Saturday, January 25, 2014

Grow Your Blog: Why I Share

I'm taking a quick time out from my California Dreaming posts to join in a wonderful opportunity to Grow My Blog hosted by Vicki at 2 Bags Full. I don't remember how I came across this Linky party but it seemed exactly what I needed right now. It's a funny thing writing a blog. I started this journey after seeing Lucy at Attic 24 and her wonderful blog about crochet. She writes as if she's talking to a friend and shares her world with her readers. Through her I discovered many other blogs that I read on a daily basis. I have always loved England and have been able to travel there a couple of times. One of the things about blogging that is so appealing is the ability to make connections with people on the other side of the world - and also right down the road. IT HAS BEEN A JOY!

So... I jumped in. Wholeheartedly. Finding people to follow me and read along was not necessarily that important to me. I've been on Facebook for years and I KNOW the people on there. They really are FRIENDS. Some who I see on a regular basis and some who I haven't seen in years. I thought they would automatically follow me on my blog - no problem. But, that hasn't happened. Some of my very best friends NEVER read my blog. However, I have some friends who ALWAYS read and just leave their comments to me on Facebook, which is WONDERFUL.  I really underestimated how IMPORTANT it is to think that someone, ANYONE is reading what I write. I've read all kinds of articles on growing my followers and I've tried several of them. Last year I sort of fizzled out... stopped writing. But The Drowsy Bee was always there pulling to me to write again.

I have started again! This time I'm trying to do things differently and for different reasons.

Why I Share:

- I have something to say. I have ideas, thoughts, inspirations, things I want to get out!
- I've always wanted to keep a journal or record of things I have accomplished and/or goals I have set.
- I love beautiful photography and I want to develope my skills.
- I want to REACH people - make connections with people.
- I want to be able to share my love of Jesus with people who may not know what He's all about.

I read a blog called Lark and Bloom written by Elizabeth and she talks about comparing yourself and your blog to others. How this is so easy to do and why we do this. It's not constructive. It's not what God wants us to do. I am working on this. I want to have this space be something that I am proud of, that others can enjoy, and something that glorifies God. This is going to be my goal for the year. To figure out WHAT I'm going to share and HOW I'm going to share it.

Thank you for taking the time to visit me in this journey. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you Vicki for giving the small bloggers a way to grow.  Most importantly, THANK YOU TO THE FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING ME! You are SO important to me and I am so grateful that you take the time to stop by and see what's going on here. Thank you for hitting the FOLLOW button!  And Thank you for leaving a quick comment. It really brightens my day!

Blessings to you all!


27 comments:

  1. I'm visiting via GYB party and it has been nice to have a quick look around. I'm adding your blog to my following list so I can see your lovely pictures.

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    1. Thank you, Tracy. I was happy to be a part and am working my way through some of the blogs (it might take a while, LOL) I really enjoyed seeing your summer blogpost on your site and love reading about farm life. I'm happily married to a city boy so I have to dream about it.

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  2. Enjoy reading & seeing what you're going to post next here on your blog.

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    1. Thanks Vanessa! I really appreciate you always taking the time to say "hello". I can really count on you and it makes me smile!

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  3. Stopping in from GYB. I look forward to following you and seeing more of your photography!

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    1. Thank you coming by Heather. I went over to see your quilting blog and loved it. I have a post about a Cathedral Window quilt that my grandmother made me and how special it is to me. I have a few stacks of beautiful fat quarters but have never done anything with them yet. That's a future goal!

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  4. Hey Jeanette,
    I know what you mean about people that you know not reading your blog. I don't think one single person in my family looks at my blog. Not one. I truly appreciate the folks who read my posts and for those who leave comments, I love them!!
    I love Lucy at Atiic 24 too! xx

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    1. Isn't that funny Kay? It's a mystery to me who reads and who doesn't. I can always count on my Mom and Dad and my sister was my first follower, yeah. I really think it has a lot to do with TIME. So many people are really busy and reading blogs does take some time. I always appreciate you for being one of my first followers and encouraging me. It does mean a lot.

