Blogging and writing are not the same thing.
Don’t get me wrong. Bloggers are phenomenal writers. Thought provoking, hilarious, controversial writers.
Blogging is writing. And then some.
When I first started my blog, I would write a post and hit publish. The end.
I thought I was blogging. I wasn’t.
As the months went on, I decided I needed to dip my toe into this world known as the Blogosphere. It was terrifying. I felt like the new kid at the world’s largest school.
I started a blog Facebook page. I shared my posts there but didn’t really interact on other pages.
I got a Twitter account and started following other bloggers. I noticed them re-tweeting and replying to each other. Occasionally I’d get brave enough to press that little star to favorite another blogger’s tweet. But I was still too intimidated to try to start a conversation.
I discovered many great blogs that I started reading. But I didn’t dare comment. They’d just think I was being fake to promote my own blog, right?
Wrong.
It wasn’t until I joined some Blogging groups that I realized the big scary bloggers weren’t so scary after all. In fact they were quite wonderful. And supportive. And were just as terrified of the Blogosphere.
It isn’t the blog-eat-blog world I thought it was.
These groups quite literally have changed my blogging experience. I now know what the “and then some” part of blogging is. Community.
It is wonderful to have a place to go when having an “exactly WHY did I decide to start a blog?” day for a virtual hug. A place to share information about the latest and greatest social media outlet. A place for cheers when a post gets picked up by HuffPo or Scary Mommy. A place to make friends.
I’m so excited that in a few weeks I will be taking my blogging connections to the next level. I will be meeting some of my wonderful blogging friends IN PERSON at the Femworking Blogger and Small Business Conference, where Jill Smokler (a.k.a Scary Mommy herself) will be the keynote speaker. I can’t wait for the 
opportunity to strengthen my current blogging relationships – as well as make new ones – while discussing new tips and tricks to grow my blog.
Femworking is getting ready to select the final speaker for the conference. It would be such an honor to be on the blogger panel. If you think I would be a good choice, please let Femworking know on Twitter or Facebook and use the hashtag #Femcon13.
For new bloggers out there, my advice is this: Don’t blog alone! Reach out to established bloggers. Find the groups and conferences that are right for you and dive right in!
Don’t miss out on the “and then some.”
(It’s not too late to register for the Femworking conference! Would love to see you there!)
I want to go to the conference! Whose going from NJ? Do they want to drive me there and guide me with my rolling walker? Split a room? Listen to me snore? Or better yet we can stay up all night and talk!?
You should come Jaye! Would love to meet you!!
“Don’t blog alone.” YES. This.
You said a mouthful here and so right that you can’t blog alone and thank god for all the wonderful bloggers who have gotten to know and consider friends, too!! 🙂
So true! The community has been my favorite part of blogging 🙂
The first few months of blogging, I didn’t get what the big deal was. I did it alone. Then gave it up for many months. I came back with a different attitude, started commenting and getting involved, and holy cow, what a difference! I can’t imagine giving it up now. Enjoy the conference!
I’m still working up the courage (and desperately trying to find the time) to get my “and then some.” Maybe some day. 🙂
Yes!! I blogged alone for far too long. A blogging community is so much more work, but so worth it! I’m going to my first blog conference next weekend! (SITS Bloggy Boot Camp in MN)
How awesome! Wish I’d known about this one! I’m going to the SITS Bloggy Boot Camp in Dallas next month. I have big plans to go to more conferences next year. At the last event I went to, it was so much fun sitting down and realizing that I tweet with the person sitting next to me. Oh the power of Twitter!! Have fun – can’t wait to hear about it!
Have fun at the conference! I was the same way when I first started blogging several years ago; I would just write in my own little world. Then I went anonymous and started reaching out to other bloggers, and you’re so right: They are such a wonderfully diverse group, but always so supportive and you do feel like you get virtual hugs from them! Great post.
I couldn’t agree more… My blog friends have helped me through so much… I can’t imagine not having them in my life!
I did the SAME thing!! I had NO idea the community would be so HUGE and deeply connecting!! You can’t engage people if they don’t know you’re there, right? Great post and have a FABULOUS time meeting so many amazing writers/bloggers/FRIENDS!!
It is ALL about the community. (and thank goodness for that!!) I tweeted you out some love! I hope you are chosen for the speaker spot!! –Lisa
Great post; this really hits home for me. I’ve been “blogging” for about a month now. I started out with all these grand ideas of where I wanted this journey to take me, but once I’d actually made the jump, I found I was more overwhelmed and intimidated than inspired. Definitely the new kid vs. largest school. ever. Thankfully, I’ve met a ton of awesome people; from the well known super successfuls who are super down to earth, to people like me who are just starting out. It’s an amazing new world. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
I came to blogging from a community managing backgriund but didn’t expect the number of close friends I have made. It is the best part without a doubt!
Thank you for sharing this. I’ve been writing for about 6 months, and I’m still trying to get the hang of blogging. It’s so hard to make time to read other people’s blog posts, while I’m trying to run our household and take care of my 3 and 6-year-old.
What blogging groups are you referring to? I’m only part of DJ Paris’ Triberr, which has been good, but since he’s a humor blogger, I’m not sure I fit in that great.
I agree that I’ve met and learned from some amazing folks in the bloggy world, but the other side of the coin is that I’ve also seen mean girl crap and lots of competition esp with the “mid life” groups who vie for brand $$. Thank you for following me!!