When you start blogging, you think it's a solo gig. It's writing posts, inserting cute pictures and sharing thoughts (ramblings) with the world. You think your family and friends will give you a virtual high-five for every post you publish. A huge following of readers will appear out of thin air and comment on your every post. You dream one day a CEO of a Fortune 500 company will notice your work and offer you millions of dollars to blog for their company. Sound about right?
Blogging isn't like that. In fact, blogging is so much more than I imagined.
Once you get sucked into the blogsphere, you realize it's like moving into a new neighborhood. At first, you feel shy and uncertain. You hope your neighbors are nice and will accept you in their community. Maybe invite you to a BBQ one day.
Then slowly it happens. You say "hello, I'm here!" commenting on other blogger's posts. You invite them into your social circles. You follow them on Facebook and Twitter. You tweet their content. In return, they follow you and tweet yours. Before you know it, you've made a new group of friends. Virtual friends. Some of them know more about you than your real friends.
Blogging is a community. A pretty awesome community where everyone supports one another. Shares similar passions. Motivates each other. Helps each another break out of our comfort zone. Relates to each others fears and journeys. Inspires one another with great content. Offers different points of view on another person opinion.
Bloggers cheer on other bloggers. Tweet each other's posts. Like and comment on each other's Instagrams. Pin each others Pinterest pins. Bloggers are accepted in the community with no judgement because every blogger knows what it's like to be at the starting line.
Blogging is networking. Bloggers help each other when their websites crash, when they need a plugin, website designer or guest post. Bloggers introduce bloggers to other bloggers. Bloggers see other bloggers and cyber stalk them. Bloggers develop relationships with sponsors and brands. They connect other bloggers with them hence expanding their network.
People outside the blogsphere don't understand it. They probably think blogging is a fish bowl. They imagine the person behind the computer writing posts like a bubble boy. An introvert who never talks to anyone or leaves the house. But that's not true. People behind the blogs are amazing. They have something to share with the world and willing to put it out there.
Blogging is making new friends. Going to Blend (blogger + friend = BLEND), I realized this. Blogging friends motivate and inspire. Awhile back, Becky recommended I go to Blend. She told me "it helps you stay happy with your blog." I didn't understand that at the time. After Blend, I understand what she meant and because of that, blogging means so much more to me now.
#blend2014
I'm so grateful for that and now I have an idea...A BIG IDEA!
Linking up with Amanada @ Running with Spoons
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LOVE this! I wrote a post the other day on the ways blogging changed my life and #2 was the number of virtual friends I have now because of it 😀
What a lovely post. I just started blogging so much of this resonated with me.
Agree so much! Blogging has been so different, and so much BETTER than I thought it would be!
i'm so glad you moved into the neighborhood! hehe. It's a welcoming hood, yes?! the more the merrier too!
It is welcoming, but I have to admit feels a little intimidating at first.
Great post! At some point I'll have to tell my rare and amazing story of how I decided to blog and what has come of it so far. And how you played a part in it :).
I can't wait to read your story! I had no idea you were even reading my blog. Loving your posts BTW!
I blog to meet friends, make connections and just as a way to express who I am! People can come or they can ignore it, I really don't care 🙂
You certainly can't take it serious.
I loved reading this post! I am new to the blogging world so I could totally relate to everything you said (I smiled at the meme about the brilliant post). I couldn't have said it better myself!
xo Marisa
Thank you!
I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started blogging, but I can honestly say that it's been one of the best things I've ever done. Not only is it a perfect creative outlet for me, but the connections and friendships I've made have been invaluable to me. No matter where blogging takes me, I have a feeling I'll be in love with the ride 🙂
Sometimes I wonder what I got myself into, but there are too many positives that outweigh the work that it takes to manage a blog.
I didn't realize how many cool people I would connect with when I started blogging. And everyone is so positive, too. I love that. 🙂
Agree, everyone is really positive & uplifting!