It’s Not All About You: How Promoting Others Grows Community

I write by moonlight.

Hot wind rustles summer’s full trees, blackened by evening sky, streaked in shades of blue. Navy, midnight, forget-me-nots.

I’m sitting on my front porch wrapped in an unnecessary fleece, my bare feet tucked beneath me.

Today’s to-do list sits unmarked at the top of my screen. The word count on my Work in Progress is untouched, a freelance article’s deadline looms, and this guest post is calling my name.

But what I’m looking at is my reader, where my friend’s stories are laid bare. Their words revealing their most brilliant gems one blog post at a time.

And in this quiet moment shared between just you and me, as I reach for my chai and try to ignore the dark chocolate in my kitchen, I’ll whisper this truth to you: I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because this? Is what a blogging community is all about.

We all start with what we know – ourselves – our very own thoughts and feelings and experiences woven to tell our tales.

But each carefully crafted post loses its meaning if there’s no one on the other side reading, connecting, and feeling something when they read our words, view our tweets, see our avatars.

And that right there is the rub. When thinking about how to grow your blogging community, you have to look outside of yourself.

I could give you a gentle nudge in the right direction – comment, Facebook share, and tweet other people’s posts.

But the important part that I want to highlight and underline and write in bold letters, is do these things because you love to.

Do them because you care about the people behind their own screens so very many miles away. Because you value their thoughts and ideas and know that others might feel the same way about them.

Don’t promote in the hopes of reciprocation.

Because then it becomes all about you again, doesn’t it?

And that isn’t the direction you need to go. You already have you, you’ll only become better, you’ll only grow, when you’re truly connected to others.

So instead of tips and tricks I’m going to leave you with a quote by Maya Angelou that I keep tucked within my blogging heart, leading my choices of when to promote myself and when to promote others:

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(Now go make someone feel good with your comment, tweet, or Facebook share!)

About the Author

spacer Galit Breen is a Minnesota author. On any given day you can find her juggling one husband, one puggle, three children, and her laptop. Galit blogs at These Little Waves and tweets at @GalitBreen.

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About Francesca

One of two behind The SITS Girls and Bloggy Boot Camp. Believer that this community is a movement, and not just a website. Currently on a quest for unending free WiFi & stronger caffeine. I'd love to get to know you better: Find me on Twitter @FranBanducci and on Google+.
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Filed Under: Blog Community, Blog Tips

Comments

  1. spacer Heather says

    Love, Love, Love this advice! This is just what I needed to hear. To often I become so wrapped up in my own postings, I forget to admire the work of others! Thanks for inspiring me to reach out of my own comfort zone!

  2. spacer Beverly says

    I have just stumbled upon this article and love it, it so true. May I highlight part of it on my blog and link back to the article?

    • spacer Beverly says

      it IS so true @@

  3. spacer Renee A Schuls-Jacobson says

    How did I miss this? This is truly how I feel. When I see certain people’s names in my reader, I actually squeal with delight. Crazy, right? But that is truth. So glad to see your words.

  4. spacer Chris Carter says

    I just love this! I love how you write and I agree 100% with all you shared. It’s NOT just about “you”… but it depends on your motives and your genuine mission. My mission is to reach people and encourage them and my hope is that I can do that whether it’s through writing on my blog or commenting authentically and lovingly on another’s. There is depth in their words…and I want to hold on to those words and illuminate them with love. spacer All people are valued.

    • spacer Galit Breen says

      Hi Chris!

      Thanks so much for your words, your comment, your care!

      And oh those last two sentences – they’re so, so It!

      Thank you again, so very much!

  5. spacer Kate says

    A great post and so true. Love that quote. Some very good advice. I need to plan my time better so I can put some more time into building my blogging community and joining others. I find the people I have met so far in the blogging and social networking community’s are some wonderful people and can be so supportive.

    Thanks for a great post

    Kate spacer

    • spacer Galit Breen says

      Hi Kate!

      Thank you so much for your note!

      I’m so with you – the people are breath taking, and the time thing is over-whelming!

      I do carve in some time everyday to visiting/promoting others and consider it a part of my social media time.

      But I’d so take an extra hour or two in the day, wouldn’t you? spacer

      Thanks again for the note, girl!

  6. spacer sarah @littlewhitewhale says