Blog Hops and Link Parties
Blog Hops and Link Parties are an excellent way to connect and share with other bloggers, as well as get exposure. Back when I first started blogging in 2008-2009, there was no such thing as a link party or blog hop. I mainly blogged in the fashion and beauty niche back then, and even dabbled in the food/baking niche. I found it very difficult to connect with others in those niches and share and connect. Twitter had just started up, Facebook Fan Page were new as well, and there was no Instagram, Google +, or Pinterest. I mainly connected with those in my niches via Flickr, ning networks, and Youtube. Since I’ve returned to blogging about 5 months ago, I was pleasantly surprised to see the many ways in which bloggers now connect. Bloggers have maximum exposure giving platforms to utilize such as Pinterest and super quick ways of connecting and sharing through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. They also have Google +, which is a great resource for SEO and exposure as well. Additionally, we have these great things called link parties (memes, blog hops, etc…). I think they are a great idea, but a few months back I came across a very negative post them, and blogged about it here. I was enthralled with this link party idea and didn’t understand why the blogger was so negative toward them. Apparently, I was out of the loop, not having blogged for several years, in knowing that these things were not new. I’m not sure when the idea of a link party was originated or who did it, but they were definitely on to something.I thoroughly enjoy linking up and co-hosting parties. I love the fact that I can visit so many blogs and posts all from one place. Even though I follow many, many blogs, there are always new ones out there that have something to offer. On my own blog, I have a Where I Link Up page where I have linked up every blog I link up at. This page is open for others to add their link parties, so that I may visit them and link up. Its my way of providing a link back to these blogs, a directory of link parties to visitors, and a way to reach out and allow those who host parties to gain exposure and get traffic through the directory. I personally have not hosted a major link party or blog hop, not sure when I will at this point. I’ve heard that while they are fun, can be a lot of work. I try my best to prioritize my blogging commitments and right now, having recently moved my blog from hosted on Blogger to self-hosted on WordPress I have a lot of work to do still do on it. I also have a lot of things I would like to do with my blog in regards to growing it. I don’t want my plate overrun with commitments to do so many different things in the blogging world. One step at a time! Like I said, I love co-hosting and spreading the word about link parties. I’ll promote all day long and drive as much traffic as I can to a particular party. Even when I link up now I tweet that I’ve added my link to said party via the screen after you link or simply just tweet about the party in general from my own Twitter. I’m all for giving back and promoting the hosts. They are doing us a huge favor by hosting and putting in a lot of work building htmls, keeping up with links, picking features, and so much more.
Now once the party is up and running, many hosts and co-hosts make it a requirement to follow them via social media in order to link up. While I strongly believe in showing gratitude to the hosts, I wouldn’t be one to make this a requirement if I were hosting a party of my own. I feel like if people want to follow me, they will regardless of if I’m hosting a link party or not and making it a requirement. You also run into the issue, like with giveaways as well, where people just follow you to enter the contest or link party, but then unfollow a few days or week later. This is why it does make sense to me to “require” people to follow you. The bulk of the link parties I participate in don’t require to you to follow, however I follow them regardless. I follow them, because I feel like that individual’s blog has something to offer or I simply just like the blog or blogger. Basically, I follow if I want to and most times I remain loyal. I honestly do not even remember unfollowing a blog or anyone on social media, unless they posted something offensive or I saw that they did not have good intentions. The last thing I want is people following me who don’t even read my blog or updates on social media. I call these people empty followers, people who follow just because its part of the rules or to try to enter to win a giveaway. I will say its one thing if you follow hundreds of blogs, like I do, and you don’t get a chance to read every single post a blogger posts. Sometimes its just impossible to do so. As well, just because your are not following someone on social media, doesn’t mean your not following them via RSS feed or some other reader. I use Feedly for the bulk of my blog reading and, because its simply a reader it doesn’t have a sense of community like Bloglovin does. With Bloglovin, you’re able to follow and get followers, although I’m not sure of the point of it outside of tracking your followers. Bloglovin is not like Facebook or Twitter where you can instaneously interact with someone.
