Tell Me Something Tuesday is hosted by Rainy Day Ramblings and discusses a wide range of topics from books to blogging.
Question: How do you extend your blogging circle and make new blogger friends?
Answer: The two main ways I find new blogs & make friends are via comments on other blogs and social media.
I’m always on the lookout for people who leave frequent and thoughtful comments on my friends blogs.
I do not need long detailed comments on my blog but I’m also not a huge fan of saying *great review* just so you comment back/& to get a page view. So if I see someone commenting around a lot and who really likes to chat about books, reading or just life in general then I seek out their blog.
A few blogs I found this way are Book Haven, Chuckles Book Cave, In Tori Lex, We Live and Breathe Books, Read All the Things.
I’ve found a lot of new friends on Twitter and to a lesser degree on Instagram. For some reason I find Instagram a bit more intimidating because it’s more Booktubers and more of a professional vibe as far as the pictures and discussions go. But I’ve still found a few good accounts/blogs – one being Olivia's Catastrophe. She has awesome FUN photos and is easy to chat with.
I used to participate (& host) more features but I’ve been focused on just keeping up with blogging in general but they’re always a great way to meet new people. I choose ones that are more laid back and you can join in whenever you have something to say – like this one!
I also love Caffeinated Reviewers Sunday Post & have found new blogs just from lurking on her link up – although I hope to join in soon.
It’s harder for shy people, like myself, but I’ve learned to just throw myself out there and comment and see if it sticks. I’ve found so many great blogs – they may not be my specific reading tastes but the people are so awesome I still manage to make friends and enjoy talking with them.
How about you? How do you find new blogs/make new friends in the blogosphere?
I really have not found anyone on insta. You are right, it's harder to reach out there.
ReplyDeleteOmg and your pics intimidate me!
Mine??? I literally take under 5 minutes, use my cell phone & only use onstage filters. Of it takes longer than that I don't bother lol
DeleteBut thank you!
The book accounts on the are always asking serious book questions and I feel like I don't know them enough to get that deep lol
And that's *Instagram* filters not onstage lol
DeleteSame! When I first started my blog in April, I knew no one- and through the comments I found lots of friends (eventually). I'm still surprised people actually read my blog posts though (does that ever go away?)
ReplyDeleteI NEVER expected anyone to read my blog lol I'm still stunned 9 years later.
DeleteI will check out the blogs you mentioned. I don't have a lot of time for writing on my blog and I get behind reading others. I usually find bloggers through their comments on other blogs. I'm glad I found yours because I love it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy :-)
DeleteCommenting has been hard for me the past few weeks too. Life gets in the way!
Ugh, I am SO bad about finding new blogs. I try to do my best and visit my regulars but reaching out to new ones is scary. I tend to hope people find me which probably isn't the best way to operate. I like doing the Instagram challenges but I'm not so good at commenting there. There are never enough hours in the day.
ReplyDeleteMy years of being a 7 day per week/join all the things blogger are over lol I try to do things in a manageable way that still allows me to be part of the community.
DeleteI've been enjoying the more laid back bookstagram challenges. I like the ones where you don't need to have professional looking shots to be included.
I'm like you - I like to hop around various link-ups sometimes, but a lot of the time, I'm finding blogs because they comment on other blogs and I find that they are pretty awesome. I love blogs that really try and leave nice, thoughtful comments. I know it takes time - believe me! - but it really does show you're interested in more than a comment or view in return; you want to chat and make connections, and I appreciate that! That's what I want too! :)
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Even if it's a short comment - if they show they've actually read the post or at least enjoy reading and finding new friends/books then I will give their blog a shot.
DeleteThat's exactly how I find blogs too. I just recently visited 5 new blogs from another friends comments on her blog and I left a comment on 2 of their posts. I was a bit surprised that not one of them came back and left a comment on my blog. That's Blogger Etiquette 101 if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteYeah - I find these days that people want views on THEIR blog but aren't willing to reciprocate.
DeleteSome times life gets in the way - like I have been slacking the past few weeks because I've been busy but you should at least visit at least one post and say hi or thanks for visiting my blog.
Yep. These are all ways I find blogs and Instagram scares me. (Plus, I don't think I really understand how it works! lol.)
ReplyDeleteThe Sunday Post is an awesome way of finding new ones. So many blogs participate that just getting around them all is a challenge and then when you find other blogs via those blogs comments? A rabbit hole of blogs and comments. Can't wait to see you popping up on Sundays! :)
I enjoy instagram but I do my own thing. i'm never going to be hardcore editing pictures or even only posting books so...
DeleteThe Sunday Post is a bit time consuming as far as visiting all the other blogs and I've been taking weekends off so that's why I haven't done it in awhile. I'll have to figure out something that works for me.
I'm also shy and I also find new blogger-friends from seeing who comments on my friends' blogs. As I was reading this, I thought you were me!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised by how many of us are shy introverts. It seems to be a little easier to interact on blogs but you still have to take that leap.
DeleteI'm also the same. I tend to lurk the comment sections of friends' blogs and leave a comment in the hope that someone will respond and we can be friends. Lately my comments go neglected though. #ForeverAlone.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good at insta friends. I like pretty photos, but I mostly interact with people I already know.
