Real Life Connections: Creating A Hyper-Local Network

- by Jennifer Gerlock of Hip As I Wanna Be

When I first started blogging four years ago, I was a bit of an anomaly in my community. I knew of no one else “in real life” who blogged or participated in social media.

As much as I loved it, I really craved someone to relate to. I am a relationship person. I thrive on friendships and collaboration.

Then as chance would have it, I happened across a loose network of bloggers in the Maryland area. Just a handful of ladies searching for something similar to I.  What started out as a lucky meeting on Twitter with a handful of women, blossomed into network of bloggers in six states and a new initiative affectionately dubbed Momz Share.

The principal of forming relationships is nothing new in the blogosphere. We do it all the time over the wonderful world wide web. That being said, there is no denying that personal relationships are strengthened tenfold when maintained by consistent  face-to-face interactions.

The benefits of developing your own hyper-local network:

• Deep personal connections
• A tribe to lean on, outreach to and identify with
• Real-life friendships

Not convinced you need a hyper-local concentration yet?

Then let me enlighten you on how I have been blessed by my relationships with some of the fantastic folks I have met locally... READ ON