Archive for » April, 2008 «

164145237 1595faa60d m Blogging   Year One   Lesson Ten

We learn about blogging from many sources. We have access to many free services, software, plugins, themes, photos, and most of all, knowledge

Even before I went live with my blogs, I spent many hours pouring over articles written by other bloggers.

I was amazed at how others were so willing to share years of knowledge, all for free.

I did learn, through linking, I could potentially drive more traffic to their sites and build up their numbers and/or revenues.

With that in mind, the third post I wrote was titled: “Give Credit Where Credit Is Due”

It was all about gratitude, and I listed and linked to each blog/website that helped me get started.

I have continued this practice. If I add a plugin or change my theme, I write a post about it, link to and thank the author. I link to other blogger’s posts that may add value to what I have written, or ones that inspired me to write on a specific topic. I also link to new blogs in my NBOTW series.

Some will argue, linking to other sites may take traffic away from our site. It may. However, linking won’t necessarily keep visitors away.

Most visitors will come back and read what you wrote. When you refer them to great sites, you’ll soon be seen as an authority figure. Loyal visitors will continually return to your site to learn what you’re reading. Instead of fearing a loss of traffic, the opposite may happen, and your stats will show an increase.

Lesson Ten: This scenario reminds me of a fabulous post written by Jennifer, at Empowered Reader. It’s titled: Steps To Happiness – The How Tos of an Attitude Of Gratitude”. Showing your gratitude is powerful. We often hear the saying, “what goes around, comes around”, that holds true for giving credit where credit is due, too.

Equally important, if someone links to your blog or a blog post, blogging etiquette and common sense suggest a thank you is in order.

Today’s Assignment:

Do you freely link to other sites, even if the blog is similar to yours?

Do you show your gratitude to those who have helped you along the way?

Do you see traffic increases from others who link to your site (referral traffic)?

Do you remember to thank others for link love?


Photo Credit: yoppy’s photostream

2164848567 5d8da69a9c NBOTW Finds Harmony
Zen is her niche.

Harmony is her name; a name that projects a sense of peace and well being. Her blog delivers the same.

I found her in Hunter’s comment section. Since then, I’ve been following her work in my reader. She writes with flair, approaches life issues head on, and provides hope to work through the struggles.

In a recent post titled That is MY Seat!, she writes:

If this moment finds you balancing yourself on a crowded train and holding the handrails for dear life, notice the strength of your body and your innate ability to remain solid while being tossed to and fro. Discover within yourself how the experience changes if you let go of the frustration, and the way you wish it was, ……

On the subject of money, something we all think and often worry about, in her post titled The Moment and Money, she writes:

It sounds so magical and mystical to live in the moment. No wonder the monks and disciples can do it – they aren’t waiting for a client to pay them, or vacation pay to be added to a paycheck. Heck, they don’t even have to look for job! Praying is their gig. (smile)

Harmony’s blog is “Golden Zen”.

You know you’re in for a real treat when you read her tag line.

Most lives are spent waiting. Waiting for dreams to manifest, for trouble to end, and for life to be happy. Golden Zen reflects on the brilliance of the NOW and the winks we receive from our Source to remind us we possess it all. Golden Zen is practical and mystical, instructive and reflective. You are my invited guest.

Join me in welcoming Harmony to the community of BWAB.

Swing by her blog. In her “About” section you can also meet Ginger, who taught her the meaning of ZEN.

Hello Harmony!


Photo Credit: ldcross’ photostream

2367064835 2a14f9ebbb m Blogging   Year One   Lesson Nine

B-2, I-25, G53, O-68. BINGO!

It’s been a long time since I played Bingo.

For those who have never played the game, the object is to get five numbers in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line. Sometimes you may play “four corners”, or a game when you must cover all of the numbers on your card.

It’s a typical game. Some follow the rules. Some will cheat. It eventually ends. There’s always a winner.

Today’s Lesson

I’ve been thinking ( I do a lot of that), what makes a blog/blogger a winner? A success?

Are you a success if you’re rated as an “A-list” “big name” blogger?

Or if you amass 100,000 pages views a day?

Are you a success if you’re a “six figure blogger”?

