The Butcher, The Baker, The Blogger ~ Networking 101

The Butcher, Baker, Blogger series is becoming a monthly habit with me. This month, the 3rd month anniversary of the Food Bloggers Network, I'd like to talk a bit about networking. Now, I don't claim to be some sort of networking guru, but I've noticed over the years that many people either don't recognize the value of networking or don't really understand how to do the work inherent in networking.

Yes, networking is work. 

What does networking mean to you? I believe the best definition of networking is the following: "a process where you develop long term relationships with others for mutual benefit."

Many people think that the introduction is the important part. They show up at a networking event or join a networking group and then think, "OK, someone will come up and talk to me or email me." But that doesn't involve the work part of networking. The introduction is only the first step. The follow-up is what turns the introduction into the long term relationship.

The Butcher, The Baker, the Blogger ~ Copyright & You

May marks the second month of the Food Bloggers Network. After our first month together I gushed like a kid with a crush about how much I adore this group of bloggers. Today, however, I'd like to discuss a serious and fundamental topic that touches all food bloggers: copyright. Before we get started let's remember that I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. It is, I hope, reasonably well-researched information meant to inform and guide the reader to appropriate resources. When in doubt, consult a real-live-in-the-flesh lawyer who specializes in copyright law.

All food bloggers - whether or not you are well-known, popular, or successful - are bound by the laws of copyright. It applies to anyone who writes in a public forum (be it a Facebook page, a recipe share site, a book, an e-book, or a blog). Copyright infringement has come up twice in the last month to FBN members. But what is copyright? How do you protect your work? How do you prevent yourself from infringing on another person's copyright? Where does copyright end and blogging etiquette begin? It sounds like a lot to research, understand, and follow but in reality it's much easier than redesigning your website (branding, coding, um... yeah... I'll leave that for another day!) and honestly follows a lot of the same guidelines as basic common sense.