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 ^[1]‘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?!

• Robin ^[2]
• Staceyann ^[3]
• Marcy
• Mark ^[4]
• Heather ^[5]
• Colby CheeZe
• Taty ^[6]
• Trish ^[7]
• Jen ^[8]
• Molly ^[9]
• Steve ^[10]
• Nikki ^[11]

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

Please add your comments below and don’t forget to get free updates by email now ^[12] or with the RSS Feed ^[13], so you don’t miss out.

Please Tell People About Get In the Hot Spot

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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 ^[14]. Happy reading and good luck with all your plans! Annabel

Photo credit: Sabrina Campagna ^[15]