Web Party News
Get In the Hot Spot had the first ever web launch party for a blog last week and it went off. As a blogger a live video chat is a great way to get to know your readers better, answer questions quickly and make things more personal. I hoped the party goers enjoyed hearing my voice, being to find out whatever interests them from me and meeting each other.
During the party I could chat via live stream video and answer questions from the 18 party animals who managed to fit the Get In the Hot Spot launch party in to their busy schedules.
The web party was an experiment inspired by Penelope Trunk‘s live webinars. I thought it would be a fun way to celebrate officially launching my blog with the new logo and design. I was worried no one would turn up and I’d run out of things to say but the questions poured in. There were some great questions about blogging and making money from blogging but we also talked a bit about Australia, Costa Rica and why one of my best moves has been to trade a clean, tidy house so I can find time to write this blog. I’m glad I did.
The best part about a live web chat, or web party, as I call it is being able to bond with people in real time. For example, one of the party goers was Heather who I met during one of Penelope’s webinars. As well as being able to ask me questions the people at the party can also chat between themselves and they did.
There were stylists, business mentors, writers, scientists and entrepreneurs from the USA, Canada and Australia many with their own blogs and they could talk with each other in real time, discover each other’s blogs and meet a diverse, interesting group of people who are also bloggers.
A huge thank you to everyone who made it and sorry to those who couldn’t because it clashed or was at 4am their time. I’ll definitely do it again and give you more warning next time now I know the Vokle technology works.
Blog Comments
One question I covered during the web party was about blog comments. They’re essential to a blog’s success to:
- Motivate the blogger;
- Keep bloggers writing;
- Give bloggers more ideas for topics to cover.
Comments are vital because they:
- Let blog readers talk to the blogger;
- Make the discussion more interesting and deeper;
- Let blog readers add their tips and introduce themselves to other blog readers;
- Show new blog readers that the blog is well read, useful and enjoyable.
A blog without comments is like a party with no people. You can’t get out of there fast enough.
But when your blog’s new you probably won’t have many readers let alone comments. You can solve that problem by getting yourself a blogging buddy.
Blogging Buddies
One of the things I cover on my blogging course (ready in September) is finding a blogging buddy who will leave regular comments on your blog . Having a blogging buddy will:
- Encourage you;
- Motivate you keep blogging;
- Give you pointers on how you can improve your blog or writing;
- Show new readers your blog’s worth reading.
- Encourage other people to leave a comment because someone has already got the ball rolling for them.
Finding a Blogging Buddy
Just find an interesting blog that you think is similar in age, style, topic or popularity to yours and leave them a comment. If they come back, keep reciprocating and see where it leads. It could be the start of a beautiful blogging buddy relationship.
If you want recommendations for people with interesting, growing blogs check out blogs by the people who comment here or visit these blogs by the people at my web party. Some of them might need a blogging buddy too.
Get In the Hot Spot Party People
I know I missed some party animals out. For example, who was that with the cool Italian sounding name?!
Do you think having a blog buddy would help you blog better? What else could you do to get more comments on your blog?
Thanks for Reading
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Read More
But wait, there’s more. Lots more. This blog has over 50 posts. You can browse them by topic or start with these top blogging tips. Happy reading and good luck with all your plans! Annabel
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Annabel, it sounds fabulous!
I hope you had wine and chips and dip there, too! Awesome to hear, and sorry I missed it. Will have a belated bubbles on your behalf.
Thanks for the blogging buddy tips, too
Hi MadCow, well it was 9am my time so it might have looked a bit bad but it was perfect timing for the party goers in the States to wind down with a drink after a hard day’s work… maybe that’s why they were all so jolly:)
Yeah… I am sorry I missed the party too!
It sounds like a really creative idea.
Loved the party, Annabel. Next time I want to play my guitar! You’re doing a fantastic job. Love your work.
Best, your friend,
Robin
Hi Robin, you’re on. Next time we need music and dancing:) I’ll have to keep practising my moves!
Loved the webinar-It was great to hear your views on things Annabels and I got to check out all the attendees blogs. I am really looking forward to the next one-it was great fun!
Hi Heather, that’s brilliant that you checked out each other’s blogs. It’s power networking, so much faster, more effective and best of all more real.
So bummed I couldn’t join in with the party, but great to hear that it went so well.
Hi Kate, I didn’t even consider people like you with slow connections:( I’ve got so used to my broadband and become spoilt. I’ll try to come up with an alternative next time.
Blogging comments are really great. I like a lot to comment on other blogs
and to receive comments either. And it really encourages and motivates.
