If you’re like me, when you’re out in the real world you tip folks for the service you receive. If you hear a street performer play a beautiful piece of music or see a busker perform an amusing act, you throw some change in their hat. Bloggers write and produce content to entertain or educate, which the reader receives without cost. The majority of bloggers are doing this “for free”. And while they don’t pass the hat per say, it’s still always nice to receive a virtual tip.
Now, if you’ve been reading a blog and really enjoying it, how do your show your appreciation? Well, there’s a couple of ways you can do it.
Vote!
Show some love to their sponsors!
See the ads along the side bars? If you see something you’re interested in give it a click. Those of you not on the technical side of things might not know this, but the sponsor can see where their traffic is coming from. So when you click on a sponsors button ad and go and visit their site it shows that xxx many people came to see their page today from BloggersWebsite.com. Also though I’ve yet to run any paid ads myself, I do know that sometimes bloggers get paid when you click on their ads (not much, usually pennies a click). Personally, I think this is my favourite way to show support to a site I enjoy. I make the effort to place a few clicks, and think of it as leaving a tip behind. Of course it’s always nice if you take the time to check out the sponsors website and browse around. Showing the sponsor some attention is probably one of the best ways to thank a blogger, as great traffic coming from their page is likely to open up new opportunities for their blog.
Comment!
Follow ’em!
You probably already thought of this one, but another excellent way to let a blogger know how much you appreciate them is to follow them, usually either on Google Friend Connect, Facebook, or Twitter. Or to subscribe to their blog either via email or RSS feed. Not sure how to follow someone? Check out this post HERE.
There you have it folks, four easy ways to “virtually tip” a blogger.
Am I missing any? Other then say gifts of cash or cookies… How do you guys like to receive or give virtual thanks?
Part Two: How to Thank a Fellow Blogger…
This is a great post. Another way is if you have a blog of your own, give them a shout-out, or display their button.
Thanks for these tips! I always vote for different blogs when I visit them just to show I care (:
Thanks for the tips, I will start to show I care…how about going over and voting for you right now?
Can I borrow this post? I love it. I'll just link to it in my sidebar. Love it! Thanks 🙂
Nice round up post for the UBP11. Thanks! And it was great 'meeting' you through this – hope we stay in twitter touch! Mama MOE
Here is my comment. LOL. just kidding… I actually didnt' know what those "sitting on the fence" buttons were! I thought it was just someone's blog button – boy, they're popular. So clearly I's not part of the tech savy set. But will officially cast my vote now!
Thanks for the "tips". I never knew that about the fence either. I just followed you and will vote for you in a min. And comments! Boy do I know what you mean. It is hard to keep blogging when you never get any feedback. 😀 keep up the good work.
Hi love your blog voted for you today. would love for you to come check my blog out too! Take care! Much love to ya ;)http://tootsiandfruitsi.blogspot.com/
Oh wow Sarah. Good one. Can't believe I forgot about displaying someone's button ad!
For sure Mariah, go right ahead!
Love it!! I just voted for you and shared on FB, stumbled and dugg your post 🙂
Good post!
I love this. I would like to repost via the "blog" this.
What a great post! You make an excellent comparison to tipping service workers & bloggers!
Thanks for telling me about Picket Fence–I voted for you! I just signed up myself 🙂 And a new GFC follower. Would love you to check out my blog and possibly follow back 🙂 IDoTheeWedSara.com
loved the post, I always click ads to thank but when there are none, I vote. I think everyone should monetize though.michellesometimesuwin.blogspot.com
Thank you very much for this post. It is so informative! I am newer to blogging, and really appreciate this information, it helps me get 'tec savy'. BTW, what is a 'shout-out' that Sarah mentioned?
Great post thanks for sharing :)I have given you a 'Versatile Blogger Award'. This was given to me and I am passing it on to you. Check my latest blog post for information on what this is http://mommysmotleycrue.blogspot.com/
LOL I usually either share on FB or tweet when I like a post and I try to digg and stumble at least once a day.
@Rory @andreaDon't feel bad, I didn't have a clue what those picket fence buttons were for th e longest time either. That's part of what prompted me to write this post.
@Terrymac By "shout out", what Sarah was referring to is when you promote and/or link to another blogger on your own blog.A very nice way for fellow bloggers to say thanks that I didn't even think to mention.
