We humans are social animals, we have an inherent need to be with others. Loneliness is painful. We’re not built to be alone. And my time as a blogger has demonstrated to me the importance of being part of a community.
In the beginning, when I began blogging, all I was led to believe, mistakenly, was that all that mattered was great content. Don’t get me wrong, content is essential and always will be but it wasn’t just my content that helped me get to where I am today.
Things really took off for me the moment I became a member of a particular Facebook group. Almost overnight, I began forging relationships, which have helped me in so many ways. I began to interact with other bloggers, people from all around the world who were willing to support one another and connect. It was an amazing community that was building right in front of me. I was a part of it, and am happy to say I still am.
Yes I’ve moved on a lot since those days. I have transformed from a hobby blogger to a pro-blogger, running a quite successful online business. But I remermber my roots, and the people who have helped me on my way. I still make sure that I visit, and comment on their blogs, because they are the people who I call my friends. Some have departed to pastures new, but to me they are still the same people that I was fortunate enough to unite with on my journey.
Everyday people partner with one another to help each other. In the blogosphere this is particularly true. Within this community that I belong to, we all support each other in one way or another and it’s not labeled as partnering, it’s based purely on friendship and support.
I know at times where many from this group have been on the other end of their keyboards through all hours of the day or night to offer support to an online friends, for no other reason than they are part of this community, and in need of support. There are two particular ladies, both who I adore and respect as bloggers and people who have done this many times for each other, and for fellow members of the community.
To me we are the same people, who now have maybe different goals, different perspectives, but the friendships we have created over time should not change. We should still be supporting each other, ensuring we grow and flourish and fulfil our dreams.
What we all have in common unites us more than our differences. Networking makes a big difference for all of us, this will never change. We all together created a community based upon reciprocity and camaraderie. I for one will never forget what you each gave to me, and the community itself provided. We were held together under a banner, but it was each of us as people that gave this group its vibrancy and fellowship.
It went a lot further than providing ways to promote each other and benefit from one another.
Yes of course we did the norm:
- Commenting on Blogs
- Linking Blog Posts
- Promoting each Other
- Supporting joint Causes
- Chatting in facebook
But it was always a lot more than that. We had a community that believed in engagement and caring for one another. We proved that blogging and social media, when done correctly, can be the basis for a community that will love and support you through the hardest times in your life and be there while you come to terms with this world of blogging. It created an unbelievable support structure that benefited everyone. It led to friendships. These people became part of my life.
I cherish those that have been part of the community and would do anything to support them, no matter where they are trying to go.
Everyone out there needs to be part of a blogging community. It will help put some life into your blog and help you by having a team around you that you can pull support from when you need it. Go create life time friendships and be part of a community that will help you take your blog to where you want it to go.
I am now a member of various communities, and I love the interaction it brings me.
Do you support people elsewhere online? Perhaps on Facebook or other social networks?
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