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Hopping Blog Parties

This post is really about blogging, not cooking.  It’s about bloggers helping each other.  As I sit on my couch with my coffee on this wonderfully quiet morning, I am posting to a large number of blog parties.  If you don’t know what that is (blog hop, linky party, etc.), it’s a place bloggers go to share their posts.  Some of them are huge!  You could never navigate through all the posts – and some are really small.  I host two.  One here and one on my Pleasures of the NW blog.  And through hosting I’ve learned something about bloggers.

Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much.

I try to post a comment to the host of every party I go to.  It’s polite and it is a way to give back to the blog that has put the work into me being able to share my own blog.  It gives back in the way of stats and traffic.  I also try to visit four or five other posts and comment on them.  That’s part of why I go to the parties – to increase my stats and traffic and to get some exposure to what I am doing out here.  I check out the ads (that’s how us bloggers earn a little for our labors) and then move onto another.  Yep – it takes some time.  But if the party host has taken the time to host, I’m going to take the time to do my part.

But here is what I’ve learned.  Most bloggers don’t do any of that.  I’ve had days where not one ad has been looked at, but I know I’ve had traffic by the number of posts to the party.  And I can tell how many people actually visit the other posts by the stats at the Inlinkz (the party platform) dashboard – and I can tell you there are very, very few.  The comments vary.  One week I’ll get 9 or 10 (from 88 posts) and some weeks I get 2 or 3.  I value your thoughts.  I’d love to hear why you chose this party – what features you liked – and so on.

So here is my challenge to all those out in blogger land.  When you go to a party – any party – give your host a heads up – Hey, thanks for your time to host this party!  Tweet or share the party on facebook.  Then go and do what you are hoping someone does for you – visit 3 or 4 other posts.  It really doesn’t take that long.  Stop by – leave a note – “Hey, I found you at such and such party.  Great idea here!”  And see any ads that look interesting?  Check them out!  (I’ve actually found things that are relevant to me and I’ve purchased!).

Support your fellow bloggers.  Don’t just link up at a party then run off to the next.  Remember WHY you are posting to the party.  Everyone is there for the same reason.  Everyone wants a little attention.  Don’t leave people just sitting alone by the wall – mingle!  Chat.  Talk about what’s trending.  Connect.

Thanks –