Today, Arie Rich of KMPBLOG.com teaches us how to successfully plan and carry out a blogging event. You can catch Arie on Twitter at @ArieRich. Want to write for us too? Read here for more details.
Blog promotion can be very tedious and time-consuming at times, and the worst is getting discouraged because of lack of results. Before I begin, I would like to thank Seth for the opportunity to write this guest post, and for his informative post on Blog Promotion: 169 Ways to Build Traffic Like a Ninja. Earlier this summer I thought of a way not only to increase traffic, but to also network with other bloggers in my area.
We know about bloggers and their websites but do we know what our bloggers look like in person? What are they like when they are away from their Macs and PCs? What about our readers? Don’t you think they have questions to ask or are curious to know who their bloggers are? After some thought it then hit me to come up with: A Blog Networking Event, where bloggers meet readers.
Planning this by myself was a little difficult but worth the work. The best part about having an idea is seeing it unfold before your eyes and being proud of yourself for taking that risk to do it. Sometimes you just have to add in your fears and do it anyway.
The event was planned for 2 ½ months, and October 2nd was the day of the event, which to my surprise was a success for being the first Blog Networking Event.
Below are some key points to follow if you want to start a blog networking event in your area:
Brainstorm the Idea
Start with the end in mind. Visualize the idea write it down on paper and take it from there. Will the event be public or private? Is there a limit on attendees, free or cover charge, 21 and over, indoor or outdoors?!
These are things to have in mind and on paper before you start reaching out to other bloggers. This is your idea, and you are going to present it to others so they can participate in it.
Do some research on the internet on Blog networking events.
When I first started working on my networking event I came across an article that gave me an idea on where to start and how to reach people.
Propose the Idea to Others
Contact bloggers in your area/town, whether is via Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, in person, or going to every bloggers website.
Send them an email or a private message and ask them if they would be interested in participating in a blog networking event which you are hosting. Please make sure to state that you’ll follow-up with further details if they are interested.
Create a distribution list of the participating bloggers and email them with further details about the event.
My event idea was to create a networking event for bloggers and readers and have the bloggers come with promotional items, optional, as well as business cards. The promo items were used for the gift bags to give to the guests to take home.
Organize/Marketing
This is when you should start to finalize your venue, set a date and time. Once you have that information, then you start working on the invitation/flyer.
As a bonus you can include the participating bloggers’ logos on the invitations, that helps with promoting their blog.
Once the invitation is complete, let the distribution begin!
I asked all the participating bloggers to share the invitation with their readers; we also promoted via our blogsites, Twitter, Facebook events, Myspace bulletins, emails, etc…
A successful networking event involves a lot of marketing. You have to get the word out!
Socialize/Network
The day of the event get there early to set up and welcome the guests. Name tags worked well for my event. I purchased name tags for everyone and asked them to put their Name or Twitter name as well as their blog.
Walk around and introduce yourself to the bloggers and the readers, also introduce everyone to each other as they come in; eventually everyone will start to mingle with each other and find out more about each other’s blog.
Walk around the room to keep everyone entertained and welcomed.
Follow Up
Thank everyone for attending the event and make sure to follow-up with an email thanking everyone that came out to support.
One thing that I did a few days after the event; I sent everyone a thank you email with links to photos taken that night as well as a link to a quick survey about the event. The survey was used to keep track of everyone’s reactions about the event, good or bad, and if they’ll be interested in participating in next year’s event.
If you follow the steps above and incorporated your own unique style, creativity, and personality you are guaranteed a successful networking event.
I hope you have found this post to be helpful with promoting your site. Let us know if you have a Blog Networking Event in your town.
The Discussion
Leave a Comment Read Again?Great job on the post Arie. Its a wonderful idea for helping bloggers to get connected and network with locals.
.-= Seth´s last blog ..Five Points to a Successful Blogging Event =-.
Thank you Seth and Blogussion for the opportunity! I enjoyed writing this post and I hope others find it useful.
Thanks again,
Arie Rich
Great article. An actual campaign should incorporate the details you outline.
Yes they should. That’s why this article is so valuable. Thanks for putting it together Arie.
.-= Seth´s last blog ..Five Points to a Successful Blogging Event =-.
Hey you have done a wonderful job here, I am interested in blogging event since long time but never really went to any.. I would love to organize a blogging event and If i do this will certainly help me. Cheers
Great Post.
