Blogging Benefits: Participating In Other Blogs

Now that we know the benefits of starting your own blog, let’s go over the benefits of participating in other blogs.

You can increase traffic to your website or blog by contributing to blogs that are in a field related to your own, and contain quality content. Comment on other peoples’ posts and share your expertise. In your comments you can add a link to your website and direct readers of that post back to your own website or blog for more information on that particular subject.

The major benefits of being active in other blogs are the same as the benefits of creating your own blog, but for different reasons.

1. Search Engine Optimization
   By adding your website URL to quality blogs, you are getting links back to your website.  This helps to spread word that your website exists, but it also shows search engines that the content on your website is so helpful that you are pointing readers of similar blogs back to yours to learn more about the subject.

   Remember that search engines are there to help users find the best results for the information they are searching for. If the search engines see that there are many links back to your website on a particular subject, they take into account that other sites in your field are referring to your content. You do need to have helpful and valuable content, though!

2. Position Yourself As An Expert In Your Field
   The web provides the ability to be social and share what you are passionate about with others who are interested in the same topics. Get out there and show people in your field that you are an expert. Answer any questions that a blog post or another commenter may have. Just join in the conversation!

   Consumers prefer to purchase from someone that is knowledgeable and cares enough to take the time to answer questions and make them feel comfortable in their investment. Reach out and show members of other blog communities that you are an expert in your field and you care about helping them.

3. Create Community
   Because most quality blogs already have a following of like-minded readers, the community is already there. All you have to do is get involved.

   Not only can you be part of other blog communities, but you can show existing communities what your website has to offer and build up your own community of potential loyal customers.

How do I find blogs in my field?

• http://technorati.com
  Technorati is a directory of blogs with categories for technology, business, entertainment, lifestyle, sport and politics. You can search for a blog in your field and view top blogs and popular tags.
• http://www.google.com/blogsearch
  Google Blog Search allows you to search for blogs in your field. You can also view top stories and popular search terms.

How do I know if the blog is a quality blog that I should be contributing to?

Observe article posts and comments at first. Ask yourself these questions while observing:

• You know your field; is the author posting truthful and helpful content?
• Are the posts intriguing followers to comment?
  *note: some blog followers may take the conversation to a more real-time social media such as Twitter instead of posting comments on the blog post.
  
• Is this a blog that you want to return to?
• Are there frequent content posts?

If you can answer yes to all of the above, get involved!