Some Things I’ve Learned About Blogging…
I've really been dragging my heels since the onset of the new year… trying to find my rhythm and get back into the swing of things… Today is the 16th which means half the month is over. At the end of the month (about 9 days time…), my blog will be one year old. So it got me thinking about my blogging/writing journey. Here are some random thoughts:
1. The online community is amazing and supportive! I've met some wonderful people who are very helpful and always willing to give advice. Thank you to all the writers/bloggers who have played a part in my writing journey thus far…
2. The most important piece of writing advice – BICHOK. Butt In Chair Hands On Keyboard supersedes everything…
3. Short posts versus long posts. With numerous blogs and limited time, bloggers are more likely to read and comment on a short post.
4. Commenting. Some bloggers feel that a generic comment is better than no comment. It is simple to swing by tons of blogs and leave short comments. As far as possible, I prefer the sincere and personal touch.
5. Blogfests are a MUST.
6. During NaNoWriMo and the A-Z Challenge, writers are 'on another planet'…
7. Blogging schedule versus spontaneous posting? I'm still not sure about this… maybe a part-schedule and one or two days left open for spur-of-the-moment posts?
8. Social media helps to connect with other writers and is essential for blog exposure.
9. Google Reader is a useful tool but when it piles up… phew!
10. Could somebody please tell me what's the story with talk about Google Friends Connect being removed in April? Will we have to remove the widget from our side-bars?
With regards to my blogoversary, to be honest, I don't know what to do… I know that lots of bloggers host competitions/giveaways as part of the celebration. I don't know if that would be an option since postage would cost me a fortune. Plus my time is short – I only have 9 days…
Maybe a mini-blogfest/blog-hop and invite other bloggers to write a simple reflection post or a piece of flash fiction based on a prompt… that's an idea that really appeals to me… though I'm useless when it comes to technology… I have no idea about Mr. Linky etc. *sighs* Maybe I should just leave it out and post my own reflection post on the day! What do you think?
Congratulations Mish on your first anniversaries! Your blog is always interesting and fun and your writing is at times profound and at times humorous, often both, and always absorbing. I totally agree about short posts being better (you’d never have guessed, right? Lol) and sincere comments over perfunctory ones any day! “Likes” are good (WordPress has them on each post.) A succinct way for the reader to “comment” without actually leaving a comment. I think spur of the moment posting is the way to go. Writers can’t force creativity. As for google reader and such, can’t help ya, sorry.
Again, congrats on a productive year! Wishing you another great year of blogging and more after that. I really value and appreciate how supportive and encouraging you’ve been of my writing. I can’t thank you enough for that. See ya on Drabble day! 😉
Thanks for those warm & wonderful words, Ryan. You are a real honey! You've also been very supportive of me in my journey… thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🙂
Congratulations on one year!
Yeah, the Google Friends Connect is being removed from WordPress blogs and others. Only available for Blogger. Bummer, huh?
And during the A to Z Challenge, I think the entire blogging world will be on another planet!
Thanks Alex. The Google Friends Connect issue is a major bummer… and my widget has only been operational for 4 months… on a lighter note, I can't wait for April and the A-Z Challenge!
Congratulations on a year of blogging! 🙂 Happy Blogoversary!
I know what you mean with Google Reader; I love using it now, but it's overwhelming to see those hundreds of unread posts . . .
Thank you Golden Eagle – I really appreciate the support! 🙂
The past year has flown by soooo quickly. It seems like just the other day that I wrote my first piece of fiction and struggled to get my blog off the ground… battling with the technological aspects… 🙂
Yeah, congrats! I agree, short blog posts are better than long ones. I gave away a kindle for my 1 year anniversary trying to get people to join. Nobody did… Figured out you have to advertise it somehow… Bloghops seem the way to go although I'm no expert. I'll be reading to see what you end up doing.
Thanks Fairview. You gave away a kindle!? That's very generous… My word, I would have joined 100 times to get my hands on it. LOL!
I really do love the Bloghop idea but it involves a Mr. Linky of sorts and I need to still figure out how that works… not sure if I have enough time to go that route… 🙂
I love this blog layout! Cool fonts going on here! And congrats–81 followers in one year is great. I think I had like 20 at that point! But I've just discovered blogfests and they're such a great way to meet other writers.
Thanks Heather. I think you're the 2nd blogger who has commented on the fonts. I noticed that during Blogfests/Bloghops my followers increased the most. So yes, blogfests are a great way to network. Thanks for stopping by to leave a comment.
Congratulations on the upcoming blogoversary! Great points.
Hmm, I say go with whatever you feel comfortable with. We'll support you, either way. 🙂
Thank you for the support – it means a lot to me!! 🙂
…er, obviously I meant ‘anniversary’ not ‘anniversaries’ (darn spell check!) 😉
… gotta blame something, hey! LOL!
That's a pretty comprehensive list! Congratulations on your almost anniversary, and do whatever you like the sound of best to celebrate – it's your blog after all 🙂
Yep, I suppose you're right 'cos it IS my blog after all! 🙂 Something like "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to"… Thanks for popping in, Sarah!
Congratulations on the upcoming blogoversary! I'm with Carrie above. Do what feels right to you. I'll be here to celebrate with you whatever you decide.
P.S. I wouldn't object to a million-dollar raffle, the winner being the one who brings the biggest present. Just let me know soon. I figure it will take about 80,000 rolls of wrapping paper and all nine days to wrap up a Boeing 747.
On second thought, scratch that. I just did the math. I'd be in the red after all was said and done. 🙂
Seriously, though, a huge congrats. That's a great milestone!
Thank you for the support, Bryce! Love your refreshing sense of humour… *giggles* That raffle idea could work, you know… especially since you'd be converting from the rand to the dollar – you do the math. 🙂
… or is it the other way around? I seem to be a little confused here… Please excuse my mathematically-challenged brain… 🙂
Congrats on your up-coming anniversary, Mish. Very perceptive post. Like the BICHOK thing…never heard that before.
Thanks for your ongoing support, Victoria. I really appreciate it. I've really learned a lot from you as well.
Congrats on your coming bloggerversary! I also think it's better to post a personalized comment rather than a generic one that might leave the blog author wondering if I even read the post.
As for what you can do on the day, anything goes. 🙂
Thanks Misha. And I'm STILL undecided about what to do… Ah well, it's not a train smash…
I don't have to do anything at all – that's also an option. 🙂 Isn't it?
Wow a year! That is awesome Mish. Congratulations! So are we going to have cake and ice cream? As for what to do? I'm not sure. I kind of like the flash fiction, but whatever you want to do, is totally up to you. Hey it's like your birthday. CELEBRATE!
Yep! ONE WHOLE YEAR. Can you believe it? Little ole me has been going strong in the blogosphere for one year. Yes, lots of cake and ice-cream… 🙂 definitely… any special flavour that you'd like? 🙂
BICHOK … too bad I didn't read this post earlier today … I might have made more progress!! YIKES!