Or if you can show 15000 +/- RSS feed readers?

Does hitting the front page of Digg make you a winner?

What if you have so many comments in a day, you can’t answer them all?

Do “numbers” measure success in blogging?

Can you only call yourself a success if you hold the title of “problogger” (a professional blogger who blogs for a living)?

Can success be measured in other ways?

To me, blogging has been a new ending journey. It’s a work in progress. Each day I grow as a person, and learn something new.

Lesson Nine Blogging has been a succession of many “successes” for me. From the time I signed up for my first domain name, “going live”, publishing my first post, receiving my first comment, making my first penny, and dozens of milestones in between, I’ve yelled out “BINGO” many times.

Today’s Assignment

How do you define success in blogging?

Can it be defined? Or is it a “carrot” that dangles in front of us, always enticing us to want more?

Do you yell out “BINGO” when you hit small milestones, or do you feel unsuccessful because “your card’s not filled’?


Photo Credit: hownowdesign’s photostream

250557408 ebff8dd250 m Blogging   Year One   Lesson Eight

I love to visit other blogs.

I like to see the themes, read the posts, watch how others handle comments, and learn more about the author.

Today’s Lesson

When I started blogging, I read that we should “copy” what the successful bloggers are doing….”learn from those who came before us”.

I wasn’t sure what that meant. In fact, what I saw was quite contradictory.

I looked at some big name blogs and saw they posted many times a day, but others only posted once a week.

Some authors wrote extremely long posts. Others wrote short ones.

Some blogs had lots of advertising, whereas others only had a few scattered ads.

A lot of the blogs used WordPress, but not all.

One big name blog had his comments disabled, but most had their comments open.

Most big name blog authors did not answer each comment.

I questioned it all.

Who should I copy if there is no clear “format”?

Should I copy someone else, or can I have a blog that represents who I am?

After seeing hundreds of blogs, I came to the realization, I had to be ME.

Copying someone else would take away from my authenticity.

I struck out on my own and developed my blog as I saw fit.

Although it’s still a work in progress, it is a reflection of me.

Lesson Eight Blogosphere wouldn’t be nearly as interesting if we had “cookie cutter” blogs. Although we can learn from the A-list bloggers, they too are following what works for THEM. We are all individuals, and our blogs are a projection of “US”. So whether it’s our theme, how we deal with comments, advertising, blog platform, or how often we post, following our heart is what makes us successful, and most of all, unique.

Today’s Assignment

Have you ever tried to emulate a favorite big name blogger? Did it work?

Do you like that you can make changes to your blog, and it’s still YOU?

Would the first impression of your blog tell your readers more about who you are?

Did all of this confuse you in the beginning too?


Photo Credit Dan4th’s photostream

37818578 3150dcf506 m Blogging   Year One   Lesson Seven
When we start a blog, we’re pretty excited about it. We tell our friends and family, and they may or may not give us a nod of approval, an “atta boy”, or “way to go, girl”.

Today’s Lesson

When I started blogging, those in my inner circle asked, “What’s a blog?”, “Why would you want one?”, “How much does it cost?”, and “Do you get paid?” They didn’t “get it”.

In the beginning I convinced a few friends to pay me a visit and/or leave a comment. Some would, others didn’t. Although I was somewhat disappointed they weren’t excited about my new endeavor, I quickly found out, bloggers usually gain more support from complete strangers than they do from close friends and family.

Actually, it makes sense. After all, I’m not too interested in some of the hobbies my husband, kids or friends get involved in. I don’t take their lack of interest personally, nor do I let it drain my motivation and/or excitement.

I’ve realized this is MY passion, not “theirs”. I blog because I love to blog.

Lesson Seven Blog because it brings you joy. If you are looking for kudos and/or compliments from your friends and family, you may be disappointed. As you develop a community of like minded cyberspace friends, you realize fellow bloggers may be the only ones who understand why we do, what we do.

Today’s Assignment

Do your “real life” friends frequent your blog? Comment?

Do friends and family get excited when you reach milestones in blogging?

How many in your inner circle have blogs?

Do “they” understand your passion for blogging?


Photo Credit: Kevin’s photostream
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