Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Why Should I Join a Blog Party?

Welcome back, bloggers! This post is part of my How to Blog Party series, which is written for new and experienced bloggers...lots of tips and tricks for joining and hosting a blog/link party. You can click here to start at the beginning of the series and see a round-up of all the posts so far. Last week, we defined what a blog party is.

This week's topic is: Why Should I Join a Blog Party?

There are lots of reasons why you should join a blog party, but the main reason that bloggers link their posts up to blog parties is to grow their blogs. 
Growing a blog might mean different things to different people:
  • Some bloggers want to increase their statistics or the number of Followers/Subscribers they have, or get extra "hits," so they link up to blog parties in hopes of winning new readers with their content.
  • Some might be hoping that their use of a specific product might grab the attention of a brand or company. They could be hoping for an opportunity to partner with that brand in the future, and perhaps they see link parties as the avenue to make that happen through the extra exposure?
  • Others are looking for community, so they join link parties with a goal of finding like-minded bloggers to connect with.
  • Or maybe they just want to show off their latest project to a new audience, and don't particularly care about what else is out there.

You might relate to all four of those attitudes, and that is perfectly fine!

Linking to a select amount of parties each week that you know will bring you a good return on traffic is a great way to expose your blog and your projects/posts to an audience you might not normally reach. Suzie Blogger's readers might love your latest post about your Family Room Makeover, so linking up to her weekly Home Decor blog party is a smart move.

If your project used a stencil, stamp, or paint from a widely known craft company and it ends up being featured on Suzie Blogger's site after the link party, that craft company could be more likely to see your project. If they like the content you have on your blog, they may even contact you for a Giveaway or partnership. And, at the very least, you'll be on their radar!

In my opinion, one of the greatest things about link parties is that it introduces me to new blogs I haven't seen before. This is extremely helpful for me now, as I hunt for projects to feature with Kate for the Best of the Blogosphere series. As a new blogger, linking to a few blog parties every week helped me to make friends with other bloggers. This will come in handy for you because, as we discussed in my Commenting 101 series, building relationships with other bloggers can lead to guest posts, blog swaps, jobs, and most importantly--a loyal readership!
It's great to have lots of hits on your site, to be noticed by brands and companies, and to be featured on big blogs, but a loyal readership is what will continue to carry your blog, even when you don't have a chance to link up to blog parties!

When used properly, (rather than a "traffic crutch" you are dependent on), blog parties can be an effective tool for growing your blog.

I realize that this series may appear to be starting out on a very, very beginner level...and that's because it is. I want it to be a guide for people with blogs of all sizes, so I hope you'll stick with me! We'll cover all kinds of topics in more depth as we progress (technical tutorials, etiquette, tips, etc.)

When am I ready to join a blog party? Come back next week and I'll tell you. You may want to consider signing up as a GFC Follower on my sidebar or even Subscribing so you don't miss a post!

Any questions? Please feel free to email me or leave a comment below. I hope you enjoy this series.

If you enjoyed this post, or found it helpful, I'd love for you to share it on Facebook or use one of the "Pin It" buttons to add it to Pinterest!

16 comments:

  1. Thanks, Amanda. I think this is a great series, helpful to new and not so new bloggers.

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  2. Thank you so much for starting this series, Amanda! I love that you're willing to share your experiences to help others follow in your footsteps... :)

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  3. I have enjoyed linking up to linky parties. I have met so many other bloggers that way and broadened the blogs that I read. I also enjoy seeing what everyone else is doing in the blogosphere. It is impossible to keep up with all the blogs but visiting a linky party is a start.

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  4. Know what I think you should do?? Write an Ebook. I bet it would do great. All of your blogger series have helped me in the past 3 months.

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  5. Thanks for the post - really cute that you broke it down for us. Just getting the swing of things myself so I've often wondered what the heck they are :)

    Bethany
    www.PowellBrowerHome.com

    PS - we're doing a GIVEAWAY over at our spot today. Check it out :)

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  6. Everything you described in this post, I want! I want lots of readers and I want to be really good at redoing furniture and crafting!
    Question: I don't know how to "link up." Can you help me? Also, I feel like my blog has a really "unprofessional" look to it... do you know how to fix that?
    Thanks for the post! Looking forward to getting better at blogging!

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  7. Great post. I enjoy link ups when I do them, but admittedly, I hardly ever do. And funny thing is, every time I stop by here, I love it...and I'm so bad about being loyal lately. :( (Shame on me.) Life is just busy.

    Always something good to dig in here for, though. :)

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  8. Thank you for this...I really need it...I am a real 'newbie'!!! I enjoy your blog!!!
    Have a happy day!

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  9. Remember the good old days when joining a blog party meant that you would also visit other party guests? I still think this is the best way, but I've gotten terrible at actually doing that! You've inspired me by reminding me that Kimba's DIY Day party is actually the way I met YOU! :)

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  10. Just found your blog through Pinterest. Great articles- have been reading everything! Great job you are doing to help others. I have never joined a blog party- I think it is time. Thanks for sharing all this great info!

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  11. When I started blogging I just linked up like crazy!!! Then I realized there's more to it then just linking and running. Wish your series would've been around then! ;)

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  12. I'll admitt that I miss the smaller blog parties like you used to host where the participants actually visited one another. I made a lot of blogging friends by participating.

    I still enjoy link parties but they are usually so big now that it would be impossible to visit everyone. I do enjoy the features and many times they lead me to a post that I didn't notice when I looked through the links.

    I really liked Becky's post today where she put it out there that there are enough parties.

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  13. I. Just found you and am so glad I did! I have been reading your many insightful posts and have found them so helpful. Just wanted to express my gratitude!

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  14. wow.......I was looking for the same information, which you've posted in your blog....thank you for sharing your blog with us.....I'll keep update with the same.

    home decoration and accessories

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  15. I second the e-book suggestion -- not that you likely have lots of free time for something like that, but I would sure check it out. I've learned a lot just by poking around your blog over the last few weeks. :D

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