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How To Get Out Of Your Blogging Bubble

This post was most recently updated on September 22nd, 2017

How To Get Out Of Your Blogging BubbleDo you know how to get out of your “Blogging Bubble?”

Moreover, do you even know whether or not you are trapped inside of it?

The blogging bubble is a private little workspace you create to do your “blogging.”

This is where you create and schedule your content… your blog posts.

It’s where you play around with different plugins or software to get more of your readers to subscribe to your email list.

It’s where you take care of blog maintenance issues like site speed, plugins, blog design and so forth.

On your blog site, you organize pop-up windows, guest writers and paid ads, like AdSense and others.

It’s where you can spend so much of your time and effort that you hardly have time for anything else.

This is what I call your secluded, isolated little “blogging bubble.”

It’s safe and cozy.

Special: FREE Guide… 4 Things I Did To Build My Blog Using Only Free Traffic

You get to the point where you kind of like hanging out there because you’re familiar with it.

When you feel challenged to do things outside of this bubble, you resist.

You don’t want to be bothered with things like marketing, squeeze pages, sales funnels, joint ventures and other things that can make your blogging business a success.

So, you just stay in your private little blogging bubble, instead.

Who Is In A Blogging Bubble?

The new folks to my blog have been amazing me lately.

So many of them are doing a great job.

And I’m thinking it it makes no sense that they are blogging with really good content… but they are getting very little traffic.

Plus, nobody’s leaving comments on their blogs.

You see, many of them are blogging in exactly the kind of bubble I’ve described.

This is partly because they don’t do any “off page” engagement with people.

They just stay on their own blog day and night, day in and day out, and never venture away from it.

You might find that you are doing this, too.

Maybe not all the time, but too much of the time.

How I Get Out Of My Blogging Bubble

The thing with my blog is that before I answer comments, I usually go to the other person’s blog and see what they’re up to.

I leave comments on their blog and then come back to my blog and reply to their comment.

That way I get to know who they are, and they get to know a little bit more about me.

Now this doesn’t happen because I stay stuck on my own blog, just replying to comments.

It happens because I get out of my blogging bubble and go find other blogs and get involved with them.

I also get to reach out to their friends and readers, and their readers get an introduction to me and to my blog.

Above is a Facebook Live Streaming Video.
You must hover over the lower right and toggle the audio slide to hear it.

Now, a lot of new bloggers are simply not going to other blogs and getting involved in that way.

Then they wonder why people are not visiting their blogs, and that’s probably a lot of the reason why, right there.

Even on their own blogs, many of these “bubble bloggers” drop the ball when it comes to engaging with people.

I’m seeing that they often have no comments because they either don’t allow comments or they only have some niche site where they’re just selling something.

Most of them want comments, but they never get any because they never go to other blogs to begin with.

The Comfort Zone

So, they do what they’re comfortable with.

They stay in their little bubble and just keep putting out a whole lot of content.

They don’t really care about comments or engagement because they’re only trying to sell stuff.

But that shows up in everything they do.

So people are not really interested that much in their blog.

They understand that it’s basically just self-serving and a vehicle for monetizing something.

Reciprocity

Now, I reply to people when they comment on my blog because that’s what you do.

You comment and you visit their social sites whether it’s on Facebook, Twitter or something else.

You join them there.

You tweet their content, or mention them on Facebook or do whatever else seems appropriate.

This is what I do.

It’s called reciprocity.

It’s really important that when your blogging you learn not to blog in a bubble.

Special: Get My Best Blogging Secrets Now (Free)

Writing content is great but that’s really not the whole story to blogging.

The thing is that blogging can be a really lonely place.

If you just stay in your own blog and don’t talk to anybody, and nobody talks to you… you’re in a blogging bubble.

Then you really don’t have any reaction to what you’re doing you don’t get any feedback to things you’re putting out there.

The result is that you’re missing out on a great opportunity to grow as a blogger and as an online marketer simply because you’re staying in your blogging bubble.

And things just aren’t going to happen for you when you stay there.

People aren’t going to get to know you.

They aren’t going to get to see your content in any context other than on your blog.

They’re not going to see you engaging in conversations or standing out as an authority or leader in your niche.

They’re just going to see you as a blogger who puts up content.

End of story.

And it’s because you are failing to leverage the awesome power of reciprocation.

The Lonely Blogger vs. The Worldly Blogger

Blogging is a very lonely place when you stay inside your blogging bubble.

But it’s only lonely If you let it be.

It’s also a highly vibrant, fantastic party if you want to step out of your bubble and get on the dance floor.

It’s like this… I’m meeting people from all over the world.

I just say “where are you from?” and they tell me India, Africa, England or wherever.

It’s amazing.

Then we get to be friends on social media sites like Facebook and others.

They tell me about things that are going on in their lives and I tell them what’s going on with me.

We get to engage and sometimes build a friendship.

It’s a great, fun thing to do when you’re meeting people from all over the world.

Where else can you do this?

Special: FREE Guide… 4 Things I Did To Build My Blog Using Only Free Traffic

How is this going to happen except online?

And blogging is the perfect vehicle for it to happen.

You see, everyone’s blogging for their own purpose.

Yet ,we have a common path and that is to improve our lives, and those of our readers.

Together, we all create such a great energy.

Everyone gets to help each other out.

Each of us strives to become better and better, every single day.

That’s really the heart and soul of what I call a Blogging Community.

Your Very Own Blogging Community

Yes, blogging is about great content.

But if you just focus on that, you can live (and die) forever in your lonely little Blogging Bubble.

You’ve got to get out of it, though.

Blogging goes so much deeper than that.

