Far too often I get questions from bloggers and social media influencers about how to up-level their online brands, how to get more paid opportunities, and ultimately how to get their name out there and become an expert in their industry. And most of the time, I just want to respond with a big fat, duhhhhhh….participate more. Be seen. Be engaged. Do things that might not reap immediate rewards (like compensation) but could have longer term benefits.

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In fact, participating and connecting is how I’ve built my entire career and my own personal brand. Coupled with hard work, participation has been the single most important ingredient in my success as an online influencer and digital marketer.

If you’re a blogger, online influencer, or digital marketer and you constantly find yourself asking, what more could I be doing, here are five great ways to participate this month:

Get a pen pal! 

There’s nothing quite like a good, old fashioned pen pal exchange to drive home a deeper connection with someone who you haven’t yet met IRL or met for only a brief period of time (like, say summer camp?). I remember having a pen pal who lived in Florida when I was a preteen, she was about the same age as me, and we’d exchange letters about our families, our pets, and school (ahem, our crushes). Later, when I was a freshman in high school,  I made a friend at tennis camp (heeeyyyy Bernard), and we exchanged letters for months, only to reconnect later as adults (via Facebook, no less!) and laugh at all the silly things we wrote to one another over a decade ago.

That’s why I love this concept from Eggland’s Best and Fit Approach. They’ve designed a Foodie Pen Pal Recipe Swap, to help foodie bloggers build deeper connections within the community beyond blog comments or a simple online follow. To get in on the recipe swap, just join the group here. They’ll be matching people up on a rolling basis, so you can share one of your favorite recipes with a fellow blogger and experience one of their favorites.

Can’t wait to take part of this and build a food connection and of course get kitchen inspiration from everyone!

Go on a workout date!

If there are two things in this world that will instantly bond people together, it’s food and sweat; so if you’re looking to make two new powerful connections, grab yourself a Foodie Pen Pal, and invite a sweat loving blogger or IRL friend to join you for a workout with Gixo. With Gixo, you don’t even have to be in the same place to sweat together – you can select a workout time and a class and jump in for 15-30 minutes of sweaty fun with your new friend. You can text, share emojis, exchange virtual high fives during the workout, and even compare post workout selfies.

And after you’ve both completed your first workout, join hundreds of other influencers and sweat enthusiasts for a fun, and inspiring online movement – #IAmLimitless – where Gixo and Fit Approach are challenging YOU to defy limits this year. Join the challenge here!

Contribute! 

Another way I’ve built my own brand – aside from connecting with my community online and participating in online community events – is from guest blogging. Having your voice on multiple platforms makes you more discoverable, and gives people more access to you (hello, wider reach!). I can’t stress enough how important this is for amplifying your online brand and thankfully, I don’t have to – Alyse did a pretty great job of it here.

Be seen.

If you’re an online influencer or blogger in the fitness, wellness, and lifestyle space, you should be at IDEAWorld BlogFest with Sweat Pink. It’s the event of the year, it’s where all the best bloggers, brands, and influencers in fitness, wellness, and lifestyle come together to network, sweat, learn, and have fun!

Join your local Sweat Pink Chapter

While participating and making connections online is important, there’s nothing quite like making connections in real life. If you want to find your sweaty tribe in 2018 (or even start your own), check out Sweat Pink Chapters. Sweat Pink chapters host regular events for their members – sweaty meet-ups, networking events, social events, and more! This months, check out what’s happening in a few of the chapters:

• Sweat Pink Houston is hosting their first ever event on January 20, and it happens to be with our faves from Athleta!
• Sweat Pink New Jersey is hosting Bungee & Brunch on January 13(HOW FUN!).
• Sweat Pink DC is hosting a barre class with Xtend Barre Arlington on January 28.
• Sweat Pink San Diego is hosting a Cyclebar class on January 6.
• Sweat Pink San Diego is teaming up with Athleta and Gixo for a fun run on January 13.
• Sweat Pink Atlanta is rocking and rolling – make sure to check it out!

Now you have some ideas, get out there and start connecting, participating, and I guarantee things will start happening!

Stay sweaty (and network your face off!) friends,

XO

Jamie

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Gixo and Eggland’s Best. That being said all of my words, thoughts, opinions expressed are my very own. I truly appreciate all of the brands that support the Sweat Pink community.