Ask any blogger to share their tips for starting growing a blog. Chances are, one of the things you will hear is the word “community.” When I started my blog about 7 months ago, I had no idea that the blogging world was so huge. It took me awhile to realize that I needed to connect with and work with other bloggers in order to grow.
Once I figured that out, my blog took off! I read somewhere that more than half of your page views come from other bloggers. It’s so important to reach out to other bloggers, work together, and share each other’s content.
How did I build my community? I’m sharing a few of my tips that helped me find other bloggers, connect, and build relationships.
Tip #1: Join a blogging group on Facebook! I am a part of several different groups on Facebook. These groups have daily feeds where we share each other’s posts on social media. But more importantly, they are a place to share information, ask questions, and encourage each other.
Tip #2: Find some bloggers you love and visit their blogs on a regular basis. Leave meaningful comments and share any posts you love on social media. Most bloggers are good about responding to comments and often visit your blog when you comment.
Tip #4: Be real! Have a picture of yourself on your blog and as your profile picture on social media. Try to write the way you talk and just be yourself. It makes people feel like they know you, and makes it way easier to build relationship.
Tip #5: Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask other bloggers to help you with something or collaborate with you on a project. Working together is one of the best ways to grow. If I have an idea for a way to work with another blogger on something, I send them an email. Most of the time, they are more than willing to help!
What would a post about community be without hearing from some of my blogging friends? I asked them to share a few of their tips for building community. These ladies are fantastic, so be sure to check out their blogs.
Madison Wetherill from The Wetherills Say I Do
“Building community in the blog world can be really scary at first. I remember when I first started blogging and I was terrified of commenting on posts because I didn’t think I had anything of value to say. Now that I have been blogging for a while I know how truly cherished blog comments are and I really encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and comment on blogs. You really never know what kind of relationship you might build with someone who’s blog post you commented on!”
Anna Whitehead from The Beauty Section
“You hear it all the time… make sure you comment on other blogs, but it’s totally true. Comment on a handful of blogs a few times a week and chances are those bloggers are going to reciprocate and comment on yours too. Leave meaningful comments to show you actually read the whole post, those bloggers will start to see you truly enjoy their blog.
Building community can be hard work at first, but it is so important to have it because your friends and family that don’t blog have no idea the work and effort it takes to blog, so you need that extra support system filled with people that are doing the same thing as you with the same goals. We all need each other.”
Megan from The Walker Fireside Chats
“A sense of community is the best thing I have received from blogging. Meeting people of all different backgrounds from all over the world is an opportunity you don’t get in many places. In my experience, the Golden Rule of life and building a blogging community are the same: treat others as you would have them treat you. You can’t expect people to comment on your blog and read your posts if you won’t do the same for them. In the end, we all want our voices to be heard, so we need to give other bloggers that opportunity in order to have our words heard.”
What are your tips for building a blogging community? I hope you found something new to try today! Having such a great community of friends is what makes blogging so much fun for me. It takes some time and effort, but it is so worth it!
Faith Golden says
I loved this!! Community is truly one of the biggest ways to grow! I’ve met so many lovely people through blogging! 🙂
Jenna says
I have too! I’m so glad I learned this lesson early on.
Morgan Timm says
Great post! I definitely agree about how important a blogging community is! I haven’t always been the best about being a social blogger, but since school has let out I’ve been working really hard at it, and in turn my page views have nearly doubled! I definitely need to spend more time on social media, though. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful tip, Jenna! I am sure that it is going to help so many new (and old!) bloggers!
Jenna says
It definitely helped my page views, too. Plus, it’s so much fun to get to know other bloggers. There are some really awesome bloggers out there.
Anna Elise says
This turned out great!! Thanks so much for including me!
Jenna says
Thank you so much for helping me, Anna! It was great to get some input from others.
Sandi Gaertner says
Great article Jenna. I agree that building a community is the best way to go. Food bloggers are so nice and willing to help each other.
Jenna says
I just love that about blogging!
Georgia Reed says
Thanks for this! I’m still working on community. Who knew there was so much to learn!?
Jenna says
I hope you found some tips you can use! I’m still learning, too, but these are the things I have gleaned along the way.
Cassandra Schmigotzki says
I get swamped trying to keep up with #1. I need a smaller group of maybe 5 to work with to do all the sharing. Maybe rotate the 5 every month or something to give some variety.
Jenna says
Very true! Hump Day Happenings has been a great tool for me to meet other bloggers.
Jenna says
It can be overwhelming. That’s a great idea!
Eli J. Pacheco says
I think establishing something unique like you did with Hump Day Happenings with Megan is a big deal, too. It added to your identity. And I’m sure you met so many bloggers. That’s how I found you, in fact. Ways we include our blogging friends, like with 6 Words, gives us a chance to appreciate each other’s work, and find new blogs to visit.