On the surface, sure, it’s purely digital.

But deeper down it’s uniquely human.

And personal.

And lately I’ve been doing a lot of live streaming.

“Live” as in real people, real conversation, real sharing and in real time.

So, I’m meeting a lot of new people.

And not only that, but I’m getting to meet them in increasingly personal and direct ways.

So, I go on people’s blogs and leave a comment and share it.

But then I take it further.

I invite them over to one of my live streams and we really get to connect in a way that would never be possible just from blogging.

And other people are there, too.

These people are interested in the same things.

This is how a blogging community starts and thrives.

Special: Get My Best Blogging Secrets Now (Free)

So live streaming has really opened up my blogging experience.

And it’s funny because people are so appreciative when I comment on their blog.

They often message me to say “thank you so much, what can I do to pay you back in return?”

And I simply tell them it’s fine this is how blogging works.

You commented on my blog and now I’m coming back to see what you’re doing on your blog.

But we could take this even a step further.

Why don’t you come join me on my live stream tomorrow at 11:00.

… something casual like that.

But you know people really do join up and come visit and it just increases the engagement and feeling of community exponentially.

And if you don’t know anything else about blogging, you have to know that it’s all about engagement and community.

Burst Out Of Your Blogging Bubble

So sure, I could just stay in my bubble and wish and hope that people will engage with me more.

But I’ve learned to get out of that bubble, to reach out to people in different ways.

Maybe through live streaming, or any way, just to say…

Hey, let’s connect.

Let’s get to know each other.

Let’s take this a step further

Blogging and Marketing

In marketing they call it “building relationships.”

But marketers just have this whole other energy.

They get all hyped up about making money, forming joint ventures, winning affiliate contests and all that good stuff.

So they have this energy that is just great, but then when it comes to their blog it falls apart.

That’s because they think building relationships is just a marketing strategy.

But if it’s just a strategy you use in your business and nothing more… people don’t really connect with you in the same way as when it just comes from your heart and it’s what you really feel.

Special: FREE Guide… 4 Things I Did To Build My Blog Using Only Free Traffic

Now I say this not because there’s anything wrong with affiliate marketing, but just to make the point that affiliate marketers are often focused more on profit than on connecting with people in a human way.

And that just doesn’t work when you’re blogging.

If you’re an affiliate marketer you may be thinking “that’s not how I am.”

Well, that’s fine.

If you’re an affiliate marketer that blogs with passion and engages with people in a personal and human way….

then I would say you’ve mastered the art of connecting your business to your humanity.

It’s just not what I have found to be common in the high-energy, rush-to-the-top affiliate world.

In fact, I’ve done some affiliate marketing myself.

But it was never my main business model.

I was just someone who used certain products or training and was so excited by it that I just had to share it with my peeps.

So yes, there is a profit motive built into that.

Just like there is in blogging.

But it was relatively minor in the scheme of things.

All I’m saying is that profit can’t be your primary motivation in blogging, or an affiliate marketing for that matter.

Helping others is always what it’s really all about.

How To Get Out Of Your Blogging Bubble

So how do you get out of the trap of blogging in a bubble?

Well it really begins with sharing.

The first thing you do is write your blog post and then start sharing it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and anywhere you can.

Do all that first.

Then you have to spend time with other bloggers.

That means going to their blogs and getting involved in what they’re doing.

Special: Get My Best Blogging Secrets Now (Free)

You see, nobody’s going to care what you’re doing if you don’t care what they’re doing first.

Then you can step it up even further.

Guest Blogging

My friend Ryan does tons of guest posting, for instance.

It’s a really neat strategy and he’s doing a great job with it.

Guest posting an amazing way to connect with people on their blogs.

But it goes a step further than just commenting.

When you guest post you really get to connect with the host blogger’s audience.

You stand up to the podium, so to speak, and command their attention.

Guest Posting

Learn How To Submit A Guest Post Successfully in 12 Steps from Ryan Biddulph (Blogging From Paradise)

It’s a great way to get seen and noticed and get out of your bubble.

So, like I said, Ryan illustrates a great example of how to get out of your blogging bubble.

He starts by guest posting.

Now, that’s taking a big step away from his own blog.

Yet it brings people back to his blog in the long run.

First, he meets them as a guest blogger.

Then he further connects with them in his daily live streams.

From there, people are invited to his blog.

You see, he’s bringing an audience to his blog not by staying in his own little blogging bubble.

He’s getting them there by getting out of that bubble and reaching them where they are.

Then he invites them back to his own site.

It’s like one great big circle.

The effort you put into getting out of your own little blogging bubble certainly returns great rewards in the long run.

Hosting Guest Writers

Another way to burst through your little bubble is to host some guest bloggers on your own site.

So for instance, you might reach out to Ryan or another guest blogger and ask them to write an article for you.

That way you bring their audience to your blog.

It’s another way of reaching out to other bloggers and, indirectly, to their audiences.

Guest blogging is really just a joint venture at the end of the day.

Both the guest and the host blogger benefit from tapping into each other’s audiences.

Find What Works For You

So find a strategy that works for your blogging business.

It doesn’t have to revolve around guest posting or live streaming, but it has to be something.

Special: FREE Guide… 4 Things I Did To Build My Blog Using Only Free Traffic

Just figure out what strategy works for you and then implement it like crazy.

I think you’ll find… that’s what most successful bloggers do.

Monetizing

Now another way you have to get out of your bubble is to start telling people about your products and services.

Don’t be afraid to sell things on your blog.

I don’t suggest you make it the centerpiece of your blog.

But when you have something that can help your readers to reach their goal, don’t be shy.

