Since Twitter is calling today “Online Friend Appreciation Day”, it seems like a good time to talk about something that’s been on my mind… You see, when I first started blogging, I was being mentored by two bloggers with decent followings. They showed me the ins and outs of blogging, working with companies, and just gave me this general sense of community. Unfortunately, since then I haven’t gotten that vibe very often from many bloggers at all. For some reason, everybody thinks it’s a dog eat dog field but I’m here to tell you that it’s not.

You may be surprised to hear that your blog can flourish while mine also flourishes. The exact same people who read my posts can also read yours. It doesn’t have to be just one of us. I believe in supporting each other.

When I meet a new blogger starting out who has an interest in working with companies, I encourage them to put themselves out there and even go after big fish, just like my husband did for me. Sure, nobody has all day to hold someone’s hand and answer questions but I wouldn’t be where I am without some direction from a few bloggers who supported the community and me building my own. As a matter of fact, the blogger I contributed for did not begrudge me when I left her blog to focus on my own. On the contrary, she told me to let her know if I needed anything at all. That’s how it should be and that’s how I try to live.

When you befriend other bloggers, you can collaborate on posts, share each other’s work, and even trade contacts you both worked hard to find. I’m not advocating that you make these friends because you can do things for each other but it’s surely a benefit. My main purpose for seeking out awesome blogger friends is to have friends that just GET what I do. Blogging is a unique field not often respected by society and it’s nice to have friends who know that I’m on my phone because I have to tweet for these tickets that brought me here or I’ve got deadlines to meet today so I can’t hang out.

Right now, I’m experiencing a ton of bloggers doing the follow then unfollow thing to build up their own following. I’m attending events where bloggers are whipping right by each other without saying a word. An entire room full of people and there’s not much interaction going on. Is it for fear of competition? Accidentally revealing a trade secret you’ve discovered? I don’t know what’s holding you back from connecting with your fellow blogger but I’m telling you that you’re doing it wrong. Two heads are definitely better than one and it’s so nice to have people to relate to, bounce ideas off of, and work together with. Please consider it. Please reach out to other bloggers, share their work, get to know them, and create a friendship. Nine times out of ten, you’ll be glad that you did!

I don’t want to close out this post without recognizing some of the online blogger friends that I love, appreciate and think you should follow, so here goes:

Everything Mommyhood for encouraging me from the very beginning! She’s got two gorgeous children and keeps on her toes all the time. She runs great giveaways and has delicious recipes!

Yellow Beads and Me runs a blog full of Disney adventures and I adore following all of her shenanigans. She’s so nice and she’s full of fantastic ideas! I really look up to her and have learned a lot just by following and chatting with her!

The Kitty Crumbles and I share ideas and thoughts all day long. She’s local to me and keeps at work finding more amazing things to share with everyone on her blog!

The Jersey Momma is, of course, a local and also very kind gal I met when I realized we were going to the same events and hadn’t yet bumped into each other. She puts out great articles for parents, kids, and anyone in the tri-state area.

Eighty MPH Mom gave me my official start and showed me the ropes, how blogging worked and what I needed to do to get out there on my own. She is always running fun giveaways too!

Karen Sincerely is a new friend who’s a total sweetheart. She’s also in the NJ area (I like making friends I’ll get to see once in a while!) Her blog is full of passionate and very well-written posts I adore!

Take it from me, get out there and follow my friends and connect with your own. Be the kind soul you hope to find in others! Happy Online Friend Appreciation Day!