How do full time bloggers socialize?
One of the things I miss in life after quiting my primary job and turned in to full time blogging is, socialization!
How do other bloggers manage this situation? I know you will attend various summits, bloggers meet etc, but those are rare events and won't make any friends in the society.
Other than general blogger meets, do you meet other bloggers often?
Actually, its very important for bloggers to socialize or else everything stays stagnant. Not everything can be learnt online, some require physical interaction with other people: Conference, meets, etc. When you're into this fulltime, you'll realize that they are anything but rare. Atleast 3-6 tech conferences happen, excluding press meets and launch meets. There are also times you get "informal invitations" to check out stuff- and there are times they invite for lunch, dinner, etc. I've been to a conference which was practically useless but I've met handful of people and it was productive in a way. One thing always leads to another. You'll simply have to make the most of things by going to summits and meets, but meeting other people- not just the speakers, but also those who sit besides you. I don't really mix up with many bloggers. especially Indian tech bloggers. I unfortunately met one of those tech bloggers who won that Taiwan excellence contest (not via Indibloggers) and they talk as if they work for them. My interaction with few tech bloggers/review site owners from other countries have been great so far. No-nonsense people, down-to-earth and get their job done efficiently.
The Sorcerer,
Thanks a lot. Your detailed reply is very helpful. I am new to fulltime blogging, so every tip is valuable.
Here's another. Being humble is best irrespective of others. But at the same time, Listen to everything don't always trust everything you hear. Some people tend to use bloggers, even if they know you very well. Same applies to writers in general.
Marketing people, PRs- even other writers. Some have genuine interest over your blog, some tend to influence you to promote themselves/the product they represent. Bloggers aren't like journalists or other form of writers where they get paid for their work- or an added incentive. Bloggers who don't really have much experience dealing with few are the ones who are usually "impressed" by someone so they do some marketing on behalf of them. They might give you freebies, "Exclusive access" and even invite you to conferences. Mix with them, be with them, learn from them and all that, do not become one of them. Full time bloggers need to realize that they write so that people will know what you know. In time people will automatically end up trusting you. To sustain and grow that trust, you have to make sure you don't get manipulated yourself. It might not make sense but when you mix up with a lot of people, you'll know.
Really needed Tony.
Tony, there are so many ways of going into realty, one is Alumni meets of your school and college, catch up with your class mates. Try to attend exhibitions related to your field of interest which are taking place in plenty in Bangalore. Finally if you can become member of different forums in your field of specialisation it will be good to attend seminars and sponsored meets.