Let people know about it.

That’s your job as a blogger.

Don’t get all caught up in producing endless amounts of content, or in raising your domain authority or getting more Facebook friends or Twitter followers.

These things may be important but don’t forget about your central monetization strategy.

How are you making money on your blog?

That doesn’t mean making money on your site necessarily.

But it means routing people into your business via your blog and your blog content.

Just know that in order to get customers and clients you need to tell them what you have to offer.

Too many times I see bloggers go overboard with content and they never put together a decent monetization scheme.

So whether you’re driving people to your coaching program or to affiliate products or to a graphic design service that you offer… just do it.

Now, I’m not talking about micro-niche sites.

Those are sites that are really not blogs in the true sense, but just websites created to sell a particular product or genre of products.

I’m only talking about using your blog to route people toward your product or service.

So when you blog about a topic in your niche, you know to address the problems people are probably having.

You are a problem solver, right?

You demonstrate that in your blog posts.

I’m just saying, don’t stop there.

Let people know, on your blog and in your social media outreach, that you have created an information product, for instance, that will help them solve a problem.

Special: Get My Best Blogging Secrets Now (Free)

Or make sure that they know you have a service set up that can help them.

For most of us, blogging is not just about pouring out and endless stream of information.

It’s about connecting our knowledge and expertise to our monetization scheme.

That means to our products and services.

So make that connection for people.

Don’t assume that they’ll just figure it out on their own.

You notice on my blog that I usually link to my products and services.

Sometimes I’m just offering an ebook or sometimes I’m linking to my coaching programs.

Either way, I’m letting people know that I want them to join my email list or sign up as a client for one of my services.

I’m connecting the dots for them.

You have to do the same thing on your blog.

Not in the same way, maybe, but you have to do something to let people know what you have to offer in terms of products and services.

Enthusiasm

I think the most important thing in all of this is to show enthusiasm in your blogging.

In other words, get out of your emotional bubble.

Don’t keep all your thoughts and emotions bottled up inside yourself.

Share them, just like you share information and ideas.

In fact, your enthusiasm is more important to your readers than your information and ideas.

Chances are, they’ve already see the information before.

But now, they get a chance to see it through your eyes, your perspective, and mostly, through your enthusiasm.

You have to show people that you genuinely care about them.

And you have to have fun while you’re doing it.

No matter what you write or say, when you do it with enthusiasm and joy people will be far more attracted to you and your message.

If you do it without enthusiasm they probably won’t even hear you.

And even carry this attitude over when you’re visiting other people in their blogs.

Carry it over into your social media interactions.

Everywhere you go let people know you care about them and that you’re having a great time connecting with them.

Blogging is not just about the content you put on your blog.

It is about sharing your message far and wide outside of your blog.

Learn about one-on-one mentoring with Donna…

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So what do you think?

Do you ever feel like you are isolated and stuck in your own little blogging world?

How do you get out of your blogging bubble?

I’d love to read your comment below.

And please share this article on your social sites.

If you’ve found it valuable, your friends will, too.

-Donna

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

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60 Responses to How To Get Out Of Your Blogging Bubble

  1. Ayush Mishra
    Twitter:
    May 28, 2021 at 11:37 am #

    Hi Donna,

    When I started my blogging, I am also in the blogging bubble. After working for some months, one day I had a question in my mind why I’m not growing?

    After started networking with other bloggers my blog started growing. So thanks for publishing this post because new bloggers need to understand the importance of networking and get out from blogging buble.

    Thanks and Regard

    Ayush Mishra

  2. Savita
    Twitter:
    December 12, 2017 at 4:55 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    I just started blogging in Novemeber…… #iminthebubble You’ve definitely opened my eyes to some of the things i can easily improve… even though blogging is already out of my comfort zone! Last week i started working more on comments and engagement…. I won’t lie, i was overwhelmed and I needed to turn off the social media/blogging for a day or two. Everyday, i’m learning new things about a bloggers world…. when I started, i thought writing would be my biggest challenge….Then i realized…writing was just a drop in the bucket!

    Anyway, i’ll be checking in, your content does seem interesting and thought provoking….you’re definitely shaking up my bubble even if i’m not out of it as yet.

  3. Nzekwe Godswill
    Twitter:
    October 16, 2017 at 2:28 am #

    Amazing!!! This is awesome checklist. I have saved it offline. I think, it’s time to implement this secret strategies before it went viral. LOL!

    Thanks, for your valuable tips.I would like to say a lot of thanks for these knowledge sharing tips.

  4. Donna Merrill
    Twitter:
    September 27, 2017 at 8:32 am #

    Hi Izuzu,

    It sure can be a lonely place if we let it.

    Indeed publishing a great post isn’t enough, we need to get it out there. The best way is to engage with others. Although time consuming, it is time well spent.

    -Donna
    Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Secrets For Getting Traffic To Your BlogMy Profile

  5. Izuzu Nworgu
    Twitter:
    September 26, 2017 at 10:36 am #

    Hello Donna!

    I love this article?

    Blogging can be a bit lonely if you let it be and that’s reality.
    I’ve been trapped in the blogging bubble sometime ago but I think I’m out now.

    Publishing wonderful post is just not enough. We also need to go out there and engage with others.
    This can be time consuming and a bit stressful but it’s a sacrifice we need to make if we want to build good tribe and audience

    Guest posting works well also.

    Thank you for sharing this.?

    ~Izuzu

  6. lisa thomson
    Twitter:
    September 25, 2017 at 5:14 pm #

    This is such a helpful post, Donna. I definitely get in my bubble some weeks. Plug-ins? Don’t get me started…web design? ACK. Well, your points are just what I needed to hear. Enthusiasm being an important aspect of connecting with our readers. Also, connecting the dots for our site visitors. YES. I need to improve on this.

