If there’s one thing I’ve always tried to do in my 7-years of blogging, it’s to be as supportive as I possibly can be to other bloggers. And I think this stems from how quickly I fell in love with blogging thanks to the support that others showed me. I remember thinking that these girls who commented on a regular basis and had beautiful blogs knew it all.
I was eager to learn as much as I could from them, and would often stay up until the early hours of the morning doing so. I didn’t know there was money to be made from having a successful blog at the time, but I loved watching my little online space grow from strength to strength all the same. It was like my second baby. And I spent pretty much all of my spare time updating it.
Then, in 2013, I gave birth to Oscar, my youngest child. And while I was on maternity leave companies started contacting me and offering me money in exchange for promoting their products. I couldn’t believe it! At first, it was just the odd e-mail every couple of weeks. Then they started arriving every couple of days. And before I knew it, two or three were landing in my inbox every day. It was incredible. And then that I made the decision not to return to work when my maternity leave ended.
Since then, blogging has been my only source of income. And I’ll be forever grateful that something I love doing so much enables me to earn a living whilst also being at home for my children. I know that not everyone is as lucky as I am, and I certainly don’t take it for granted.
In fact, I don’t even think I’d be where I am today if it wasn’t for the lovely ladies who taught me what they knew and supported my blog back when I first started. They were amazing! And for that reason, I’m super conscious of wanting to do the same thing for others. I want to be supportive of their blogs and teach others what I know (although blogging changes so often it’s safe to say we’re all still learning). And – I’m sure this goes without saying – I just want to be a nice person.
So, whether you’re a blogger (or an avid reader) who would like to be more supportive of other people’s blogs, make sure you read on. I’ve shared 7 quick and easy ways you can be supportive without it taking up too much of your time each day. And I’m sure that by helping out a fellow blogger you’ll be putting a great big smile on their face too. How awesome is that!?
01. Share Posts
If you’ve come across a blog post that you enjoyed reading, why not share it with your audience?
Every now and then I like to promote posts I’ve really enjoyed on my Facebook page. Plus, I’ll give it a retweet on Twitter or pin it to a relevant board on Pinterest. It literally takes me just a few short seconds to do, but for the blogger on the receiving end, it could be a huge compliment to know that you enjoyed their work enough to share it. And, who knows, they might end up doing the same for you!
02. Interact If You See A Brand Promo
Brand collaborations for bloggers tend to be a big deal. And most bloggers work extremely hard when they’re offered one. So, I think it goes without saying that most of us will worry that our brand posts might not do as well as expected and leave us a little red in the face.
But what can you do to help with this? Well, when a blogger is working with a brand, the number of likes, clicks, and comments they get is crucial for ensuring that the company is happy with the work they’ve done, and want to work with them again in the future. So if you see a brand collaboration on a blog, Facebook page, Insta or Twitter feed, don’t just scroll by! Be kind to your fellow blogger and interact!
Like the post, leave a comment if you have time, or simply just hit the retweet button. One thing I always like to do on Instagram is to follow the brand the blogger is promoting because that’s usually the whole purpose of the campaign. The brand will be happy that the blogger has brought them new follows, and you never know, they might even notice my blog and decide to work with me too! It’s a win-win situation.
03. If You See Someone Ask For Help Or Engagement, Offer It
One thing that’s guaranteed to put me on edge, it’s putting myself out there and asking people to help me with something. This is because I once got asked by a fellow blogger if I could do a fashion Q&A. But when I took to social media and asked for questions, literally no one replied! It was horrible.
For this reason, whenever I see people ask for these sorts of things – I always make sure I get involved. Because I know that fear of putting yourself out there all too well. And if I can help someone to not feel that ‘Nobody is interested in me’ feeling that now scares me so much, I absolutely want to do it.
It usually takes less than two minutes to engage on these sorts of things. And what’re two minutes out of your day when it can make such a big difference to how somebody feels?
04. Link To Other Blogs In Your Posts
If you’re writing a post and find yourself talking about something another blogger has written about, why not link back to it?
Not only will you be helping your fellow bloggers by driving traffic to their websites, but you’ll also be helping them to increase their domain authority too. And we all know how important that is these days. And you never know, they might be kind enough to return the favour one day.
I always try to link back to other blogs wherever possible as I think it’s a really nice way to help someone out.
05. Don’t X Out
I have to be honest and say that I don’t upload to Instagram Stories very often. But one thing that I’m super conscious of when I do is that viewer numbers dwindle with each upload. So the first clip on my Story will have a decent viewer number, but by the second clip, I’ll have lost maybe 50 of those viewers, and even more by the third upload etc.
