I've been at this blogging thing for 426 days or so, and I want to share with you a little something I've learned in these days.
Here it is:
Yes, there it is. The public conception of a blog might include ideas of narcissism, self-centeredness, vanity, and well, you can name the rest.
From my piece on the interweb, I can tell you that when I moved from a focus of oh-my-gosh-I-have-so-many-important-things-to-share to how-can-I-connect-with-that-amazing-person, a whole range of possibilities opened up.
I actually heard this phrase from a seminarian at my Church a number of weeks ago. As he sits, studying for exams and sometimes feeling frustrated with his workload, he looks up to see these words. I've been stewing over them for a number of days now.
Really it applies to our lives as mothers and fathers, sisters, daughters. Pretty much as human beings.
As I've read reader comments, listened through words shared on Twitter, and taken classes to hone my skills, I've become more and more passionate about getting the best information, people, ideas to share with my readers. You all have become an important group for me to consider.
So my recommendation for success? Go out there and read blogs, and make positive, meaningful comments. Retweet great ideas (that are not yours) or even better - craft your own 140 characters that reveals your insights into posts - and create your own message to promote someone else. Invite guest bloggers and be a guest blogger when asked. Pin good material and spread great work.
I think we're only going to get to the top if we push each other up.
And, in the end, if Pars Caeli gets page views, well, I'll treat myself to a Hershey's bar. (wait...
And if I don't, great individuals know a little bit more how talented they really are and great ideas are communicated a bit more broadly.
I can live happily with that.
As an aside, these connections, collaborations, and good old-fashioned promotions of awesome people have enhanced my cool factor quite substantially. At least in my head.
In that spirit, I'm DElighted to share with you two wonderful bright spots:
Endless Summer Projects began just last week with an entire 12-week experience of kid-loving crafts. Kicking it all off was organizer extraordinaire Melissa (AKA: Lulu the Baker) and her adorable Mosaic Stepping Stones project.
Endless Summer Projects continues this week over at Alexandra's blog. Please, please give yourself the treat of watching her vlog about how to host the most charming weeknight barbeque. Memorable moments include a great reinvention of the game horseshoes and recipes you do not want to overlook. Warning: you might be humming her happy soundtrack for a while after viewing. So good.
I'm hosting next week's project so be sure to come back here (or to any of my sistas pages) to join in the amusement.
Second bright spot:
My uber talented pal, Joy, from Frock Files has started something I kinda always hoped she would... Frock Photography.
You owe it to yourself to read her homepage/mission statement. So well done.
And since my friendship with Joy enables you to win, too, she's offering you all a discount!! Send her a message (or use that crisp, clean contact form) this week, and you'll save on her incredible styling and photography skills.
Thanks so much for coming back here to add to the growth of Pars Caeli. Your presence is so appreciated!
xoxo, MJ
PS. One last goodie for all y'all bloggers - We're changing our names from bloggers to publishers. Walk on over to this post to read why.