    My favorite way to get out of my bubble is to host new writers or to guest post elsewhere to reach new readers. I could do better though. I especially need to re-boot my site content and get excited about it again. I’m feeling like it’s more a job right now. Not sure why but just a slump maybe.

    So fun to be here, Donna. As always, I’m being educated from your words and the comments section. Thanks again, for this fabulous information and reminders.
    lisa thomson recently posted..Laugh Until It’s FunnyMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 27, 2017 at 8:25 am #

      Hi Lisa,

      Ha those plug-ins and web design. I leave all that to others to do for me. I just don’t jive with it.

      Oh my, if you feel like your site is a job lately, you are wise to get guests. Eventually we all get into a slump but bouncing back is easier when we take a little break.

      I’m so happy that you are here having some fun. That’s what its all about.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Secrets For Getting Traffic To Your BlogMy Profile

  7. Elise Cohen Ho
    Twitter:
    September 25, 2017 at 4:04 am #

    I love that you speak about getting out of our comfort zones. I truly believe that this is where the magic happens.

  8. Ruth Bowers
    Twitter:
    September 23, 2017 at 3:30 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    This should be required reading for every blogger. I still retreat to my blogging bubble every so often… it’s my safe zone when everything gets to be too much. But I do most of what you have suggested as well, except the live streaming part. That’s coming soon… as soon as I work up my courage to do it. 🙂

    Thanks for a great post!
    Ruth Bowers recently posted..Confidence Challenge, Day 6: Stretching to Build ConfidenceMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 27, 2017 at 8:16 am #

      Hi Ruth,

      We all get comfy in our bubble, but need to get out there each and every day to burst out of it.

      Oh that Live Streaming…..so many people don’t have the courage to do it so you are not alone. If you are hesitant and want to do one, ask a blogging buddy to do a “split screen” with you so you two can be on together. Takes the pressure off.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Secrets For Getting Traffic To Your BlogMy Profile

  9. Edward Thorpe
    Twitter:
    September 23, 2017 at 7:34 am #

    Hi Donna,

    When it comes to building relationships, you certainly ‘practice what you preach’! I regularly see your live streaming videos and your thoughtful comments on diverse blogs. Plus, you’re able to make the process look natural – as it may well be for someone as genuinely caring as you.

    Like you, I don’t like to reply to a comment on my blog until I’ve first visited the commenters blog or have researched them. Depending upon what I discover, I may decide not to associate with them & delete their comments. I’m not in the business of providing backlinks to sites that are a waste of space. I’m sure I’ve made wrong judgements, but it’s my blog and reputation.

    Good post, thanks,
    Edward
    Edward Thorpe recently posted..Protect Your Hearing As You Age – It’s Your ChoiceMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 27, 2017 at 8:04 am #

      Hi Ed,

      Put me in front of a camera and I turn into a blabber mouth lol. I love Live Streaming these days. It does come natural to me because I’m always talking to people. So a camera represents those folks I care for.

      I know you well enough that you are so not in the business of backlinks. That is wonderful because you want to keep up your blog’s reputation and you do.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Secrets For Getting Traffic To Your BlogMy Profile

  10. P V Ariel
    Twitter:
    September 22, 2017 at 3:47 pm #

    Hey Donna,
    What an EPIC post!
    Indeed this bubble is really a magic bubble!!!
    Getting out of this is also very important, of course, we create amazing things from the Bubble but at the same time, we need to burst out too for a tremendous growth, Unless and until we shout out how others will know about our bubble thing! LOL
    Yes, once you enter into it we just forget the outside world! But bursting this out too is equally essential.
    I do this after my bubble activities I go out comment on other pages, and I get lot of reciprocity comments too.
    I have posted an article on this effect on my page under the title “The Power of Blog Comments” Yes our comments are really powerful and it shows our activity and we get more engagement out of it. though you covered a bit of it, I thought you keep a separate subheading on this, since you are one among the queens in commenting!
    You really covered almost all in the blogging bubble!
    I liked the way you presented almost everything about blogging in a wonderful and systematic way.
    I am sure you really took a lot of pain to put this in order. A wonderful guide indeed
    I am bookmarking it Donna for my further read.
    Keep sharing
    Have a blessed time of staring ahead.
    Best Regards
    ~ Phil

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 27, 2017 at 7:56 am #

      Hi Philip,

      Indeed, it IS a magic bubble because it is what we create. But stepping out of it is so important. Going to other blogs gives us reciprocity.

      Our comments are powerful! Not only does it give us the reciprocity we love, but also other people reading our comments will find us interesting and just may follow us too.

      He He…comment queen? I like that Phil.

      It is great to know you are bookmarking this my friend. It shows me that I’m doing my job.

      Be blessed,

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Secrets For Getting Traffic To Your BlogMy Profile

  11. Pedro
    Twitter:
    September 22, 2017 at 1:53 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Awesome post, as usual!
    You’re such a great example of what you preach 🙂 Every time I see you on my blog, I have to pinch myself because it is such an honor to have you visit. You’ve shown that we can’t remain in our “blogging bubble” if we want to maximize our potential as bloggers. We must connect with the blogging community.
    I used to live in the bubble until I learned a very important lesson: Content may be king, but connection is key!
    Thank you for being so generous with your content. But most of all, thanks for being a fantastic example of how bloggers should network!
    This post is to fantastic to keep to myself. So I’m off to share on Twitter.

