How to connect with other bloggers to promote and market complimentary blogs
Last week, I posted a quick survey/poll asking y’all to tell me what you’d like to see on Your Marketing BFF. (If you haven’t had the opportunity to do the survey, it’s still up and running here. Not only would I love to hear from you, I might just answer your question too!) Here’s what one reader suggested in the poll:
I’d like ideas on how to connect with other bloggers to promote and market complimentary blogs.
Dear faithful reader,
First off, thank you for making a suggestion last week. Secondly, you’re not alone. And, it’s oh-so-important for bloggers, especially if you’re working from home alone, like so many bloggers do, to connect, share and foster other blogs/bloggers…trust me, you’ll benefit personally and professionally!
Here’s a great idea on how to connect with other bloggers and eventually promote and complement each other’s blogs…
I recently reached out and connected with a blogger that I ‘discovered’ on Instagram (IG) called Kadie_Smith_Design. Kadie actually started following, liking and commenting on some of my IG posts which in turn motivated me to go check out her IG. I immediately had a crush and started following/liking/commenting back.
After a bit, I went to Kadie’s website and read about her, saw some of her work and read a few of her blog posts. I decided Kadie was someone that I wanted to truly connect with, so I emailed her via her website contact form. Here’s the actual email I sent:
Name: Tana Nelson
Email Address: tana@yourmarketingbff.com
Website: www.yourmarketingbff.com
Subject: Crush
Message: Kadie – the more I see/read of your spirit, the more I like! There’s something really FRESH about you. If you’re open to it, I’d love to schedule a time to chat on the phone…I’m thinking we might be able to brainstorm with one another, perhaps a shoulder to lean on (I know sounds sappy right?!), and possibly create really cool business opportunities with each other…an on-going alliance perhaps.
We may not be on the same page, but a chat would tell us. And who knows, maybe something amazing will evolve.
All the best, Tana
And then do you know what happened?
Kadie emailed me back saying she’d love to chat and thought there may definitely be some opportunities to collaborate, share ideas and provide encouragement for one another.
Kadie and I set a time to talk on the phone and we have something in the works ALREADY – trust me, you’ll be hearing more about Kadie and her business soon!
That’s it.
Step 1: Find a blogger/blog that you like.
Step 2: Become a part of that bloggers community. Get on their radar – follow, comment, like, engage, repin, etc.
Step 3: Send a personal, authentic email. Did you notice I complimented Kadie, I offered an open-ended opportunity to chat and truly nothing in return?
Note: Kadie didn’t have to take me up on my offer to chat – some people will and some won’t. Try not to get your feelings hurt. If the person doesn’t respond, this is what I tell myself, “She/He’s a great person, I’m a great person, we clearly aren’t a great fit for each other!” This is where I get the confidence to ASK and continue to ask others…and I want you to do the same.
Step 4: Connect. If you received a response and have the opportunity to connect (via in-person, phone and/or email) discuss possible ideas that the two of you could do to promote and market each other’s blogs.
Step 5: Take Action. The greatest ideas in the world take action.
I don’t want to give it all away, but I can tell you that Kadie and I have started a REAL LIFE friendship…and she’s going to be doing a guest blog post here soon, AND I’ll be doing a guest blog post on her blog as well. It’s a win/win for us AND our readers.
Are you on Instagram? If you’re not following me, please do so here.
