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 –

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14 Responses to Hopping Blog Parties

  1. Hi Helen, this is all sooo true! I love your post and thank you for sharing your work with #SimplifyWednesdays !

  2. Christy says:

    I totally agree with you. I always feel guilty linking up a post if I don’t get around to looking at other people’s links. At the very least we can right click – open in new window – on a few people’s links and give them some hits on their site. I always link back to the blog party and do my best to comment and share on social media.But, I’ll admit – sometimes it does feel like a lot of work! So lately I’ve been trying to do more quality link ups over a high quantity.

    Thanks for the encouragement! (and thanks for commenting on my link!!!) :) Blessings!

    • HelenFern says:

      We can’t do it all the time – we have lives outside of blogging. I would just like to see people do it a little more often. And sadly, sometime I don’t get to all the posts on my parties!! I try because I do appreciate the time they take to share their great ideas, but sometimes life catches up (like last week!!)
      Thanks for your support Christy!

  3. Winnie says:

    Helen, I could not agree with you more!
    Just a “little” problem – not all hosts think like you.
    You go and leave comments. but must hosts don’t even bother! They do parties just to increase traffic – in order to have more ads – more money (BTW – I don’t have any ads, and don’t earn anything from my blog). So when I keep leaving “thank-you” comments and never receive nothing in return, no comments on my posts, I eventually do the same – stop leaving comments.

    I leave lots of comments, but most bloggers – don’t bother to comment back. Some definitely do(!) but most – don’t.

    • HelenFern says:

      Winnie – I have to admit I am guilty of not commenting all the time on the posts that are left. Sometimes I get so busy I run out of time – I work full time and have three blogs – but I try. And I really try to support other bloggers in the same way I’d like to be supported. And I agree, the majority do not comment back. But if we all work towards that goal (no one can do it all the time!!) then we make the blogging world just a little better for each other. :) Thanks Winnie – I appreciate your support.

  4. I love your insight and suggestions Helen. I always try to leave a little something for the host or the blog I visit. For me it is the easiest way to let someone know I was there. Parties I host always get a comment and multiple shares. That way the linker knows I was there. I am guilty of not clicking ads for a few reasons. I get distracted and shop and don’t return to the party. Also, I spend WAY to much money when I am supposed to be getting minimal with my “things”! I could write a huge post on party etiquette but I haven’t figured out how to make my point and suggestions without getting mean. Great article Helen! Have a great day.

    • HelenFern says:

      Ads aren’t a big deal – and I’ve noticed, you do work the parties. I see posts that have 1 visit – and I know that was mine – I’d just like to see people who take the time to post have people check them out. And you’re right – there is no way to really make the point.

      Marilyn – I thank you for the support you have given me and I hope I have returned the favor!

    • Jeana says:

      At last some ralanoitity in our little debate.

  5. I haven’t been doing many linkies (besides my own!) at the moment because work has been so busy, but weeks when I do a lot it really shows which link-ups have good engagement and which don’t. It’s sad because I do the bulk of my blog reading through linkies, but for a lot of people they just seem to be there to link and run. x #FridayFrivolity

    • HelenFern says:

      Me too Jess – I love the parties to find ideas, new friends, etc – but I see on my own party how many people just post and run – and very, very few visit other posts – I want the people that join my party to have lots of visits, I’m just not sure how to make that happen yet. But I will!! Thanks for visiting and commenting!

  6. Ahhh this is so true! You’re so kind to click ads for other bloggers — I try to do the same and I kinda thought I was alone in it. ;P I appreciate your thoughtful plea for folks to be more considerate — thank you for sharing at #FridayFrivolity! Pinning and tweeting. ;)

    • HelenFern says:

      Thanks Sarah – I think most bloggers want to support each other, but we all get so busy sometimes we just forget. Thanks for the visit and the comment!

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