    Best regards,

    Pedro

  12. Sonal Talwar
    Twitter:
    September 22, 2017 at 4:52 am #

    Hi Donna

    Wonderful post!

    I just loved the featured image of your post. The image itself says a lot.

    Getting out of our comfort zone is very important. We should not limit ourselves.

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful post!

  13. Glenn Shepherd
    Twitter:
    September 21, 2017 at 11:59 am #

    Hi Donna!

    I absolutely love this post and I love how you describe the “blogging bubble”, what a great description that is!

    There are so, so many great points in this post, I don’t know how to even know where to begin. But if I were to take just one point from this post it would be to emphasise the importance of getting away from everything to do with your blog and to hang out where people are.

    Coincidentally, I made a post in a private group the other day about this very subject and likened it to preparing a meal. You could prepare the best meal that anyone’s ever made, but after going out to buy the ingredients, making the food, putting it out on the table, arranging the room and putting some background music on, you wouldn’t just sit there in your dining room wondering why no-one has turned up to sample your delicacies. People would have to know about the meal. You would have had to invite them! It would be ludicrous to go to all that trouble and then just sit there, wondering why nothing’s happening. And it would be even more ludicrous to keep on doing that every time!

    But this is precisely what people are doing when they fall into ‘the content trap’. They hear things like “content is king” and of course, content is absolutely important. However, they feel that constantly posting content is enough on its own.

    It isn’t.

    You absolutely have to connect and engage with people. You must never forget that behind everything that we want – traffic, clicks, subscribers, etc – is real, flesh and blood people. So we need to spend time at where those people hang out – their blogs, social media accounts and so on.

    The very sales process, although we might not think about it, is a social experience in some form or other. So if we are wanting to make money with our blogs it’s imperative that we capitalize on this very powerful truth.

    The second coincidence about your post is that I had decided to speak about this subject on a private coaching webinar with our Partners today. Of course, when thinking of good examples to show of people who are experts at engagement, yours was one of the first names that popped into my mind. So to find that you’d just posted on this very theme was perfect! So, I’m actually posting this comment and demonstrating the engagement strategy here live on our webinar!

    Thanks for such an awesome post as always, Donna. And for anyone who’s reading this, I strongly recommend that you bookmark this post of Donna’s and refer back to it regularly – it’s absolute gold!

    »Glenn«
    Glenn Shepherd recently posted..1 Important Lesson a Cold Shower Can Teach You About Problem-SolvingMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 22, 2017 at 1:24 pm #

      Hi Glen,

      Wow two coincidences at once! That is powerful isn’t it?

      I like your analogy about preparing a meal. When we think of all the work we do and all the “ingredients” that goes into it, we just have to invite people otherwise we sit there alone with too much on our plate (pardon the pun)

      It is up to us to get out there and comment, go onto social media and give a friend a like, and even a share. Reciprocity is the name of the game. The only way to get out of that bubble is to give good content, then spend more time with others. Pretty simple, but it does take time and effort. Well, so did our meal lol.

      OK you did make me blush when you mentioned that I was the first person who popped into your head when it came to engagement. I’m humbled by that….Thank you.

      Cheers!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  14. Deepak September 21, 2017 at 9:25 am #

    Hello Donna,

    Awesome post as always, you’ve made some obvious points here and I think we are the one responsible for our journey and success ahead. I would say procrastination will always leads to failure.

    Many thanks for supplying this information.

  15. Donna Merrill
    Twitter:
    September 21, 2017 at 9:19 am #

    Hi Mark,

    Great students make their coaches look great, haha.

    You see, you just had to start somewhere.

    You got up the courage to give us a call, get out of your blogging bubble and set out on a new course.

    Now look at you go.

    Your blog, your business is doing so great.

    You just had to get out of that bubble didn’t you?

    It’s all about that first step, whether it’s getting on the phone with your coach, or doing your first guest post, or a live stream video on Facebook.

    It’s all about taking that first step, like you did.

    Keep up the good work my friends.

    -Donna
    Donna Merrill recently posted..Welcome – How Is This Blog Different?My Profile

  16. Mark
    Twitter:
    September 20, 2017 at 9:12 pm #

    What an awesome headline and concept Donna!

    As I read your excellent post, I still remember my very first paid
    consultation with you & David!

    It must have been faith, because the day of our session,
    you had just published a post, which had a headline something like,
    “Is your blog a graveyard?”

    With an image of a headstone on it, saying “RIP!” LOL!

    And I practically fell out of my chair with laughter, because at that particular
    time I my blogging career, my posts routinely had no comments whatsoever!LOL!

    So much so, I thought having crickets was normal!LOL!

    And now you’ve shared another extremely powerful concept! Thanks coach!

    As usual, you really over delivered!
    Mark recently posted..Five Simple Ways Proven Email Marketing Strategies Help You Scale Your Business!My Profile

  17. Ravi Chahar
    Twitter:
    September 20, 2017 at 12:32 am #

    Hey Donna,

    The blogging bubble is created by the bloggers themselves. It’s their way of thinking to achieve their goals. Connecting with others is the best they can do.

    Reciprocating is something I have learned in these years of blogging. People like to connect and if you have enough gesture to show then do it.
    Getting out of the blogging bubble can be hard for many.

    Thanks for sharing with us.
    Enjoy your day.

    ~Ravi

  18. Sharon T McLaughlin MD FACS
    Twitter:
    September 19, 2017 at 8:32 pm #

    Wow, there is a huge amount of information here. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in a bubble. You do have to step back though. Thanks so much for this post, I will make sure to share it.

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 21, 2017 at 9:12 am #

      Hi Sharon,

      Take a deep breath, take a step back…

      then full steam ahead and burst through that bubble.

