It's time for another series! I don't have many blog-help based posts, because although I've been around for quite a few years, I'm still learning myself. I thought, who better to learn from than my peers and colleagues? Through this experience, we can learn and grow together.

What exactly is this experience? In this series, I put out surveys on several blogger networks and kindly ask them to give their opinions about several behind-the-scenes facets of the blogosphere. My Research Methods in Communications professor would be so happy with me conducting field research on my own. If you're reading this Mia, heyyyyyy.

My first topic is blogger networks! Blogger networks are like men, there are soooo many out there, you have to know what you want and sift through the muck to find the good ones. I wanted to know exactly what people looked for in a blogger network. So, I'll share my results with you all, after I share my own opinions first!

What do I look for in a blogger network? The main component I look for in blogger networks is post shares, obviously. Second comes sponsorship opportunities, then of course networking and friendship-making. In my survey, I asked if people like daily post threads or category threads. I personally like daily post threads, because they require less thinking for me, however, I appreciate networks that do category threads. It can be very useful. Through networks I have had amazing opportunities - event appearances, sponsorship opportunities, collaborations, and more. If anyone asks me how to get started blogging, I tell them to join a network.

What did my peers say?

Most bloggers are in the 1-3 range. 22.2% are in the moderate 3-5 range, and 22.2% are in the 8-12% range. This may be bias considering what you consider "being part of" a blogger network. There are many Facebook groups I am inactive on, however I'm still a part of. I am definitely active on at least 3, it seems like a good number.

This graph is scarcely skewed left, by 11.1%. (I think I just used some stats terms, wow! If I got it wrong, don't harp on me too bad, math nerds). My sample was small, however they seem split. Yes, blogger networks definitely do help them. However, it's almost a tie between 3-5 and 7-9. 

I also asked my participants two open response questions:

This is the mess I began with. It's pretty much the emptied out stuff of what I used last year, stored in the spare room.

Sadly, the wheel on my suitcase broke, so I have to use my mom's to pack my clothes.

This next tote is the vanity tote. I have the bins that I store my makeup in, my shower caddy, and since I coukd fit my school supply organizer there, I did. It just has pens, pencils, scissors and stuff like that in it. However, I'm putting my notebooks and folders in the longer tote that will have my decorations in it.

To add in that tote, I have the bin and the bag filled with toiletries. I figured more bottles would fit in the VS bag, so I emptied all the nail polishes and put them on m shelf, and filled it with face wash, body wash, body spray, lotion, deodorant, etc.

This is my decoration tote I mentioned earlier. It has some posters, artwork, candles and pictures to hang up. I also fit all of my books and notebooks in here.

The essential books I need in order: The AP Stylebook, the Penguin Handook, Gossip Girl, 1984 by George Orwell, the AP Guide to Spelling and Punctuation, and my Lilly planner!

These are two canvases covered with some design paper - I found them both at Michaels. I plan on putting pictures of friends and family on them and hanging them up. I like having two small canvases than one big one.

Most of my winter cardigans, pullovers, jackets and sweaters needed are in here, I'm hoping I can fit all the shoes in my suitcase.

Now for preparations for phase two!