Sep 16, 2014

Blogging 101: Say “Hi!” to the Neighbors

Today’s assignment: follow five new topics in the Reader and five new blogs. A blog is just a diary unless there’s a community — start building yours.

Welcome to Blogging U! This course isn't currently active, but you can learn more about what we offer and register for upcoming courses on the BU home page.

Blogging is a communal experience; if you didn’t want anyone to read your posts, you’d keep a private diary. Today, begin engaging with the blogging community, the first step in building an audience.

Today’s assignment: follow five new topics in the Reader and five new blogs.

Why spend time reading other blogs?

  • Publishing posts is only half of blogging — engaging with the community is the other.
  • Considering what other bloggers write will inspire you and sharpen your thoughts.

Part of what makes blogging such a rich experience are the relationships we develop with people from around the world.  Those relationships only happen when we engage with one another — just look at The Commons. Plus, reaching out to other bloggers is the best way to have them return the favor.

The first step is finding the people you want to connect with. By following topics you care about in the Reader, you’ll discover a world of blogs. Some of them will become favorite reads, and some of their authors will become your fans.

Want to share your great finds? Visit The Commons.

To get you started, review our tips on using the Reader to find and follow blogs that speak to you. A few of our editors have also shared their favorite Reader topics. Add five topics, so you can access them quickly whenever you feel like doing some reading. As you browse the topics, follow five new blogs, too.

The Blogroll on The Commons is another great place to explore. There are over 1200 of you participating — you’re bound to find some new favorite reads. Scroll through the list, and click on titles that intrigue you, seem up your alley, or make you laugh. (Adding the “blogging101” topic to your Reader is also a great way to keep up with your co-bloggers.)

If you don’t blog on WordPress.com, you can still use the Reader if you have a WordPress.com username. If not, there are other ways to explore — your blogging platform may allow you to browse, or you can visit blogs you love and check out their blogrolls and commenters’ blogs.

Feel free to publish a post in addition to completing today’s task if you’d like! Write the post that was on your mind when you decided to start a blog, or take a look at our prompts and challenges for more inspiration.

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  2. Love your points, that blogging is a community of people and that you should engage with them. Through engaging with others, I found a few people that we share common interests and we did collabs and email each other every so often. If I didn’t go and talk to other bloggers, I would never of met some of the awesome people that I have or I wouldn’t of found other blogs that I love and inspire me; yours included!

    Liked by 12 people

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    1. Hi Krysti,

      I read your recent post about the flu.. I hope you feel better soon.its dinner time here, slightly chilly and your picture of chicken noodle soup gave me my dinner idea.. Yum! Soup n a sandwich…

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply

      1. Hi Krysti,
        I am new to blogging as well and I read your blog and excited to follow it 🙂 I also agree with your post above about how this is a community. I really look forward to “meeting” more people and interacting as well. Have a great day and feel better!

        Liked by 3 people

      3. How was lunch/dinner? What sandwich did you have? My personal favorite is a pastrami sandwich on rye bread.. One step short of heaven… And soup.. New England Clam Chowder. What are your favorites?

        Like

    2. Hi, I also read the post about the flu, I can relate to this so well. 🙂 I also like your blog, so am more than happy to follow you. You seem to be an experienced blogger, as I can see various badges of approval – how do you get appreciated by them?

      P.S. I hope you’ll follow back. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. Here I am about to dive into the pile called the Blog Roll.. 1200 participants and I can try to get to everyone of you and say Hi.. If I am unable to, a warm and spicy Hello to all of you..

    I am going to try to reach at least 20.. Here we go..

    Liked by 13 people

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      1. I have to admit.. I seriously overestimated.. My intentions were writing checks.. my 24 hour day could not cash.. But thats ok.. I’m sure Michele will come up with assignments that will give me a shot at redemption. Before I forget, let me say Hello to you. I hope you are having as fabulous time at this course as I am. Happy Blogging!

        Like

      1. Thank you Michellez. Although I am miserably short of my intended target, I am glad that you appreciated my intention. Slowly but surely, I’ll connect with the 1200 batchmates from Blogging 101- Class of September 2014

        Like

      1. Hi Japidoo..

        Thanks for the support. I hope to make acquaintances with supportive and positive people like yourself. I hope you are having fun!

        Like

      2. Absolutely! A community of happy people, albeit a virtual, is exactly what we need. Coz the real world is a mess, right now. I would rather spend time here and be happy than be depressed and worried, reading the news..

