For the most part, bloggers are giving it away. Each day they share their wisdom and community spirit and don’t ask for anything in return. Though every now and then they might create a product for sale, knowing that you’re stopping buy and digging what they’re blogging is reward enough. Still, there’s no denying that I’m receiving a free education from many of my favorite bloggers. Do they know how grateful I am for their sharing?
I was thinking about some of blogs I regularly enjoy and how I can give a little something back to them during the holidays. Here are the few of the things I do to show support and gratitude:
1. Comment
For someone who writes, receiving feedback or discussion based around a blog post is such a rush. Comments and content are the two things that most make a blog and when you come out from behind your RSS feed to share your opinion and participate, it makes us feel really good. It tells us you care about the content. Commenting is the best gift you can give to a blogger.
2. Subscribe
To subscribe to a blog’s feed is a commitment. It means you plan to read our content daily, or at least catch up on everything we’re blogging about now and then. Knowing that community members are committed to a blog and are interested in everything we have to say is the best feeling in the world.
3. Vote
Is there a blog you absolutely love? Recommend it for an award! Sometimes bloggers will say that awards and contests are merely popularity tests, but truthfully most are flattered and honored to be nominated. Some popular contests include:
- Top 10 Blogs for Writers (voting is now closed)
- Top 10 Social Media Blogs (voting is still open)
- Mashable Awards (voting is now closed )
- Bloggies (voting opens January 2011 )
- Podcast Awards (voting now closed)
When you vote for a blog, it does more than put them on a list. It sends them traffic, community and new subscribers and because the contest nominees and winners stay online, it’s the gift that keeps giving.
4. Share
If you like a post, share by linking, retweeting or sharing on Facebook. Knowing that you liked what they wrote enough to share it with others is the best feeling in the world for bloggers.
5. Support advertising
Maybe you can visit your favorite blog’s affiliate links when doing your holiday shopping this year. For many bloggers, the money earned from advertising revenue helps to pay for hosting, domain renewal and a blog’s maintenance and upkeep.
6. Join their social networks
If you’re truly feeling a blog, join its Facebook fan page, Yahoo group or other social network. It’s truly rewarding to see a community share and interact.
7. Buy what they’re selling
Show your support for your favorite bloggers buy purchasing their ebooks, courses and entry into their webinars. If it’s out of your price range, wait to see if they have a sale.
8. Recommend
When was the last time you recommended a blog to a friend or colleague? Invite others to be a part of a blog’s community. If they’ll benefit, they’ll be grateful for the share.
9. Guest Post
Guest posting is another of those gifts that give back for all parties involved. When you offer to contribute to your favorite blog, the blogger gets a bit of a break. Also, for you it will mean more traffic and name recognition. Guest blogging is a win-win situation.
10. Visit
Come out from behind your feeds and physically visit your favorite blogs. Seeing a rise in traffic is an amazing feeling for those who blog.
Now, you don’t owe bloggers anything. We do what we do because we enjoy sharing. Daily traffic and regular comments and feedback are reward enough. Every now and then we might offer a paying service or product, in the hopes that our community will buy. “Giving back” is purely optional but it’s a nice way to show your favorite bloggers that you care about what they do.
What are some of the ways you’re giving back to your favorite bloggers for the holidays – and year ’round?
