What has helped my Blog to Grow

#SummerBlogSocial Prompt 5: What activities, practices, features or events have helped you most in terms of blog or social media growth?

Different bloggy & social media practices and events can serve different purposes and will yield different results.

That’s a whole lotta “different”, eh?

I feel there is one underlying constant in this, however, which I’ll explain.

I thought it might be easiest to highlight the *whats* and *hows* as they have related to me, in a list form.

Reading & Commenting

I’ve already seen this mentioned several times in other #SummerBlogSocial tips posts, but I think it’s so important that I want to mention it again. The best way to grow your readership and extend your social reach is by broadening the group of people you currently read and tweet with. A great place to find new blogs to read is by checking out the other bloggers who commented on a post you are reading. Looking at posted Blog Rolls or Blogs I Love sidebar lists and pages are great resources, too.

Once you find more blogs to read, be sure to leave a comment. That way a new blogger knows that you have stopped by and has the information needed to find your special corner of the blogosphere.

Then, as you find more people you love reading, follow them on Twitter and like their Facebook fan pages, too, so you can easily continue the conversation with them.

Taking Part in Memes and Link-ups

I realize for anyone actively participating in the #SummerBlogSocial, this seems kinda silly to even mention. But one practice that has been terrific for finding new groups of bloggers has been taking part in various memes and link-ups hosted around the blogosphere. For example, you may be a “parenting” blogger who also really loves photography. If you join in on a few photography memes, you’re going to come in contact with tons of new photo bloggers you didn’t previously know.

Being Active on a Social Network

For me, it’s Twitter.

Hands down.

Although I do think every blogger needs some sort of Twitter and Facebook presence, I also have found that choosing which platform works best for me – and then working that platform - has been the most worthwhile approach.

Social networking is just that – being social! You’ll be amazed at the number of people you can connect and bond with, and how much quicker relationships develop, when you spend some real time on a social platform.

Guest Posting

Guest posting is a fabulous way to get your name and words in front of new people. Always be sure to put your best foot forward when guest posting and don’t hesitate to ask a blogger you love if s/he accepts guest posts.

Blog Conferences or Meet-Ups

I hesitate even mentioning this one due to the nature of #SummerBlogSocial, but meeting someone in real life can be great because it makes the connections deepen and grow much more quickly.

But the bottom line, in my mind, is what each of us does with all these opportunities. If you truly want to grow your readership, then be sure to make a point to work through the linky of the meme you joined. If you are going to put some time into Twitter or Facebook, be sure to engage with others and answer their questions as you see them come across your stream. If you have a guest post opportunity, reply back and/or visit all those who commented on your post.

I have been to a couple major blog conferences, and I’ve been surprised by some of the people who – say – are at a cocktail hour, where drinks are flowing, and they stand and talk only to the 2 other women they traveled with.

There are definitely many opportunities and avenues for blog growth, and these few things are what have worked for me. I guess I feel that, just like with anything in life, any opportunity is only as good as what you make of it.

The more you put yourself out there, the more you potentially have to gain.

Related Posts:

• Why you should “go local” – and offline – with your social media
• Show Me the Blog, Baby!
• One Last #SummerBlogSocial Post – A Quick Rundown
• 10 Tips for a New Blogger
• Welcome to #SummerBlogSocial 2011!