When you are blogging for selfish reasons then you tend to be competitive. There shouldn’t be competition in ministry since we all have the same goals in mind. I know that for me, especially during my first couple of years blogging, this has meant trying to do one better than other bloggers or not linking to others for fear that my readers might like their blogs better. I know. It’s silly, right? It really is a silly thought.
The key to success is working together. It is in networking with other bloggers. That means developing relationships and working together without reservation about who might be more successful. Think of it the way you picture the body of Christ working. All Christian bloggers have a common goal. We can help each other achieve our goals more quickly by serving each other. When someone else has a bible study or a great post then comment, tweet it, suggest it on Facebook, share it on a forum, link to them from your blog, or share it by email. You will find that as time passes the same will be done for you over and over.
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:7-9
You can create a strong network of people simply by being kind to them and adding value to their blog by recommending it to others. Don’t overlook the power of a note to the blogger thanking them for the post. Things like that always do my heart good so I imagine others feel the same. If you want to take it a step further then you can actually talk by phone or by using a service like Skype. This gives real meaning to your friendship – outside of blogging. I’ve also met many other bloggers at conferences. A couple of live conferences that I highly recommend are: She Speaks and Relevant.
In what ways have you tried to manage or strengthen a network of bloggers?
Find the rest of the series here: 31 Days to Online Ministry
Also check out:
- Missed BlissDom 2011? Get It Here. It’s just like being there!
- ? 31 Days to Build a Better Blog – Easy step by step ways to improve your blog presence!
I do believe it was from you that I first heard the concept of not being in competition but rather working together for the Kingdom. That concept has circulated through my mind many times! So true…
One thing I’ve been doing for a few months is a weekly post called “Finds for Fridays.” As I read through the blogs I follow, I choose a few that especially bless me and highlight them on my blog on Fridays. It’s just another way (besides commenting, tweeting, FBing, etc. them) to spread the news about other great blogs/posts out there.
So true, Amy! The networking serves to band God’s bloggers together, which strengthens the overall effect and picture. So much more effective that way!
Great post…I have been working on this recently trying to nurture the blog relationships I have and not care about the number of followers. Trying to tame the competitive beast within:)
I so agree with this post and really needed that scripture reference and thought today.
What a blessing this series has been to me….and what a blessing writing about Intentional Parenting has been as well. I am so glad you encouraged me to give God the First Fruits of my blog this year…the First 31-days.