        Like

    1. Hi, I have read two of your most recent posts (about the celebrity naked pics and Beyonce). I like your style, so I now follow you. I hope you’ll follow back. 🙂

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      1. Hi Audrey! I love make-up and am really excited to follow your blog and happy that you are in this blogging 101 community! Nice to meet you!

        Liked by 1 person

    1. I think it is best to introduce yourself to people in the community that your blog posts will be aimed toward, but you sure have a huge wealth of friendly and supportive folks here to say hello to, as well. Hope this helps! 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

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      1. Yes, this is what I think, too. Something else I thought is that the posts appearing in my reader are for blogs I already follow. The rest would be freshly pressed, who I presume have so many followers that they may not take any notice of me…

        Like

  11. Hey guys! I just recently started blogging and would love to hear feedback/tips from you guys! My blog is about fashion and style tips geared toward people who are taller/skinny and have a hard time finding their sizes in stores! Or, for anyone who enjoys the “slim fit” style! Thanks!!

    Liked by 6 people

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    2. Hay, I have a tall blog myself, as I am 6’4″ (193 cm). I now follow you, so glad to have found a fellow tall blog on WordPress. You will follow me, too, right? 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  12. I lOVE this post. As a beginning blogger I have learned a lot from reading other peoples blogs. Its not only inspiring but fulfilling to find other people out there who relate and want a voice as well.

    thanks for the blogging tips!

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply

      1. I take that back. Still cannot get into the Commons but must wait for manual approval to be done. Unless there is some trick to signing in or out that I am not aware of (Which is also highly possible)…

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey, there. I read your post, and…wow! You obviously have a lot to say. I’m glad you’re writing; now I suggest deciding what you’d like to write about. You may find more success if you have a topic (even if it’s very broad, like, “A Teen’s Deep Thoughts on Just About Everything”). Keep writing!

      Liked by 2 people

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    1. I read your post about quitting your job. I wish I could quit mine, but cannot afford it, unfortunately. Anyway, I follow you now, I hope yuo’ll follow back. 🙂

      Like

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  20. Good advice & thank you for your blog. I get a lot of encouragement from other bloggers, I would not have had otherwise, with exception from my own family, and one other writer friend that I see in person. But that’s it. I must be a hermit or something! But I am working on my ‘final’ edit at the moment. Hopefully it is the last. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  21. I can’t thank all of you enough for the amazing advice and suggestions in The Commons. I didn’t realize how strong the blogging community is. Really happy to be a part of this.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. It’s nice to see a dad’s blog (so far I’ve seen only mum’s blogs), so I will now follow you and hope you’ll follow me back. Your open letter to your son is so sweet, I hope more dads are like this. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I think most of us are probably introverts, as this is what prompt us to write in the first place… At least that’s the case with me. I like it that you want to inspire people (this is the post I read), so I will now follow you. I hope you’ll follow me back.

      Liked by 3 people

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    2. Hi all, although I started my blog just for myself, I found that I do actually want to know what other people think of my posts. It feels good to see that someone actually reads your posts, where you see a ‘like’ or a new comment. This is what makes it worthwhile to my. It’s not just the stats, but what’s behind them that matters.

      I did the Writing 101 course at the very start of my blog and was so pleasantly surprised by other bloggers’ responses. This is an AMAZING community. Thank you, WordPress, but this brilliant opportunity!

      Like

      Reply

    1. I like the idea of your blog. To care for others, we need to take care of ourselves first, so I agree with you. I will follow you now and hope you’ll follow back.

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    2. Just read your post, good luck with re-organising your life. 🙂 I am in the same limbo, only difference is I am 7 years older than you. I will follow you, my new neighbour, and hope you’ll follow me back. Happy writing!

      Liked by 1 person

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    2. Hello to you too, and welcome to the neighbourhood. We all need to connect more, which is why I am following you. I like reading new recipe ideas. 🙂 I hope you will follow me back!

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      1. Hi Angie. Thanks for the follow! I will check your blog out. Feel free to view any recipes I post. Every Monday is “vegan monday” so that’s the day when I post all recipes. Have an awesome day today! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  30. Heyy Beauties,
    First I want to say hello neighbors! I hope everyone is feeling fantastic! So I’ve had my blog for a little while, however I’m actually putting effort into now. I blog about whatever is on my mind at that particular moment. I hope everyone learns something and develops/enhances their blogs; I know I am.Well until next time, have a great day!

    Liked by 3 people

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