So, I say all this to say what do you think about link parties, blog hops, the “rules” of many of them, and the requirements of having to follow other bloggers when you linkup? Do you always follow when you link up, requirement or not? Do you require those who link up to follow you? What about empty followers?
Is it all a numbers game? Or is it more about engagement?
I’d love to here your take! And if you have a link party/blog hop, please feel free to add it to my Where I Link Up page, I love checking new ones out!
xxoo,
This is a great article!
Thanks for sharing!
Also, thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Jess recently posted…Link Up #17 with a Co-Host
Thanks so much!
As always, happy to link up!
Love this article very informative, fairly new to blogging myself.. your blog is so cute! http://annisbubble.blogspot.com
Thanks so much!
Sadly, I think for most it is a numbers game. I think too few bloggers truly want to interact with others. It’s all about artificially inflating their numbers.
Congratulations on your baby! He is adorable!!!! Post more IG pictures.
Chastity @ My Rays of Sunshine recently posted…I’m Only Posting a Comment
Chastity, I have to agree! And your right it is sad, but that’s what prompted me to write the post. I go back and forth and thought to finally share my thoughts on it. Thanks for sharing yours!
I’ll definitely be posting more pics of IG. Thanks so much for your sweet compliment!
Hi! Stopping over from Wined Down Wednesday. I am new to blogging and very much appreciated your post. Thanks for sharing.
Tara Newman recently posted…Fall Fun: Hiking, Photography, Pumpkin Seeds and A Recipe
Stopping by from The Bloggers Digest link up! Great article! I am a newer blogger and this really helped me!! Thank you!
Rychelle Foltz recently posted…Under Construction!!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m so glad you found my post helpful!
I really enjoyed reading this, and I love when people post where they link up at to maximize the social exposure for all of us to network together
Thank you, and thank you for linking up at A Mama Collective!
Jenna @ A Mama Collective recently posted…Selfless {What parenthood teaches us}
Thanks so much! I also love when people post where they link up! As a blogger, I’m always looking for new ways to connect and new blogs to read.
Can’t wait to link up at A Mama Collective again!
Hey there! Thanks for linking up to the Blogger’s Digest today! This is a great article! I love to get new followers, but I especially like to get new readers that engage and follow the blog regularly, for sure!
I <3 the link parties! I get so much inspiration there. It's only fair to ask for following with all the work that goes into hosting and crafting their parties. And, it's networking!!!!
I love your banner, about button, and overall blog design. New follow for your social media:) See that:)
Michele recently posted…DIY IKEA Pumpkin Pillow
Your are so right, there is never a shortage of inspiration when it comes to link parties! That’s one of my favorite things about them. I do agree, that the hosts work very hard, so as one linking up you should pay it forward and follow. Its unfortunate that the hosts have to make “rules” about following though, and that people just don’t do it, because its the right thing to do.
Thanks so much for the sweet compliments on my blog design! I worked very hard on it, so I really sincerely appreciate your compliment!
I personally enjoy Link Parties and Blog Hops, especially for the opportunity to link up with so many other blogs that I may have never known about if it weren’t for linking up. I host my own blog hop every week and it is a great experience. I love giving other blogs recognition for their great posts, I love the bloggers that I get to work with and build relationships, and mostly – I love the fun behind a blog hop/link party. I don’t see it as a numbers game for me; I see it as an opportunity to grow and have others grow along with me!
Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesdays! Great post!
Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures recently posted…Family Fun: A Trip to Pizza Hut!
I completely agree with you that you meet some awesome people through link parties. I really love that aspect of them. Its like I can always find another blog to read through with link parties, so I’m never bored when it comes down to reading. Its good to know that you don’t see link parties as a numbers game. Its very refreshing to me to know that you truly care about forming and building relationships with your readers.
I’ll definitely be linking up again and sharing at your parties! Thanks so much for adding yours to my directory!