I’ve been blogging for several years now and there are some things I’ve learned about the blogging community.
Some of these surprised me, and they might just surprise you, too!
The Blogging Community
When I first started blogging, I felt like I’d found my tribe:. There was a blogging community? Who knew?!
At last, people who understood my passion for all things bloggy! They understood terms like “link building”, “organic reach”, “sponsored posts”, “SEO” and other terms – whereas most people would just stare at me blankly.
On the whole, I’ve found the blogging community to be wonderful, caring, supportive, and generous with sharing their wisdom and advice.
But: I’ve learned not to depend on them too much. Here’s why:
- Just because you love their blog, doesn’t mean you’ll love them in person.
- In the same way, online friendships don’t always translate to real-life friendships.
- Just because you really hit it off with a blogger in person at a workshop or conference, doesn’t mean you’ll love their blog. Sadly. I’ve met some awesome people but have found it a chore to follow them, as I’m just not interested in their blog niche or writing style or …
- Just because somebody has a blog – even a highly successful blog – doesn’t mean they write well. Blogging isn’t fair that way. No matter how fabulous a writer you might be, it still doesn’t necessarily lead to fame and fortune. Conversely – just because your stats are ordinary, it doesn’t mean you’re not a great blogger.
- Just because I don’t get many comments on a blog post, doesn’t mean that it’s not being read. The reality is, other bloggers are mostly the ones who take the time and effort to comment – because they know what a buzz it is to see somebody interacting with your blog!
- And finally – even though it’s great to be involved in the blogging community, to read other blogs, comment, and follow them on social media, actually, you’re probably better off trying to build a readership that is NOT composed of bloggers. I was talking to a PR rep not long ago, and discovered that they actually seek out bloggers that have a “real” readership, not just other bloggers (sorry bloggers, I don’t mean to say you’re fake or don’t really exist!).
So there you have it – just some of the things I’ve learned about the blogging community.
I still love it. I still want to be a part of it. But I think it’s important to remember it’s not the be-all and end-all of this blogging game.
What are your thoughts about the blogging community? I’m particularly interested to hear from you if you are NOT a blogger – though as always, all comments are read and treasured! 😉
Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT.
Great post!
Agree with it all.
Interestingly, while all my commenters are bloggers, most of my readers are not bloggers. And I was a little bummed about that which is why I’ve decided to create a linky to try and attract more bloggers to hang out with me. I like the community …
But at the same time, it’s nice to know that the bloggy world is so much bigger than bloggers.
It’s hard to find just the right balance!
Ooh, controversial 🙂
I like your comments and definitely agree that the only people that comment are bloggers – my posts get lots of hits, but relatively few readers stick around to comment.
I would love to have some of my lurkers de-lurk!!! It would be great to “meet” them!
Interesting post – I’m only just starting out in blogging and did wonder about the “echo chamber” nature of it all. Having come from a print media background, it’s all very different. Thanks for your insights.
It is very different Alix, I freelanced for magazines and edited one myself many moons ago. I love the immediacy of blogging, getting reactions and feedback … you wait, you’ll be addicted before you know it! 😉
Yep, all true. Still worth being a part of this wonderful world! My most visited posts haven’t attracted as many comments as others. Can’t work out the stats, so I don’t even try anymore!
I guess it’s because only other bloggers truly understand that it is meant to be a two way street of communication 🙂
Thank God for other bloggers then. I must admit I’m very reluctant to comment on blogs where I haven’t come to know the blogger. A lot of people who read our blogs are passive users of the Net. They wouldn’t dream of leaving a comment. Even ‘liking’ something on FB is confronting to them. There are some bloggers who I’ve met IRL and they write posts I find difficult to comment on at times but I do try. Comments mean so much to all of us. x I loved you when I met you by the way!
Ditto Pinky! I think a lot of people on the net are “consumers” used to the old print media mindset, they haven’t yet grasped that blogging and social media are meant to be a two way street of communication.
That’s interesting about the PR company that was looking for bloggers with audiences made up of non bloggers. In the beauty niche I suspect it is beauty bloggers that account for A LOT of beauty purchases! Lol – we’re always looking for out next holy grail products and wanting to try the latest new releases!
I’m not a beauty blogger per se but have definitely bought beauty products based on beauty blogger recommendations – yours included! Loved your post today too by the way x
Yep, a lot of my comments come from bloggers too. I’ve actually been surprised in the past year how much interaction (and traffic) has taken place on Facebook, given that I don’t actually like using it much and put no effort into it.
