5 Steps to Hosting a Successful Blog Party
You’ve decided you want to have a party (blog) and why.
You’ve chosen a location (where your blog is) and got all the decorations up (template, colours and maybe some sidebar widgets) so your party looks pretty.
Now where are the guests? You want to start the party games. But party games are no fun unless you have someone to play with you.
Blogging and parties are very similar. Without anyone to share in the fun, it’s really no fun at all. 
So how do you get people to come to your party blog?
Step One : Invitations
Let them know where and when the party is. If people can’t find your blog, they won’t visit. There are plenty of ways in which you can do this. You can add your blog URL to your signature in forums and yahoo type groups. You can let your facebook friends and other social networking places know. You can add your blog URL to your emails. Just be mindful of not spamming groups simply to let them know about your blog. But if you’re a regular part of an online group of some sort, I’m sure they’d love to hear about your blogging attempts.
Step Two : To Have a Friend, BE one
I’ve seen blog writers sit and lament over the lack of comments and traffic on their blogs. For some reason they are of the opinion that everyone should come to THEM but they don’t need to go to anyone else.
Any blogger writing advice on getting started with blogging will be quick to point out that blogging is a COMMUNITY. You need to get out there and be an active part of that community if you want to get the most out of being a member of it.
Read other blogs. Comment on other blogs. Become a valued member of blogging communities such as Aussie Bloggers Forum and other blogging forums.
If you refused to EVER go to any parties anyone else was having, do you think people would want to come to your party?
Blogging is as much about giving as it is about receiving. In fact, I would go so far as to say it is MORE about giving than it is about receiving. If you focus on giving (with genuine intentions), you’ll find that people will naturally be drawn to your blog and begin to interact with you there as well.
Step Three : Provide Adequate Refreshments
Ever been to a party where there were no drinks or nibbles served? Would you be in a hurry to go to a party hosted by that person again? Consider what your blog has to offer your readers. Is it simply full of your to-do list for the day? Is there anything on offer that is going to offer your readers some kind of satisfying nibble. The kind that says “that was pretty tasty, I’m going to come again”?
Step Four: Interact with Your Guests
Have you ever been to a party where the host shoved out a plate of refreshments and then disappeared for the duration of the party? Of course not. That would be just plain rude.
In the same way, it’s important to interact with those visiting your blog. Consider asking for feedback or for your visitors to share similar experiences they may have had.
When people leave a comment, make sure you take the time to respond.
Step Five: Use Common Courtesy
It’s natural when a guest is leaving to thank them for coming to your party. What kind of courtesy do you show to your blog visitors?
One way to do this is to thank them for leaving a comment. Most comment boxes allow you to personalise some text within the comment box. You can thank your readers for taking the time to stop by and leave you a comment.
You can place a welcome message somewhere on your page thanking people for taking the time to stop by and visit your blog.
HOW you go about extending common courtesy to your blog visitors will vary from person to person. The most important thing is that you find a way to do so. A little bit of courtesy can go a long way.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to hosting a successful blog party. One where people can’t wait to come and share in all the fun with you and leave feeling that they can’t wait to come again. 
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I like the way you compare the blogosphere to a party! Makes a lot of sense and your advice is good and sound! Thanks.