Let's talk about building a network of other bloggers ...

Most everybody wants to make friends (ref. MySpace, FaceBook, LinkedIn).

Usually, unless you prefer the solitude of a remote deserted island or a wooden shack in Montana, you too want to network, connect, and get linked with other people -- of the living, breathing variety.

Most people have their Outlook contacts and distribution lists, Palm Pilots, BlackBerrys, Treos, Oreos, whatever to keep track of their networks and friends.

In public relations, we usually call our most critical network (i.e. press contacts) our "media list." This is just a list of key contacts at newspapers, television stations, radio stations, etc. in your area or field that you want to be sure get your press releases.

These media editors, writers, reporters, on-air personalities are gatekeepers for a group of people -- an audience -- that you want to get your message get to.

OK, I feel better having flexed my PR muscle today.

[BTW, there's 6 PR resources in that link!] :-) Now, back on track ...

The same can be done for blogging pastors -- networking, that is.

You should be developing and cultivating a list of bloggers -- Christian or not -- that you want to email when you have important posts or information to share ... or hey, just want to make friends!

I'd call this your "blogger network list."

To find other bloggers who write and post about the same things you do, simply do a Google search and see who is blogging in your community, or on your subject or passion.

Or look on the blogs you read regularly or which deal with your topic, and see who they read or link to, and then begin cultivating a relationship with those bloggers by reading them, subscribing to the feeds [looks like my button here ] and by commenting on their posts.

The key here though is to use proper etiquette and to be interested in them and not just for what they can do for you.

And actually, read Darren's 13 tips on asking bloggers for links before you think about doing all this ...

[ Read all the previous posts in the "Blogging 101 for Pastors" seres here. ]

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