Why I Host Blog Hops, What Do I Get Out of Them?

Why I host blog hops, and do I get anything out of them? If I am in conversation with someone about the subject they often do come up.  So I figured why not just tell you my exact reasons and give everyone the answers.



It all started when I first started blogging, I was more of what you'd call a personal/journal type blogger at first. I mostly only wrote posts after each marathon so my friends and family no matter their location, could check out what I am up to and keep tabs on me and my goal progress.

Sure, I had this huge background in online advertising and marketing as well as website building. You would have thought that would also fall true into blogging. While some did, not everything I knew prepared me for what needed to be done to grow a blog.

Why? Well frankly I didn't know exactly how to go about finding other blogs out there that had similar interests. I also had this weird assumption that all bloggers were personal journal type bloggers.

I'll skip all the details of how I discovered other bloggers. But let's just say, once upon a time it started to happen.


A lot of how I built my blog was by trial and error. I always say if I started blogging now, I would do things SO much differently.
But I can't start over, at least not with this blog.


Through all that trial and error, I started realizing what worked and what didn't. I quickly discovered blogging alone, without any networking or blogging friends, was very boring. But with blogging friends, it really does become an incredible experience.
I also learned its not exactly possible to take a small blog and grow it without networking.

So I told myself if I ever built my blog up enough, I would share my knowledge and help others.

Clearly I don't have the biggest blog out there. I still have a long ways to go from where I have dreams to take it. But I do have a fairly decent combined reach of over 12K, which isn't too shabby. So the time came, I decided to give back a little and help others who may be like I was, when I was still trying to figure it all out.

I've met bloggers who have joined in these hops I host who've told me they'd been blogging for years, and never had any idea how to get anyone to read their blog.

After participating one of my hops, my hope is bloggers walk away from the experience with a little more knowledge on what they can do going forward to get people to come to their blogs. Not only that, but those who play by the rules of the hop walk away from it finding a few new relationships from it. If kept up they even can become long term followers.

I do not do these for financial gain.

Several bloggers have asked me why I do not charge a small fee to participate. I'll be honest, I have considered it in the past. Especially when it's pretty obvious a few bloggers who have joined were in it entirely for their own benefit, with no intention of playing by the rules and giving back to others with my (Comment for a Comment Rule System.)  It's possible, charging may weed out a few of those. (Of course that is also the beauty of being the host. I can disapprove any of those types from joining in future hops.)

Additionally, I won't lie, these do take a considerable amount of my time. Which is why I only intend on ever hosting these twice a year in February & Oct/Nov. I do the Giveaway hops during other times of the year, because they take considerably less time to put together.

But honestly I do these to help bloggers as well as for the fun experience of it all. So no, I do not require or accept financial payment to host these.

Instead I enjoy hearing about other success, I enjoy hearing about the fun they have during them. I myself also always seem to find a few new awesome bloggers to follow with them too. Honestly, those reasons are payment enough!

If you're wondering why I picked today of all days to share this post. Well truth is, this evening will be my first Community Blogging Event or maybe it would be better put Beginners Blogging Class.

I've done presentations in small groups with people I know before. But this will be my first with mostly complete strangers in my community and I am a little excited about it. (I'm sure the nerves will kick in about 10 minutes before it's to start, ha ha.)
I look at it as another fun way for me to help others by sharing my online background and what I have learned as a blogger. It's a really fun hobby, I enjoy sharing that fun part with others.

Additionally, the February blog hops are starting soon, and I am excited to meet the new participants and get to know some awesome new bloggers.



If you have ever read my blogs mission statement (At the bottom of my About Me page.) Then this line from it will sound familiar. I believe not everything you do, should be about yourself.

That is exactly why, I host blog hops, and that is what I get out of them. I probably should have said that at the beginning and spared you all the reading, ha ha.





35 comments :

  1. I love that line from your mission statement! I'm excited to have the opportunity to participate in one of your blog hops :) Thanks for hosting these and for all the blogging tips you provide.

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  2. I found the hop to be quite fun last year and found many new blogs to read. It gives me something to do when I have down time at work, and I can "meet" many new people out there.

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  3. I'm so glad that you host these blog hops, and can't thank you enough for the time and energy that you put into making them possible. I've been able to connect with and get to know so many incredible bloggers through your hops (including you!). Its a shame that some people only join it for their own benefit, and hopefully you've become better as time has gone on about being able to weed some of those people out. :)

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  4. You have such a wonderful attitude and I only wish we could have joined in this time. Due to my travel schedule it was not possible to sign up. However, I do intend to follow along anyway and hopefully find some new blogs to follow!