@StacieFirst, that was awesome of you Thanks so much!Second, when you said that you "shared on FB, stumbled and dugg" my post, I immediately thought Ack, now there's another three ways to say thank you that I completely forget about . Maybe this post needs a second part, how to thank a fellow blogger. >;-D
Hi new follower! Thanks for the advice 🙂
I hit the lovely blog button on your post and it now is herehttp://www.talesofarantingginger.com/2011/04/sharing-post-maple-leaf-mommy-how-to.htmlthanks for sharing
Great post!If I *really* love a particular blog post, I include it in my weekly "Memorable Monday" listing which I use to showcase terrific blog articles. Check out my last MM entry here:http://manager-to-mom.blogspot.com/2011/04/memorable-monday-44.html
Great post! The comments have some other great ideas. Another idea, write a review of their site on certain websites: Alexa, Fuel My Blog, Blogged etc.
Great Post girl! I like virtual tips in the form of comments!! I can't even get my mom or best friends to comment, they read all the time but they never ever leave a comment. ugh!and what I really really love to see if bloggers working together, you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours type of thing
@Manager to MomWhat a cool feature! That is one very nice way to thank a fellow blogger!
->CallistaAnother good one! Writing a review can take a minute, but that is definitely one of the nicest ways to thank a blog well read.
Loved this post. I'm new to blogging so I love seeing these tips and hope you don't mind if I link to this post on my own blog in the near future. Thanks again.
Thanks for the awesome post!
This is a great post! I never thought about voting for them… I LOVE comments- totally the best way to show ME love- beside the cookies, of course. I link people up as much as I can. I am forever mentioning my favorite bloggers. Did you see my last weeks post for Lower your Alexa? BTW- "stopping in from so and so hop, following you now, will you return the favor?" IS NOT A COMMENT!! Copy & paste-ing does NOT constitute commenting on a blog. I REALLY want to make a list of bloggers who do this and BLACK LIST THEM!!! I don't post those comments- and I don't check out their blog either… :)So, I followed you, voted on both and commented (WITH A MEANINGFUL COMMENT) and the cookies are in the mail. 🙂 I'm an awesome blogger friend! :)Tiffany
I appreciate all the hard work bloggers do for their readers. I am so glad I now know other ways besides a simple thank you. Thanks for all the great ideas on how to do this! I have shared this on Twitter for others like me who are just learning their way around blogs.
Great tips! I love followers 🙂 hee hee In fact, I am following you back from the Alexa hop! Ty for stopping by.Makobi Scribe
I am following you through the hop. You have a lot of great tips to remember. <a href="http://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.comhttp://thecryptocapersseries.blogspot.com<br /> <a href="http://www.reneeahand.comwww.reneeahand.com<br />ThanksRenee
I agree with the comment part the most!A REAL comment on a post, esp a personal post where the person commenting isnt 'getting' anything means SO much!
Well said! And clicked a few things and clicked a few votes for you! New follower 🙂
Thanks for sharing. :)I'm visiting back from the Alexa Hop with my handy dandy toolbar.Have a great day!
I think mentioning a fave blog on your age is always a great idea. Thanks for followinng Mommy Time Out
LOVE comments! :-)Stopping by from the Alexa Hop!Johanna at Mama ChocolateFamily life, tips for mom, reviews, giveaways and more!
Stopping by from Alexa – this was a great post!Ramonahttp://create-with-joy.com
This was a very well worded post. It makes my day to receive comments, makes me feel I've made some sort of impact. I know I am listed with Picket Fences, but I don't believe anybody but myself votes each day. I like the answer above by Angela, about mentioning another blog on your page is a great idea, I try to do that in posts. And of course all the link ups I participate in direct readers to the other blog. I also have my pages that link people to great blogs that I enjoy and linkys I participate in.I am visiting from the Alexa hop, would love for you to come and visit.Blessings
Voted for on Picket Fence Blogs. If you have a chance I would love for you to check out my blog and if you like it give a quick click to vote for me too.I have a question about Top Mommy Blogs. I have clicked on this for people before and I am not sure if that click is the vote or if you have to do something else, I haven't found it the easiest site to navigate.
First I wanted to say what a well composed post on how to say "thanks" — this is my first time to your blog — found it from stumble tumble Tues –and I did stumble you — here is my link if you care to take a look but you don't have to http://violethare.blogspot.com/2011/04/zzzzzzzzz.htmlI have looked over some of your other posts and you have a very friendly and open writing style, one that makes me feel comfortable not like an intruder– sorry to hear you have been dealing with sick lil ones while not well yourself — we just got over a round of a stomach bug with my 3 but fortunately this go round neither myself or by husband came down with it. I will definitely be coming back to read more of your blog.