Jenna says
Very true! Hump Day Happenings is a great way for me to meet and connect with other bloggers.
TheAdventuresofBugandBoo says
These are great tips!! It’s so nice to make connections with other people out there – and often they have learned things that they share with you! 🙂
Jenna says
Everyone is always so helpful! Anytime I post a question in a Facebook group, everyone wants to help me out.
Caroline @FitPinkMom says
This was so helpful! I recently relaunched and am really trying to focus on building my community. It never even occurred to me to check Facebook for blogging groups. I’ve heard your Hump Day Happenings link up is a lot of fun and I hope to participate soon!
Jenna says
Thanks Caroline! Facebook groups has been such a great way for me to connect with other bloggers and find ways to promote my posts.
Ellie says
Great post, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Felecia Efriann says
Great post! I have found that building a community on one’s blog involves getting to know other bloggers. It is a lot of fun getting to know new people. Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Jenna says
That is why it is so important to be real on your blog! I love reading honest, real life stories on my friend’s blogs and getting to know them more.
Kimberly says
Thanks for this great post! I just started blogging and need all the help I can get!
http://www.518nymammaof2.blogspot.com
Jenna says
The earlier you start building community, the faster your blog will grow!
Samantha says
These are such great tips! Just pinned it 🙂 I recently just joined a few FB “blog-related” groups and that makes a HUGE difference! I seriously couldn’t believe it. Found your post through the SITS Girls link-up so I started following and look forward to reading more!
Jenna says
Thank you, Samantha! It really does help so much! It’s a great way to learn, collaborate with others and get your stuff shared.
Jennifer says
I feel kinda stupid for not thinking about #1. I am part of a few smaller groups, but never made the effort to join more. Going to do that NOW. Thank you Jenna. (Stopping by from SITS Girls Sharefest.)
Jenna says
I hope it helps you, it’s been so good for me! Thanks for stopping by.
Sammy says
Awesome tips Jenna! I’m just getting back into blogging so these tips are perfect timing!!
Popping over from #SITSSharefest! Have a great weekend!
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks, Sammy! I hope these tips make getting back into blogging a little easier.
Jeanette Foss says
Very helpful:) I really need a blogging community.
Jenna Brussee says
It makes such a difference!
Amanda says
Great tips! I just started my blog a few months ago so I can use all the advice I can get. I will definitely be using these. 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you! Building a community is one thing I wish I would have learned sooner. My stats more than doubled the month I started reaching out and connecting with other bloggers.
Shari @ Pure Grace Farms says
Great tips! Thanks.
Rachel G says
I’ve never yet tried joining a facebook blogging group. Do you have any suggestions for active ones?
Jenna Brussee says
Connections for Blog Growth is one of my favorites! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1379913082247727/
Carie S says
I did this as well and am thankful every day that I did. There is nothing like having a group of bloggers to get you through the good and the bad of it 🙂
Thank you for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest board.
Nicki Lewis says
Great post. You give some really great tips. Hard to know what to spend the majority of your time doing for the blog. I probably spend more time working on the design than I probably should
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks Nicki! I’ve been trying to get organized with my time, I probably waste too much time on social media.
Natalie @ She Builds Her Home says
This post is super helpful! I have been blogging for 5+ years, but I just recently started a brand new blog so it’s like starting all over. Not all of my readers followed me to the new blog, etc. so I’m having to figure this thing out all over again! Growing your blog is WAY different now than it was back in 2009 😉
I keep reading that finding a facebook group is really helpful, but how do you find one? I would love to join one for networking and getting to know people with similar blogs but have no idea where to start to find a good fit for me!
Jenna Brussee says
It is difficult to grow a blog now! There are sooooo many other blogs out there. I’ve found it’s better to work together rather than to try to stand out and be the best.
I found most of the FB groups I’m in through other blog friends. Some I love are Connections for Blog Growth, Blogging to Success, and The Peony Project.
Natalie @ She Builds Her Home says
Thanks for the tips! I will check them out. 🙂
Emily Marie says
Thanks for the suggestions. I didn’t think to join Facebook groups related to blogging until I read this article!
Jenna Brussee says
Facebook groups are one of my favorite ways to build community! I hope you find some great groups.
sweetlysally says
This is such a good post! I started my blog back in May, and I’ve been trying to grow my blog and gain some traffic and audience! I am constantly on Pinterest, so I connected my Pinterest to my blog and made a twitter too! I’m definitely going to follow your advice! Thanks so much!
http://www.sweetlysally.com
Jenna Brussee says
Pinterest is great, definitely one of my top sources of traffic. It definitely helps having a community to help pin your stuff, too.
