If you’ve been active at all in the social media world lately, then you’d know that there is a big event happening this week in San Diego — BlogHer. Everywhere I turn there seems to be a post or tweet about it. This is a HUGE blog conference that draws bloggers from all over the country – mom bloggers, fashion bloggers, food bloggers. You name a niche and there will be bloggers at BlogHer representing that group.
I will admit that I am the tiniest bit jealous (even though I have plans to attend BBC & Type A next year). Who wouldn’t want to experience 3 days of networking, discussion, and fun with 3000 of your best blogging friends? Thankfully I’m not the only one a little green with envy and yearning for some time to network, learn, and grow as a blogger. Liz from A Belle, A Bean, & A Chicago Dog and Jessica from Four Plus An Angel teamed up to create the Summer Blog Social! This event will run all week and will allow bloggers to link up posts that will cover topics like blogging resources, blog design, and creating blogging goals as well as help make networking a little easier – all from the comfort of our pajamas – oh wait I’m trying to break that habit.
I had shared a post two weeks ago where I shared 3 of my favorite blog resources so I would like to share a couple more! The first 3 resources I shared helped a lot with the “nuts and bolts” of blogging so I thought this week I would share some of my favorite social resources that have helped me as a blogger!
1. Twitter
I was a little late to jump on the Twitter train. I honestly didn’t get it. What could possibly be beneficial about talking in 140 character increments? What I didn’t realize then was that those 140 character statements do not exist as a single entity but form a CONVERSATION. Yes I capitalized that on purpose. The purpose of twitter is not to simply tweet blog links or ads (which is fine in moderation) but to actual network and CONNECT with one another. It is all about the conversation. I have met so many amazing people through twitter both in relation to blogging and to chronic illness. If I have a question about a plugin for WordPress, I can ask twitter and have a response in no time. If I have been prescribed a new medication and have questions, I will undoubtedly find a fellow spoonie who as had experience with it before and can answer my questions. I love blogging and getting to respond to your comments here at ANKON but I love being able to chat with you on Twitter! If you’re new to Twitter, here is a great article on getting started with Twitter by Eli Rose Social that can help get you on your way!
If you are more comfortable in a forum-type setting, then the Blog Frog is the place for you! There are forums on every topic imaginable and it is a snap to create your own community as a part of your blog! BF creates a great place to ask questions and join in discussions as well as read blog posts from your favorite bloggers and discover new blogs while you are at it! I have discovered some of my favorite blogs through the Blog Frog forums! As a blogger, creating a community is a piece of cake! Becoming a member of Blog Frog is quick and free however there are a lot of great benefits to paying for a premium or platinum members as well such as advertising and newsletters! Even if you are not ready to create a community of your own, it is a great place to network and meet other bloggers!
Some would probably debate whether or not this would be considered a “social” resource but I decided to add it to the list anyways! The purpose of Klout is to help discover topics that you are considered to be influential in across the social media world. Of course, the system isn’t perfect and there are tons of complaints about how quacky the system regarding creating a score and deciding which topics relate to you. I won’t deny that – I’ve been stated as being influential in pirates on more than one occasion. I try not to take more score too seriously as it always tanks on the weekends. Personally, I think it can be a lot of fun! Every day that you log in, you are able to award K+ to your friends in categories in which you think they are influential. Some can be funny while others are more serious. For example, I thought it was hilarious that somehow pirates ended up on my list while I take pride in my status of being influential in health and endometrosis. There are also fun perks that you can get awarded! I won’t be stinky for a whole year after receiving a year supply of Secret Clinical deodorant as a Klout perk. Again, I’m not sure how the perks get awarded. Some I’ve qualified for and others I haven’t. Klout can be a great resource and a lot of fun – just don’t take it too seriously – it takes all the fun out of it!