      Make it happen. It makes such a big difference.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Welcome – How Is This Blog Different?My Profile

      • Anil Agarwal
        Twitter:
        October 4, 2017 at 2:13 am #

        Hi Donna, great topic.

        What I feel is as a blogger you are a super hero. You’re the CEO. You’re the batman and you’re the superman.

        You’ve to do everything by yourself (from creating content to promotion to generating traffic to sales). I know that’s a lot of work. But that’s what we all do, right?

        Content is king but definitely promotion and networking is the key to blogging success.

        If you want to get better at blogging, start helping others. Write guest posts, leave comments, link out to others, share their posts regularly on social media sites. That’s how you build relationships.

        Thanks for the great share Donna!

  19. William Earl Amis Jr. III
    Twitter:
    September 19, 2017 at 11:34 am #

    Hello, Donna considering interaction is needed for each blog and comments. You are always focusing on the right areas we all need to step up, per say. I found that serving others and not having any pop-ups, ads and offers on my blog. Has kept me focused on other’s challenges and keeps my ability to help, open.

    I thought of keeping a “Clean Blog” and only write within my experiences on topics I have read from say like your blog. Then, share my own experiences with my audience. I love to read other’s blogs and only leave comments on their topic. That is how more of my readers have come to appreciate what I share.

    You, Donna have always kept us with so much awareness. Just on vast topics which only helps us understand ourselves. The role in which we can help more people. Then, have better ways of serving them. That is what excites me each time I can visit.

    Thank you for all the years of usable information.

    Will

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 23, 2017 at 5:40 pm #

      Hi William,

      I am with you all the way with those pop ups. I keep hearing how they help, but when someone visits my blog, they do so for information. Why break their concentration with a pop up?

      I like a “clean blog” also. Yours is clean and it comes from your heart. This provides a great reader experience.

      Oh thank you….I do try to give various topics to help people one way or another. You too my friend are doing a wonderful job when it comes to that.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  20. Lisa Sicard
    Twitter:
    September 19, 2017 at 6:59 am #

    Hi Donna, you make some awesome points here. I know some bloggers who never reciprocate and I can’t understand why. You go make comments on their blogs over and over and share their content on social media and the only thing I see is them re-tweeting my tweets of their own posts. I think that approach is a little selfish 🙁

    I love meeting other bloggers and helping them along in their journeys. It can be very lonely if you do not connect with other bloggers out there. I do need to visit more of my own commenters as you recommend here. I eventually get there but I know I could do a better job on that. AT the very least I do share their stuff if I don’t have time to comment.

    Thanks for the all the tips and reminders Donna, it is so easy to get caught up in your own blog bubble! We have to get outside of it more often.
    Hope all is well with you and yours up in Maine Donna!
    Lisa Sicard recently posted..New Blogger? No-Fail Ways to get your New Blog Popular in 90 daysMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 21, 2017 at 8:28 am #

      Hi Lisa,

      Yea, people can be a little bit selfish.

      And usually when a blogger sees somebody being selfish like that… they’re going to stop interacting with them.

      So if you want to start getting connected to people you’ve got to really appreciate them and let them know it.

      You have to truly engage… that means getting out of your bubble and spending a little time in theirs 🙂

      You’re only going to do that if you really care.

      People who care about other people always get spotted out right away.

      I’m sure that’s why you’ve done so well out here.

      Great hearing from you!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Welcome – How Is This Blog Different?My Profile

  21. Susan Velez
    Twitter:
    September 19, 2017 at 6:18 am #

    Hi Donna,

    I used to be in a blogging bubble. When I first started my blog, I would write, write and write blog posts for my own blog. I did this for maybe the first 4-5 months of my blog.

    I’d work my butt off, working on my blog. Then I wondered why I wasn’t getting any traffic to my blog.

    Now I realize the importance of getting off your blog and networking with other bloggers. You’re definitely correct, it takes time to see what works for growing our blog.

    Just because something works for others, doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to do it. I now have a little system that I use for my blog every day. I run through this system every time I publish a new post.

    It seems to be working good and I am also getting off my blog and writing more guest posts and using blog commenting. It takes time to see the results, but I really like doing it. Plus it’s getting me off my blog.

    Thanks for sharing this with us and it’s so easy for a blogger to get stuck in a bubble. No one really enjoy putting themselves out there and getting uncomfortable. But it’s those uncomfortable tasks that help us grow.

    Have a great day 🙂

    Susan

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 21, 2017 at 8:22 am #

      Hi Susan,

      Well it sure sounds like you’ve come a long way in a short time, girl.

      Guest posting, even, huh?

      Now That’s What I Call getting out of your blogging bubble.

      The biggest thing I see you doing is developing a “system.”

      A system is critical to have.

      But even more important to implement on a regular and consistent basis.

      You got it all going.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Welcome – How Is This Blog Different?My Profile

  22. Shantanu Sinha
    Twitter:
    September 19, 2017 at 1:55 am #

    Hello Donna,

    Great shout over here 🙂

    This happens to me a lot, means I feel like I am sticked in my own blogging circle and its get hard for me to burst that
    bubble and get out to face the real challenges and interact with others in this field. Our blogs are the medium through
    which we can connect to others, establish a healthy relations with them.

    Indeed blogging sometimes can act as a very lonely place if we do not interact with others. caged up inside our own bubble
    can lead to depression a lot and one may end up his bogging carrier. To get -out of bubble one need to interact with other
    bloggers and connect to them.

    Thanks for the share.

