I notice as I am going around the blogosphere that many people start getting bigger with their blogs and stop helping others for free. When we all first start blogging we want to learn knowledge, share that knowledge and help each other succeed. Ultimately some people want to make money in addition to blogging and so I can understand charging for your time, but really think about it; when you started blogging did you not have a few bloggers who had been blogging for a long time and were able to help you out for free?
I know I had those kind of friends, Dwan aka @MommaDJane was the one who gave me the idea of blogging and we had been best of friends for a long time promoting each other, supporting each other and making sure we never lost site that our friendship was very important no matter what. I will be honest for a while I was a bit lost thinking that we were no longer good friends and that we would never be what we were. Reality is people get busy but that friendship seed that got planted will forever be there, especially when it’s as close as mine and Dwan’s was. Dwan and I have shared so much together to include helping each other with blogging.
Having a support team with blogging is a huge deal, which is a big reason I changed my blogging support group to be free. I know I should charge for my time and I know that time is money but at the end of the day I feel so much happier knowing I helped someone rather than made a buck. With the blogging support group(s) I am putting together they will be free overall but in the future there will be paid options because some upper level assistance will certainly be well worth their money spent and time, but for the most part this will be a free group to help drive more traffic and make more revenue.
Friendships gained while blogging and being a part of blogging support type groups is what keeps the blogging world going around. We are all important and we all have something to say no matter how big nor small blogging is a great family to be a part of. Speaking of family, I am a member of the MomDot Forum and let me tell you that is an amazingly active forum that you can find support and fun conversations along with help for your blog too!
What support do you have, need or want when it comes to blogging?
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Great post Brandy! As a matter of fact it was YOU that got me started blogging. I remember seeing your posts over on The Diva Within and thinking hey I could do that too…(especially since I work from home) I was inspired (and still am) by your success.
Unfortunately, my blog is stuck at 117 followers and not growing. I started another blog “Diary of a Fat Mom” and I have about 10 RSS readers and 2 followers. I have found that a lot of “bigger bloggers” will only help you out if you are willing to pay them for their time or they ignore you all together.
I am looking for support in terms of growing my blogs (both of them) readership, page rank, and hopefully start making some money off of them…
Having a support system is awesome whether it be in real life or virtually. I have been so blessed to be able to blog about my life and get such wonderful comments and advice from my followers. I also love Twitter as well because I have a wonderful support there.
.-= Dawn (Painter Mommy)´s last blog ..This Tom Girl is Wearing EARRINGS! =-.
I love the Momdot community too and I feel so blessed to have great support from the wonderful members there including you! Have a great weekend!
.-= ANDREA HATFIELD´s last blog ..Falls Hottest Entertainment with TiVo Premiere =-.
It’s is great that you are making a support forum, there arne’t enough places that truly support each other. I think many bloggers feel isolated and alone.
.-= Louise´s last blog ..Giveaway Jingle Link Up Your Giveaways =-.
I agree with you Brandy. Support is so helpful in all areas of our lives. And since so much of our life is spent online these days, it seems natural to looks for advice or friendship there first. I love the MomDot community as well. And I know that is where we met and have had made a long lasting friendship that is more than just blogging and online life. You surprise me all the time where you find the time to do so much esp with your active 3 munchkins and being a young adult, you still have so many things to see & do!
yet you still find time to give so much!! love & hugs 🙂
.-= Faythe´s last blog ..Take 2 and call me in the morning =-.
Ahh thanks girl! I remember when you first started blogging and now look at you go! I’ll always be here even during the times when I’m busy with kids and working full time and living this crazy chaotic life. Love ya and missed you during those months we were so busy we didn’t talk daily.
I’m also excited about the new ventures coming up and know this blogging support group will be amazing.
.-= MommaDJane´s last blog ..Cooking Up Holiday Fun With The Constructive Playthings Classic Wood Kitchen Set Review & Giveaway =-.
RT @brandyellen Supportive Bloggers and Friendship | Happily Blended http://bit.ly/cqeOJ2
RT @brandyellen Supportive Bloggers and Friendship | Happily Blended http://bit.ly/cqeOJ2
RT @brandyellen Supportive Bloggers and Friendship | Happily Blended http://bit.ly/cqeOJ2
This is a wonderful post and so true!! I know we all can get busy with life in general, but it is so nice to come online and see comments on our blogs or a helpful hint or advice from a great online buddy! 🙂
.-= Shop with Me Mama´s last blog ..You Suggested- I Listened – =-.
RT @shopwithmemama: RT @brandyellen Supportive Bloggers and Friendship | Happily Blended http://bit.ly/cqeOJ2
I think it’s fantastic that you want to help so many bloggers. I wish I could join your group, but my desktop computer is ancient and slow and couldn’t handle Skype. My laptop crashed and I still haven’t gotten it repaired.
But yes, I have noticed some of the people I started out blogging with beginning to charge outrageous fees for their services (advice, design help, etc.) and it’s sad.
.-= Mandy @ Mommy Cracked´s last blog ..Baby LJ =-.
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What a great post. Isn’t that what we are all here for though. Sharing our thoughts to help others and make friendships that we would otherwise not have the chance to grow? Very well put!
.-= Kathleen B.´s last blog ..Extreme Room Makeover 4 Boys Style Wallables Review! =-.
Great post…. I have made some great blogging friends and very thankful I found some mommy blogger online communities like MomDot!
.-= Stefani´s last blog ..SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp Review FREEBIE =-.
I have had many blogging friends overtime who have helped me, and I have had the chance to help a few as well. Over time, many members of my original blogging circle have gone MIA, especially in the past year, where some bloggers I knew closed down without any warning.
I think it depends on what the fees or for and how valuable this knowledge is. There is so much wonderful free information out there, and many free tools as well. If you can code even a little you can also get almost any WordPress question answered at WordPress.org. With that said, yes I’ll pay for info, but it better not be something that I can find somewhere else for free.
.-= Tina T´s last blog ..Is it Time to End Your Long Term Relationship =-.