I think you’ve written a good post here and gave some good tips. I think networking and socializing is key as the more poepl you know, the more you’ll be able to seize oppertunities and expand your connections.
I also think organizing plays a big part as everyone wants everything to look and act professional.
.-= Teen Blogger´s last blog ..My Blog’s 2 Month Old Journey So Far =-.
Thank you TeenBlogger!
Definitively! Networking and socializing are major keys to building a great community, and planning events like these, can help you get one step closer to reaching that goal.
Laters,
Arie Rich
.-= Arie Rich´s last blog ..What’s Your Latte Factor?! =-.
I like you ideas mate. These are pretty basic stuff but are one of the most important things you should do. I really agreed when you said to ‘Socialize’. I believe making friends with people in the IM field is really great and they might even help you out!
Thank you for this article. I had a nice read
.-= Zack | MakeaPost.co.uk´s last blog ..Best business ideas: Penny Power on blogging basics =-.
Making friends is huge! That’s how Arie wrote for this blog.. by making friends and now we have both helped each other out!
.-= Seth´s last blog ..Five Points to a Successful Blogging Event =-.
It is true! You have to face those fears and do it anyway. In the end you’ll be happy you did.
Good game plan. Sadly, many bloggers are terrible at networking face-to-face…who am I kidding, many of them are terrible at building any kind of lasting relationship, period.
.-= Gabe | freebloghelp.com´s last blog ..Do Unto Others’ Blogs As You Would Have Them Do Unto Yours =-.
A lot of bloggers are really bad at networking. All you have to do is be sincere and communicate regularly.
.-= Seth´s last blog ..Five Points to a Successful Blogging Event =-.
In Jakarta, blogger often do off line activities together. I can say it do almost once in a week, but yeah, i am rarely follow it because my busyness.
.-= Dana @ Online Knowledge´s last blog ..Welcome My New Theme: Atahualpa 3.4.4 =-.
Its too bad you are busy, because social events go a long ways!
.-= Seth´s last blog ..Five Points to a Successful Blogging Event =-.
Wow, great post. You really described all the steps well. I think that networking is definitely one of the key components of not only being a successful blogger but being successful in pretty much anything. Nothing beats knowing the right person for any job, if you need to get something done. And nothing beats a dedicated following of people who are always interested in what you have to say. So it’s important to build a community and stay active within it. -Jason
Community is so important. I really find that building connections in other networks really adds to your blog’s traffic and comments.
.-= Seth´s last blog ..How Bloggers can Prepare for the Future of Journalism =-.
Great ideas, follow up an event with thank you message its often forgotten but its always apprecaited. You should always send a “thank you” letter or email as a follow-up to an event.
.-= Web Hosting site ´s last blog ..Web Address – Non-Latin Domain Names Approved =-.
Definitively! Your guest will appreciate the time you took to send out the Thank you cards or email. It is a nice gesture.
One thing I forgot to add in regards to Follow up, is to stay in touch with your guests and other bloggers after you’ve networked with them. I love Twitter for this reason, I am not much of a phone person, but I am available through social media and email. That’s a great way to stay in touch and keep people posted on future events.
Another god place to grab locals might be you chamber of commerce and similar places.
=-.
.-= Dennis Edell´s last blog ..Only 4 Ad Spots Left – Meet The First Advertiser! And The Pot Just Got Sweeter.
Never thought about that one… I’ll look into that. Thanks for the tip.
.-= Arie Rich´s last blog ..Blogging Tip# 4 – Domain Names =-.
I must agree with all your points presented in this article. I’ve noticed that some of these very helpful tips have something in common, you need to build good communication with other people.
.-= Francois Talens´s last blog ..Causes of Arthritis and Risk Factors =-.
Yes, Communication is the KEY!
And like many of the posts here on Blogussion says, blogging is about building a community, networking and expanding.
.-= Arie Rich´s last blog ..5 Simple Things You Can Do to Save Money =-.
I love Twitter for this reason, I am not much of a phone person, but I am available through social media and email.
Promoting a blog is extremely time consuming, then spend less time marketing your blog and more time ensuring you are making the highest quality of posts.
I hadn’t thought about having a blogging event but it really is a good thing. It has been awhile since I’ve attended a networking event since I am normally behind my computer 12+ hours a day.
I don’t know if there has been any blogging events in my area but it does sound like a good idea to bring one to my area. Thank you again!
.-= LexiB´s last blog ..11 Creative Pickup Lines That Undoubtedly Won’t Work =-.
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