When I first started my blogging journey, I wondered who in the world would want to read what I have to say. Everyone's busy and I'm just an Average Jane. Who cares about my take on things?
In the beginning, when no one visited, commented, or shared, I told myself to stick with it. Now, years later, I am so happy that I kept plugging away. Today, I'm so incredibly thankful for the great people who have come into my life as a result of this blog and the wonderful opportunities that have presented themselves. As they say, nothing worth having comes easy.
That said, I give you the top 10 things I'm grateful for as blogger:
1. Every person who has ever taken the time to visit my blog. Whether you stayed, left, or came back, I'm thankful you took the time to see what I have to offer.
2. The amazing folks who chime in on the comments. You are the lifeblood of Words Done Write. Your opinions, information, and thoughts further the discussions here and help the conversation evolve.
3. The people who make the effort to share posts. Whether you tweet, like, or stumble the content, your support and promotion are both greatly appreciated. Truly, I mean that.
4. The wonderful subscribers who have added this blog to their readers, email, or followed through Friend Connect. I didn't offer subscriptions when I first started the blog, because I thought no one would be interested. Thank you for proving me wrong.
5. Those who have added me to their blog rolls. I'm honored that you've chosen to link to my site and share my blog with your readers. Your generosity has not gone unnoticed.
6. Fellow bloggers who have riffed on what I've written and linked back to my content. Thank you for reading and giving credit back to the initial post. You have impeccable manners!
7. Visitors who read more than one post. The blog has some oldies but goodies in it, so thank you for digging around through the archived content!
8. The fabulous people who have invited me to speak or guest blog as a result of reading my blog. Thank you for appreciating my insights and quirky style.
9. Those who have been kind enough to recognize my efforts here by writing about me or my blog. I'm honored and humbled.
10. The dedicated readers who stayed with me all the way through the last item on this list. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day. I know you have lots of things to do and ways to spend your time. I'm grateful you chose to squeeze me into your otherwise hectic schedules. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
If you're a new blogger, stick with it. Your hard work will eventually pay off, so keep your chin up. If your a veteran blogger, I have no doubt that you're grateful for some of the same things I am (but let me know if I left out something!). If you don't have a blog, thank you so much for being a reader. Those of us who write are nothing without those of you who read!
Have something to share about your blogging journey? Or, perhaps, your thoughts on reading blogs? Want to share something (anything!) that you're grateful for? Sound off! The stage is yours...
thanks for putting up with us, ok me... hahaha
ReplyDeleteHa ha! The pleasure is all mine, Todd ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful to have found your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteGrateful to have met YOU, Erin! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful to find consistently good content provided on a fairly frequent basis. That's really hard to do, and I'm glad for whoever first pointed me towards your blog.
ReplyDeleteWow, Pat! How nice of you to say. Thank you so much for that! <*smiling ear to ear*>
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It's wonderful that you are taking the time to realize all that you are grateful for. Too often we plug ahead, striving to blog better, instead of appreciating all that we have received.
ReplyDeleteI could very much relate to your list. I also thought no one would ever find my blog, much less read it. But they have and I too am grateful for the things you listed, I'm also glad for not getting flamed by a lot of commenters, as was predicted by some of my loved ones!
The support of the blogging community has been a very pleasant surprise!
Best wishes to you, Amber, for much continued success!
Carolyn, I continue to marvel at the kindness of those whom I've met online. The support, encouragement, and generosity of folks out there continues to amaze me.
ReplyDelete---> For those of you reading this who haven't visited Carolyn's blog, you really should. She has great tech-related content: games, apps, software, etc. Good stuff!
And then there's me; I thought this post was the 10 things you were grateful as a booger. I was a booger once BTW.....
ReplyDeleteThis is refreshing because I am hearing so much negativity, echo chamber, blah, blah, blah, that I just want to avoid it.
My post tomorrow talks about my blogging journey a little bit and some things 'I know'.
Yes, I'm thankful for many of the same things; thanks for sharing this today.