Leslie says
Great article with wonderful suggestions. I love the different perspectives I am able to gain from reading other blogs. If I can strike up a conversation with the blogger or readers via comments, it gets even better.
Jenna Brussee says
I have learned a lot from reading other blogs, too! It’s a great way to find inspiration.
Yvette says
This is truly a good post for someone who is interested in blogging. Although I don’t have a blog yet, I really love to read what goes into a having a blog. It’s definitely not a do it yourself thing. At least not entirely. Thank-you for this piece of info.
Jenna Brussee says
I’m so glad to help! I wish I would have learned to reach out and build community from the start. It makes such a difference!
Mandi Harris Bowerman says
This post really opened my eyes. I am trying to get more involved with the blogging community, I am just so shy! I chose Twitter and Facebook as my Social media ground. Thank you for all the great tips!
Jenna Brussee says
I am definitely an introvert, but blogging has helped me build confidence! Growing your community really helps. because you get a lot of support and encouragement.
Amanda | Life With Grace says
Where do you find Facebook blogging groups to join? I’m a part of #sitsblogging but thats it! I recently changed my blog URL and blog name, so I feel like I’m starting all over again! I even lost all my old comments from my posts before the switch. So sad!
Amanda – Life With Grace
Jenna Brussee says
Most of the groups I’m in I found through other bloggers. You can also do a search in Facebook for blogging groups and see if any interest you.
JoAnn Madden Crohn says
Thanks for this post! Just learned a great collaborating at a blogger meetup yesterday. You can post trade with other bloggers! Using an old post, each blogger can post each others old post as a tease with a link back to the original blog. Great way to build traffic without having to create completely new material 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
That is a great idea! I love finding ways to reuse my old blog posts in a guest post.
Arlett R. Hartie says
I so agree. Blogging is about relationships and connecting.
Jenna Brussee says
It really is! That’s what makes blogging so much fun for me.
Lois Britton says
I wholeheartedly agree with your comment about working together. As a food blogger, one of the best things a did to build community was to join a group that was baking their way though a cake cookbook and posting a cake a week. It’s been five years and I’m still in touch with many today.
Jenna Brussee says
That sounds like a fun idea! I have gotten the chance to work with other bloggers on all sorts of things. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to grow together.
Craftybegonia M. says
Hi, visiting you via the SITS girls. Thank you for this post. I love my audience, and it is very rewarding when they “discover” me in other places and readily follow me because they love me too. I had one member of my audience tell me that she followed me in so many place she could be considered almost a stalker. The loyalty and the love from people that really dig your stuff is just wonderful in blogging!
Jenna Brussee says
I love that about blogging! I hope you were able to find some ideas in this post to help you connect with your audience even more.
Craftybegonia M. says
You’re right, blogging can easily build a warm community around a blogger that really reaches out to her followers. I like it that you give encouragement to join groups, no one really is an island.
Erin Sears says
I just found your post via pinterest. I am new to blogging. I get views but very few comments. Most are my mom. Lol I am going to work at getting connected!! lilpapercrumbs.blogpost.com
Jenna Brussee says
Building community is great because you get a lot more comments! It’s always so encouraging to read through my comments.
Adora @ gingerbreadmum.com says
Thanks for these tips! They make so much sense that one could slap one’s forehead and go “Duh! Of course!” 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
It seems obvious after you get it, huh? I hope they make a difference for you.
Eclectic Butterfly Designs says
Thank you for this!! I just started my blog and have found these tips useful 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
I wish I would have known how important community was right from the beginning! I’m glad you found these tips to be useful.
Jenna Brussee says
I’m glad to be able to share what I have learned. Building a community will really help your blog grow. I’ll go check out your blog right now 🙂
Veronica Enns says
I also found your post via pinterest & thesitsgirls.com and I am glad that I happened upon it because it helped give me a push to get back on track with engaging with the blogging community. Keep up the great work!
Jenna Brussee says
That is wonderful! Community is one of my favorite things about blogging, so I love encouraging others to get plugged in.
Margarita Ibbott says
I love your tips. They are so true especially when it comes to comment love. I love getting comments on my blog and I love leaving comments. so add me to you blogs to drop by and say hello to…I Blog at DownshiftingPRO.COM 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
I am with you on that, I love getting comments! I will definitely go check out your blog.
Jenna Brussee says
Trust me, this will make a huge difference! Start building your community and your blog will start to grow.
Kelly says
Thank you for these excellent tips! How did you find and choose facebook blogging groups? I am tired of feeling like a blogging island.
Jenna Brussee says
Being a blogging island sounds like no fun! Most of my groups were recommended to me by other blogging friends. You can also just do a search and see what groups look good to you.
