Stories Of Blogging Comaraderie | Community Insight
by Eric Hamm on November 21, 2008
in Community, Relationships
If you’re not a blogger I hope this post doesn’t make you feel ‘out of the loop’. I just wanted to take a moment to share some fun and encouraging blogging experiences.
One of the things I love about blogging is the community. There’s such an amazing bond that is shared between those who live their ‘other’ lives in Blogopolis. When someone needs help, it is your fellow blogger who will be there with open arms. We understand each other as we’re all on the same roller coaster ride.
This weeks ‘Community Insight’ post is going to be a forum for your best stories of blogging camaraderie. I want you to think of a time when you shared that special moment of connection with another blogger that helped draw you ever closer to this great ‘communication community’. Tell us one of your blogging experiences that will encourage us all to push forward in our online pursuits.
I’ll Start…
This past week, Sean Platt of Writer Dad and I got a chance to share a series of guest posts on ProBlogger about the hows and whys of finding a blogging buddy. We shared some of the great reasons to connect with other bloggers and go deeper into the collective power of two voices.
These posts really got me thinking about how great it is to be a blogger because of the many wonderful people you get to meet. Without that blogging badge you would never even make eye contact with many of those in our community, but with it we all carry this common bond of blogging experience. And here is a great example:
The other day, as I was setting up a new server for a blogging project I am working on, I had to make a technical support call to GoDaddy (who happen to have some of THE BEST hosting support around!) When I finally got connected to the technician I had a bunch of questions. The guy was very friendly and extremely helpful. The further along we got into our conversation the more complicated the questions became. And yet he just kept answering away. By the end of this great showing of sensational service, the GoDaddy technician mentioned one last thing. He said that I shouldn’t normally expect this kind of in depth assistance. Not that they don’t try to help, but that their policy is to stop at a certain point and refer the customer to some form of help documentation. They do have an ‘extra service’ plan that would give me that hand holding service, but I paid for no such assistance.
It turns out that this guy was a fellow blogger who also uses Wordpress and had recently gone through a similar situation with his own blog setup. He said that once he heard I was a blogger, he wanted to make sure I got the service I needed to get my server setup and ready for Wordpress. Basically, he was a really nice guy who just wanted to go that extra mile for a fellow blogger.
Hi
I’m fairly new to blogging and I must admit that I haven’t “met” a great number of bloggers yet, but I’d like to mention a few who have really made me feel welcome:
Havi of fluentself.com who patiently answered a couple of really dum technical questions that I had and also wrote a whole post about a bit of a blogging concern that I had. (that was really helpful)
Mike King of learnthis who has been very friendly
Henrik of positivityblog who actually changed an incorrect URL that I posted in a comment (blush)
And Eric, I like the way you reply to us commentors.
Well, I’d like to meet more of you out there!
Juliet
This week was the launch of http://www.blogtofit.com. If you haven’t checked it out yet, it’s the journey of 3 bloggers as they try to lose weight, get fit, and become more healthy. All three (2 Daves and Tara) are very honest and very funny. And they have invited the blogging community to join along and share our own fitness journey. I’m really enjoying the interaction, and it’s helping me to stay motivated.
Urban Panther´s last blog post..The struggle
Community is the most important thing, in my estimation, while wandering the boulevards of Blogopolis. It’s the people and the relationships that keep things moving forward instead of in place.
Writer Dad´s last blog post..Redbook… An Excerpt
You’re are a great example for all of us. I truly believe what goes around comes around and you can’t out give God.
The Bold Life´s last blog post..How To Put Joy & Simplicity Into The Holiday Season
Indeed, community is so important. It is quite a paradox to me – but the presence and absence of buddies in the virtual world seems to feel more real than in the real world. As in – blog buddies make a HUGE difference.
I have not collaborated with anyone, but there certainly are bloggers who have made the blog- world such a great/warm place for me. They might be the one reason I enjoy blogging SO much!
Your post at Problogger really makes me want to collaborate!
Thanks, you both!
Maya´s last blog post..Are you a storyteller? What is your story?
Eric (& Writer Dad) – Enjoyed your articles on ProBlogger, well done.
I think the blogging community is truly amazing. I am building up my own and the moment and seeing the benefits for all concerned. Bloggers do help each other out, and there it’s nice to give and received blogging Karma.
Chris (from Lifestyle Project)´s last blog post..Top Tips to Eliminate Temptation (and information overload)
I’ve mentioned this to Sean on several occasions already. I’m sure this will go with me to my grave as “the” community learning experience for me.
I started blogging on Oct 4th. I had been reading for a while, but just started to really put my foot out there with commenting and the like. Well, Oct 23rd was THE post over at writer dad. I won’t put a link to it, I’ll let you do that if you think it’s necessary. High School should ring a bell IF you don’t know what I’m talking about.
Well, I went for it, stuck my big ol’ foot out there, my two sense. Scared to death scared that this comment would be the end of my blogopolis trip. I did it anyway. You know, how you don’t want to look at a car wreck, but you just have too? Well, that was me. I think I even made a comment about not needing to be in the community. And Dave Fowler was quick to say yes you ARE needed. And then Sean made a great reply to me with his word art from the heart.
