The A to Z Challenge provides participants the opportunity to find new blogs. We can discover bloggers who share our interests, live in our own city or state, or share our profession. It’s a chance to find like-minded souls and validate our likes and interests.
Sometimes though, it benefits us to step out of our box and discover something new. It challenges us mentally and helps us to grow as a person.
Coming from the position of a writer and author, I know our group tends to gravitate toward each other online. We benefit from the tips and support. Unfortunately, what happens is we end up following mostly writers and authors. The platform building campaigns are fun, but they don’t acquire what we really seek - our target audience.
We need to think beyond the boundaries of our blog topics. There are people who enjoy what we blog about even if they don’t post on the subject. Let’s take gamers for example. You post about RPG and computer games and follow others who also post about games. But who else likes games? Fantasy buffs perhaps? That would include fantasy writers, readers, and movie hounds.
Most of us have more than one hobby. The A to Z is a chance to find others that share our interests. Like to take photos? There are many photo bloggers out there. Travel? Lots of travel blogs. Whatever our interests, there is sure to be a group of bloggers who also enjoy those things. Even if that’s not the focus of your blog, you’ll still share some common ground.
Networking means stepping out and meeting new people. Every person you meet could be an opportunity. Not just to further yourself, but to grow as a human being and possibly help someone else grow.
Take a chance this year. Visit a variety of bloggers. You just might be surprised who you meet.
By L. Diane Wolfe, a.k.a. Spunk On A Stick
April Blogging from A to Z Challenge #AtoZChallenge
I agree , looking outside your own comfort zone can be very surprising.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week-end.
Yvonne.
Good point. You can learn lots of cool stuff and different blogs too.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I don't just read horror blogs or paranormal romance blogs. I read all sorts of blogs.
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
Yes, very true. Good tip!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have found a large portion of my readership if I'd just stuck to science fiction blogs.
ReplyDeleteThat is true Diane, my own blog tends to vary so much, I end up finding bloggers in all kinds of different genre.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
Excellent advice! If you look at my blog roll, you'll see how ecletic my reading list is.
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
I really enjoyed finding new blogs last year and look forward to it this year too.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree. It's always neat to get out there and mix things up. You never know just who you might meet.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you - sometimes there is a hidden gem among the masses.
ReplyDeletethriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
I completely agree. I've experienced this and feel totally enriched today by the diverse community I interact with. I am looking forward to growing even more!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, everyone. Variety is the spice of life.
ReplyDeleteI have started working my way through the list and have visited quite a few already. And I am always on the lookout for new bloggers but I must admit prefer blogs similar to my own.
ReplyDeleteRob Z Tobor
Hi Diane .. the A-Z opens doors to all aspects of life ... we can appreciate people who are struggling with different disabilities or caring for loved ones, we meet others from around the world and get to know their country ...
ReplyDelete... I inadvertently started teaching myself history, or topics that interested me ... and the blog was born and continues ...
We also have excellent advice that we can draw on via our blogging friends ...
Have a good weekend - Hilary
It's a bit like the virtual version of working the room. Looking forward to A to Z.
ReplyDeleteRosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain
I get bored if I stick to the same genre - I like to mix it up.
ReplyDeleteI love visiting new blots of new genres. Just found a great recipe for an apricot glaze the other day.
ReplyDeleteMy human friend, we visit a variety of bloggers, all of the year. In fact, we discreetly and without fanfare, visit those who get little attention and try to bring further awareness of them.
ReplyDeleteOur blog does not have a genre, as such. My human and I do variety. Wishing all who do participate in the challenge, do so in the spirit you allude to. And not do it to accumulate 'followers', or blatantly self-promote.
Diane, an excellent and informative posting. Have a peaceful weekend.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! Official host of the "Alphabark Challenge"....
Great, great advice. There's so much out there and so little time to learn it all. Those short blogs on A to Z are a great way to find interesting bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering about the A-to-Z Challenge. Other friends have enjoyed it, and I've been posting daily for years, so I'm comfortable going for a month with an alphabetical theme. However, most of my posts are fiction, dialogues or monologues. Would that kind of content be welcome, even among the bloggers who hopped genres? Or would I be working in the more conventional blogging format?
ReplyDeleteL. Diane, you are not only spunky, you are smart too!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. We limit ourselves by sticking to bloggers who are like-minded with regards to the theme of our blog. We need to change that mindset.
Stephen - LOL!
ReplyDeleteJohn, if you kept it interesting and short, I think it could work.
I agree. It's good to meet people with different interests.
ReplyDeleteSo true! I found some great travel themed blogs last year. It's such a fun time of year for the A to Z. I'm looking forward to it, although my workload for the dayjob will limit how many blogs I can get to.
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with you. Yes, this is a good opportunity to meet different people from different countries.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course that gives you a way to spread your wings too.
Last year i joined in but half way left due to unforeseen reasons. but this year i am sure i will be spreading my wings....:-)
Nice to meet you, I mean people like you. :-)
keep blogging
Good Wishes
Keep in touch
I am
Phil @ Philipscom
An ambassador to A to Z Challenge @ Tina's Life is Good
And My Bio-blog
I read most blogs, but not horror or romance.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog topic and very nice to remind people to take an opportunity to grow.
ReplyDeleteI had never checked out a single blog before this challenge and have found so many interesting ones out there.
My kids pick random numbers to help me choose ones that wouldn't have caught my eye otherwise.
Kate