So many great comments! Thanks so much guys. I think I'll definitely be doing a part two to this post, as there are so many great suggestions that I over-looked.
->kewkew My understanding is that Top Mommy Blogs works the same as Picket Fence. A click is a vote, and there is no need to register.
Popping in from the ALexa hop! I'd say personally that comments are king! I have the Stumbled Upon toolbar and will click to stumble posts I like too. The blogger may not know I've done that, but it is sharing and promoting their blog/post…which is a great way to reward good content!
What a great post! I "thanked" you by voting! I already follow you by Facebook & Twitter & I just subscribed via RSS feed! Also stumbled, lol! :)Thanks for sharing this!If you get a chance, I would love a stumble too at:Musings From a SAHMThanks! 🙂
Great post – very true! Thanks for writing this out! I "thanked" you by voting, stumbling, subscribing to your RSS feed, and I already follow you with Twitter/Facebook!I would love a stumbled back if you get a chance – my post is: Musings From a SAHMThanks!
Thank you for this great post. Found you through Stumble Tumble and stumbled you :DHere is my post if you care to read… http://houseunseen.blogspot.com/2011/01/has-mike-…
Great post!!! I already follow you, so I voted for you!! Stumbled this post…would love for you to sumble me back!http://www.keenlykristin.com/2011/04/power-of-words.htmlThanks!Kristin 🙂
That's a great post. I love leaving comments on blogs I follow and writing reviews on Alexa!! It takes few minutes and it shows support.Stumbled your post too
Coming from Alexa & Stumble TumbleGreat tips! I think our readers sometimes forget we can't see them even if they dutifully read – we don't always get that positive feedback! I think we as bloggers sometimes forget to thank the bloggers we read too – link love in a post to share a post you enjoyed is always appreciated!Following you already, stumbled… going to vote 🙂 (I and another blogger recently started a vote hop too)Here's my stumble submission http://www.darcyandbrian.com/?p=1783
Good tips!! I think a heart felt comment is so nice too. I have a problem with doing the stumble group rules bc I dislike saying Stumbled – stumble me. But in any event – I Stumbled and voted (On both)!! Here is my post to stumble.http://www.familylifeinlv.com/2011/04/how-to-eat-kale.html
Great post. I stumbled you, my post is http://booksyourkidswilllove.blogspot.com/2011/04…
Great tips! A lot of people just don't know that you can do a blogger a solid by clicking on their ads! Good information to put out there. Stumbled you! You can stumble me back at: http://www.talkingkids.org/2011/04/your-talking-t…
Oh, my gosh Deanna! This is an awesome post! I'd love it if you'd like to guest post this (well, a revamped version of course) on my blog sometime! I've got to look up how to get all those cool tweet, share, stumble, etc buttons down at the bottom of my blog.Let me know if you are interested in the guest post thing.
I’d love to have this posted on Oh So Savvy Mom as a guest post. The tweet, tumble, etc buttons is something I just added today. It’s a widget you can customize. It is VERY easy to install. You can pick it up here: http://www.sharethis.com/.
Hi there! I wandered through from the Alexa-reducing hop with my toolbar active :)Inviting you to my humble blog as well! Have a great day,Love,Me
new follower! please link up for our ALEXA blog hop this week:http://www.spearmintbaby.com/2011/04/alexa-blog-hop.htmlxo, shari
Great post. Sometimes I get so focused on creating a great post and keeping up with my blog that I fail to really thank and promote those who have gotten me to this place! I just went self-hosted and have a ways to go–so selfishly I am looking for comments as the best way to show appreciation. I also try to keep my alexa bar and stumble upon open so I can credit someone each day!!!!http://DiDoodlings.com
Hi Deanna! Adorable blog. Though I do not have young children, I came to your blog looking for advice on how to thank bloggers. I am new to blogging and just signed up for a photography blog on photoblog.com/lthatch. I am trying to do a photo a day for 365 days! Oh my, what a challenge. But I love it. I think it is a great idea to thank bloggers, so I am searching for advice and stumbled upon your site! Thanks for the tips!!
PS. I wanted to vote for your site but I do not see the VOTE button as you noted above: (If you’re looking for mine they’re in the left hand sidebar.). Have a great day my friend!