Friend Friday: Networking Know How!

Hello Ladies, some of you may be a bit confused as it's not Friday, but I swear I scheduled this post for friday and it didn't post so I think I must have forgotten to hit publish and hit save instead, DOH! But better late than never eh?

First though Happy Mothers Day to all you Mummies! And to my lovely mum too!

1. Guest posts are a good way to gain new exposure. What do you thinkis the appropriate way to go about securing a guest spot?

Well start with your blogging friends, your bound to make a few along the way and most bloggers are interested or up for some guest blogging swaps as it provides exposure for both your blogs. A polite email to your blogging friends just asking if they would be interested is enough really. If you have yet to make any blogging friends send out some feelers via your blog, write a post on how you think guest posting is a great idea for bloggers and you would love to hear off anyone who would be interested, I bet you get hits!

My first guest post swap was actually set up via FBFF so joining a network is also a great idea!

2. Leaving comments is essential to growing your blog. But how can you leave a comment without coming across as ‘Follow Me. Follow Me!’?

I hate, repeat hate! 'follow me' comments. I think just being honest, helpful and interesting in your comments will encourage people to go view your blog, and if they like it they will follow at some point. Sometimes it will be on a first visit other times a may take weeks of commenting back and for before some one follows you. Its not the number of people who follow your blog that is important anyway. People shouldn't stress about followers or comments just about how good their content is and wether they enjoy blogging. The only thing I do to try to encourage people to visit is add my blog link to all my comments to make a direct link to my blog nice and easy, but I would never leave a 'Follow me' comment as I think its just rude!

3. We’ve all gotten a mass email at one time or another asking for blog exposure, a link exchange, etc… But the mass emails don’t work. How do you make your email stand out from the crowd?

I don't mass email! To be honest I think mass emailing is silly and so impersonal. If you really want to exchange links with someone then contact them directly. I think blog exposure should be earned not something you just expect other people to do for you or should be left to the other blogger, I often promote other blogs or link to them if I find something on them I like or they wear something I like.

So as far as I'm concerned - don't mass email at all, by personal and friendly when emailing and don't just do it out of the blue, make your presence known by commenting on the blog a few times and build a relationship with other bloggers.

4. In interacting with other bloggers where do you draw the line between seeking support and begging for exposure?

I feel I may have answered this above??!! lol. Anyway, I would never actually ask for exposure. I would ask for a guest post swap but only with bloggers I know or that have been trading comments with for a while and feel I have a good relationship with. Plus I would never accept a link exchange or guest post swap with someone who randomly emailed me asking for it.

5. What’s one rule of engagement error you made and how have you remedied that?

I don't think I have made an error, at least not in my eyes. At least I hope not! (somebody tell me if I have! lol!)

So whats your views on this subject? Do you have any comment no, no's? or any secrets on how to network more efficiently?

As usual check out Modly Chic for all the other ladies opinions

Daisymay X