If you have been following my blog (and if you haven’t…where ya been?), you know that I was fortunate enough to attend BlogHer 2009 a few weeks ago. I left the conference with a lot to think about. I had high expectations from this Conference. Along with meeting new friends, I wanted to learn tips and techniques to make my blog better than before. What can I improve and how do I get there? While some of the sessions were less than stellar, I left with one thing on my mind:
Do I have a relationship with my readers? If I weren’t offering incredible giveaways, would you keep coming back?
It’s ok to say no. Really, it is. The purpose of my blog is to review products that would be beneficial to busy Moms and Dads, to educate readers with a real Mom’s opinion on popular (or not so popular) products. But, the thing that I would like to improve on during Year 2 of The Not-So-Blog is personal relationships with my readers. Purpose being that if you get to know the woman behind the words, maybe you will pop in on my little space in the blogosphere even if I am too darn tired to put up a new giveaway! LOL!
So, I thought I would start by sharing a few random facts about me:
1. I am 5′ 3″.
2. I am not all that happy with my weight. I really need to start up “Think Thin Thursdays” again…who’s with me?
3. I am a review blogger. I am not ashamed of it and hate that I am made to feel guilty for what I set out to do in the first place. Then again, I am in control of how I feel, so I will not apologize for it.
4. I am ethical and not only so I can display a badge on my site, but because I WANT to and it is just who I am.
5. I love my job. I work outside the home full time. Even if it was financially feasible for me to stay at home full time (which it is not), I would not quit.
6. I am close to my family. I love the fact that I can pick up the phone and call my family whenever I need them and they will be there in a heartbeat. I hope I am as good of a Mom as my Mom is to me.
7. My friends are precious to me. I fear that my blogging life is getting in the way of my real life. I am making an effort to let my friends know that they are important to me.
8. I struggle to find balance in my life. There must be a way to fit it all in!
9. I have a hard time saying NO. Working on it.
10. Yes, I am from New Orleans. Yes, Hurricane Katrina flooded my house. No, I was not rescued off a rooftop (I had the good sense to leave). And YES, I came back on my own free will. New Orleans is home.
Ok, now that I spilled a few facts about me, introduce yourself! Tell me something about you! How did you find my blog?
This is great–thanks for sharing more about you!
Oh, and I can’t remember how I found your blog!
I will admit that I found your blog through some of your great giveaways but I’m staying for the content and the personality! Thanks for all the fun!
Thanks so much for sharing more about YOU! I love your blog, giveaways or not..As I’ve told you before, your design, concept, everything is one of THE best out here in blogland lol:)
I have a hard time saying NO also:(
Thanks for wanting to get to know us more too! I’ll always be a reader, giveaways or not lol(but thanks for those too haha)
I am so proud of you! I came to the blog the first time because you asked me to. I keep coming back because it’s just so well written. (and for the pictures of my grandkids) you’re a much better mom than I could have hoped to have been. I love you! Mom
nice post! it’s nice finding out more about bloggers! 🙂
Hi There! (again) thanks for sharing some info about yourself! I love personal posts and mix them in to my blog too. 🙂
I have no clue how I found your blog. Maybe through MomDot?
I am 5’6″. I want to be in shape too, hence starting the Mom Buff. It’s not about being skinny – it’s about being healthy! Right? I love being a SAHM and wish I could stop feeling bad about it – like I am not contributing? But really, I have two of the best boys ever and they are who they are because of me. That can be said for every parent – how your children grow up is based on how you raise them. Whether we are SAHM or working mamas – if are kids rock we are doing a good job and need to stop apologizing!
And I dont come here for your reviews or give-aways. Does that make you feel good? LOL!(I hope it does. 🙂 )
Hey B! I really do follow your blog because of you. The reviews are just a bonus. Plus, I actually KNOW you. ha ha
I’m 5’4″….extremely overweight. I want to lose weight, but lack the motivation to do it. I live in Lawrenceville, GA which is in the Atlanta metro area.
I have 2 boys (ages 9 & 4). The young one just started Pre-K, so I guess they’re both officially in school now. Wow….time flies.
DH & I are coming up on our 11th anniversary next month.
L
I’m not really sure how i found this blog but i’m glad i did and i am happy to get to know you
I’m going to do a similar post. I LOVE it. I knew there was a reason we clicked…probably beacuse we have at least 6 or 7 points in common! Being off for the summer I find it really is much easier to find balance when you’re home all day…staying home with the kids is awesome!! But since we both have to work (going back next week) we’ll try to find the balance together.
I found you’re blog when you just started and always loved it. I only subscribe to a handful (not time, you know) and it’s always been one I’ve loved. I don’t take enough time to comment on blogs and do find it disheartening that non-giveaway posts on my own blog don’t get as many comments, but I understand us moms are BUSY!
Loved meeting you at the American Girl cafe brunch on Sunday! Love to meet fellow Southern working mamas! 🙂