I can’t describe it, but family…community…I think more than community. Anyway, it was as if everyone saw the new guy and instead of punching him or ignoring him, they made me feel like part of them. I will never forget that, and I became a big time fan of blogging that day
Learned a lot about commenting too.
Scott´s last blog post..I Knocked Scott Down
@Juliet: Thanks for your kind words and for sharing those great stories. Coming from an up-and-comer like yourself, we get to see a fresh perspective.
@Urban Panther: I really appreciate you sharing this info with us. I know the bloggers/blog that you’re talking about and they/it are worthy of a mention as we talk about our wonderful blogging community.
@Sean: ” It’s the people and the relationships that keep things moving forward instead of in place.” Exactly!
@Tess: Good point!
@Maya: “…the presence and absence of buddies in the virtual world seems to feel more real than in the real world.”
I know, isn’t it weird. I think it’s because we are able to be more open and therefore can connect to the ‘real’ person. Great insight!
@Chris: Thanks, Chris. We’re glad you enjoyed that post.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
@Scott: I know the post you’re speaking of. What an interesting moment in Blogopolis THAT was. I think what it showed me was that in the end, most bloggers are all about doing what’s right and helping each other out. As you pointed out, we’re not shy when it comes to aiding a blogger in need. Eric.
Hi Eric,
You know, community is the coolest thing I am experiencing since I started blogging. What you and Sean are doing is pretty cool too. And I think that is what blogging is all about. Creating a community where we can discuss what is important to us.
Cheers,
Jeremy
Jeremy Day´s last blog post..Choose Your Priorities Wisely
@Jeremy: Thanks! I agree. When you first start blogging I don’t think you realize what a great community you’re involving yourself with. It’s a wonderful surprise for those who stick with it long enough to get connected. Eric.
To be very honest, I haven’t found that one blogging buddy yet. I have built great relationships with many bloggers so far, but haven’t quite found that blogging best friend yet.
The best story I can think of is the first blogging friend I ever made. Her name is Monica O’Brien and she writes a blog called Twenty Set. I was still brand new to blogging and she really helped me find my voice and even let me write a guest post on her blog.
I can’t explain the feeling I felt the first time I was published! I felt so accomplished and so grateful to Monica for giving me the opportunity.
I look to continue building relationships and becoming blogging buddies with you Eric.
- Jun Loayza
Jun Loayza´s last blog post..Future Delivery TV: Episode 10 – Live your life like a hardcore gamer
Ok, first off – Congratulations on the problogger post, I’m so pleased for you both! That’s a great achievement, you should feel proud.
Regarding community and comaraderie – I was probably a little resistant to community when I started blogging, or maybe stand-offish is a better way to put it. However, I’ve been encouraged by the fact that my greatest source of help and hints have been from fellow bloggers, particularly those in my niche! This completely goes against protocol that you find in the real world, where competitive nature gets in the way of human kindness.
Well done Eric! I hope you never second guess this endeavour of yours.
Ross´s last blog post..Career paths vs happiness: which road are you on?
@Jun: Thanks for sharing a little tidbit of insight into your blogging world with us.
P.S. Feel free to email me directly if you ever want/need to; I’d love to help you grow your blog. It looks quite promising, by the way. Loved the video interview with Yu-Kai!
@Ross: Hey man, thanks for the congrats!
Sean and I were delighted that Darren gave us so much problogger space for our words (and even our mugs 
!) He’s SUPER NICE!
I must admit I was resistant at first as well, but as you pointed out, this community is like none other, in a fabulous way!
BTW, I really enjoyed your interview with Leo on your blog. Great job! Eric.
The community definitely helps when you need it. There are so many helpful souls out there that you can really depend on when you face an obstacle. Just make sure you are not trying to leech off them
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
@Vincent: You bring up a great point! We need to always be respectful for each others time with any kind of community. But never be afraid to ask for help from another blogger. Because there’s a BIG difference between leaching and just hoping for assistance.
Eric:
I expected interaction with blogging when I first started as that is the premise behind blogging but I figured it would be a “writer – reader” relationship, not a friend-friend relationship like many of them have turned out to be. I just love blogging!
Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbie´s last blog post..3 Steps To Achieving Your Goals
Hi Eric – The community of bloggers can be awesome. I remember earlier this year when one of the gals in my community was asking for help to get a video taken down (from YouTube). You see, her daughter has Down syndrome and the video was making fun of children with special needs. I wrote a post about it, and asked anyone who read it to go to Deb’s blog and Stumble and or Digg her post so it would get attention. Many did and within two days the video was taken down. Knowing we may have had a hand in taking down the video was awesome.
Barbara Swafford – Blogging Without A Blog´s last blog post..NBOTW – An Explorer Of Life
@Dee: Great point! I don’t think many of us realize, coming into all of this, that true friendships will emerge.
@Barbara: Thanks for sharing that story. I remember around when that all happened and how much I then realized the power of this great community. Our voice is definitely stronger in numbers. Eric.