Creating a Blog for Social Connections

Before Social Media giants such as Facebook and Twitter became all the rage, blogs were a great source of social connections and interactions.  Not that they still aren't that, but the social media giants have cut into blog activity in some respects, reducing and streamlining in some ways.  Whereas a blog often involves more thought out writing and posting, and takes a bit of time to do, Facebook and Twitter allow for quick one-liners, and can easily be accessed via computers, tablet pc's, and mobile phone apps. 

For more lengthy commentary, though, these sources aren't as useful, and the note application in Facebook, though it allows for a longer post, is rather plain.  There are many advantages to using a blog for social connections and interactions, based on any of a broad range of interests and issues.  Furthermore, blogs can work in conjunction with some of these famous, popular social networking giants, to make the most of both venues.

Specific blogging communities have existed for more than half a decade, devoted to any number of interests. Homesteading, homeschooling, crafting, scrapbooking, and the list goes on. I laugh when I hear the mainstream media refer to an issue, and discuss what the blogs are saying, because many of the blogging communities I've enjoyed perusing rarely, if ever, include political commentary. That's a subset of blogs. If that's your interest, though, you will certainly find that creating a blog to voice your opinion is an option.

For crafters, however, creating a blog is a way to share a passion for a craft. You might include photos of your favorite, or latest projects, or information about seminars, craft shows, or conventions.  Imagery is highly important in such a venue, and whereas Facebook and Twitter allow for photos, commentary, and interaction, these are all generally disjoint in those settings.  The blog allows for various elements to be integrated and merged, much as an article in a magazine, but with the element of interaction incorporated. 

The cupcake afficionada can share her latest creations, the scrapbooker can share her latest pages, the backyard gardener can share her latest harvest.  Blogs allow for more targeted social interaction, relevant to the readers' and writers' areas of interest and expertise. 

 Creating a blog for pursuing or cultivating social connections, based on a particular interest or activity, can still integrate with both Facebook and Twitter.  This can be as simple as posting a status update, or tweeting, with a link to the latest post.  Including your blog address in your profile information, as well, can make your in-depth blog information accessible to your friends and followers.  Facebook, as well, has applications which will import your blog posts as notes, automatically. 

Tips for finding a blogging community:

1. Search for blogs related to your interest. If you love to crochet, try searching "crochet blogs". If you want to connect with homeschoolers, try searching "homeschool blogs". If your interest is connecting with gardeners, try "gardening blogs". You can make a blog which targets any of a multitude of interests.

2. Take time to read through search results which interest you. Note the appeal the particular blogs have in terms of design, and ease to read. Before creating a blog, you'll want an idea of what you want it to look like, and how you'll want it to appear to readers with whom you network.

3. Notice that some groups are networked through a common blog host. For example, many homeschoolers network through Homeschool Blogger. The site not only hosts free blogs, but also enables social connections through friends, following, and forums and discussion boards.

On the other hand, a search of "crochet blogs" brings up results from many different blogging formats and host sites, the interaction and connections coming through a web circle or web ring, an organized group for which you must apply to participate. In such cases, your blog will be listed in a common directory, and each participating blog will include a link, possibly with a graphic, to the circle. People perusing blogs in the group can thus, easily navigate within the ring.

4. Pick a format, and start working with it. It's best to try working with a free source, such as Blogger, or Wordpress, and to see how you like the format. Try some test posts and graphics, as well as different templates, in order to determine whether you want to be committed to that venue long term. If you are creating a blog for maintaining social connections, you want to like your blog, and you don't want to be frustrated with it. Get your blog started, and then work on your networking a little later.

 Social connections through blogging can be extremely helpful, and more targeted and in depth than the streamlined interaction of tweets and status updates.  Create a blog for targeting specific information, and pull it into your Twitter or Facebook accounts with updates.  Creating a blog for focus on your interests can provide great networking opportunities in specific areas of interest.