Take Time to Show Kindness to Fellow Bloggers
Wednesday is the day of the week when I share something about blogging with you. First of all, I am happy to announce that this blog is a DoFollow blog.
You are rewarded in the following ways:
- when you leave a comment
- if you use CommentLuv
- if you are on the Top Commentators List
You can learn more about DoFollow blogs from Josh Garcia and the Clever Marketer. The Clever Marketer has DoFollow badges on her site that you can download for free. Check that out when you have a chance.
Okay, today I will share with you how you can be nice/kind to others in the blogosphere.
I make it a point to show kindness to fellow bloggers who take time to stop by and leave comments. I don’t always do this right away, but I eventually make my way to their sites.
I have recently installed the Meet Your Commenters plugin. And I like it because I can easily connect with those who leave comments on my blog. For example, if the commenter has a Twitter account I can easily follow them by using this plugin.
Below are a few ways that I show kindness to others.
- Comment on their blog
- Subscribe to RSS feed
- Follow them on Twitter
- Mention them on Twitter
- Send them an email
- Thank them
- Link to them
- Share their articles with others (Twitter, Stumble, etc.)
Also, whenever I do a guest post for a fellow blogger, I will do my best to respond to the comments on the post I have written. The readers will enjoy this and they will oftentimes follow you in some sort of way.
The reason I am even writing this post is because, I have noticed that I am being kind to others, but I don’t receive the same treatment in return.
Does it make me want to stop dealing with some of these bloggers? Well, yes! I’m only human! If you have quality content and I enjoy reading your articles, I will support you in some way or another.
If there are people who take the time to comment on your blog and connect with you, then show them some appreciation. Even if you are not able to comment on their blog, you can always do other things, to let the blog owner know that you see them and you know they have connected with you.
Here is an awesome example. I was doing a search looking for DoFollow badges and I stumbled across the Clever Marketer’s site. I read the article and noticed that she was sharing Josh’s DoFollow post. I didn’t leave a comment on the Clever Marketer’s site. But instead I linked to her from my site and subscribed to the RSS feed.
The Clever Marketer, took the time to visit, leave a comment, and thank me for linking to her site. Now, that’s Clever Marketing! 
Sometimes you may feel like your kindness is in vain, but little do you know that someone is always watching. And you never know how someone will show their appreciation. So be mindful how you treat others in the blogosphere.
Now it’s your turn!
How do you acknowledge the kindess of others in the blogsphere?
Image: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Category: Blogging
I would agree that often, it feels like your efforts are in vain. It takes patience and more patience to keep at it and start reaping the rewards as more and more people respond to your comments and turn to visit your own blog.
It’s a cycle I’ve gone through a few times, but now that I’m more savvy about what is needed, I’m going to be keeping at it.
Thanks for the post
Dave recently posted..Add a Facebook Like Button to Your Site in 2 Minutes
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Dave,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I really does take take patience and then some!
Take care,
Evelyn
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[...] Take Time to Show Kindness to Fellow Bloggers | Become a Healthier You [...]
Oh, this is a very interesting post on blogger kindness. You’re so right, and it’s really so nice of you to return this kindness to other bloggers when I know you must have a million and one other things to do, and so many people commment on your blog! I honestly think it’s just plain courtesy to reply people when they comment, unless they’re on your blog plainly just to promote theirs, e.g, leaving comments such as “Great post! Check mine out!”. Haha.
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Cass,
Thanks for stopping by! I couldn’t agree with you more. I appreciate you sharing!
Thanks for the great post Evelyn. I feel the same way you do about commenting, tweeting and promoting each other. I believe in karma and even though it takes time to leave a meaningful comment, I believe that it does pay forward. Like you, my blog is do-follow and I use CommentLuv. We’re all in this together. No one of us can possibly doing everything ourselves. It’s the relationships that we build today that are going to help us get through tomorrow.
Sherryl Perry recently posted..How Do Entrepreneurs and Sole Proprietors Juggle All Those Balls
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Sherryl,
Thanks for stopping by! It is definitely the relationships that we form along that way. That has helped me the most!
I wish there is more time to leave comments on my friend’s posts. I have their blogs on my rss feed so its easy to find updated ones. When I lack time, I show my support by retweeting their posts. Sometimes my replies are late, but I guess better late than never.
