Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Blogoversary - First Post Revisited - A Call For Help!


One year ago I tried my hand at blogging.
I sent out a call for tips on blogging etiquette.

Setting up my blog was a killer. I couldn't figure out why the text wouldn't show up. Turned out I had white font on a white background! I've learned tons about blogging since then and still have much to learn. 

Lots of good advice poured in from the bloggiverse, as 
Wen Baragrey calls it. I've made some life-long friends online. When I first started out, I decided I'd keep on blogging only if it was fun. It turned out to be more than fun. I love learning about my blogger buddies, about places, interesting people, good books, movies, and more. It's a gas and I'm having a blast. 



However, I miss reading many of the blogs I used to follow consistently. You see, everything changed in the past six months. We had to move, downsize, and I now babysit my 8-month-old grandbaby nine hours a day. He's the best medicine in the world, makes me smile and laugh all the time, and he comes first before blogging, tweeting, MyFace SpaceBook Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, or making Youtube videos. Oh, and then there's writing books, too! Oh my.


Punkin always puts a smile on my face.
He's wearing his football helmet. JK!
It's nothing serious. I'll write a post about it soon.


So, dear friends, I haven't neglected your sites intentionally. I'm pressed for time and some days am completely drained. Please know that I miss keeping up with you. I'm committed to visiting the blogs of my commenters first, and if I can visit other blogs after that, it's the icing on the cake.


Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who take the time to read my posts and leave a comment. You don't know how much it brightens my days!


Okay, enough rambling. Let's get on with revisiting my very first post. Below the post are some comments and links I received that you might find helpful. So, here's my first attempt at blogging:


Help! Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone – Can You Share Some Blogging Etiquette?
How silly is this, writing my very first blog post and I don’t have a single follower?
I might as well be writing to a black hole in cyberspace or talkin’ to an invisible wall. I’ve been following 
a few blogs to see what it’s all about. A bit overwhelming, to say the least.

There are millions of you out there. I’m but a tiny speck, smaller than the itsy bitsy spider on your local  
web. It reminds me of one of my favorite Dr. Zeuss books, “Horton Hears a Who.” Hello, hello, is anyone 
there? Can you hear me?
I suppose it’s all a matter of perspective, and one should keep in mind, after all, that a blogger’s a blogger no matter how small!

Anyhoo, if you’re there, anyone, anywhere in the 
worldwide blogosphere, before getting my feet 
wet, I need help from you. The last thing I want 
to do is to start off on the wrong foot, step on your 
web toes, and be written off as a cyberspace case 
who's throwing a party, but nobuddy comes. So, 
do you have any tips for good etiquette in 
blogging? 


****************************************



Here are some of the comments I received and some links you might want to visit:

Heather Kelly said...LynNerd--Thanks for stopping by my blog, and congrats on your first blog post. I hope you find the blogging community to be a supportive and kind one--I certainly have. As far as etiquette goes--I think the saying do unto others works pretty well. Although Elana Johnson has some straightforward advice on blog building here: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/p/building-better-blog.html
I'm glad you're here!
************
Susan Kaye Quinn said...Welcome to the fun-land! Blogging is great, but you have to find your groove with it. The only way to do that is to wade in and start - which you're doing! So, go you!
I might have to do a post on blogging etiquette, but Lisa Gail Green just did one and it's awesome. Best of luck to you!


(The next day, Susan left another comment with a link to an awesome post she wrote titled "How to Blog for the Long Haul.")

Susan Kaye Quinn said...Hey, I blogged about you today! :)
http://www.susankayequinn.com/2011/05/how-to-blog-for-long-haul.html


************
Margo Berendsen said...Oh come on join the adventure! Get your feet wet! Lisa Gail Green posted an awesome blogging etiquette post today at http://paranormalpointofview.blogspot.com/2011/05/blogging-etiquette.html

I also HIGHLY recommend the Online Persona Workshop at http://shrinkingvioletpromotions.blogspot.com/

************
Gene Pool Diva said...Etiquette, was I suppose to have etiquette?
Sigh. Slinking back to my blog now. Thanks goodness I have an alias. :)


*****************************************************************************************************************************

Those are a few of the great comments I received. If you want to read all of them, here's the link to my first post.

