Networking in the context of blogging is building relationships with other bloggers or webmasters with the purpose of uncovering mutual opportunities, sharing the benefits and gaining each other’s support. In simple words, it’s about making friends with other bloggers.
I’m glad that over the past 6 months of blogging, I was able to build my own network of friends mostly from Blogcatalog and MyBlogLog. Hopefully, I’d be able to grow my current network in the coming months.
Today I’ve noticed that my networks are mostly Non Problogger, despite my efforts of getting John Chow and Darren’s attention and favor. I’m more than happy however with the result of my continued networking with Non Probloggers. It was because of these Non Probloggers that I was able to improve Blogging Mix’s peformance in traffic, readership, content, rankings etc. This experience led me to the conclusion that it is better to network with Non Probloggers.
Some Benefits Of Networking
- Your network provides lots of opportunities. – The obvious benefit of networking are the opportunities that comes along with it. Feedback, traffic, link love, comments are just of few of these benefits that you can get from networking. By working with other bloggers, you expose yourself with various opportunities that will help you become a better and successful blogger.
- Your networks can be a source of information and support. – Through your interaction with other bloggers, you would be able to grow from the information that they share. More importantly, your networks can be a great potential source of support. Try to look at every successful blog. One thing they’ve got in common is a supportive network of friends and readers.
Probloggers Versus Non-Probloggers
Probloggers are established and successful bloggers like Darren Rowse (problogger.net), Brian Clark (copyblogger.com) and John Chow (johnchow.com). Non-Probloggers on the other hand are the less experienced or those who have just started blogging.
From personal experience, I’d say that it is better to network with Non-Problogger. I’m not saying that networking with Darren or Brian is not good. I do encourage other bloggers to network with these probloggers but given the choice to network with Darren over Chris, I’d certainly network with Chris.
Problems Networking With Probloggers
- Probloggers already have a huge network. The larger their network the lesser your chances of getting noticed. Try sending an email to John Chow about your latest post and see if he responds. Most likely, your email is going to be deleted without being given a chance.
- Probloggers network with other probloggers not with newbies. I’d be surprised to see Jeremy Schoemaker Networking with my friend Maher over at MoneyMakerBoy. For sure, he’s got ‘Probloggers’ to network with.
- In order for networking to work, there should be a mutual benefit to parties involved. With Probloggers, what can you give them when they’ve got all. They’ve got lots of connections and bountiful resources. What can a newbie offer them? Comments? Or perhaps a click on their Adsense? These are nothing compared to what they’ve got to offer so they tend to look for bloggers who can match what they have to give.
Why Network With NON Probloggers
Networking with Non Probloggers is better because of several reasons.
- Non Probloggers are still building their networks. This means you’ve got better chances of establishing relationships with them.
- Non Probloggers are usually new to blogging so they need all the support they can get. Building a relationship with them can start by simply helping them fix a problem in their blog or by giving them useful links and tips.
- Non Problogger are more generous. They link generously.
- Compared to Problogger, Non Probloggers are larger in number. This makes networking with them easier as you’ve got more bloggers to network with.
- Non Probloggers are not too picky with whom they network with.
Therefore, If you want to gain the most benefits from networking, it’s best that you network with Non Probloggers. You are more likely to be successful networking with the Non Probloggers compared to when you try to network with the Pros.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Do share it in the comment. Thank you for your time. 
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Great post. I think the main reason that you’re right is your #1 in the ‘problems’ section. I regret my lack of time and limited capacity to interact with other bloggers every day. In recent times I’ve even hired another blogger to help me to do some basic admin on my blog to help me with some of this – although even with that I can’t keep up.
I also think that some of your reasons to network with non probloggers are excellent. The fact that there are thousands of them to choose from is particularly good. The other thing that I’d add is that it’s good to interact with blogs on a similar level to you because it can help you both to grow together. I remember in the early days of ProBlogger I ‘grew up’ with other bloggers like Shoemoney – in a sense we tracked along together and grew side by side. There’s something quite motivating and special about this – sort of a comradery thing.
Anyway – good post.
But don’t give up on us ‘ProBlogger’ types. I can’t speak for others but I do enjoy the interactions that I have with bloggers of all sizes and types
[...] Today i came across a great post written by Rocai from Blogging Mix – Why it is Better to Network with Non ProBloggers. [...]
Thanks for your post! I started my blog on productivity, gtd and lifehacking just recently. I was looking for ways to attract a crowd. And to be honest, I am tempted to try to get attention from the big one’s.
But after reading your post I just will wait a little more. I need to take more time to think through the best way to draw attention to my blog.
Fokke
I agree with most of your post.. Lately, I have been using http://entrecard.com to get lots of traffic. It is a great social networking site!
Also the best way to get traffic over all is to keep updating your site with lots of various posts and idea. Also make sure your Meta tags are filled with lots of keywords. It seems to do the trick for me!
You are completely right there Blogging Mix!
Cheers for non-probloggers! *We go hand-in-hand!*
Great post. As a beginner blogger, I surely agree with you.
