Thanks from a new blogger
The Confident Writing blog is just over four months old. It feels like an old and trusted friend (? Can you be friends with your blog?) It feels like something I’ve been doing forever, but in relative terms I am very new to blogging – and know I still have so much to learn.
Blog writing – and all the other stuff that goes alongside it – can be really hard work and it’s great when
you get encouragement along the way, whether that’s suggestions and words of advice; steady growth in the number of your readers; positive, interesting and constructive comments; or links from other sites.
Oh and it’s also brilliant to be given an award (especially the ones that come with shiny buttons) so I’m saying a big thanks to Troy Worman at Orbit Now for including me in the first batch of awards for the ON Blogs – Outstanding New Blogs.
The other nominated blogs are:
- About Every Little Thing by Lis
- Angela Maiers by
Angela Maiers - The Road Map by Ron Bland
- Wendy Piersal by Wendy Piersal
Troy is challenging a hit list of ‘supreme connectors’ to recognize at least one Outstanding New Blog with this call to action: recognise someone!
You remember what it was like when you first started blogging; Links were hard to come by and readers harder still; No doubt, many outstanding blogs have died on the vine for lack of recognition or readership; Others have survived, but without plugging-in to our community or engaging in our larger conversation; Others still have both thrived and plugged-in, but have yet to be recognized for their valuable contribution.
I’m looking forward to seeing what other amazing bloggers end up on his ON blogroll…
Meantime I just wanted to say some thanks once again to all of you who read, follow and contribute to this blog, and to three particularly amazing blogging mentors Robyn McMaster, Rosa Say and Liz Strauss – you’ve all really helped me on my way.
UPDATE: If you’re a new blogger and are looking for resources as well as recognition… check out the blogger’s toolbox that Drew McLellan has just finished putting together.
The toolbox points you to blogs that:
- Are chock full of practical tips
- Act as a living lab on how to write compelling blog posts
- Demonstrate how to build a community
- Teach marketing tools
- Are welcome wagons – bloggers who spotlight newbies
Joanna, it’s been a delight to watch you grow because you’ve run with suggestions. A coach who is so teachable herself, will work really well with others!
Once you asked me what work I think about most when I think of your blog… it is learner/doer. While many people say they learn, you actually live it. I’m very impressed, Joanne.
So you can coach with confidence as you share writing tactics and strategies with your readers and clients.
And, thanks very much for the note in which you thank me.
That’s like a lovely bouquet of flowers for me today!
Joanna,
Congratulations on receiving the Outstanding New Blog Award! You deserve it! I certainly could have told “them” your blog was outstanding! (Though I didn’t realize it was just four months old!)
Great work! I’ve really enjoyed your recent posts–though that’s nothing new, because I always enjoy reading your blog! And who wouldn’t enjoy quality writing and value-added content!
Keep up the good work!
Jeanne
Jeanne, thanks for your kind words.
I don’t think any of us could keep going without the interaction with readers like yourself – I know it’s the rocket fuel that powers my work
Joanna
Robyn, thanks very much for your feedback – thoughtful and reflective as always.
I’m very interested in your comments on learning/doing and the connection with confidence.
I’ve been mulling over what we mean by authority, expertise and how it relates to how we teach, write and coach (prompted in part by a series of discussions at Dawud Miracle’s site) – will try and return to the question once I have it straight in my mind…
Glad you liked the virtual bouquet – you deserve it
Joanna