One more thing, I was fortunate to hear about social media geru Kristen Lamb's Blog soon after I started blogging. If you want to get the real skinny on social media and marketing specifically geared for writers, visit her site. It's full of invaluable info.
She's the author of  We Are Not Alone–The Writer’s Guide to Social Media and Are You There, Blog? It’s Me, Writer .   "Both are recommended by the hottest agents and biggest authors in the biz." She states her methods teach you how to make building your author platform FUN. "Build a platform and still have time left to write great books."
I've read both and her common sense methods are right on target, in my opinion.  What I love about Kristen is that she's funny as heck. How many nonfiction books make you laugh out loud, plus teach in easy, no-nonsense language?
She started the Twitter hashtag #MyWANA. WANA stands for We Are Not Alone. Here's her post about it, Join the Love Revolution #MyWANA 


And now there's a WANA site similar to FB! I love it! Join us.

I took her blogging class in October and it's well worth $40 for a two-month online class. The next class will start in June. 


I hope this post has been helpful. If you have any advice on blogging for newbies or a link you'd like to share, please leave it in the comments.  
Happy Blogging!











38 comments:

Laura Pauling said...

Family always comes first. What you are doing is incredible not only a gift and a blessing to you but your grandchild and their parents!

Jennette Marie Powell said...

I can so relate to being pressed for time! I'm the same way - there aren't enough hours in the day to hit all the blogs we want to, especially leaving comments! And, I totally agree that those who leave me comments come first. That's a great bit of blog etiquette there, and you've done a great job with it! Happy blogoversary, and have a great second year!

Writer Pat Newcombe said...

It is fun to look back and see how far you've come, isn't it?? I read the wanna stuff too... It was so helpful and the blogging book really made me see the light of day!!!

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Thanks for the shout out! I always love the pictures you post on your blog!!

(I hope little punkin is doing well...)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Congratulations on your one-year anniversary! I'm glad you're having fun with it and being yourself. That's how it should be.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

White text on a white background? Is that anything like a polar bear in a snow storm?

Tommy Kovac said...

Lynn, thanks for including my comment and for giving me a heads-up about this post! I love your positive outlook and your sense of humor. I also TOTALLY relate to being frustrated at the lack of time to keep up with other people's blogs/tweets/pinterest/etc, much less keeping up with your own! That picture of you and "Punkin" is adorable. Keep writing when you can! ;)

J.L. Campbell said...

Lyn, glad to know you're back to blogging. You do the best pics to go along with your posts. Time does move fast.

I remember you introduced to me to Stephanie Jefffries' work. I read the book Princess Kandake. Good stuff. I just need to get around to posting a review. Thanks!

Marcy Kennedy said...

Congrats on your one year blogiversary (I'm still a long way out but can't wait to celebrate such a huge milestone). Looks like you gathered some good advice. I'll have to follow the links. And I agree - Kristen and her books rock :)

Old Kitty said...

Happy happy happy one year blogoversary!! Yay for you!!

And I say of course grandbaby comes first - how cute is Punkin!??! Adorable!! Take care
x

Ginger Calem said...

Happy Blogaversary Lynn. I'm very happy to know you!

Karen McFarland said...

Oh Lynn, I am soo excited! There is a Name and URL on the comment section and I can actually leave a live comment on your blog today for the first time ever!!!!! Yeah!!

A big hug and congratulations on your one year blogoversary girl! You've done a fantastic job and I am so happy that your life seems to be settling down for you! '

Rock on Lynn! You're a wonderful woman and deserve this! :)

Karen McFarland said...