Have you tried using any of the above? Love ’em? Hate ’em? What are some of your favorite social media resources?
p.s. If anyone is planning on heading to Bloggy Bootcamp Atlanta (or considering it) and is looking for a roommate, please let me know! I need one desperately!
Blog Frog is where I spent a TON of time as a newer blogger! It’s a great way to network and many of my followers have told me that they first found me there!
Great resource list!
Thanks Liz! Unfortunately I don’t visit nearly as often as I used to but I wouldn’t trade the foundation it gave me for anything!
Liz that’s so true! I totally connected with you there and tried to be part of your community the most!
Thanks for posting this great information! I am new to blogging so I love reading about tips – I will have to check out the summer blog social. So far, I have joined and met a lot of great women on BloggyMoms and SocialMoms.
Definitely check out the Summer Blog Social linkup! There are oodles of posts for both newbies and veterans! Social groups, like SITS and BloggyMoms, are invaluable as a blogger! Like you, I have met so many awesome people! Thanks for visiting & for having me as a guest writer!
I was late to twitter too but it was definitely the one tool that took my blog to the next level. I have never gotten into blog frog that much, I may need to give it a try again. So glad you linked up so that I could find your blog. You have such an incredible story.
Thanks Jessica! I am so glad that you & Liz put this event together! I already feel recharged and I still have a lot of reading to do! I have found so many incredible blogs already!
I wondered if a lot of people still do blog frog – thanks for sharing some information on it. Sometimes I feel like there are SO many great places to join and it’s hard to know which ones to devote your time to!
There are so many great options out there! I think the key is finding a couple that you love and spend your time there. It can be so easy to spread yourself too thin! One of the reasons why I dropped Google+ is because I wanted to only have 3 or 4 social media outlets that I want to focus on instead of trying to have my toes in everything from Twitter to Google to BF to every mom bloggers circle created. Balance is key!
i love things like this b/c i’m glad to have come across new blogs!! i’ve never been here before! (gasp!) love the design… so inviting and welcoming!
i love your 3 picks here. I LOVE blog frog, but i just don’t have a lot of time, so I spend more time visiting blogs than I do floating on blog frog. wish i had more time, but somethings gotta go… and i LOVE twitter so i’m staying there!!
thanks for visiting my place!!
Great tips!
I love Klout, even if it isn’t accurate it’s great fun and gives everyone a boost when they receive a +k
My day is instantly lifted when I get a little +K love 🙂
Great advice!! I actually don’t use Klout but better go check it out!
The key to Klout is to not take it too seriously! It can be a lot of fun otherwise to dole out some K+!
That is so true about Twitter but I really haven’t been tweeting a whole lot simply because I don’t have the time. It’s a great social media tool no doubt. As for the others, I have heard about them but have not explored. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by! Hope these sharing these resources has been helpful!
This truly are great resources! I co- lead on Mom Loop on BlogFrog. Please stop by anytime.
I am going to Blogging Bootcamp in Atlanta too.
Yay! Another ATL Bootcamper! Look forward to meeting you!
You’ve reminded me that I need to spend more time on BlogFrog! 🙂 Thanks for that.
Glad I could be of some help! When I need ideas or inspiration, its a great place to hang out!
Great list! Oh, do you know what Klout thinks I’m influential in? Costa Rica! I went there once, for 2 weeks, TWENTY YEARS AGO!! It cracks me up. 🙂
I’ll never figure out the equation they use to come up with some of the topics but they sure are good for a laugh!
REALLY great resources!
Glad you found them helpful!
I totally agree about Twitter being important – especially about engaging with others! While I think Klout scores will be important to look at – it’s definitely not something to look at daily… as with anything else with social media (i.e. page views, followers, likes, etc.) You’ll drive yourself nuts if anything doesn’t go according to what you think. So many things there that you can’t control or know the algorithms for.
I refuse to check Klout on Mondays b/c my scores always tank over the weekends! It can definitely be something that drives you crazy if you aren’t careful. I choose to keep it in the “fun” category 🙂