Shhh… don’t read this one out loud, it might start a riot. We don’t want to spark a looting spree, now do we?
On top of that, there are gurus who will want to buy me a new pair of shoes – cement shoes – for revealing this secret to getting the most out of social media.
This secret will help you develop beneficial relationships that can help you take your blog’s community to new heights.
Why is it so important to develop relationships with other bloggers?
I’m not trying to give you the impression that one person can not manage and build a blog alone, but having people that you can turn to for help – for guest posts, for retweets, for insider knowledge – is an unmatchable way to breakthrough the traffic barrier.
If you look around the blogosphere, the pros have built teams who work together to produce content and promote each others’ work. Those teams may be formal, in-blog teams that rotate on a posting schedule for one blog, or it may be an off-blog team that works together, informally, while maintaining their own blogs.
If you want to build a successful blog, you’re going to need to build and nurture relationships with other bloggers.
The #1 secret to building those relationships: HELP
This four-letter word really contains the essential components to building relationships online.
H
Help and assist others. Answer their questions, respond to emails and comments. Offer tips for improvement – don’t be afraid to share your secrets to success with others. Offer to write a guest post for their blog or invite them to guest post on yours.
E
Engage them on your blog and on other social networks. Get to know them by responding to their tweets. Show them that you care by greeting them and thanking them whenever they share your content. If you find something you know they might be interested in, be sure pass it along to them.
L
Link to their posts. When creating a related post, it’s always nice when you can use another blogger’s post as an example or for further reading. You can also write a link love post or add them to your blogroll.
P
Promote their posts. Retweet and Stumble them, share them on Facebook and whatever other social networks you belong to. Invite them to join a Google group where they can share and promote their best work.
These are not the only things you can do to help other bloggers, the options are truly endless. What could you add to extend this post from HELP to HELPFUL – any tips?
About Kiesha Easley
Hi, thank you for the tips. I will be using them for my blog, and hope it will boost the amount of readers.
Thank you
Olmo
Olmo | Green Colsultant recently posted..Sustainable Mobility
There’s great power in numbers, especially when it comes to driving SERP and traffic to one’s blog. I know that seems like an obvious statement, but how you get there isn’t so transparent.
It’s not the organic traffic and links that will skyrocket your site to the top. It’s the link juice and buzz generated from a small group dedicated to promoting each other that serves as the kingmaker for most successful blogs.
Yes, having great design, seo, content, etc. is what will keep you on top once you’re there; however, the secret to getting you to that point is the power of these behind the scenes groups.
Great post, Kiesha.
Hi,
so true – and just not the number 1 tip for getting the most out of social media…. but also social everything I think!
Cheers
Will
Will recently posted..Noaspa News – 08092010
You hit the nail on the head with this one. Networking and engaging with other bloggers is the best and quickest way to build your blog. I will remember the H-E-L-P acronym, I really like that.
Dan Keller recently posted..Top 10 Tips – How to find a Job on Linkedin
This is a basic principal but one that we often miss because we have too much going on but if you sincerely do this to others than the favor will be returned ten fold.
Thanks for giving us this reminder Kiesha!
Anna
Anna Haller recently posted..Are you alone?
This is indeed a great article. Thank you so much Keisha. I find it very informative in the sense that I also do blogging.
first let me congratulate you on this site, it is very beautiful, my first thought was WOW! great layout, readable and full of life. Social media, yes it is great to able to communicate today in this fashion. I help others that is my goal. Thanks I will recommend your site to others.
Interesting. And I always that being helpful is a really nice thing that we can do. There’s a lot of ways to do that – promoting, answering questions.
What could be better than doing deeds? :D
Hmmm…
Interesting :)
So overall just be nice, and expect people to be nice back :)
Niki recently posted..Building a Business by Focusing on Angry Overly Important Individuals?
Hello this is an excellent acronym to set a blog up for success. Each letter has smaller fundamentals that can attribute to building your foundation but I think the acronym covers the core basics.
Ryan Hanzel recently posted..Response cached until Fri 25 @ 5:19 GMT (Refreshes in 55 Minutes)
What can I do with FUL.. Hrm….
Feel- empathize with other bloggers and those who respond to you via whatever means they have at their disposal.
Universal- I have on universal truth—your have to give in order to receive. Doesn’t matter the medium or the motive.
