As students, we are used to a cohort of academics in the lab beside us or across the table at the library. As bloggers, though, our community is a virtual one. Moreso with our new normal as Covid-19 rocks our world.
Whether classrooms or coffee shops, bloggers need community.
Studies have shown loneliness and isolation aren’t good for your health. Experiencing these can increase stress levels, lead to poor sleep, and spiralling further, compromise your immune system. James Lubben, a leading researcher who studies social connections, has been quoted as saying, “Strong social ties are good for one’s health!”
As you are reading this, you obviously have the benefit of a computer or device and access to the internet. Even when you are not capable of physical connection or in-person collaboration, you have the ability to reach out online.
And you should.
You should take advantage of your online presence to participate, create and collaborate in online communities.
The purpose of community is to learn and grow alongside one another. As a community member, you can develop meaningful connections to ensure your entrepreneurial experience is a collective and collaborative exploration.
Sharing a personal connection or a sense of purpose can also lead to greater productivity. And, heck, it just makes being online more fun.
Harper Spero, writing for HuffPost, shared her own adventures in community. She said, “Communities are helpful to join or create because they provide support to the individuals who are impacted by the daily stress, struggles and chaos of modern life.”
But perhaps C.S. Lewis, an Oxford man among his many other accomplishments, said it best.
“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another, “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself …”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Creating those connections virtually will also allow you to plan your introduction and develop your reasons for collaboration.
Meeting someone new online offers the benediction of forethought and pseudo-anonymity.
Online, there are no sticky hands to shake or rooms to bravely cross. You can see someone interesting on LinkedIn, perhaps a mutual friend. You can see what they do and why they do it before you reach out. And you can proofread your introduction before you hit send.
And if you do have a typo, no one sees you blush.
Reach out for friendship, for advice, for mentorship, for wherever collaboration would help you and your online business.
There are many reasons to reach out to a new friend in the online space. Perhaps you love their brand. Could be their style of writing. Could be a synergy between your audience and your new friend’s audience. Could be that you’d love to learn how to do what they do.
When you do reach out to a new collaborator, keep these tips in mind:
- Know who you’re talking to by doing a bit of research on their blog and/or social profiles before you reach out.
- Start on a positive note, complimenting a post or a paper to demonstrate you’re on the same wavelength.
- Give real consideration to what you can bring to the table in addition to what you’d like to receive in return.
- Be willing to pay, whether it’s a coffee, a donation on Patreon, or their consultation fee, value their time.
- Always say thank you and pay it forward, if you can.
Gradblogging, self-tenure, Covid-19: we’re all in this together.
Speaking of community, have you heard about the Self-Tenure Community? If you’re interested in support and accountability in small, curated mastermind groups, as well as regular training opportunities, STC may be a good fit. Learn more at www.selftenure.com/.
