How to Interact with The 2.0 Life (Or Any Blog)

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One of my hopes and dreams for this blog is that it becomes the first blog people go to when they want to learn more about the Internet. I want to, over time, create a library of resources on what the Web is, and how to use it for all it’s worth.

One of the things I’m realizing that many people don’t know, even Web-crazy people like me, is how to get the most out of a blog. Great blogs have so much more than just a long list of posts for you to read, forget about immediately, and close the window- most people, myself included, are bad at taking advantage of them.

So, that in mind, here are five great ways to interact with a blog or blogger (like this one), beyond just reading their posts:

1. Subscribe to the RSS feed

RSS is a semi-difficult thing to explain, but incredibly easy to use. All you have to do is click the huge link at the top of this page that says “Grab our RSS feed.” Most sites have something like this, though everyone’s is a bit different (many are orange, for example). An RSS feed delivers each post into a central location (like Google Reader), where you can read all the updates from your favorite blogs at once. You don’t have to visit the site constantly to see if there’s anything new- dump it all into your reader, and read through them all as you will. For one-click goodness, you can subscribe right now.

2. Leave Comments and Replies

Comments are what get many bloggers up in the morning. Believe it or not, we don’t actually know much. Most bloggers will try and put something out there, or ask a question, or talk about a product, hoping for input from readers. One of the great Web 2.0 features is that it emphasizes the idea that ten brains are better than one. When you read something that elicits a reaction, comment on it. Just a few words is great- tell them what you think, why you think it. If you have a suggestion, leave that too- it’s really the point of a blog. The post is often designed to be the beginning of a conversation, not the be-all and end-all of that subject.

3. Talk About Your Own Blog

Do you blog? Tell me. I want to read your blog. There’s no better way to get traffic to your own blog, as well as advice and help, than to mention your blog on other blogs. Let me be clear, though: do NOT spam other people’s blogs, saying “check out my sweet blog check out my sweet blog check out my sweet blog.” You’ll be exiled before you know what’s happening, from just about anywhere. It is, however, totally acceptable to write a worthwhile comment, and then include a link to your blog in your signature. It helps the blog you’re writing on, it helps your own blog- it’s truly a win-win. Blogging, as I’ve said before, is NOT a zero-sum game, and bloggers are always wanting to help each other out. A little self-promotion could be great for you, especially if you’re leaving great comments. (I said blog a LOT just then. Woo.)

4. Find Bloggers on Other Sites

Most blogs’ online presence aren’t limited to their blogs. Most bloggers have Twitter, or Tumblr, or Facebook, Friendfeed, and so on. If you have any of the same, find them there! In my “About Us” page, there are links to all the social networks I’m reasonably active on, and nothing would excite me more than to connect with you elsewhere. Blogging’s about creating a community, and that community can extend far beyond the blog.

5. Help Us Create Content

This goes back to the same “many hands make light work” idea. Bloggers (at least this one) are always looking for tips, tricks, ideas, and notes. Our own reach is only so far, so if you see something cool that we should know about, it’s your civic duty to tell us! With The 2.0 Life, it’s easy. Got a tip, something cool to write about? Send Tips an email. Want to write it yourself, get some published work, and promote your own blog? Send me an email. I’m always looking for people to help me find cool stuff, write about it, and create even more of a community on the 2.0 Life.

When you’re reading a blog, remember: reading’s only half the fun. Get involved. Tell the writers why they’re stupid and wrong and ugly. Connect with us elsewhere. Help us out- we sure can’t do it alone as well as we can as a group.

How do you interact with blogs and bloggers? If you have a blog, what do you do to encourage interaction? Let us know in the comments.

Tagged as: Bloggers, blogging, Blogs, conversation, interact, reading, RSS