Oh Lynn, I am soo excited! There is a Name and URL on the comment section and I can actually leave a live comment on your blog today for the first time ever!!!!! Yeah!!

A big hug and congratulations on your one year blogoversary girl! You've done a fantastic job and I am so happy that your life seems to be settling down for you! '

Rock on Lynn! You're a wonderful woman and deserve this! :)

Pat O'Dea Rosen said...

You've only been blogging for a year? Here I thought you were the Wise Woman of the Internet. Not only are you a fast learner, you take the funniest photos of yourself--and post them.

Happy Anniversary, Lynn. I am proud to count you among my blogging buddies.

Lisa said...

You are funny and charming and loving. Congratulations Lynn Kelley.

Diane Capri said...

Lynn, Only a year?? "You've come a long way, Baby!" (Where does the time go?) Congrats on your blogaversary!

Susie Lindau said...

Congratulations on your Blogoversary!
It sure is like discovering another world. I am so glad that we met and love reading your blog! You have amazing energy and spirit and it comes through with every post. :)

I can't believe how many comments you got on your first post! I had zero for a long time on Wordpress. I almost quit last summer and am so glad that I didn't!
Here's to another wonderful year of blogging! (virtual toast) :)

Ruth Schiffmann said...

Happy Blogoversary, Lynn. Thanks for sharing the links. Looking forward to clicking around. . .

cleemckenzie said...

Wow! A year already? You've done a super job and I know from your posts that you've had one busy year, so keeping up that super job was a super effort.

Congratulations! Here's to year 2 and more amazing posts.

Karen Lange said...

Congratulations on your blogoversary! Thanks for sharing about your journey. Good to get to know you even better! :)

catherinemjohnson.com said...

Congratulations Lynn, you're doing brilliantly considering you are full time with a young one. I can't believe how many grandparents look after their grandchildren, you're a star, your videos and funny pictures are always so entertaining. Please keep blogging, don't worry how often :)

Coleen Patrick said...

Happy Blogoversary!! So glad to know you Lynn!
You are right, family comes first--when they invent that extra minute maker thingamabob then we can do it all, right? LOL

C D Meetens said...

Congratulations on your blogiversary! I can't believe how well you're doing with everything you're trying to juggle. I haven't managed to get back to the blog at all this year, and my tweets have been almost non-existent.

I'm going to check through the links in your posts, particularly to Kristen Lamb's blog, which I don't think I've visited before.

Lisa Gail Green said...

A year sure flies by fast! I can't believe I posted that a year ago. But I'm so glad it was helpful!!! Yay! Your grandbaby is adorable. Congratulations. Enjoy your time with him and don't sweat it. I've had to cut back too for various reasons. But I still enjoy whatever I can squeeze in. :D congrats on your blogoversary!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogoversary! Great that I am a part of your circle of blogging friends.

LynNerdKelley said...

Laura - Aw, thank you so much. Yes, my daughter and son-in-law are thrilled that I'm babysitting Punkin. It's a win-win situation all the way around!

Jennette - Thank you. Yes, I learned that bit of blogging etiquette early on. Blogging relationships go two ways, unless you're a celebrity and have thousands of followers. Then we don't expect a comment back!

Pat - Yes, it sure is something to look back at all that's happened since I started this blogging journey. And following Kristen Lamb and reading her books has been a tremendous help.

Hi Sue - Thank you for the links and well wishes from the start of my journey. Yes, Punkin is doing great!

LynNerdKelley said...

Tricia - Thanks a bunch! Yes, the more I blog, the more comfortable I am with being myself!

Michael - Oh, white text on a white background is much worse than a Polar bear in a snowstorm! LOL!

Tommy - Thanks for stopping by and for all your support!

Joy - Thank you. Glad you like my pics. I think the pics on your blog rock, too! So glad you and Stephanie got connected.

Marcy - I thought you'd been blogging for five years or so. Yours is so professional and your posts are awesome.