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  5. You and I share the same goals with our blogs, Jeanette. Although I want to hone my writing and photography skills, what I want to do most is bless others with words and pictures. So, we're on this journey together!

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    1. That's a great way to put it, Nancy. Bless people with words and pictures. You have blessed me by sharing your beautiful farm with us. I dream of having a SMALL farm someday but right now I just live vicariously through others. (I'm dying for some chickens and sheep) ;-) Thanks you for coming by!

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  6. Oh Jeanette, I can relate to this post. I've been blogging since 2009 and I have 23 "followers". I have numerous other people who read via email subscription or what have you. But almost none of those people comment. Most of my friends don't even know about my blog and my blogging friends are all somewhere else. My close friends and family who do know about my blog and read it definitely don't comment but will often mention the blog or a certain post to me. So I know people are out there....but I still often ask myself why I keep doing it. At the end of the day, I realize it's just for me. I often spend time going back through old posts and reminiscing. When I lost my Hubbell last year, I was very thankful for all the posts that included him or pictures of his gorgeous face. I also live vicariously through others....like all those people with chickens (I am dying to have some chickens!). And it gets very lonely parenting young children....reading others blogs is a way to feel connected and not so lonely. Thank you so very much for visiting mine and for leaving your comments. You have no idea how much I appreciate it! Comments make blogging infinitely more fun! At least than you know that someone is actually out there!!! XOXO

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    1. Hi Audrey. We are two of a kind! Bird nerds and all. I know how much I enjoy reading your blog and I hope you continue for a while, too. Your photography is so beautiful and I love your nature pics. It is great to go back and look at thing from the past. I've always said I'll keep blogging as long as it's fun. Right now it's fun! Thank you for always being there for me!

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  7. I'm also participating in the GYB Party and look forward to being on the journey with you. Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Toni! I'm heading over to check out your blog. I'm really enjoying finding new blogs on the GYB party. Thank you for stopping by!

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  8. Hi Jeanette, I think you sum up a lot of what we "new bloggers" experience. It can be hard to meet people, but it's so much fun.

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    1. Hi Cristal! It is fun, isn't it? I do love that part! Thanks for stopping by and saying "hello".

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  9. Hey there Jeanette, so lovely to meet you and I have enjoyed visiting. Hope to be back later to do a little more browsing.

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    1. Hey Carole! That's my sister's name (without the e). I popped over to see your beautiful card creations on your blog! I look forward to seeing more. Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.

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  10. Enjoying your blog and have signed on to follow. Visiting from the GYB.

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    1. Hi Carol. I'm going over to chck out your blog. Thanks so much for coming by!

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  11. So glad to meet you, Jeanette, on the GYB circuit! Beautiful California Dreaming photos! & I'm here and so glad it is raining a little today! I am a new follower of yours & looking forward to your posts! take care, deborah I'm at: http://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Deborah! I went over to see your blog and really enjoyed it. I love the idea of sharing art/artists with people. I look forward to reading more!

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  12. Cool Blog~ Looking forward to following you and seeing what else you post. If you have a minute, I'd appreciate you popping over over to my blog. Regards, Tammie Everly/TTE Designs tammie@ttedesigns.com

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    1. I'm heading over right now! Thanks for stopping by!

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  13. Hi, nice to meet you and your family. Thank you for sharing. You have a lovely blog. Happy hopping!

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  14. Great CA pics!

    Thanks for sharing your blog. I still working through that crazy list of blogs. Please visit my embroidery blog if it strikes your fancy.

    aprilsongstress

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  15. Hello , my name is Dawn your my one stop on the blog party, Hope that I soon will be friends with all of you cyber neighbors. Can't wait to see more of your great photos . My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/ and contact info is ovr_brd@yahoo.com I a newbie to the blogging world and I share your same in site of why I share. to organize my thoughts and maybe someday reflect back on my thoughts. Happy to see you writing again and Hope great things come from it. I also love talk about Jesus. well I got a lot more blogs to read and visit. Have a nice day and God Bless

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Hi friends! Thank you so much for leaving me a comment. I LOVE to hear what you think and I PROMISE I will respond to each and every one!
xoxo Jeanette