    Shantanu.
    Shantanu Sinha recently posted..How to Build Your Audience Before a Product LaunchMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 19, 2017 at 2:44 pm #

      Hi Shantanu,

      When we feel like we are stuck in the same old blogging circle it is time for us to expand to other blogs. I have this thing I call the three time rule. I’ll go to other blogs – comment and share. I’ll do it three times, and if the blogger doesn’t get back to me in some kind of way, I go on to the next person.

      Blogging can be a lonely place, so much so, that it can lead to depression. It is very common but people don’t talk about it. I like to because I once experienced blogging overwhelm and crashed for a while. When I returned, I blogged smarter.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Proven Step by Step Systems for Bloggers SuckMy Profile

  23. Emenike Emmanuel
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 11:06 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    I used to be locked up in my small world but watching what you and Ryan were doing with blog commenting, I couldn’t help it anymore but to step out.

    Blog commenting, guest posting and hosting guest writers have helped me in so many great ways to burst that blogging bubble.

    It’s worth mentioning that if you don’t leave comments on other people’s blog, hardly will you get comments on yours. And most importantly, you will not get referral traffic.

    Thanks.

    Emenike
    Emenike Emmanuel recently posted..5 Ways to Boost Your Social Proof as a BloggerMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 19, 2017 at 2:30 pm #

      Hi Emmanuel,

      It is great to know that you follow Ryan and I especially with blog commenting 🙂

      I’ve seen you burst that bubble and that is wonderful. Indeed, if you are not commenting on other’s blogs, no one will reciprocate and thereby traffic will bee at a stand still.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  24. Chery Schmidt
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 11:05 pm #

    Hey Donna! I just love this one “Blogging Bubble” Way Cool My Friend! I don’t think the bubble I am in is a blogging bubble though?? HUM? I am taking me a much needed vacation here with my dad and then off to Colorado for a few weeks, perhaps this will give me some insight to what is going on in this head of mine..
    Great Share!
    Thank You
    Chery :))
    Chery Schmidt recently posted..Useful Tips TO KEEP Your CLIENTS HAPPYMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 19, 2017 at 2:23 pm #

      Hi Chery,

      Sometimes life keeps us in that darn bubble. Vacations, spending time with family, and even sickness. We can get stuck for a while. But I’m sure when you are in Colorado for a few weeks, something will go off in your head like a light bulb. Follow your intuition and you can’t go wrong.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  25. Vishwajeet Kumar
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 7:35 pm #

    Hello Donna,

    In my early days of blogging, I was in a blogging bubble and trap me under a small private space. But later I realize the power of connecting with people. I started connected with many fellow bloggers, started dropping comments on their blogs and writing guest post. This will help me to grow my blog further and become a successful blogger.

    Blogging is all about helping others to make them successful and nobody can ignore it. Thanks for writing this informative and motivational post.

    have a great day 🙂
    Vishwajeet
    Vishwajeet Kumar recently posted..Why Blogging Is Like Spinning a TopMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 19, 2017 at 9:22 am #

      Hi Vishwajeet,

      One can easily get stuck in that blogging bubble and it is such a lonely place. It is not until we reach out to others in so many ways to help them with one thing or another that we start seeing things happen.

      Good to know you were motivated by this article.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  26. Cori Ramos
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 4:59 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    This is a great post!

    In my first couple of blogging years I stayed in my bubble because I was afraid of what others would think of me.

    Thankfully I snapped out of it and finally got out of my comfort zone but I still have work to do to become a wordly blogger like you, Ryan and countless others.

    You’ve shared some great tips to help bloggers get out of their bubble…guest posting is what helped me the most.

    I’m not so much in a blogging bubble but I have been away for some time and guest posting is what I’m going to do to let the blogosphere know I’m making my way back. 🙂

    Awesome post as always! Have a great week. 🙂

    Cori
    Cori Ramos recently posted..Five Other Ways To Promote Your BrandMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 19, 2017 at 9:12 am #

      Hi Cori,

      Being afraid of what others think of you is a very common way to stay stagnant and many people are. Thank goodness you broke out of your bubble because you have so much to give to others.

      What a great way to show others you are back in action by guest posting.

      Cheers!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  27. Ahmad Imran September 18, 2017 at 4:35 pm #

    Confession Donna.. it took me nearly 3 years to understand this concept fully and to come out of this bubble (I am still somewhat inside). What a great topic and what a great message to new and intermediate bloggers. Well done.

    Blogging is a lonely world – you are right. The only to make it worldly is to come out of your bubble and poke and nudge other fellow bloggers and audience. A gentle but important message to everyone. Thanks for sharing.
    Ahmad Imran recently posted..LG G6 Camera Quality Review [with 16 Sample Shots]My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 18, 2017 at 7:26 pm #

      Hi Ahmad,

      Sometimes it takes a while to come out of the bubble. But you realize it and I know you will start being all over the place in a short time.

      Indeed, blogging can be lonely but when we get on social media with our blogging buddies, good friendships can be obtained.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  28. Marquita Herald
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 3:36 pm #

    Great tips as always and a topic I’ve been thinking about a lot over the past week. I’m feeling ready for a change and new challenges (But then that’s been the theme for this entire year for me!) so I appreciate your approach to breaking out of our bubbles (scary image though!). 🙂
    Marquita Herald recently posted..Reflections on Gratitude in the Face of AdversityMy Profile

  29. Ryan Biddulph
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 1:56 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Thanks so much for the shout.

    Actually LOLing over here because I recall my days of fiddling with plug ins, focusing on my posts, messing around, trying to make things perfect, and it was right inside my little blogging bubble, as you say. Love how you worded that.

