Feb 20 2012

Blogging Tribes ~ What Are They and Should I Join One?

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Sharing Hands

 

What is a “blogging tribe”?

 

A blogging tribe is a select group of people who agree to read, comment on and share each other’s blogs. You can gather a tribe among your friends or join a group. You want to keep the tribe fairly small because you are agreeing to read each person’s blog posts, comment on them and share them in your social circles.

If you have too many people in your tribe, it will start to get over whelming. We don’t want that ;)

What’s the point of a “blogging tribe”?

Blogging tribes help those participating build connections, drive organic traffic, create community, and ensure that your blog is getting read. Let’s face it, many of us don’t always comment on a blog post we read if we are going to be the first commenter, unless, of course, the post is really compelling to us. I know I’ve not commented on a post that just wasn’t that spectacular. I have commented on a “meh” post, if someone else commented and felt the commenter made a good point or something. I also only share blogs and posts to my social circles if I feel it will help others or if it really connects with me some how. OH, and if I trust the blogger … I do have favorite bloggers that I share regularly just because I love them and think everyone else should, too ;)

What are the benefits of a “blogging tribe”?

  • Someone is Actually reading your blog
  • Build connections / relationships with other bloggers
  • Create community ~ your tribe shares with their circles and the community grows
  • Bring traffic from other blogs back to your own blog with your comments
  • Social Sharing ~ getting the word out
  • Help other bloggers build their audience

Help your tribe help you!

  • Add social sharing plugins to your blog
  • Reward your commenters

Suggested Plugins — ** I use WordPress, so the plugins I have listed are for that platform. Some of these plugins do have versions for other platforms. **

** Comment Luv and Top Commentators are great plugins that reward your readers who comment on your posts! What this means is their links to their sites show up in their comment and other readers to your blog can go visit theirs as well. This helps build community with your readers and also show that you like to share ;) I call it good Karma — passing on the luv ;) It’s important. And your commentors will come back!

My Final Thoughts

I believe that blogging tribes are a positive thing for any blogger. Just remember that it’s a commitment — comment on each others’ blog posts for the agreed amount (once a week, every post, etc.), remember to share others’ posts in your social circles, and reply to ALL comments — even if just to say thank you.

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