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Jan
08
Networking - The True Essence Of Blogging
Although most of us jump into the blogging world with the hopes of making money, I personally find the true essence of it lies within networking. Honestly, my main objective when I started this blog was to make money as well. In the month of November I made about 300 U.S. dollars and since then it’s been a dead cash crop. But I have learned much more about blogging and what else I can achieve besides monetary benefits from this wonderful medium.
Since my perspective has changed I don’t look at blogging simply as a means to generate income. Ofcourse, a little supplmental income is nice but what about in the long run? In the long run I want people I know, people that are influential within a certain community, people I can learn from. This is what it all comes down to now when it comes to blogging and all this is possible through - Networking!
I have been able to build pretty good relations with some very influential bloggers and wonderful people. I just thought I would share some of my ways of networking and opening the comments section for you guys to share some with me,
It’s An Art
A painting made on a piece of paper can be as appealing and beautiful as the one made on a canvas. It all depends on how sincere and effective you are when you do it. The choice of right colors and the skill in presenting yourself is the biggest factor.
Before you start networking with some of the big names, this is exactly what you need to keep in mind. What you are trying to do has most probably be done by someone else already. Instead of whipping a quick email to say hi and I like your content, try something different, it still is the same painting but you are a different artist. Prepare your email or the way you prefer to contact with utmost urgency. Build an art form, you are an artist when it comes to networking, although it’s a simple email, write something that would grab the eyes and attention of the person receiving it.
Create an email that would compel the person on the other side to reply you and one reply can go a long way. We will talk more about that as we go on.
Feel The Joy
Handshaking takes two hands. You need to give your hand out before the other can join in.
Don’t always be on the receiving end when it comes to networking. Be at the giving end first and you will receive without asking and unconditionally. You raise your children so that they become something and hopefully take care of you as you wither down. But you need to give unconditionally in order for that to happen. It takes time. Similaryly when networking try and analyze what you can give before you ask for something in return. Most of the times a simple thank you email can go a long way. But again it all comes down to how you write it and present it.
Create an art form of networking communication and feel the joy of giving. You are in for a big surprise and some great circle of influencers.
Build a Strategy
These are some of my strategies and so far it has been very fruitful. I try to incroporate these strategies and if these don’t work all you need to do is be a little creative and take a different route that most others haven’t yet. It’s all about how you do it and how you stand out from the crowd.
Don’t Always Aim For The Big Fish
Next time you think about networking, make a note to send emails to your commentators and readers. A blog is a medium to communicate and although most readers come to read what the blogger is saying, they use the comment section to interact with the blogger. Try and send them an email thanking for their time and see if they are new to blogging. Ask if they need any sort of help with anything. Once again, remember, networking is about giving first and then you will be at the receiving end without even asking.
So these are some of the ways I think of networking. I have used this blog extensively to network with new and popular bloggers. The result has been worth more than any amount of money I would have probably made within these short months. The good thing - if I start something now I have people that will help me out and help me get the word out, giving me more exposure.
What do you think? How do you network and what’s your take on this? Why did you start blogging? Yes we all have a passion for it but besides that, was it money or something else? Please share your thoughts!
Hi, I like your content!
Beautiful article.
I have had the same thing happen to me - initially wanting money, but realizing in just a short time how much more important the people are.
Thanks for this post
Hey,
As an aspiring writer, I know of a phrase which you have beautifully described here by saying:-”What you are trying to do has most probably be done by someone else already.”. In literary language its called ‘ anxiety of influence’. It stops a lot of writer and as you explained bloggers to approach their strategy in a righ way.
ManoDogs
Thanks! Did you subscribe?
Brian
I agree! Like I wrote on the post, at first it was all about earning cash but later as I came to knew more and more people, I realized there is something more to gain besides money from blogging - friends!
hersh
Thanks for your comment! I think, there is very little room left when it comes to doing things differently. but if we try and develop a strategy from our own personality type we should be able to do things differently then how others did it.
This is one of the few blogs on my reader that I actually read, and I have like over 100 blogs on my reader! Great post ritu. I’m always here reading your stuff, even if I don’t comment.
Networking is such a critical part of life in general, and not just in blogging. It’s all about the people you know! So happy networking
I can’t agree with you more. It’s true. Regardless what online business you are doing. You need to put networking as part of your marketing strategies.
Without the networking, you won’t get a good long term reputation.
Wish you good luck on money making.
By the way, where did you get this wonderful image? Would you mind to share that with me?
Thanks!
I [i]did[/i], I did subscribe!
If you dig comics, humor, politics, and general pop-culture and Americana, check me out and throw it in your Bloglines. And feel free to comment - I used to get at least 2-3 comments a day and it’s been slow lately.
Keep up the good work.
turtie
That is very nice of you that you read WnP everytime I post and I do know you take the time to stop and comment as well.
It’s because of readers like you that make the whole blogging so much more fun. I have come to know you from this blog and I have had the pleasure exchanging emails regularly with you. Blogging and Networking does go hand in hand.
Terence Chang
Thanks for sharing your views and yes! without networking its hard to build credibility and get yourself out there.
By the way, here is the link where I got the image for this post : http://imageafter.com/image.php?image=b10nature_plants004.jpg
ManoDogs
Hey, thanks for subscribing! You got a cool blog and I did gently drop it on my Bloglines instead of throwing it down
networking can be a pain and you don’t see results until later. But man, making one connection makes up for everything!
I think you make a good point on not always aiming for big fish. There are still so many opportunities for us and work together to do something remarkable.
Daniel
I agree! Like everything else networking does take time.
Also when you team up with people that stand right where you are at, networking becomes more of a learn from each other deal then just a one way kind of a thing.
Yea I didn’t realize that blogging was mostly about knowing other people in your niche or someone who is getting popular to get on the a-list. At first I just thought it was about writing posts, and commenting to get noticed.
Getting to know some new bloggers is another way of getting yourself into the network. Sometimes a new blogger will succeed greatly in attracting readers. And if you were there to help them when they started off they tend to remember to share some link love.
First time visiting, Ritu - great post!
This post on networking… is resonating with me. I don’t use E-Mail very often in my networking and I think I’m missing out on something big.