some great ideas on how to solve them.
Guest Post Opportunities
When you begin to network with other bloggers, you might find some write on similar topics or have a common thread in their content. For example, if you meet another blogger that has a relationship blog and your niche is psychology, perhaps you can write a guest blog for their site on the psychology behind serial dating. Of course, you should reciprocate and allow this blogger to do a guest blog on your website. Their audience might be a bit different than yours, but cross-posting will expose a whole new group of readers to your blog and vice versa.
Providing guest posts also helps you expand your writing skills. Writing for a new audience gets your creative juices flowing and helps you become a better blogger.
Also, don’t take rejections from other bloggers personally. Their site may not be as good of a fit as you think, or the timing might be wrong. Always be professional in your response to other bloggers, just as you expect them to be respectable to you if you denied their request for a guest blog.
Accountability Partners
Sometimes it’s challenging to stay motivated when you work alone. You need a team of reliable individuals with whom to share your successes and to turn to when you need to be talked out of giving up.
Consider forming an accountability partnership with other bloggers. You each review the other’s work and check-in to see how you’re progressing towards your goals. If for some reason you suddenly stop posting, they’ll notice, and ask you about it. Accountability goes hand in hand with success.
Gain Access to Groups
Often, when you begin networking with other bloggers, you get invitations to join Facebook groups, networking groups, or even a mastermind of bloggers. These groups are incredibly valuable! The members share and discuss industry trends, insights, challenges, ideas, and more.
Imagine being surrounded by people who help mentor and support you. That’s what these types of groups do. They help each other, which leads to increased success for all involved.
Make New Friends
Blogging from home in your pajama pants all day may sound cool, but it gets old sometimes. We all need, and even crave, human interaction. Blogging may be a solitary job, but that doesn’t mean you have to be lonely or isolated.
Other bloggers are like coworkers without all of the drama. You’re all running your own sites and working individually, but you’re aware that you’re going through similar struggles. These bloggers can become your friends, and over time, the bond grows stronger. It all starts with reaching out. Get out of your comfort zone a little, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of your new relationships.
There are lots of great reasons to reach out to other bloggers, introduce yourself, get to know them, and form relationships. From brainstorming to emotional support, you’ll find it rewarding and wonder why you never did it sooner.
What do you have to lose?
Put your fear of rejection aside. Ask around, do a Facebook search or Google “blogging groups near me.” Forming relationships with other bloggers is essential to your long term success. Eventually, as you start building your blogging network, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without these relationships.
How have relationships with your “competition” helped you achieve blogging success? Tell me in a comment below.
About the Author
Beth Bauer is a freelance writer, travel blogger, yoga instructor, and entrepreneur currently working on her third novel. She has traveled to over 20 countries in just the last two years and enjoys life as a digital nomad. She is originally from the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.A., and when she’s home lives on the Long Beach Peninsula with her dog, Ozzie.
Photo courtesy of MMoodboard |123RF.com
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