Cindy recently posted..GUI Design Showcase by z3olyte
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Cindy,
Thanks for stopping by!
Yeah, I often fall behind replying too, but like you’ve said “better late than never.”
Take care,
Evelyn
[...] Time to Show Kindness to Fellow Bloggers: Evelyn Parham gives a little tough love here; are you taking the time to reciprocate the favors [...]
Hey Evelyn,
I try to visit the blogs of my readers and leave comments if I can relate to the subject. I retweet a lot – that isn’t paid back as often as I would like but that’s okay.
Sometimes I wonder whether if people were truly interested in being successful, they would reach out and return favors and graciousness because that’s the way to get more. In essence, it’s just part of give what you get.
Even the bigger, really well-known bloggers are involved in partnerships and such.
Tia recently posted..The Art of Embracing the Oops Moments
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Tia,
Thanks for sharing that about the well-know bloggers having partnerships. That speaks volumes to anyone who is trying to be a successful blogger.
Thanks for sharing!
-Evelyn
I used to provide link love posts for commenters, offer them self-made DoFollow badges for free (it’s in one of my older posts) etc.
Later I’m more about helping them to promote their quality articles either on Twitter/FB, return visits/comments, offer them commentluv, network with them outside the blog via email etc. There are too many things we can do to show our support, it’s the heart that counts. 
So although the time is short and everyone is busy, it’s good to be reminded: an occasional kindness can mean a great deal to some.
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tarcker
Ching Ya recently posted..How to Separate Facebook Personal Profile from Business Page pt1
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Ching,
I use to do the same thing with link love posts when I was using Blogger. I remember your DoFollow badge, I was one of many who installed it on my blogger blog. Even though I didn’t know half as much as I know now about DoFollow.
You do a great job with helping others and I appreciate you for that. You are truly an inspiration an I learn so much from you.
You’re right, it is the heart that counts!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
-Evelyn
Evelyn,
I agree there are so many ways we can be nice to each other in blogosphere. Leaving thoughtful comments and actually reading the article they worked hard to write is also important.
Sometimes, I feel a few people leave “token” comment and actually miss the point of what you have written. Which makes you wonder! Interesting isn’t it.
Thanks for sharing these other blogger’s link and plugin info, I will sure to check it out.
Preeti recently posted..Enlightment- An Awareness and Understanding
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Preeti,
Thanks for sharing and taking time to stop by.
Sometimes, I feel the same way about the “token” comments. It almost jumps out at me and it does make me wonder.
Take care and have a great day!
-Eevlyn
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tim Brownson, dragonblogger, Fabeku Fatunmise, Kiesha , SimpleHomeOrg and others. SimpleHomeOrg said: RT @TimBrownson: Take Time to Show Kindness to Fellow Bloggers – http://b2l.me/ah8dxy (via @evelyn_parham) [...]
I agree. I enjoy visiting my blogger friends’ sites and commenting. I, too, often stumble and digg them without saying anything about it. I’m always happy to help out friends and retweet posts, etc. I wish I had time to do more, but I do my best to keep up. I think supporting each other is what makes the blogging community so special. I try to catch up on the blogs I follow by RSS at least once a week, but I tend to catch new posts via Twitter more often. I got here today via Tim Brownson’s tweet…and was delighted to find it was your post.
Melinda recently posted..Shoe shopping fun with my son
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Melinda,
It’s good to see you!
I totally understand about doing more! Yeap! The blogging community is very supportive. I would go so far to say as the community feels like family.
I try to spend time checking my RSS feed too and commenting, but sometimes, I fall short and that’s when Twitter and other sharing avenues come into play.
That’s great about how you found my post.
I’m glad you stopped by and I am always happy to see you! #BloggerLuv
Take care!
-Evelyn
Hey Melinda, I seem to run into your everywhere lately!
I can attest to Melinda being a very active blog commenter across a wide range of sites.
Evelyn, thanks I’m going to check out the meet your commenters plugin right now.
Jarret recently posted..Stress and the City
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Jarret,
Thanks for chiming in and for stopping by!
I am everywhere
Melinda recently posted..Organizing school information
The thing is Evelyn, not everybody is like you.
I have spent hours on the phone offering advice to up and coming bloggers. I have probably worked with 15 or more over the last couple of years.