This is something that makes me quite anxious because I worry that my stories aren’t interesting enough. So I don’t want to go upsetting other bloggers by X-ing out of their stories either. After all, there’s a list of viewer names so it’s really obvious when someone didn’t want to carry on watching. And, of course, that’s absolutely fine. But I personally don’t want people to think I couldn’t be bothered to watch the whole thing!
If I end up not wanting to watch to the end, I simply tap the screen to skip through the story instead of X-ing out. It means I can stop watching if I need to but the person uploading doesn’t end up feeling unloved!
06. Recommend Other Bloggers To PR’s
Been asked to do a brand campaign that you’re not interested in, or doesn’t fit in with your niche?
Before politely declining it, why not have a think if there are any other bloggers you know who might be a better fit for it? If so, grab their contact details from their homepage and let the PR know that it’s not really for you, but have they checked out XYZ’s blog, because you think they’d be a good fit.
In my experience, PR’s will appreciate your honesty and often come back with another campaign that’s much more up your street within a couple of days. And the blogger whose details you passed on will be thrilled that you thought of them if the PR does decide to get in touch with them. You might seriously make someone’s day!
07. Give Out Some Compliments
Blogging is a labour of love. And only we as bloggers know how much blood, sweat and tears go into maintaining them.
Giving someone a simple compliment on all that hard work will cost you nothing – but might mean the absolute world to them. Did you enjoy someone’s recent post? Tell them! Did you think their photography was on point? Say so! Do you just really love their Instagram stories? Let them know! Trust me, they’ll be over the moon to hear from you.
Remember, you never know when somebody is experiencing self-doubt about their blog, no matter how confident they may seem. Dishing out a couple of compliments every now and again could go a long way to changing that. And I think that’s pretty special. How about you?
What are your favourite ways to be supportive as a blogger?
I’d love to hear them!
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Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2019 Louise Smith
I always try and tag people if I see an opportunity suitable for them, it’s only nice
It really is 🙂
Louise recently posted…19 Aims for 2019
I love this post. It is so important to be supportive of fellow bloggers. I love reading other bloggers posts. So much great content out there.
There really is! I spend a good couple of hours a night reading other blogs, but I could easily sit much longer!x
Louise recently posted…Top 10 Travel Goals 2019
I love these tips. I’ve only been blogging for a year and can totally see how these would help. I’m going to start doing the ones I’m not doing yet. Thanks!
You’re very welcome. Every little helps!x
Louise recently posted…Living Arrows – 1/52 {2019}
I try to do all of the above, even though I’m still learning myself!
Very good tips I tend to shy away from asking so for 2019 will be trying to do more.
Tag me if you ever need help with anything and if I can help I will x
Louise recently posted…10 Fun and Inexpensive Spring Activities To Do As A Family
These are some great tips, I don’t think it takes much to be a blogger who is supportive of others in the community!
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Which Dog Is For You?
It’s such a hard thing to get going but these are great tips to make it easier.
The struggle, sadly, is real. That’s why I like to help others out whenever I can 🙂
Louise recently posted…Monthly Music – Soundtrack for a Vampire
This is great and so important! We’re all struggling to bring our passions to life and should support each other fully.
This is the most inspiring blog post I’ve read in a while. I try to be so conscious of how I am supporting my blogger peers, but it’s so tough when you rarely see reciprocation. I wish more bloggers felt this way! I am going to follow you on Instagram/FB/etc right now, because I can already tell we feel similarly about this business. Such an amazing read, thank you so much for sharing!
Aww, thank you so much. Your comment has put the BIGGEST smile on my face 😀
Louise recently posted…7 Things to Think About When Renovating Your Bathroom
Lou these are amazing tips and I totally agree. Blogging is so competitive and can be so clicky too- we achieve more by sticking together
True! After all, if we do not support ourselves between bloggers and influencers … in short, yes, we should be the first to set an example!
You definitely get what you give! It’s always nice to support other people
Love this article – really inspiring to me, especially as I’ve only just started my blogging journey! Thank you for sharing your tips.
You’re very welcome. And good luck with your blog x
Louise recently posted…Living Arrows – 2/52 {2019}
There are so many tips in your post which will help me to be a better blogger. Great to learn all this information.
You’ve said it! I can say that the help I got from fellow bloggers got me to where I am. So I wouldn’t tire to do the same to. I have been doing these actually…
I love this post. As a fellow blogger, just a few clicks on different links or ads can make a world of difference when you are trying to build your brand. I think if you don’t know the industry you don’t know how valuable this is! Fantastic insight and information!
