As a blogger one of the most powerful steps you can take is becoming part of a blog network. A blog network is a small group of bloggers whose focus is promoting one another through social media. Bloggers in a network may also guest post, host Twitter or Facebook parties, or form giveaways and Blog Hops. The result is blogs that grow and bonds between bloggers.
Blog Network Basics
Niche: Blog networks perform best if all the bloggers fit into the same niche or genre. Variety is not recommended unless your blogs are complimentary and reach the same audience. For instance, a blog network formed by teen gamers would not work well with a blog by a 40 year old woman who writes on homemaking. However, a homeschooling blogger and a homemaking blogger may work well in the same network. In addition to niche the bloggers need to be likeminded in order for all to feel comfortable promoting one another and to prevent issues.
Linking and Tagging: Bloggers in the network should be actively linking to blogs within the networks and tagging each other on social media outlets such as Facebook. In addition, bloggers within the network should place links or buttons of all the members on their blog.
Active Bloggers: Make sure you join a group where all members are actively posting two to three times a week. The internet has as short memory and if you go a week without blogger you are in danger of losing followers. Bloggers who cannot stay active cannot benefit a network.
Post Promotion: Members need to actively promote posts of other members through social media or on their own blog.
Every network will run differently or have different rules. Make sure you can fully commit to and agree with the rules before joining. Your network is a team and often you become close friends so while you go into this to grow your blog you must be a team player. The more you promote others the more you will be promoted.