Hey y’all me again! (Kristi) Here is the second post about

building community and readership! Enjoy!

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying this great series as much as I am. When Kristi asked me to be a part of this series a lot of different tips and ideas came to mind. There’s so much I’ve learned since I started blogging and so much more I still need to get a better grasp on, it can seem overwhelming at times. But sometimes it’s good to get back to the basics, which brings me to the tips I want to share today.

Get involved, Be Generous, and Remain open-armed!

Get involved. Bloggers get started for a variety of reasons. Some start as a way to keep up with family and friends, others as a way to coordinate with a business, and some as a way to share creative inspiration. Whatever the reason, blogging is a social medium and if we don’t get involved and engage with other bloggers, we become a small boat drifting aimlessly in a big ocean.
When I moved into my house, I took every opportunity I had to meet my neighbors. We’ve built our relationships over small talk at the community mailboxes, chit chat while our kids play together, and more in depth conversations over a shared meal. While some of my neighbors are still acquaintances, others have become close friends.
Blogging is like that. When you first start, you search out other blogs and leave encouraging (I hope) comments on posts you find interesting and engaging. Some engage you back and a relationship begins. But, like any relationship, it only grows if you keep engaging. Make good use of different platforms and put yourself out there. Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Stumble Upon are just a few examples of ways to get involved and be a part of the community. If you can, go to a conference. These are a great way to get to know other bloggers in a more personal way. As a matter of fact, Blissdom is where I first met Kristi. And take advantage of local blogging events. I have found a rich community of bloggers this way.
Be Generous. Everyone remembers how exciting it was the first time someone (who wasn’t family) left a comment on your blog. It was exciting. Someone knew you were out there and was interested in what you were saying. If you’re like me, it still is. After all, we all like to feel liked, valued, and appreciated. Finding, reading, and making comments on blogs can take up a lot of time. And I know time is precious. But some of my best blogging friendships have started over a supportive comment left on a post. Don’t underestimate the power of a kind and encouraging word.
Remain Open-Armed. As your blog grows, it can be easy to gradually close your circle and focus on a few favorite blogs. Since there’s only so much time in a day, it may be tempting to just read your top 10 favorite blogs. Resist the urge. A new favorite may be a click or two away. I find that my best ideas come when I get inspired by other blogs (often outside my genre). The pool of creative, intelligent, and resourceful people is endless. And you never know, as you discover new blogs, you may find a new and rewarding friendship in the process. No matter how big you get, remember what it was like when you first started and remain open-armed to those smaller or just starting out. In reality, we should always be open-armed to everyone big and small. As the saying goes, treat others the way you want to be treated.

I’d like to share a few well known bloggers who I think do the basics well. I first met Erin, from House of Turquoise at a local blogging event. She is a genuine, kind, intelligent, encouraging, and engaging person. Did you know that in addition to House of Turquoise, she also has a number of other blogs devoted to shopping? You can check them out here. In spite of being huge in the blogging world, Erin is very approachable. She has been very supportive and helpful to me since I started blogging and I’m blessed to count her as a friend.
Melissa, from The Inspired Room, is one of the first blogs I started reading. I got the chance to get to know her a tiny bit at Blissdom and she is as gracious and kind as she comes across in her blog. I’ve been very impressed with how encouraging she is to other bloggers. She’s someone you just want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with. Hopefully, someday I’ll get to do just that.
I *met* Jen, from Tatortots and Jello on Twitter. The thing that has impressed me the most about Jen is how generous she is in promoting other blogs. She is always highlighting someone’s latest project or craft. To me she embodies the idea of being open-armed. She also has some of the most inspiring ideas not to mention some of the best tutorials you’ll find in blog land.
Thanks Kristi for including me in this awesome series. Kristi also does the basics very well. Of course, since you’re here reading this, I’m sure you already know that!

Kristen is a mom of three busy teens. Her idea of the perfect morning includes a cup of coffee, a full tank of gas (hard to come by with a house full of teens), and a pile of design magazines. She loves her family, being creative, seeing the possibilities in something, and believes learning should never end. She can be found at High Heels and a Hammer, where she writes about turning her house into a home one DIY project at a time. And yes, most days you will find her wearing a pair of really cute heels.:)

Have a happy day,

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