It really can. And thank you so much for the lovely comment x
Louise recently posted…3 Ways To Enjoy London On a Budget
These are really good tips on how to be a more supportive blogger. I think I will use them and see when I can help others more, thank you.
it’s always so important to have community over competition! I love linking other blogs and sharing resources!
I’ve come across some wonderfully supportive bloggers and I try to be the same. It’s nice to form those relationships. Even better if you someday meet at an event or a visit!
It is important to be supportive of other bloggers and I often recommend people for things that might interest them. I have made some brilliant friends in the blogging world
It is SO important to be supportive of other bloggers. Anytime I see an #ad or sponsored post or anything I try to interact as much as I can. It helps out so much.
Love, love, love this post! In regards to
Back links, would you get permission first before putting another’s bloggers link in you post?
Bloggers supporting other bloggers is something that should be done more often. I totally love to share other’s posts if I find them relevant to my audience.
Love this post so much! I’m going to share it with my blogger friends 🙂
I honestly don’t think I would have survived my first few months of blogging if it wasn’t for the support from bloggers in different parts of the world. I have learnt so much and I am truly humbled to be on this journey with such remarkable people.
Thank you for the tips, and may we all strive to be as supportive as possible.
Support from fellow bloggers are really important specially for the ones who don’t have idea how it goes in the blogosphere. Great list you have here!
When it comes to my fellow bloggers, am always ready to assist anyway i can.
This is going to be so helpful especially to new bloggers who want to become a member of this great community. I’ve pinned it because I think this is a great resource 🙂
Zena’s Suitcase recently posted…Best Family Friendly Festivals For 2019 (Dates, Venues & Ticket Info)
This is such a lovely post! I always like/comment on brand posts, as you are right, it does help the blogger. I need to share more on my facebook page, that is a good idea x
Some fab tips here. Yes, I completely agree, bloggers should support each other as that is what it is all about xx
I love this article! I absolutely love any support I can get and try to give it out as often as I can. There are so many days I don’t know if I can keep blogging. I swear some of my blogger friends Facebook or Instagram stalk me and really makes my day.
Being a blogger I understand all about what a fellow blogger needs so I try to do all of the above and be supportive of them.
This is a pretty great list of being supportive of the community. I would have never have thought of telling the PR about another blogger but that’s great to be so helpful.
David Elliott recently posted…Comment on The Five Best Reasons To Choose Health OR The Five Whys Of Health by Liz Bayardelle
This is such a great post and I am going to try and do more of these things myself! This year I set aside time each weekend to go through and like/comment/share lots of bloggers posts etc and I have found so many great bloggers this way already! x
Jess Howliston recently posted…My Child Likes To Play Alone.
These are all awesome tips! I have found from talking to friends and family that they have to buy stuff from my blog to help support me. I always tell them that simply liking, commenting, or reading my blog is an awesome way to show their support.
Stephanie | Adventures in Aussieland recently posted…3 Ways to Make A Camping Trip More Bearable
I can’t agree more with you! We all gotta support and help one another, it is definitely a win-win situation. Great tips.
Your tips and ideas seems to me that they will work fantastically . Besides I’ve only been blogging for a few years now. Thanks for sharing .
Your blog about being a supportive blogger is great article. It has many tips and tricks only professional blogger would know. Thanks for sharing.
Being an active participant and team player is key to building strong partnerships and friendships which is key to being a successful business owner. Great post!
Wow, I loved your journey story at the top, great tips for bloggers too!
This is such great advice. I always try to be supportive of my blogger friends and I always recommend them to PR companies
Being a supportive blogger is indeed a great thought. Everyone should do their bit in helping other grow,
Seriously great suggestions! I especially love the IG story one; I feel the same way ad always second guess when my views are significantly less on the third or fourth slide.
I always try to support other bloggers but do feel I do not receive it back. Thanks for posting an important topic.
Oh I love this, it is so important to help each other out. I especially always try to interact on brand sponsored posts to make them perform better.
These are some great tips for being a supportive blogger. It’s amazing how much we can boost one another up and feel great at the same time. Thank you for sharing these ideas.
As a blogger, I am not just writing but supporting all my fellow bloggers throughout their post. So happy to see how each of one are helping to grow.
Thanks so much for the reminder that we need to be supportive! We have to be a community.
I love this post and I know as a blogger I agree with everything you’ve shared. I didn’t even think about the X’ing out of the IG stories so I will need to be more mindful of that.
Aria | Blogs by Aria recently posted…ERIN CONDREN HORIZONTAL LIFE PLANNER
Great pointers. What goes around come around so helping each other is good karma.