Blogoversary Guest Post: Natalie from Mindful Musings

We've got something a little bit different for you all today. Natalie from Mindful Musings is here to our blogoversary guest post today. I pretty much gave everyone free reign when choosing a topic, and Natalie is here to discuss a topic that is near to her heart. All of you who have your own book blogs (especially if you're just starting out) will want to pay attention to this, since Natalie is here to talk about Blogger Relations. So take it away Natalie!

On Blogging and Blogger Relations

How do I get people to follow and comment on my blog?

I’ve been asked that question more times than I can count, and there’s a reason for it. Very few of us blog solely because we like to see our words on the screen. Usually, we blog because we have a passion about something (in this case, books), and we want to share that passion with other people. Half the fun of blogging is getting comments and opinions from other people. However, getting those comments can be kind of tricky, especially if you’re new to the blogosphere.

First of all, I like to view blogging as a conversation. It isn’t just made up of post after post after post that have absolutely no relation to one another. It’s like one giant discussion that people are constantly joining in on. But what’s the best way to get people to come have that discussion on YOUR blog? Well, you have to give a little to get a little, guys. Before people are going to come and visit you, you have to put yourself out there. Every successful blog I know of has good relationships with at least a few other bloggers. Just like in the job market, a little networking can go a long way.

Perhaps the easiest and most important aspect of blog networking is commenting on other blogs. However, there are some things to avoid when you start leaving comments on other people’s blogs. First, there’s the obvious: don’t be rude or disrespectful. That’s the quickest way to be ignored in the blogosphere. Just like in real life, no one wants to talk to you if you’re a jerk. It’s okay to disagree with something, but make sure you voice your opinion in a respectful manner. Second, make sure you leave meaningful comments. If you’ve been going around writing “Great review” or “I’ll have to check this out” on every review, there’s a good chance people aren’t going to go check out your blog. Why? Because you didn’t put much effort into checking out theirs. Leave a comment that shows that you actually read the post and thought about it. I can tell you from personal experience that meaningful comments make my day, and I’m MUCH more likely to go check out a blogger if they show me that they took some time to read what I have to say.

Once you’ve established a few relationships with other bloggers, you’ll see how much more fun blogging can be. Being able to interact with people who love to talk about the same things you do is rewarding enough in itself, but I think you’ll also find that you can learn something new from them. This post is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re interested in learning more about the subject, I’d personally recommend checking out Parajunkee’s feature, Book Blogging 101. There are tons of other articles out there on how to make your blog successful and how to interact with other bloggers. All you have to do is look!

Congratulations to Alyssa for hitting her five-year milestone! Thanks for letting me be a part of your celebration!

Wonderful advice Natalie, even for those of us who have been blogging awhile. :) Thanks for stopping by! Make sure you check out Natalie's blog too, you'll find all sorts of great reviews and features over there, including the Best Blogger awards at the end of the year.