Quantity vs. Quality

Aug 21, 2012 | 6 comments

I don’t have as many blog followers as I strive for. It makes it a little hard to get sponsors for giveaways and such. But I keep at it. And little by little, great things are coming my way.

Nearly every day, I can count on comments from a core group of supporters. And nearly every day, I can count on spam comments urging me to sign up for the Quick and Easy Way to get followers. “Over 1,000 followers each day!” “It really works!” These spam messages tell me I’m not doing as well as I could be in my ratings. That I’m hard to find on google. That they know the answer.

But here’s the thing. Their answer is wrong. For me, anyway. Because followers isn’t the same as followers. And having a thousand readers because I filled out some form isn’t the same as having two hundred readers because they like what I write.

So here’s my promise to you: I won’t ever compromise just for ratings. Of course I’d love to write That Post that garners attention. That brings sponsors to my page and readers to my doorstep. But I refuse to join a club or write fluff to get me there. I write, because it’s what I do best. I write because without words, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.

I’d rather be rated on my merit than on some sign-up program. Sure, I don’t show up on google immediately. I’m okay with that. And so far my giveaway participants don’t number in the hundreds. But isn’t the lower competition better for you?

And if my authentic writing gives me a small group of authentic readers, I’d rather that than sell out to a large system that doesn’t really care. I’m not saying I’d turn my back on advertising and sponsorships. Heck, no! I’m saying, I want those companies to have faith in me. I want them to say, yeah. I know what I’m doing. And I want my ratings to improve authentically.

This is where you come in: If you like reading Frankly, My Dear…, would you tell your family and friends? A lot of great things are starting to happen and you don’t want them to miss out, do you?

  • The Unemployment Cookbook (2nd Edition)
  • Holiday-themed Giveaways, and plenty of them!
  • Updates on my writing projects
  • Shared stories from other bloggers

Did I mention corporate sponsorships? I’m hoping to partner again with Aroma Housewares for another Rice Cooker. I’m currently reviewing Scharffen Berger’s new Artisan chocolate bars.

And yes, other companies are noticing me. Thanks to your responses so far, I’m getting noticed.

So it’s not like winning the Lottery all at once. It’s more like earning it, one drop in the bucket at a time.

And I’m okay with that. Because that’s how This (Real) Girl rolls.

Share the word, would ya? Thanks.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Sweeten my tea and share:

This Week’s Theme: August 20, 2012

Aug 20, 2012 | 2 comments

I haven’t forgotten my goal from two months ago to have a new theme to aspire to each week. I just haven’t had the chance to document my ideals every Monday. I have a few ideas, and I’m hoping to blast my way through several within the next ten days or so to get “current”. So here’s a start.

WheninDoubt

This one is near and dear to my heart, and fitting for any purpose. Whether it’s journaling thoughts that you don’t want to share, working through a creative writing issue, or hammering out this week’s grocery list… you can’t go wrong when you put it in writing.

Writing helps me keep organized and remember things I’d otherwise forget. It helps me work through my thoughts and plans and keep track with my goals.

Writing keeps me healthy.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

You may also like:
Why I Write. Every Day.
What’s Your Writing Style? Creatively Overcoming Writer’s Block

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The Desires of My Heart

Aug 19, 2012 | 6 comments

[This post is one of my Ten Bible Verses I Try to Live By]

Psalm 37:4 is one of my favorites. The NIV version reads

“Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you
the desires of your heart.”

I often feel this verse is misinterpreted.

It doesn’t tell us that once we devote ourselves to God He will bless us abundantly with those things on our wish list. He’s not Santa, waiting to mark us on the “Good” List; or withhold from us when we make mistakes.

Rather, it’s when we find ourselves lost in Him that we lose our sense of self-need, and He places in us those desires that benefit us and the world around us.

It’s not a sin to want a nice house, food on the table, or even a phone call from a friend. It’s not wrong to choose a fashionable outfit over basic denim. It’s the reason for choosing these, for making these our focus, that’s at the core of this verse.

God is not a genie in a bottle: waiting for us to ask just so He can grant us three wishes. What He does is something greater. He puts in our heart the proper desires.

When we are focused on the Lord, the little things come into perspective. Sure, life isn’t always a bowl of cherries. But knowing that my heart is in the right place helps me sleep at night.

Without Him in my heart, in my life; those desires could be meaningless. They could give way to other, less fulfilling desires.

I’m thankful for my desires to write. Cook. Tend to my house and household. Earn a living. Give back. Be somebody. Stand up. Serve Him.

And I’m thankful for the family and friends He continues to surround me with. Because my biggest desire is to love and be loved.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

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