The Best Websites for Networking
There are so many places online for bloggers to network that it can often become confusing and really time consuming to find the communities that will actually do your blog some good. With some sites I have no idea if I’m coming and going.
Is it possible that you may be wondering about some of the best places to network for your blog? Well, here I’ve taken all of my blog posts about networking and have put the information together to tell you what works from me.
And remember, just because I’m showing you what works for me doesn’t mean there isn’t more out there. Pay attention to other blogs talking about networking and where they find niches that work for their blog.
Social Bookmarking
Del.icio.us: Typically used when I’m asked to. Recently with some new places that I network I have seen a increase in traffic coming from Del.icio.us and need to use this site more often.
Digg: Again, usually I’m asked to digg a post. However, when I read a post I really enjoy and the blogger has the digg icon showing that there have already been diggs to the post, I’ll digg. Usually after Stumbling though.
Mixx: A new comer to social bookmarking, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this site and am just now starting to use it. There have been a few occasions that my posts have been submitted to Mixx for me and it’s brought in a good deal of sustainable traffic.
Reddit: This site comes in third place for traffic for my blog. And it’s still very new to me. It’s time for me to get more on the bandwagon here and use it more often.
StumbleUpon: I receive more traffic from StumbleUpon than any other source. It’s by far the biggest even surpassing what Google brings in. It’s a huge piece of the pie for me and my blog wouldn’t have gained the success that it has without using StumbleUpon. It pays to be active here!
Social Networking
BlogCatalog: There is no other for me. With so many options and users, this site takes the cake for social networking. It pays off to get involved with both groups and discussions here!
Twitter: I signed up here quite some time ago and it just didn’t feel as though it was for me. However, recently I have gotten back into discovering this site and am using TwitterFeed to broadcast my posts instantly as well as getting involved by following others.
Forums
Advisory Panel: Small and upcoming, this is a great place to get in with!
Performancing Hive: Huge networking possibilities here. This is your place to talk and mingle with some of the best bloggers on the web and actually learn from them. I caution you, to be a member of this forum the charge is $10 USD per month. However, if you’re going to actually take the time to network, do not be afraid of this charge. It’ll be worth every single penny.
And there you have it. As you can see, this list is pretty simple. Could I be doing more? Sure, of course I could there’s always room for improvement. But these are places I have found networking easy and fun. With so much on my plate, that’s really the best thing of all for me. In the future, I’m sure I’ll branch out to use the many more sites that are available.
It’s also important for me to note that while there are more to use, these are actually effective. I’ve stuck with these because I see results from them and actually enjoy using the sites. You can bet that if I don’t enjoy a site, there’s no amount of traffic that will be tempting enough for me to actually stick around.
Networking isn’t just about what it can do for you but what you can do for it as well. Participation is a must for best results. So when you keep filling out those register forms, remember that for best results you’re going to have to put yourself out there.
So, what works best for you?
March 17th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I’m a member of all those, but the two forums. Forums scare me (unless they’re for fun, LOL).
You really do get links and hits from all of those, and I think it’s amazing.
Only one suggestion: another blogger suggested adding people, even if they’re blog has nothing to do with yours, and that honestly pisses me off. DO NOT ADD just to add. It’s stupid, it’s annoying, and it’s just pisses off the person you’re adding.
That, and don’t message/comment to someone to check out their blog. I check those that add me (if the profile shows a common element), and I don’t need to be told to check you out. I just delete those posts.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Stumbleupon is where the majority of my traffic comes from and it is not even close to anything else. For a brand new blog I don’t think any other service can get your message out there in the capacity that Stumbleupon can.
March 17th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I’ve just discovered your blog through Entrecard, and it seems interesting. have to go to work now, but I’ll definetly come back to visit!
March 17th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
lol@Anca’s comment. Katy, you left Entrecard out. Any reason why? I’m really into them right now.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Thanks for the recommendations Katy! I registered for the Advisory Panel and I am going to keep concentrating on BlogCatalog to see what happens.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I better get to work – I am only a member of StumbleUpon and still can’t figure out how to use it to my benefit, LOL! I agree that once you join a site, you have to keep up with it and participate to reap the benefits. Also, I have met a lot of great new bloggers in my niche through Entrecard.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Sarah » With forums, I’m a get in… get information, and go. I don’t ever rack up the chatty points but they still work really well for me.
I agree with you on not adding just to add. However, people have more interests than what their blog is about and absolutely should network with other people outside of their niche. :o)
Untreatable » While StumbleUpon is also the majority of my traffic, Google does come close. They have the difference of maybe a couple hundred visitors. It sounds significant but looking at the whole picture, it’s not. And I also agree with you that StumbleUpon is a great place for new blogs. Unbelievable jump start to a great new blog!
Anca » Thanks for stopping by. Looking forward to seeing you again.
Damien » The purpose of the post was to show what works for me based on my own experience. Other than randomly dropping cards when I hit up a blog, I don’t have experience with Entrecard and from what I see with my stats, there’s a large bounce rate. I’m sure that when I have time to actually network with those inside of the Entrecard community, that will be different. However, because I haven’t had time, they’re not one of the top sites to go onto the list of sites working for me.
Michelle » Next time we talk, we should go through a StumbleUpon run down. It’s quite easy and a ton of fun! Sounds to me like I need to get on Entrecard. It’s on my list of things to do but so much work comes first (as you know…) :D
March 17th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Nice list. I have used many of them and the results are good. From traffic point of view, StumbleUpon is on top of my list. Will definitely check Advisory Panel. Thanks.
March 18th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Nice article. I’m new at this, so I can use the help. I have just recently signed to Stumble, I’ll have to check the others too.
March 18th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Just wondered if you ever sleep at all? Seriously, you seem to be one busy woman.
But nice solid list. A few on there I knew about but not really taken time to look at.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Anca » Thanks, hope one or more of these sites are as useful to you as they have been for me.
Graham » I don’t really sleep, I’ve got myself on a strict schedule so that I stay on top of everything I have going on. I’m in bed at 1 AM and up at 6 AM. I live for my 1 hour nap while my baby is napping. LOL
Glad you liked the list, hope you find one here that works for you. :o)
March 19th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Thanks for this article!
March 19th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Anne S » You’re very welcome.
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
As a sports blogger, I’ve found Bleacher Report to be a great site — it helps with your writing prowess and networking.
March 24th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
SensorC » Thanks for the tip! I love hearing about niche social networking sites… even when it’s not my niche. :D
May 12th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
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November 10th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Hi,
i am new for this blog,the article is really very nice and intersting…………
Thanks a lot..
——————
Ramya
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