So many people are saying that about comments!! I wonder what's going on? Straight out rejection - people wanting views but not visiting back? or just everyone is busy and they haven't gotten to it yet??
DeleteI have definitely found some great blogging friends via memes I participate in, and like you, I try to comment on posts that I have some real thought about. And, I am so glad you found me via comments. XOXO
ReplyDeleteI know how time consuming commenting is but even a short comment that's shows you've read the post is enough to make me want to visit a blog.
DeleteI think some bloggers just do the quick *nice review* hoping you visit back but that never lasts or translates to a dedicating following.
I’m trying really hard with Instagram, but I don’t think it’ll ever be my thing. Taking book photos takes FOREVER, and I’d rather put that time into blogging. I find a lot of blogger friends through link-ups.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
My pics take 5 minutes or I won't do it lol I don't edit them either - which probably explains why it's soooo damn hard to grow on there.
DeleteThe successful bookstagrammer's are hardcore. I just have fun with it and post pics of books, food, my pets lol
Great post.
ReplyDelete*snort*
DeleteHahahahaha hope you liked my joke. ^^. I also look for people who post interesting comments and then I go check out their blogs and hope they think my comment on theirs is interesting. Or not. I've found some new friends on Instagram - there is some overlap with blogging but other people who are new to me!
ReplyDeleteJen Ryland Reviews
I did! I burst out laughing lol
DeleteI've found a few people on Instagram but I find that's it's more of an aesthetic and about gaining followers more than talking books. Or I should say - one sided. I've found a few great ones but most want likes/you to go to THEIR page - not be friends.
I find it hard to make friends period. I am very introverted and usually I can't relate to a lot of people. I do find it easier to talk to dog people though ;)
ReplyDeleteSame! Anyone who talks about their pets gets an auto follow/visit from me lol
DeleteI'm always on the lookout for new {to me} blogs to follow and frequently find them through link ups {The Sunday Post and Top Ten Tuesday have brought me the most}. I have a hard time making friends with people in general due to social anxiety, so have found that talking to other bloggers via comments and social media has helped me to connect to more people.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same with the social anxiety.
DeleteI've lost most of the blogger friends I started with. they've all quit over the past few years so it's like starting over.
I've also found a lot of great bloggers through these methods! Well, except Instagram because I gave up on that social media a long time ago lol. I've made friends on Twitter though! You mentioned some great bloggers here who I also love visiting and chatting with :-)
ReplyDeleteMy instagram never really goes anywhere follower wise but I enjoy it so it's kind of my happy escape place from drama.
DeleteI do the same- a lot of times it's just seeing blog comments on other blogs or finding blogs on social media. And I do think it's a little tougher on Instagram, for sure. I'm like you, I keep my photos pretty casual (and it shows haha) but I'm just not into taking all kinds of time doing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for mentioning my blog BTW. :) And I hope you do join the Sunday Post! It's a lot of fun.
Hope you're having a nice week, :)
You're like a MASTER COMMENTER! How many blogs do you comment on per day?
DeleteIf my pics for Intsagram take more than 5 minutes then I don't bother. I enjoy it but not enough to spend a lot of time on it.
I love reading The Suday Post. i used to do my own wrap-up every Sunday and the Tynga's Shelf post but I just couldn't keep up with the posting of it and visiting everyone in the link up.
I definitely notice frequent/recurring commenters - to only on my blog but on others. I’ve seen comments made on other blogs that I agreed with or connected with and that have driven me to that person’s blog.
ReplyDeleteSame! I've found some really great new blogs/friends that way
DeleteI've decided to give up on trying to find new blogger friends! I seem to find good blogs, invest in a month of frequent comments and get zero response! From now on I'll interact with my regular friends and new people who say hi on my blog but I ain't going looking! I do see a lot of the same people that follow me on a lot of blogs I visit!
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I don't go out of my way anymore. I felt like people were just commenting to get you to visit there blog. I'd rather have a smaller group but one that's truly supportive and interactive.
DeleteI do notice if people (like you!) comment all over the place and like talking about books or life and give them a shot. And I've had better luck that way.
I used to do the same- kind of see who was commenting on blogs that I frequented, and went from there. Now... I mean, I will reach *back* out if someone comes to me first, but I am too tired to find new blogs/bloggers, is that terrible? Like- don't get me wrong, I would never turn them down! But I feel like I spent a solid 4-5 years finding blogs and people, and now... I'm done 😂
ReplyDeleteOH and I totally agree about Instagram. Not only does it have a more formal vibe, but it isn't exactly easy to find people's blog links most of the time. Twitter is SO much more user friendly in that regard.
I'll visit a blog if I see the same person around a lot but the days of me actively trying to grow my blog are looooong gone lol
DeleteMy regular peeps are fun and that's ok with me.
I have found some friends on instagram especially since bookstagram is growing like crazy lately. But the easiest way for me is just looking at the blogs I visit the most and seeing who comments and visit bloggers I haven't visited before.
ReplyDeleteSame! If you see the same people commenting around then it's usually someone who really wants to chat about books.
Delete