    Almost all of our success will happen offsite. Here’s why: if you do nothing offsite, unless you develop Neil Patel or Brian Dean type SEO brilliance (and few human beings do) you will write a cyber diary and be doomed. Even those guys do plenty of off site stuff, to boost SEO and to grow their businesses.

    The thing is, we are doing the same stuff we do on our blogs when we guest post. Maybe I will not curse as much, and skip bawdy references (or maybe I won’t LOL) but I will solve the same problems and respond to comments and build bonds, just like I do on Blogging From Paradise. But I will do it on a different platform, for a different audience, helping new readers, building those brilliant friendships and helping more folks, all because I am outside of my blogging bubble.

    Love this message Donna.

    Ryan
    Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips To Go From Blogging Low Life To The Blogging High LifeMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 18, 2017 at 7:17 pm #

      Hi Ryan,

      I remember those days when you were in the “bubble.” LOL… It is a good thing you have popped it and came out strong. Not only do you use your own blog, but I see you as a guest on many blogs and also places like Quora.

      We have to spread our wings and be in different places besides our blog.

      When we comment…and I know you are a great commenter….. there are many that will visit us because they vibe with what we wrote. Bada Bing…a new follower.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  30. Mandy Allen
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 11:37 am #

    Reciprocating is a big issue for me. I always reciprocate and answer comments (although sometimes that takes time as I get so many). But I have often found that when I visit blogs and leave a comment they simply don’t respond in any way. I at least expect a return visit with a comment even if they can’t be bothered to reply to my comment to them (not even a ‘thank you for visiting’ from some!) It’s plain bad manners!

    Enjoy the journey!

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 18, 2017 at 7:13 pm #

      Hi Mandy,

      Reciprocity is a huge issue. I have a three time rule. If I go to a blog and leave a comment three times and the person doesn’t come to mine, they are off my list.

      I say this because there are times where I am guilty of not returning to a comment. It usually happens when someone comments on an older blog and I don’t see it.

      So, give ’em a chance for about three times then don’t visit them again.

      Just my two cents.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  31. Harleena Singh
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 9:08 am #

    Hi Donna,

    Happy Monday 🙂

    Wonderful post indeed! And yes, many are going to relate to this one for sure because so many bloggers are stuck in their bubble, as you rightly described it and don’t know how to find their way out of it!

    We bloggers live in this online world where we just have our blogs as a means to connect with each other. So, once we share our posts on the social networks and people like and share our posts, it kind of means they are reading your post and reaching to your blogs. This is the time for reciprocation, as you said, and that only happens through comments on each other blogs. Yes, reciprocation is essential and that is just the way relationships are built (look at ours!)- and such relationships carry on and on for years, provided you keep it up, or else it just dies it’s own death.

    Besides, when we visit each other’s blogs and read what’s shares, we learn so much, and that is the power of blogging. Not to mention the several kinds of countries and destinations our blogging friends belong to, which breaks all the barriers of caste, religion, etc, and we form this amazing community of bloggers. And most of them connect further on social networks, where again we share each other’s posts and connect one to one. It leads to some great friendships over years, and these friends are always there with us, through thick and thin, isn’t it? Sometimes, our online friends mean the world to us, as compared to the offline ones! I think it’s pretty amazing, and while doing all of this, we help each other in several ways.

    Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
    Harleena Singh recently posted..Is Your Husband or Wife Having an Affair? Know These 7 Top SignsMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 18, 2017 at 7:03 pm #

      Hi Harleena,

      I do believe one of the most important things bloggers can do is to reciprocate. Indeed, going to other’s blogs is something amazing because we always learn something. This sure is the power of blogging.

      Then we can take it on the social networks and connect. There has been so many friendships I have made since I started blogging. Yes, those friends are with us through thick and thin.

      I do believe I have more online friends and close relationships with many than I ever did offline.

      Cheers!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

  32. Gaurav Kumar
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 8:40 am #

    Hi Donna,

    The story of a successful blogger always tells how he has turned himself into a worldly blogger. I always say the more social you become the more connections you attract. This helps in multiple ways.

    Appreciation what other blogger are doing and helping them to fix their daily blogging issues, always help to build strong connections and add more golden fished in your pond. Thanks for sharing.

    Gaurav
    Gaurav Kumar recently posted..Why Your Blog is Dying? & How to Save itMy Profile

  33. Kathryn Maclean
    Twitter:
    September 18, 2017 at 8:25 am #

    Hi Donna,

    What a wonderful article. Blogging may seem uniquely digital as you say, ” Do you ever feel like you are isolated and stuck in your own little blogging world? If you just stay in your own blog and don’t talk to anybody, and nobody talks to you… you’re in a blogging bubble.”
    I love how you explain reciprocity. Going to someone’s blog and visit there with them then go back and reply on your blog. Casually mentioning your Facebook live. Also the part about Ryan – how to submit a guest post. I want to try this soon…
    I want to apply all that you mention when I get back to posting – At the moment I am feeling isolated and stuck as I haven’t been able to be in my blogging world for over a week due to surgery. I miss it and the people! Thanks for your article!
    Kathryn Maclean recently posted..Content Marketing Plan Success With CoScheduleMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      September 18, 2017 at 6:35 pm #

      Hi Kathryn,

      Sorry about your surgery, and hope you are on the mend. When we are away from our blogs, we do feel like we are in a bubble. Alone so to speak. In your case you have tons of blogging buddies and we are all supporting you and your work.

      Ahhh…Facebook Live is doing its work for me as of this writing. I would love to see you streaming every day when you are feeling better. And as for guest posting, PM me.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Overcome Blogger Overwhelm and Achieve Amazing ResultsMy Profile

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