When it seems like everyone, their mama and their cousin has a blog, it can feel like you and your space of Internet real estate is lost in the crowd. You’ll have to work to make a name for yourself, but remember blogging is not a competition.

Viewing your fellow bloggers as rivals and not colleagues will have you feeling even more alone. Take some time to strengthen your relationships with the men and women you admire by reaching out, up, and down. Do this and you’ll find blogging that much more rewarding.

Here are some ways to connect with bloggers:

Send them a thank you. If a blogger really inspires you with their work, let them know in an email. Don’t ask them to check out your blog. Place a link to yours in your email signature.  They’ll remember.

Post their links on Twitter or Facebook. Tag them, so they’ll know it’s you.

Share a link with them that isn’t your own. If you see something interesting while you’re web surfing, take a second to send it to a blogger you think would find it interesting in an email or tweet.

Organize an event or plan a meetup.  No matter how powerful the Internet is, the bonds we develop in person are often much stronger than those confined to the web. Develop face to face connections with offline events.

Ask for an interview. Interviewing a blogger you respect kills two birds with one stone. Not only have you opened the door to building a relationship, but you’ve created content for your blog.

Write a guest post. If your favorite blogger mentions being overwhelmed or heading out on a vacation, offer to write a guest post for their blog. You’ll help them out and get your name in front of their audience.

Comment on their posts. Leaving thoughtful comments on blog posts ingratiates you to a hardworking blogger. We all want to know our work is being read. A dedicated commenter leaves a lasting impression.

Make a list of 10 bloggers, you want to reach out to in the new two months and get started making those connections!

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Kimberly N. Foster is the founder of Black Girls Blogging and Editor of For Harriet. Email or Tweet her.