Hi Roman, it does help! I don’t know if I’d have carried on blogging without a couple of friends who commented on all my posts when no one else was reading. They were my blog buddies but now I have lots of them:)
I wanted to come join the party too, but didn’t get home from work on time :-/
Having a blogging buddy definitely helps. Sometimes its like other readers won’t comment unless they see a comment already there. I have a blog buddy (who is now a mastermind buddy) and the added morale boost is priceless. Just knowing that someone else is also working to grow their audience and feels your pain (and isn’t a pity reader like your siblings lol) is very encouraging.
Anilia – Re: its like other readers won’t comment unless they see a comment already there. Yes, that’s the herd mentality, we can’t help it. That’s why you need someone to get the ball rolling. I really wish I could do this for all of you on every post but I need to focus on writing and helping you here so it’s great to hear you have a blog buddy and recommend it. Well done!
Blogging buddies. So true. Blogging is all about networking. I find it funny and ironic when people suggest that blogging is an isolating, solitary activity. It’s all about other people! It’s all about making new friends!
Anyway, blogging about commenting is a smart tactic. It makes me feel like I definitely need to comment on your post
xoxo
Hi Kate, lol. I wondered if that might happen:) The main reason I wrote it is to help other bloggers get comments on their blogs. I’m blessed with a lot of amazing people commenting here so I must be doing something right and I’d love to share that with everyone. I don’t take comments for granted either. I want to build this community and make it more intearactive. I’d love to see people commenting here on other people’s comments too and really get a hot team of bloggers who help each other. Maybe a forum would help us?
“Forum” is a great word. Full of promise. So I want to say, “Yes, yes! A forum!” And I do say that. But what do you think that would be comprised of here?
The few times someone has commented on someone else’s comment on my blog, I’ve been beside myself with joy
@Kate
Great comment, because I used to think exactly that it would be just me and my computer. Now I have discovered that its all about meeting and networking with people, many of which are other bloggers.
Congratulations on the launch party! That’s a great idea. My slow Internet connection makes live events practically impossible for me at the moment.
By the way, I have a (sorta weird) post I wrote about commenting on blogs coming out on my blog Wednesday. The lessons learned for half a year decluttering my home are enjoying the top spot on my blog until then.
Hi Gip, look forward to reading the post. I comment on heaps of blogs myself!
Annabel, So happy your launch party went off so well. Congratulations! I don’t have a blogging buddy per se, but I do have several people who routinely visit and their comments really make my day. I reciprocate and visit their blogs as well. The opportynity to connect with others via blogging is almost endless!
Hi Sandra, it can get a bit overwhelming but it’s a great stratetgy to get started. You can’t overlook how much we need comments on our blogs.
Hi Annabel,
Sorry I missed your party!
It sounds as though it was a lot of fun. I had it in my mind that it was last week and got so thoroughly swamped with finishing the rest of the content for my own website that was supposed to be up and running “no matter what” that the day and time of your party slipped by. I have to say, I’ve gained a whole new level of respect for all the people behind the sites and blogs that I look at on a regular basis–it is one heck of a time consuming, detail intensive process! Both my editor’s and writer’s hats are off to you!
I think a blogging buddy is a great idea at the beginning of the process–especially if all of one’s good buddies in real time seem to develop sudden attacks of shyness about actually saying anything about the blog, on the blog.
Anyway, I’m glad your launch party went so well and if you do another one, I’d love to attend!
Hi Sue, I hope to see you next time! Half my friends don’t even know what a blog is so finding friends who so and are keen bloggers is good.
Annabel,
It was a terrific party–so great to see you live. I think I will follow your suggestion and do the same when my blog redesign is complete. I’m more than happy to have another excuse to party!
Jen
Hi Jen, great to have you there. Yes, I think bloggers should party more:)
I am so sad that I missed it! I remember hearing about it, but it slipped by without my being here. I hate being left out of all the fun! Nest time you will have to send out reminders so that those of us with short attention spans can remember and show up!
Hi Steve, I didn’t have a good way to send out reminders and wasn’t sure it would work so didn’t want to push it hard. Next time I’ll get on to it and hope to see you there.
Hi,
Anyways, great post I particularly liked the blog buddies idea. Would anybody like to be my blog buddy? I recently started a Personal Development and Business Development blog at Vunty.com
In the second paragraph I noticed a typo “manged” should be managed.
Hi Sean, thanks, well spotted. I’m trying to stop being such a perfectionist and get more writing out faster. Really appreciate corrections though and have update it:) I think a blog buddy would really help you. You’ve got a great framework set up there. Time to get the comments rolling in. If anyone else wants a blog buddy leave a comment on Sean’s blog and it could be the start of something beautiful! I’ll be watching developments!
Thanks Annabel for this very nice post. Absolutly giving and receiving comments motivate and encourage us. Thanks for sharing Annabel
Dia, no worries:)
Hi Annabel
I had hoped to come to your party too, but we had a series of conflicts that particular evening. I hope to make your next one, especially noting how much fun it looks like you all had!