Particularly, the post I read the most are about tips, like yours. Thanks a lot.
By the way, do you know of social networks of bloggers in Spanish?
Moris
I have one good reason to prefer to network non probloggers: they are modest. As I could see on the blogosphere, big probloggers are used to ignore little one.
That’s good. We are little ones, but capable of constructing a enormous network.
Yes, it’s harder these days to get attention of A-listers – but not impossible.
Is it worth doing? That’s your call, but I’d suspect yes.
I posted about how the process of making contact and getting attention from ProBloggers works – the posts are at:
Give To Receive – How To Get Influence & Attention By Blogging
http://moneypowerwisdom.com/give-to-receive-how-to-get-influence-attention-by-blogging/
The Secret of Making People Like You
http://moneypowerwisdom.com/the-secret-of-making-people-like-you/
Oh, and btw, you DID get the Problogger’s attention – coz I found your blog through Darren!
All success
Dr.Mani
I try to network with anyone, even if I become a ‘problogger’ I will stay the same.
Thanks for the link Rocky.
Thanks Darren. You’ve just proven that not all Probloggers are like what I think they are. I haven’t given up networking with Probloggers. I just think that there’s a tough competition among bloggers to network with them so chances of getting noticed is very slim compared to when you network with a non-problogger.
Your latest post presented a better perspective of the issue. Cheers
Thanks for mentioning me john i really appreciate it and you are right it is hard to network with pro bloggers they hardly even reply to your emails its better to network with newbies rather then probloggers until you establish a good stage in blogging.
I really appreciate this posting… I found it through Darren’s feature (ironic but very very cool) and I agree with your opinions
As a new blogger with big dreams for my site, I know that finding others like me are my best bet of getting out there
I do frequent Problogger bc I just love that site.. but I don’t underestimate the little blogs..
after all, I’m one of those and I know for a fact that I’ve got “AWESOME” running through my blog’s veins
lol
Isn’t it ironic, doncha think? I got to your blog thru a subscription to ProBloggers – I am hungry for information like this, and as soon as I saw you had a subscription available, I grabbed up that opportunity.
This post resonated with me because this is exactly what I try to accomplish with my blog – I am always for the ‘underdog’ but I like learning from the ‘big wigs’ – if that makes sense. I have striven to connect with the new bloggers in the topic I write about and having done so I have created a fine little network of support.
Through another subscription – I was encouraged to “Connect with one new blogger each week in 2008″:
http://www.bloggingtips.com/2007/12/31/2008-the-year-of-social-media-marketing/
This is my attempt for the first week of 2008! Thanks for the post! Totally awesome!
Good post and you’re quite right. So the sayings goes “Birds of the same feather flock together”. Indeed it is more beneficial to go first with our own kind so that we can grow together as Mr. Problogger Darren says so that we can have a sense of belongingness and as we grow then perhaps we can contact the likes of Probloggers and their kind. God bless! Mabuhay ka kabayan!
Nice post.
Although tt seems to me though that a lot of the blogs that make it are blogs about how to blog, make money, or tech. ;(
Rocky:
What a fantastic post – it mirrored exactly what I’ve been thinking lately. It’s actually ironic that I found you through Darren’s blog.
Lord knows I’ve tried to get the attention of A-list bloggers. Let’s be honest here. Who wouldn’t want some link love and an avalanche of traffic from them because they thought what you had to say or announce was “newsworthy” enough to share with their readers?
To be fair, I have actually managed to eek out a one line response from people like Seth Godin and Guy K who responded to my email about me making aviation history in 2006 by becoming the first deaf person to earn an instrument rating. Of course, I was hoping this would result in an avalanche of speaking engagements and new subscribers to my blog – I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for it!
I also want to say that I believe Chris Garrett in his comment above when he says he vows to continue to interact with people no matter how big he gets. I’ve personally engaged in heartfelt correspondence that was much more substantial than one liners so I can attest to his authentic desire to stay connected while he grows.
Your post today truly reasonated with me because I’ve pretty much abandoned my strategy of getting the attention of probloggers and have resorted to networking with nonprobloggers who tend to provide me with a rich source of link love, encouragement, support as well as tips/ideas. Like Darren did with Shoemoney when they first started out, I’ve been developing relationships with smaller bloggers who appear to be fast rising stars. Others have been doing the same with me so it’s a win-win situation and much more “do-able.”
Even Steve Pavlina was very honest in a post called, “Confessions of an A List Blogger.” In this article, he is quote as saying:
1. “Requesting a link swap for a site that gets little or no traffic is obviously not a fair exchange, unless you think it’s fair to trade a marshmallow for a Porsche.”
2. “A college student who wants to interview me for a school paper gets an automatic no (too little leverage), while a high-traffic blog asking for that same interview will often get a yes.”
He wasn’t trying to be arrogant – just realistic.
So what to do if you can’t get the attention from an A-List blogger?
Follow your advice from this post! The interaction you’d get from nonprobloggers is much greater and much more satisfying than not hearing back or getting one liners.
Stephen
Great article, but when you say “non pro bloggers” don’t you really mean “future pro bloggers”?