LynNerdKelley said...

OC - Thank you, sweet lady. You always have the nicest comments!

Ginger - I'm so happy to know you, too!

Karen - Yay! It's great that you're finally able to leave a comment here! You are one of the most supportive bloggers, tweeters, and FB people I know. Thank you!

Pat - Thank you so much. More like the bumbling knucklehead of the internet with all the mistakes I've made and still make. I'm so glad to count you as one of my blogging buds, too! I'm so glad we met in Kristen's class.

Oceangirl - Thank you. You're a sweetheart.

Diane - That's quite a compliment coming from such an experienced writer/blogger/marketer. Thanks so much!

Susie - I can't believe you almost gave up on blogging last summer. You're one of the best bloggers I know. I love your posts. Yes, cheers to another year of blogging!

LynNerdKelley said...

inluvwithwords, Ruth - Thanks so much! I've enjoyed having you as a blogger peep, and I'm looking forward to following your prolific writing journey!

Lee - Thanks so much, Lee! You've been here since day 1. You leave some of the best comments of all the bloggers I know. So witty and funny!

Karen - Thank you! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better, too!

LynNerdKelley said...

Catherine - Well, you sure made my day! Thank you so much, blogger bud! Yes, you're right, there are many grandparents who care for their grandchildren these days. I'm enjoying watching this little guy grow before my very eyes. Ah, the wonder of it all, eh?

CD - Taking Kristen's class gave me some direction and help to continue blogging, so I hope you learn lots from her blog and her links. The link to Elana Johnson's Blog Building is full of good info, too. Best of luck to you. I know how hard it is keeping up with it all. There are some days I just don't get on Twitter or FB at all. There are days when my eyes are just too achy from all the reading I do and they just need a break! But I really love blogging, so I keep at it.

Lisa - Thank you! It does seem like so many bloggers are having to cut back on their blogging time these days. I guess we're just not made of iron, huh? Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stephen - Thank you! And I'm glad to be a part of your blogging circle, too! Haha!

Jenny Hansen said...

Congrats on your blogiversary, Lynn!! So impressed with you, girl. :-)

Margo Berendsen said...

I go through busy periods where all I can do is return comments. What fun to revisit your first post and love that I recognize many of the commenters (including me). And the "etiquette? I was supposed to have etiquette?" comment - love it!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I really admire you for what you've achieved in a year! This is a completely overwhelming experience for me as a newbie, and it's nice to know others have been there :)

LynNerdKelley said...

Jenny - Thanks so much for visiting and commenting! I'm learning a lot from reading your posts. You know how to make them fun to read!

Margo - Thank you for stopping by to read that very first post again. It's been great getting to know you through your blog. Yes, returning comments can take up huge blocks of time, but I sure enjoy it. Sometimes I'm so tired, I can barely force my mind to form a sentence, let alone digest what I read in the person's post. Those are the days it's challenging, but for the most part, it's great getting to know the bloggers who took the time to leave a comment.

Alamarose - Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. Even though I'm not technically a newbie anymore, I still make many mistakes and find it very overwhelming at times! But blogging is something I enjoy overall, and I want to continue and grow and connect with more awesome people. Heading over to visit your site now...

Debra Eve | Later Bloomer said...

Lyn, congratulations! This was just fantastic. I pinned for the newbies I'm speaking to this weekend. I know it will encourage them. Thanks!

Heather Murphy said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! I had to laugh at your post because I shared your same sentiments when I started. I see you caught on quick :)

LynNerdKelley said...

Debra - That's so cool that you shared my post on Pinterest. I hope others will be encouraged to give blogging a shot. Honestly, I never expected to enjoy it as much as I do!

Heather - Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I bet many bloggers feels the same way before they get their feet wet, huh? We never know if it's for us until we try it!

August McLaughlin said...

You are ADORABLE! Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Wishing you a super, happy photo-worthy blogoversary. ;)