NaturallyStellar says
I totally agree about joining blogging groups. I get so much engagement from my groups and have found some great blogs this way. They also help you to focus on others instead of your own blog all the time.
Jenna Brussee says
Groups are one of my favorite ways to build community! I’m with you, I’ve found some great bloggers through the groups I am in.
Along Comes Mary says
Yippee, I do all of these tips & I know for a fact they do indeed work! 🙂
Farrah Udell says
Great tips! Finding wonderful blogging friends has been one of the most meaningful parts of blogging for me. Thank you for sharing your best tips for building community!
Jenna Brussee says
That is awesome that you have already made some blogging friends! I hope these tips help you to grow your community even more.
Chrisylla Octavia says
Great advice 🙂 I have been wanting to do a collaboration because I’ve never done one before, and you’re right, making a community is very great to get to know other bloggers and see people’s point of views of things
xo
http://www.colorsinmybubble.blogspot.com
Jenna Brussee says
I love collaborations with other bloggers! I am always thinking of ways to help each other grow. If you have an idea, reach out to other bloggers and see if they want to get on board.
Katie | HealthySeasonalRecipes says
What a great post! These tips are so true. I wish I had know all of this when I was only months into my blogging journey. Thank you so much for sharing.
Jenna Brussee says
I wish I had learned this a lot earlier, too. Community is such an important factor of blog growth.
Jenna Brussee says
I hope you will be able to build a community of other bloggers online that will support you and help you grow!
Wotwewore says
Really good read! Thank you for the insight x
http://www.wotwewore.com
Neattreasures says
This post happens to be really helpful information
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you! My blog grew like crazy once I started engaging with the community.
BeckyNYC says
Thanks for all of the tips! I especially agree with having a social media presence like being on Instagram and Twitter.
http://www.thebeckydiariesblog.com
Jenna Brussee says
Social media is one of the best ways to connect! I didn’t start my Instagram until a couple months ago and now I don’t know why I waited! It’s such a great way to show some behind the scenes pictures to get people excited for your posts.
Rochana says
This is really good info! I like how you featured girls from different kinds of blogs to show that these tips work for all sorts of blogs, not just culinary ones.
Thanks Jenna!
xo, Rochana | thatsaskgirl.ca
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks Rochana! Community is key to success no matter what niche your blog falls into.
Jenna Brussee says
There are lots of groups on Facebook that are specific to a niche. I hope you find one you like!
Sarah Davis says
I’m new to the Blogging world and would love to join some of these groups! Thanks for this post and the advice! Would love for you to check out my blog and give me some tips!!
Jenna Brussee says
I hope that these tips are helpful to you! You should search for blogging groups on Facebook and see if you can find some in your niche. I’m going to check out your blog right now 🙂
Alanna Foxx says
Great post! I’m a new blogger too! This post really helps with my todo list! I will share!
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you! I hope these ideas will help you build your community and grow your blog.
Courtney Patron says
Thank you for the advice! I’m fairly new to blogging and this will come in handy!
Jenna Brussee says
Building your community is the best place to start! Best of luck with your new blog.
Jill Hardt says
Great post! I know I definitely struggle to juggle it all, so thanks for highlighting some key places to focus on 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
I’m so glad to be able to help! Community is what I love most about blogging, so I love to help others build a community.
Jenna Brussee says
I’m glad this was helpful! If there is one thing I wish I had done differently from the start with my blog, it would be getting plugged into community sooner.
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks for this! I’m so glad it was helpful. Getting plugged into a community made SUCH a difference for my blog, and I’m sure it will for yours, too.
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Building a community of supportive blogging friends has made the biggest difference for me. Try to look for some Facebook blogging groups or check out The SITS Girls website.
Michelle Hayes says
Trying to start up a blog and this was a huge help. Thank You! Thank You!
Jenna Brussee says
I’m so happy to hear that! Best of luck to you with your new blog.
Jenna Brussee says
You can search groups for “blogging.” Some of my favorites are The Peony Project, Grow Your Blog and Awesome Bloggers.
Katherine Sullivan says
This post is really helpful! I am just trying to get my feet wet in this whole blogging thing. I can use all the help that I can get!
Jenna Brussee says
That’s awesome, Katherine! Community is one of my favorite things about blogging, and I’ve made some great friends because of it. I hope this tips help you build a community that will help you grow your blog.
Absolute Yana says
Thank you dear…I really hope I get to grow well as a blogger..
Jenna Owens (@aSavoryFeast) says
Best of luck to you! Building a community was the key for me.
Absolute Yana says
thanks dear…I’m on my second night, hunting down communities.. ^^