Are You a Contributor, or Just A Bystander?

Blogging is just like growing up in your old neighborhood. People will have little to say to or about you until you become a real part of the community by contributing. This is social networking. The act of getting involved and helping others is what lends itself to an expanded friendship base.

As time passes, opinions will be formed about you (and your blog in this case) whether you want that to happen or not. So why not have some influence about those opinions?

Every blogger wants to fit in somehow and be accepted. But what have you done to move toward that end?

Reaching out within the blogging community will be a mixed bag of results. There will be those who will accept your gestures of good will, while others will not respond at all.

I’ve said this many times and will say it again. Life online parallels life offline. There will be ups and downs, good days and bad, but the important thing to remember is your consistency.

You should consistently give of yourself, not for your own gain, but for the betterment of the blogging community as a whole. Your day will come when people realize the value you have contributed to the community.

There are those in the blogosphere who sit on the sidelines and watch the parades go by, failing to engage or contribute in a meaningful way. They will someday become discouraged because they feel like an outsider. This is what leads to blogs on the scrap heap.

Don’t be a bystander

• Don’t be shy, write some post and get some feedback. This is how you will grow and become more proficient as a writer.
• If you are new to blogging, stop being so critical of yourself. Every blogger started at the same spot, having one single reader, themselves.
• Get involved with a few other bloggers with similar experience, share the knowledge and the war stories and encourage one another.
• Get involved with successful bloggers. This is how you learn to improve your skills. Most people will help those who are trying to help themselves.
• Be human and admit when you’ve made an error. So what, who hasn’t done that?
• Show your appreciation to others when you engage them.
• Find out how YOU can contribute to the cause of others. Offer your assistance and be a friend.
• Reach out and establish some connections. Join a group of like minded individuals.
• Be approachable by letting your readers know that you’d like their interaction and feedback. Blogging is not a pulpit for preaching to the masses, have a conversation.

Conclusion

You cannot blog as if you were on some deserted island, or that is exactly what your blog will become. Posting articles and stepping back to see what happens is just a waste of time. People who want to read without interaction will simply grab a book. The online experience is all about being social and enjoying the interaction with others.

I’ve met a lot of people and made a lot of friends online, most of which I’ve never met in person, but nonetheless, a bond has developed. It’s the beauty of the internet.

Get out there and enjoy it.

Keep Blogging!

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