A lot of my traffic / interaction happens on FB, which is my preferred social media channel, but it does beg the question: what if FB disappeared?! I’d be stuffed! So I do try to put some effort into other social media as well. Instagram is probably my next favourite.
Oh so many good points and so many things to discuss further indepth.
I have found that most fellow bloggers are supportive and yes many leave comments though more from my fellow travel blogger than other niche bloggers, but we travellers a funny bunch we love anything travel related 🙂
I’m not really a huge fan of travel blogs, I’m not sure why. Hubster and I have only just started travelling now our kids are grown up so maybe it will change over time? That said, I’ve found I prefer travel blogs where I’ve met the writers, or if it’s about a destination I’ve either been to, or hope to go to soon!
Hey Janet! I totally agree with your comments. I’ve experienced all of them. In particular, I followed one blogger for quite some time and saw her speak, but when I actually met her in person, I found her to be rude and condescending. You can’t win them all, eh?! A lot of my comments come from bloggers, but I also have some lovely die-hard fans who read and actually comment too, god love them :-).
Isn’t it exciting when you realise you have a real “fan” (ie non blogger) and they take the time to connect with you?! There’s no greater buzz!
Great points Janet. It’s not the first time I’ve heard a PR rep say they like to see readers comment other than bloggers but here’s where they are missing a potential market – bloggers are people too. Many of us started to read and comment on blogs before we started our own. I can have a mix of readers and bloggers comment. Most readers comment via Facebook and bloggers via the comment section on my post. Anyway, despite your blog being a different niche to me, I find you totally relatable and someone who is friendly and welcoming online and in person. Xx
Naww thanks Bec and right back at ya. Yes, you’re right, a lot of the interaction from non blogger readers happens via FB. I think the necessary anti-spam measures we have to put in place on our blogs, put a lot of folk off commenting there.
Ooooh! Really interesting post Janet! Thought provoking and not what I expected to read from the title which is great! Many of my readers are other bloggers and pretty much everyone who comments are bloggers but on Facebook my posts are mostly commented on by readers who don’t have blogs because that’s easier. I do need to grow my non-blogger aspect of my blog though because without link ups I fear I’d fade into oblivion and get a few hits a day! Haha. Why do we do this again? Such tough competition out there! #TeamIBOT
I know what you mean Haidee! I used to join linkies nearly every day of the week. These days I mostly join I Must Confess on a Monday, and IBOT on a Tuesday. Occasionally I will join one on another day, but I love the community of these linkies. You’re right though, most non bloggers interact via Facebook 🙂
Good idea of yours to post about this topic Janet! My readers are less likely to be bloggers but I have no real idea (there is probably a way to find out but I haven’t) and some commenters are definitely not bloggers nor am I connected to them on social media. It was an attempt to find out a little more about my readers/commenters when I posted yesterday on Kirsty’s I Must Confess. Cheers, Denyse
Wouldn’t it be great Denyse if more of our lurkers, de-lurked?! It would be such a buzz to hear from them!
Love all that you mention here. And blog traffic is a wild and unfathomable animal. But the crux is, I think, what a wonderful and supportive community bloggers are. I’d love to comment on all that I read but time is of the essence so often I’m just another little stat in analytics. But I’m still there 😉 Love your blog and you btw!
Right back atcha Jo! I don’t always comment – sometimes it’s hard to know what to say – but like you, I read lots 🙂
So true Janet. All of it.
Interested to hear too that PR’s are interested in non-bloggy audiences. It makes sense though.
Yes I thought it was fascinating as well!
Very good points Janet, the blogging community can be extremely welcoming and supportive one minute and judgemental and bitchy the next! Very fickle…
I’ve met a few bloggers who were nothing like their blog persona, and then, like you say, a few who I love IRL, but can’t bear to read! But that’s the thing isn’t it, not everyTHING is written for everyONE – each blog has a target audience, and for many it’s not me. But I’ll often comment anyway because I know comments make bloggers’ days :).
