Seeing that this is a holiday week in the States I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
And now that I am clearly entrenched in a WordPress environment, it is probably a good time to reflect a bit and to also talk about what is upcoming. I started this blog back in July of 2009 and it has been quite a trip. You might ask what have I learned?
The work is all worth it…
Blogging is a lot of work but, more importantly, I think it has been well worth it. I’ve always had a penchant for writing but I haven’t always had an outlet to do so. My day job is in software so being able to create and grow a blog during off-hours has certainly been a creative and welcome opportunity.
The relationships gained are priceless…
I have gotten to know people on the other side of the world through blogging. In this post I was able to interview two life coaches, one based in Italy, the other in the UK. I have also exchanged emails with giants in the blogging world such as Daniel Scocco from DailyBlogTips and Jonathan Fields. There are so many wonderful, giving people out there who are willing to help. All you have to do is ask politely and chances are your questions will be answered.
The resources are abundant…
The resources out there to aid you in developing and growing a blog are abundant. Explore forums like the ProBlogger forum or Yaro Starak’s forum and you’ll be able to get advice from bloggers at the highest level. I joined ProBlogger forum a couple of months ago and there have been occasions where I will get answers to my questions from none other than Darren Rowse, the founder of the ProBlogger blog.
Start and end with WordPress…
I did it the hard way. I started out with a blogging platform called SquareSpace and, after much deliberation, moved to WordPress. It was not an easy transition and I am still asking people who commented on my previous blog posts to re-comment so that I will have those comments on my new site. WordPress has all the functionality any blogger would or could need. And the WordPress community is vast so finding an answer to a question you may have about blog design or capabilities is probably just a few clicks away.
…And now… Coming attractions…
Every blogger is looking to drive traffic to their blog. Next week I’m hoping to have a high traffic week. On Monday, November 30th, I’m kicking off a post called “An Interview with Jonathan Fields”. Jonathan has been so kind to answer a number of questions I posed to him a while back. You won’t want to miss this interview!
And then on Wednesday, December 2nd, Daniel Scocco owner of DailyBlogTips, one of the highest rated blogs on the planet, has agreed to publish a guest post of mine. I’ve been waiting a while for this guest post and Daniel has been so kind to schedule me in next week.
So there you have it. Looking forward to an exciting week and enjoy the holiday!
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Wow, you are very resourceful on being able to interview two of the greatest bloggers. Definitely, I will learn a lot from your upcoming post.
Keep up the good work.
Hi Walter,
Glad you stopped by my new WordPress blog site. It has been a challenge getting it up and running and everything switched over from SquareSpace. Actually, the interview I have coming up is with Jonathan Fields. I will publish it on Monday. I also have a guest post on Daniel Scocco’s DailyBlogTips site on Wednesday so please check that out as well. Jonathan was very candid in his responses to my questions. His blog is one that we all should read and I think you already do.
Best,
Bob
If there is one thing I would say I’ve benefited from starting a blog it’s the relationships and connections I’ve made. I’ve connected with hundreds of fellow bloggers, some I feel I will be in touch with for a very long time.
It’s incredible how powerful the internet is an the quality of relationships you can form.
My only regret is I didn’t start sooner!
Congrats on getting your guest post on Daily Blog Tips – It was a great post
Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com
.-= Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com´s last blog ..How To Keep Yourself Under Pressure and Perform With Your Blog? =-.
Hi Sarge,
Thanks for the kind words about the post on DailyBlogTips. I got 186 Tweets and 41 comments which just shows you the power and reach of Daniel’s blog. It is incredible. I know that he has a guest post every Wednesday and sometimes on the weekends. I think Robb Sutton has a guest post there today. I waited about 2 months to be scheduled in because he has a lot of bloggers who want to write for him.
I have a question for you which I have been thinking about. Your domain is BeginnerBlogger.com. When you have been around for a while are you going to change to AdvancedBlogger.com? Just joking. I understand that your target is for people starting out. I really think it makes a lot of sense to help out people just starting out as they will stick with you after you have helped them.
Best,
Bob
I agree with you, Bob. I too, have been working on my blog as a creative project outside my full-time job as a marketing specialist. As a former journalist, I love writing and interviewing people. Unfortunately, traditional journalism is enduring some severe growing pains, so I sought stability in marketing.
I, too, have found everyone to be very friendly and helpful.
Congrats on building such a helpful blog in such a short amount of time!
Keep striving,
Laura Lee
.-= Laura Lee Bloor´s last blog ..Have You Been Screened for Skin Cancer? =-.
Laura Lee,
Thanks so much for the comments on building my blog. It means a lot to me and it’s comments like yours that keep me ever striving.
Best,
Bob