About half were really grateful, the others….well less so. One who had spectacular results didn’t have time to write a testimonial.
Another didn’t have time to read a guest post I sent when their blog exploded. And yes they did actually e-mail me to tell me they didn’t have time to read a 2,000 word post.
Such is life, you can only do what you can do and hope others will follow suit.
Nice one!
Tim Brownson recently posted..It Should Never Come To This
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Tim,
Wow! I am glad you shared what happened to you. It is truly an eye opener!
Thanks for sharing and stopping by!
Take care!
-Evelyn
That does sound pretty horrible Tim. Well, if you ever want to make a guest post on my blog, feel free! Would never turn a quality post down.
Wayne Howard recently posted..Market Your Non-Profit- Free
Thanks Wayne. That was actually a couple of years and I’m now running two blogs and a newsletter! I appreciate the offer though, thanks.
Tim Brownson recently posted..It Should Never Come To This
[...] Evelyn on August 18, 2010 · 12 comments submit_url = [...]
I think what it all boils down to is just taking whatever time we have to be kind in some way. It takes almost no time at all to Tweet a post, but that can do a lot! Thanks so much for this, Evelyn. It’s always good to get a reminder to examine our hearts!
Jean Sarauer recently posted..How to Become an Early Riser Blogger
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hey Jean!
You’re absolutely right! It takes no time to tweet a post.
Thank you!
It definitely pays to to live by the golden rule when blogging. You need to make every effort you can to try to connect with bloggers and build some kind of relationship.
Not everyone has as much time as others to engage as often, but we all can find some way to do so. I try to show as much support as I can to those who have helped me out.
Wayne Howard recently posted..One Month! Thanks! Referral Contest!
Good point Wayne,
My RSS feed is huge, over 300 susbcribers. I comment at a lot of places. It takes some time since I read the post and then respond. I set aside alloted time daily (about an hour) to comment on blogs. At times I have the time, other times I can’t do too much besides retweet, stumble, etc.
HealthyOpal recently posted..Hypertension- Six ways you can lower high blood pressure naturally
Your tip with the Feed Aggregator (I’m using FeedDemon) has really been helping me out. Now I just have to get around to adding my blogs to it. I think I have about 30 in there.
Wayne Howard recently posted..Sunday Motivational 3- 7 Ways To Be Great!
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Healthy Opal,
I feel you with the RSS feed.
I like you set aside time to do my daily reads and sometimes, I don’t even finish. I do a lot of catching up!
Aww Thanks! I am glad my efforts are being noticed. That goes back to what Opal said.
Wayne Howard recently posted..Market Your Non-Profit- Free
Hey Evelyn,
I want to say thanks for sharing my post with your readers. I’m here because of the trackback. Do you know that you are receiving a backlink from the trackback on my blog?
I’m going to check out that plugin you mention in this post.
Chat with you later…
Josh
Josh Garcia recently posted..The Secret of Networking With Bloggers
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Josh!
I’m glad you stopped by! You’re quite welcome! Keep up the good work!
I didn’t know I would receive a trackback, but I can say I’m very thankful for that!
Take care!
-Evelyn
Hello Evelyn,
Wow this came at the right time. I can definitely relate to what you’re talking about. Since I’ve experienced it a lot during the years I’ve been blogging. I’m one of those folks that does a lot of my work (promoting others) without saying anything about it. Stumbles, retweets, Diggs, etc., as yourself I’m human, so at times it doesn’t feel to great when that isn’t reciprocated. Now granted, it doesn’t stop me from doing what I do but I’m apt to do more for those who value the importance of having cheerleaders in their corner, and do the same too.
Just like your real life friends, you really cannot take your blog pals for granted. Recognize them via comments, retweeting their information through the variety of social media available, and let them know you enjoy their virtual home too.
By the way, I enjoy your virtual home. It’s one of my favorite spots to visit.
HealthyOpal recently posted..Nail fungus- What is it Can I eliminate it using holistic remedies
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hey Healthy Opal!
I feel you when it comes to doing more when others are cheering you along.
Great point! We cannot take our blog pals for granted. Because if we do, we’ll find ourselves alone in the dark.
Thanks for the RT yesterday! I was very busy, but now I’m back on the roll.
I appreciate your support, always!
Take care!
-Evelyn