Sometimes that IRL connection can transend niches/age groups, but like you say, we are all different and different blogs appeal to us 🙂
I’m happy to say that my online blog friendships have blossomed into THE BEST friendships! I follow them to show support – I’d hate for them to think it’s a chore. I’d be lost without them and they make me laugh so much!! It is tricky to get non bloggers to comment – and I’m so thankful when my non bloggy friends do. I say any kind of community you create on your blog would interest PR rep’s because at the end of the day – if you’re likable, people will warm to you and wanna read all about you, whether they are fellow bloggers or not 🙂 ps. I hope that doesn’t sound like I live with unicorns and fart rainbows
Not at all though it would be lovely if you did live with unicorns! 😉 I hope the same Jo, that my personality shines through my blog and hopefully attract others to read along. I think you’re lucky to have found such wonderful friendships through blogging. Though I’ve met some lovely folk blogging, I don’t have any really good blogging friends sadly, so jealous of you!
Agree with all of this and have more to add but I’m not sure I’m game. I’m in the business of blogging for the most part, so really appreciate the community and the handful of bloggers that I now call friends. I’m also acutely aware, I’m not for everyone.
It’s definitely the bloggers that take more time to comment these days but yes it is the non blogging community the PR firms want. The people that actually click through and spend money.
Don’t worry Raychael, I held back a bit but I’m sure you can probably read between the lines 😉
Yep, all true. And I think the blog landscape is changing constantly. There are less people commenting these days, which may or may not equate to less readers. I don’t really track my stats, so I’m not sure. But, I know in myself, I don’t have enough time to read all the blogs I’d like. It’s the main reason I do IBOT, as there are so many blogs I love that link up and it makes it easy to read them and catch up as often as possible.
I have noticed, as others have noted, that there is more interaction on Facebook these days too.
I know what you mean … I get an email each day from Bloglovin letting me know of the latest posts by the bloggers I follow and I am *weeks* behind in reading them, yet I can’t bear to delete the email updates because I *really* want to get around to it eventually! Though I probably should just start afresh …
Very interesting read, Janet. It wasn’t what I was expecting. I think you’re pretty spot on.
Which begs the question: what WERE you expecting? LOL
I agree with all of your points. The blogging world can be quite insular sometimes and it’s easy to get caught up in the bubble. I have a mix of bloggers and non bloggers who read my blog but it’s mainly bloggers who comment. My mum reads a few different blogs and I asked her one day why she didn’t comment on things she’s read. She said for her it was just easier to comment on the link on facebook, rather than on the blog. I think this may be true for a few non bloggers.
Definitely the case with the non bloggers I’ve spoken to as well x
It’s a funny old community isn’t it? I’ve met some great people through blogging, and definitely had some great opportunities. Plus I do always enjoy chatting to someone who ‘gets it’ as far as SEO and the other things you mention go. But I’m a lot more wary these days than I was when I started. For every lovely soul there is another for whom it’s all just business, and online friendships don’t always translate well IRL.
That’s it exactly Lara, I’ve learned to be wary and not accept everyone at face (or blog!) value x
I’ve been thinking about this whole blogger readership skew lately and I think it’s through other bloggers (and helping each other) that we can all extend our reach beyond bloggers. And yes, just because something is good doesn’t mean it will be popular and just because something is popular doesn’t meant it will be good. But there’s nothing new about that in the creative world!
Ain’t that the truth!
It’s nice to have confirmation that there are other people (those who never comment or like) actually reading my blog. I know sometimes people in my community comment and I forget they read it because they never react to it.
I know – so it pays to be careful just what you say on your blog, we might feel like it’s going out into a big black hole but you never know! Chatting to the PR rep also made me very aware of this, you just never know WHO is reading/stalking your blog …
I find that I too have non bloggers read my blog – but not comment. Instead they will comment via facebook or instagram. I think they either don’t know how or dont want to fill out their email and info in able to comment.
I think we are very blessed in AUS with a great, supportive blogging community and I am so chuffed to be a part of it.
I have slackened off on reading other Aussie blogs – I used to check in daily via bloglovin and never wanted to miss a thing. I have been so time poor and really miss that interaction. Just finding time to write a post for me is hard enough at the moment. Thanks for sharing your thoughts xx
I know the feeling Ashlea, I have *weeks* worth of Bloglovin eamils to catch up on. I can’t bring myself to delete them because I *really* want to read all the posts I’ve missed!
Hey there Janet,
I’m a little late with my comment, but I can be your token non-blogger : )
I like to comment on blogs, and I like how yours is easy to comment on. (as in the process is easy). I don’t use Facebook, and instead like to read various favourite blogs.
Keep up the good work !!
Thank you Liz for being my token non-blogger! Love having you on board xxx