Just like in any sector of industry, finding a community to be involved with can typically only help your cause. It surrounds you with likeminded individuals, increases your business network, and can help you continuously come across inspiration and ideas.

With the design community, this idea is no different, and in fact, it’s probably equally as important. Web design in particular can be a very isolated and solitary profession; sometimes, it’s just you and your computer all day, every day.

An easy way to get involved in the design community is to find a handful of design blogs that you love and start following them; comment on them, share them, and maybe even start your own. It still may be only a little online community, but it serves to connect you with people who are sharing in what you love.

Another great way to get involved is to participate in a forum or a conference. Now more than ever, there are media conferences popping up all over the country, and it’s not just authors and newspaper CEOs that are speaking and sitting on panels these days. Scope out what might be coming to your town— maybe it’s a digital media summit or a TedX conference, and see if you can offer your expertise in any way. It’s a great way to meet people and to get your face and brand out there.

Even if you don’t feel comfortable getting up and talking in front of people, getting involved in the design community can still be fun. You can always hang in the background and soak up the atmosphere. No matter what, there are little things you can do right away to get yourself involved in the design community.

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