Thank you, Amber! I appreciate you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post Amber! You never know that such blessings would be reaped from a business blog do you? Thanks for putting into words how many of us feel.
ReplyDeleteYour booger comment made me panic that I misspelled blogger!!!! I had to double check, of course. You kidder, you!
ReplyDeleteI will check out your post tomorrow, Bill. Look forward to hearing more about your journey!
Thank you, Lois! I know I've found your blog extremely useful. Great information on professional speaking and the nuances of the industry. Good stuff ;-)
ReplyDeleteA writer needs an audience, because if a tree falls in the forest and there's no one around it really doesn't make a sound.
ReplyDeleteI think you've pretty much covered all the things I'm grateful for as a blogger, as well. The best thing about it is the outstanding people you get to meet.
Nice to meet ya, Amber. ;)
So very true, Jayne! It always blows my mind when some bloggers start to get so full of themselves. Without an audience you're nowhere. They are what makes something succeed!
ReplyDeleteAnd, very glad to have met you too, Jayne! Glad that mutual puppy love brought us together! ^..^
It can be a lonely thing starting a new blog. Nobody comments, so it seems like no one is reading. But then you get one comment, then two... One subscriber, than the next. Suddenly, you have some momentum and it feels pretty damn good.
ReplyDeleteAmber, you rock! You have a way of putting words together that's just...well, it's impressive. (At least I think so). All of that to say, thank YOU for being awesome. And blog on!
Blogging has been one of the most rewarding (not financially) things I've ever done. I love to write, but I don't have a lot of creative outlets to do so. Blogging was the perfect thing for me. And, yes, it has taken a little while to build a following of wonderful, delightful bunch of readers and commenters. They make my day! The big secret to making it more successful is to give back - read as many blogs as you can and always leave a comment. People are more than willing to share and support in the blogosphere! I'm definitely glad I found your blog, Amber!
ReplyDeleteLove how you write with a smile Amber. :)
ReplyDeleteYou really represent the thoughts and feelings of many bloggers with this post.
May you keep rockin in 2012,
Marcus
Hey Ricardo! You've summed up the beginning blogger's journey quite well. Once you finally see some momentum, it's yours to roll with or lose.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for the kind words. You've always been supportive and it means a lot to me. In other words, you're pretty awesome yourself ;-)
Jean, you're so right. It's about giving as well as taking. As with most things in life, a proper balance of actions and a sense of etiquette gets you further. And, as you say, it does take time. That's where so many folks get discouraged.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have found you, too, Jean and your beautiful artwork! I put the flying pigs print of yours on my wishlist to Santa ;-)
Awwww. Thank you, Marcus! I try ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad our paths crossed due to the wonderful world of blogging!
Blogging is what brought me back to my love of writing...and what spawned the new iteration of my business. So yes! Blog on fellow writers! And stick with it. Whatever your ultimate purpose is, it will be a great personal and professional journey.
ReplyDeleteIn this era of self-publishing, blogging can be a great opportunity can't it, Tea?
ReplyDeleteBlog on!
Good on you for being grateful. Often we ignore others who contribute to our success in our own pursuit throughout life. It's great that you can remember those others.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for those who have introduced me to people who work in communications, creative arts and marketing. I've been able to connect into a community they have been so welcoming.
As a (relatively) new blogger, I love reading other blogs, and so glad I found this one. I love what you wrote and can feel your sincere gratitude through your words. I share ALL of your sentiments, except for #8, but I look forward to it! Really nice post Amber :-)
ReplyDeleteGratitude is a huge part of happiness and success. It's always important to remember those who have been kind and supportive. Without those folks, nothing happens.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that you've been able to connect to so many others in your industry, Steve. Social networking is so powerful and there are some great people out there who are eager to teach and share.
Hello Linda! Thanks for chiming in to the discussion!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words. I truly am so grateful so those who have shown me kindness along the way. They are my fuel.
Good luck on your blogging journey, Linda!
You sweetie!
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