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  5. You are the best! Good luck with your class and thank you so much for sharing your time and talents with us, I know I have learned so much the last 2 years from your blog hops!

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  6. Best of luck at your class tonight - those participants are pretty lucky getting to learn the tricks of the trade from you :) Thanks for hosting the wonderful blog hops every year!

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  7. So excited to participate in the blog hop. I was thinking it must be a huge amount of work for you... thank you for your involvement and initiative !

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  8. I'm so glad I discovered your blog! I always enjoy reading your posts. And thank you so much for hosting the blog hops and letting me join you again! They are definitely time consuming but so much fun somehow! It's so fantastic that you are sharing your wealth of knowledge and aiding in the growth of fellow bloggers! Can't wait to see who is joining us for the spring hop!

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  9. I know these blog hops take up a HUGE amount of your time and I think it is great that you are willing to give that up help the blogging community. I hope your class goes well tonight!

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  10. Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlinMarch 8, 2017 at 6:15 PM

    It's no secret I tell people an invite people to your hops because I know first hand how much I got out of just participating in one. Honesty I am very glad you didn't charge because I'm not sure I would have been able to join. I know generosity doesn't pay the bills but I also know giving does come back to you two folds if it's genuine. I am very glad to be a part of this blog hop again an I look forward to yet again learning and connecting with this great community. Thank you Kristy for all your hard work and time you give to us!

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  11. So great that you share your info and host these blog hops that help others. I have learned quite a bit from you! You are so awesome to do this! Hope you had a good class tonight!

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  12. I am sure these hops take a ton of your time to organize. I really appreciate it and love to participate. It's always fun to meet new like minded bloggers.

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  13. I love that you host the blog hops! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to participate in this upcoming one!! Thank you!

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  14. Blogging really is so cool! I never thought I'd find actually friends through it! I hope to do your blog hop sometime soon :-) Such a cool thing that you do just for the community.

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  15. Thank you for your Blog Hop!! It has been an awesome opportunity and I am so looking forward to this next one!! I would totally pay a small fee but glad you don't charge one ;)

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  16. I loved your blog hop when I participate in it!! It really helped me get to know other blogs! Thanks so much for the hard work!

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  17. I love that you host blog hops--I met and got to know so many more awesome bloggers from the last one! :D That quote is so true--I really think we gain a lot more from giving than receiving. <3 Many thanks to you, my friend! I know they take a lot of work, and just want to let you know we super-appreciate these hops! <3

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  18. Thanks for joining them when I host, I am glad you like participating in them!!!

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  19. I do the same thing, its a great way to pass down time at work! Thanks for joining up!

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  20. Your so welcome!
    I enjoy them so much too, I have to say the bloggers like you that I have met through them, have really been the best part. It seems like there are always a few new great friendships and great blogs to follow each time.
    But I do hope I am getting better at weeding them out. I keep a spreadsheet of non-participating blogs or ones who have been complained on, so I don't let them in again.

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  21. No worries at all, they take a lot of time. I don't blame anyone if they can't fit it into their schedule.
    Thanks for all your support my friend!

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  22. Thank you! The class went wonderfully, at least I think it did:)

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  23. Thanks Sun! The class went pretty good, I was happy with it.

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  24. I am glad you joined us Karen! I am looking forward to getting to know you better during it!

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  25. I'm glad your joining again to Caroline!
    Hope you have as much if not more fun this time around!

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  26. Thanks Meranda! Yes the class ended up going great!

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  27. Thank you, I really appreciate it!
    No, I don't want to ever charge for them. Despite that others have asked me why I don't. I'd like to keep these as a way to give back a little to others. Plus, I have a great time in them and it seems like I do find a blog or two new to follow with from each one. I am glad you are participating again too, hope you have a great time in this one as well.

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  28. Thanks Sharon!! The class went great, I enjoyed doing it!

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  29. It is so fun to meet like minded bloggers, I think that is my favorite thing about them. Always find someone new to meet and follow from them!

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  30. I am glad you are participating too! Hope you have fun in it and meet lots of great new bloggers to follow!

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  31. I was the same way, if anyone told me I would find friends through blogging 4 years ago, I would have laughed at the thought. But its become one of my favorite things that has come from it! Thanks julie!

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  32. I am so glad you enjoy them.
    No I have no intention of ever charging, I will keep them manageable enough so I don't ever have to do that, I enjoy giving back a little.

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  33. I think we do gain more from giving than receiving! You live your life like that too, I think that is one of the things I love and always take away from your blog too!

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