It’s like investing in a promising startup instead of following the herd and buying GOOG when it’s already near 600.
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Thanks for writing this post for us guys even if it doesnt fit for yourself anymore.
Seems that you are a ProBlogger now
Networking with other bloggers has been a great benefit since I started blogging. It’s always great to get another viewpoint or opinion on something which broadens your mind and helps you see the bigger picture. Probloggers and Non-Probloggers are all welcome
Jas.
http://www.jasonslater.co.uk
Thanks for an interesting post!
One point that I would like to to make is that although the A Listers such as Darren may be busy and harder to network with, it is possible to network and relate at different levels, and in different places, such as on Facebook.
I use ‘Blog Friends’ on Facebook, and catch up with Darren Rowse’s blog feed there, along with Guy Kawasaki’s.
I wouldn’t expect either Darren or Guy to know that I even exist, simply because of their workload and the size of their existing networks.
I can learn from them both though, as well as developing my own network through BlogCatalog, Stumbleupon and Twitter!
Keep up the good work!
I love this post! Beginning bloggers unite!
I have just begun blogging recently and have experienced the cold shoulder from certain Probloggers (although many have been very kind). I have been building great relationships with many small bloggers, though, and it has definitely helped my blog.
Smaller bloggers comment, respond, offer help, and generally provide much more meaningful relationships.
How great is it that the number one blogger in the world (as far as I’m concerned) commented on a post about networking with smaller bloggers! that is unbelievably cool.
Great post and keep up the great work!
[...] Why it is Better to Network with Non Probloggers from Blogging Mix [...]
As a new blogger, I’ll blog to that. Good article.
[...] my previous post on why it is better to network with NON Problogger got picked by Darren Rowse. To my surprise, he made a post about it and acknowledge my points. He [...]
[...] Why It Is Better To Network With Non Probloggers | Tips For Bloggers From Blogging Mix [...]
[...] Why It Is Better To Network With Non Probloggers | Tips For Bloggers From Blogging Mix [...]
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I’ve been around for awhile and I’ve seen this happen time and again with companies and individuals alike.
Never forget where you came from. You may end up there again, someday. Life has a way of evening things out in the end.
If Darren Rowse and Seth Godin can find the time to aknowledge us then everyone can and should…It’s called class.
Hi Guys,
I’m glad you’ve found this article useful. Thanks for dropping by.
@ David,
‘Future Problogger’ is the better word I should have used.
@ Conrad,
As Darren have said, “Don’t give up on Probloggers.”
@ Steve,
Good luck to your blog.
I am glad that you got attention from Problogger Darren. See. Networking with non-blogger will get you connected with problogges.
good work!
[...] caught the attention from Darren Rose, the super problogger. The author at BloggingMix post “Why It Is Better To Network With Non Probloggers“, which got me thinking about who reads my [...]
[...] tells us why it is better to network with NON-probloggers which is a post that was spurred by the number of failed attempts in trying to catch the attention [...]
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good stuff, enjoyed !
Greetings! I just recently made a blog a couple of days ago and I have read a number of blogs in your site and they are very useful for blog-newbies like me anyway nice topic but how do you network with non-pro bloggers? are those that are posted at the side of one’s site like a Box/Table that says “Community Readers”..”join our Community” thingy?
[...] Always try to network with other bloggers in your niche blogging is all about networking, network with other blogger make friends and soon you will see an increase in your links and traffic John wrote a greate post about networking with bloggers read it here Why It Is Better To Network With Non Probloggers. [...]
@Iggy,
There are alot of ways to network with Non Probloggers or the Future Probloggers. You can leave comments on their posts, link to their posts, send them emails, join them in their communities (Blogcatalog, MyBlogLog, Bumpzee etc.).
I guess I’ll make a post about that in the coming days. Thanks for the ideas.
What a great post. I had never thought of it like that. Networking is an important part of blogging.
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[...] Why It Is Better To Network With Non Probloggers [...]
[...] Why It Is Better To Network With Non Probloggers [...]
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Hey Rocai, this one’s nice post. I have a similar view, though I expressed it differently by making a little ’sarcastic’ post. Its based on an experience I had, as a newbie blogger with a so called ‘pro blogger’ but not in the league of Darren though. Darren’s great blogger but feet on the ground I should say.
This is a great post! I remember reading many of Darren’s posts at problogger when I started out. It was obvious he is a class act as his comment above shows. Networking does great things, but the point about time constraints touched on by both you and Darren is a big issue. The more you network, the more great people you meet, and the more keeping up with them stretches already thin time resources. Sometimes I thin the only way to get anything done is to shut myself off from it all and just work. But what fun would that be!!??
Great article and certainly true. Getting the attention of the “big ones” is difficult and frustrating. Eventually, as you’ve no doubt seen by your comments, you do get their attention! Keep up the Great Posts!
An amazing post, and my experience has been the same. I’m always happier to stumble across a unique, interesting blog with 200 visitors than the same kind with 10,000. It’s easier to participate in the community, and people have more time to help you out, and they’re on their way up at the same time you are.