Look- Don’t wait for ppl to ask your for help. Offer it generally and if you see something you can help them with volunteer. Even if they say no, they at least know you do want to be there for them.
Gurl recently posted..My 15 Favorite Posts For June
Hi Kiesha,
I’m new to the site but i figured i’d drop a comment and thank you for an excellent post.
Josiah recently posted..How to Make Your Blog More Interesting
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Josiah!
Truly glad you stopped by! Thanks for taking a moment to let me know you were here. Hope to see you again soon!
Linking to other bloggers is something I have just started to do. Before, I would get frustrated because I wasn’t getting very many links. Then I realized, Hey, I need to do unto others. It really has helped.
I really like the mnemonic you created. Thanks
Joshua Noerr recently posted..Gore Industries Perfect Business Model
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Joshua,
You’ll find that the more people you help – the more help you’ll get in return when you least expect and right when you need it the most. Just keep at it :)
I love your acronym Kiesha! The one that resonates the most with me is P – Promote. To me, this is critical to making the most out of social media.
Kevin M. recently posted..14 great social bookmarking sites
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, promotion is a crucial step :)
Hi Kiesha,
From one TIP Team memeber to another, you have it exactly right! We all need HELP at some time or another and it’s a much less lonely place if you have friends to help you. I think that it’s so true that at a certain level you will need to build your network to get to the next level.
This is something that I wish I had started earlier, but better late than never. :-)
Karen
Karen recently posted..How To Easily Increase Your Negotiation Skills: Getting To Yes
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Karen,
It’s always better late than never – I believe there’s a purpose in everything we experience, even delays – now you have more knowledge and experience to lead with :)
I believe in this concept in blogging and in life, even though I haven’t been organized about how I do it.
One thing I also do is not just promote the person’s work but tell others the qualities I enjoy about a person (funny, patient, helpful, etc.).
Jean Sarauer recently posted..7 Signs That Granny Hijacked Your Blog
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Jean,
Yes, this definitely goes beyond blogging.
Kiesha, you truly practice what you preach here. You’ve been very helpful to me with your retweets.
Not that you expect it, but I think your kindness will be well rewarded.
John Soares recently posted..Resolved: Coffee Increases Productivity…
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi John,
Thanks! I do my best – I can’t do it to the extent that I would like all the time, but I definitely try.
Twitter: ditesco
says:
Isn’t it nice to know that the only secret that lies behind getting the most out of your social media is a tiny four letter word :). Simple and yet so powerful that many ignore. You now have my official cry for HELP, hehe. Care to write a killer post for iBlogZone?? I will be honored
DiTesco recently posted..Top SEO Plugins For WordPress
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi DiTesco,
I hear your cry. I see what I can drum up for you. :)
Hey Kiesha,
There is so much power connecting with other bloggers. By connecting it is a great way to help each other gain momentum.
Chat with you later…
Josh
Josh Garcia recently posted..Can You Give Me 2 Minutes of Your Time – So I Can Serve You Better!
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Josh,
I figure if I can reach out and help someone, you never know – when they become a problogger or are in a better position, they might do the same for me in return. You just never know. :)
I couldn’t agree more. There is nothing more important than building community by connecting with other bloggers.
Couple that with good SEO techniques and you will soon have the traffic rolling in.You just have to remember to have lots of high quality, well written content ready to keep them coming back.
Blog Angel a.k.a. Joella recently posted..Want To Write More Engaging Posts? Think Like A Telemarketer
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Joella!
Connecting with other bloggers is the best part of blogging. And you’re right – you’ve got to have the quality content to draw them in. I love the way you always create eye-catching titles. I’m like a moth to a flame, I just can’t resist clicking… :)
Twitter: bbrian017
says:
What a great and exciting article for a Thursday Kiesha. I loved what you have done with the word help. Very innovative and unique.
I follow the majority of what you recommend in the article on a daily basis. To be honest I’m having a hard time to keep up with everyone but I’m trying my best lol.
bbrian017 recently posted..Blog Marketing: An Easy Strategy You Can Start Today
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Brian!
Thanks for stopping by! You are definitely one of those people who live by the “HELP” principle – it shows on your site and in everything you do. I honestly have no clue how you could possible keep up with all that you do. You must have superpowers or have a clone and can be in several places at one time :)