Hi Marly, good!
You had me at party, Annabel! I love the idea of blogging buddies — in fact, I just returned home from a blogstress meeting at the beautiful Jersey Shore. Two of my writer friends and I meet at least monthly to chat about fresh ideas, content and just to get our creative juices flowing with new promotional ideas, social media, etc. (a few brains are better than one, right? ) We also share our favorite blog finds (like yours)!
We would love to connect with fellow blogstresses, and we all offer something a bit different, so here’s a bit about us:
Me (Lee) ~ MadnessMomandMe ~ stories & snippets about my slightly insane (yet lovable) NJ Italian famly.
Barbara ~ Zeroto60andBeyond ~ One woman’s angst over turning 60 (& other stories)
Doreen ~ StyleManiac dot blogspot ~ Style, home decor, fashion, passion, food, art & so much more.
We hope to meet some of you!
Hi Lee, of course! Thanks for coming. Great to hear about your blogging buddies, yes, it’s more fun en masse. I’ll have more hot tips for you soon soon:)
I’ve been batting around the idea of doing a web party!! I’m glad to hear that yours went off so well!
You are spot on about the affects that leaving great quality comments on a blog actually have on the writer. I know at Financially Digital I love to see it and it keeps me going. I have a few blog buddies too – it’s a great support system. I have people that I can reach out to that have different strengths and pick their brains to try to the experience my readers get a richer one. Great post!! I am totally coming to the next party..
Hi Nunzio, glad you and your blogging buddies are already getting into it. Ah, I will have to do another party, it’s such a brilliant way to keep in touch with people:)
Hi Annabel,
First of all thank you for stopping by my blog and for leaving a thoughtful and helpful comment. I was really honored to have a pro blogger leave a comment on my blog.
I could not figure out how to solve the chicken and egg situation of having a new blog and getting the comments really started. After reading your post, I have some ideas to work with.
Very nice blog…and good tips!
Hi Jason, you’re welcome. Hope to see you here again and help you more:)
Oh, for sure!
If I can ever give you a hand…… just let me know.
Great idea–the blogging buddies I mean. I’ve been blogging for awhile, and would love to find a blogging buddy to try to grow my comments. Comments do help so much, because we write to be read, right?
Hi Julie,
If it’s okay with you, I could be one of your blogging buddies. I am very interested in writing. I have started a couple of scripts, I hope to finish one of them in the next couple of months. My current blog is not about writing though.
Let me know….
Hi Jason, great to see you being proactive, hope Julie will see this. Go and leave a comment on her blog if you haven’t already, that will get here attention:) Hope it turns out to be a winning partnership!
Thanks Annabel. I will go leave a comment for her today.
Getting comments has been one of my biggest challenges. I get emails through my contact form all the time, but the comments are lacking. I will definately consider a live webinar as you stated. Thanks for the post!
That is a great idea Annabel. What you didn’t mention is on top of creating community for a blog, comments also add a lot of SEO value. They add to a pages content and provide new keywords and phrases for the search engines. This will bring more visitors to your blog and in turn increase the number of commentors/participators.
-Alex
Hi Alex, that’s a top tip, thanks for mentioning it. I discovered that myself after someone searching for “persuade someone to attend a rave” found my blog because of a rave-persuasion related comment Srinivas left. Amazing and very well raised. Thank you!
Hi Annebel,
Thanks for sharing this topic to everyone and i must tell you the truth, I have learn 1 ot 2 tips here through your blog today. this is my first time of coming across your blog!. Keep up the good work, right now am writing an article regarding women and i will include your name there.
Take care,
Val
Hi,
A prospect blogger buddy forwarded me this post. I like it! I guess we all kind of “hunt” for blogger buddies unconsciously. I think it’s time to do it consciously!
Thanks for posting this!
What a fantastic idea, Annabel! I need a blog buddy! My blog focuses on life redesign. I address weight loss, motivation, relationship improvement and more to come in the lifestyle improvement realm. If anyone has a similar blog, feel free to email me at lemonadefromlife@gmail.com! Thanks!
I am new in blog world. But i am finding it very interesting. Annabel’s posts look great. Soon i will have my own blog. I am now learning.
thanks
Annabel
Earlier today I attended a networking/marketing roundtable meeting where I brought up the topic of blog buddies; I’m looking for one. Most in the group are not bloggers or are just starting to think about a blog — it seemed like some thought my request was slightly crazy.
Then I discovered your blog and this post — both are terrific. I will forward links to try to further my groups understanding of the “blog buddy” concept.
That’s a nice tip! I have been trying to find other acting blogs that have some people following but no succes so far! I need to work on my Google skills
The blogging buddy is a really good idea. Thanks for the suggestion.