1 Year and Still Goin’…
TODAY IS nittyGriddy’s ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY TO MOI ;)!
Believe it or not, it’s been a year since I joined this fabulous and unbelievable blogosphere that has in such little time altered my life, working hours, passions and goals.
I’d like to tell you that I’m pleased with my blog’s outcome and progress so far – and I can and can’t! There’s a reason for both.
Allow me to explain…
What I Didn’t Know
To be honest, when I first began blogging I had no clue as to what ‘that whole blogging thing’ entailed and what it really meant. Like many others who know squat about blogs, I assumed they were mostly personal, and I certainly wasn’t interested in writing for the masses about my private life or that of my friends. Nor was I too keen on interacting with people I don’t personally know (I actually still abide by that ridiculously hard-ass principle with my personal Facebook account). But at the same time, I knew I wanted to write – more than anything else. And so I did – about anything and everything.
I had read numerous blogs for work or fun but nothing concrete or educational about the rules of engagement, the tips and tricks, the do’s and don’ts…I hadn’t the faintest idea of what being part of the blogosphere included; the new friends and connections that could be made, the silly orangy sign that read RSS, finding super keywords for SEO, traffic building, Meta tagging, the whole Twitter folly, guest posting, pingbacks and trackbacks, permalinks, widgets and plugins, the joys and perks of commenting, Google Analytics, WordPress, StumbleUpon, Reddit and Digg, Seth Godin and Darren Rowse…pretty much the whole shindig and shebang!
I obviously knew what most were – I work as a Copywriter for crying out loud – but I had no clue that blogs depended on all of them to survive (except for Seth and Darren)!
Everyday I read, read and read some more. And everyday, I learned a little more. I did that, until I found my niche. Now I keep reading and I keep learning, but my blog has a theme, a style, a purpose, a mission, a vision, an objective and an engaging atmosphere.
What I Didn’t Do that I Do Now
But here’s the thing, I was stupid! Okay…maybe not stupid – much too strong of a word and let’s face it, I’m everything but! Let’s just say I wasn’t wise enough to know what I wanted yet and what to look for. I didn’t start reading and learning what I should have before I began.
It took me a while to realize the potential that a good and consistent blog could have and the doors it could open. It was only months later, that I took the ‘not-stupid’ hat off and put the ‘wisen-up’ thinking cap on! And only then, did I experience the thrill of being part of this immensely vast and overwhelming virtual society.
So, YES! November 27th, 2009 may be the day I registered nittyGriddy.com (and 4 other names) on Just Host, and published my first blog post, but it certainly isn’t the day that I became a passionate blogger and Social Media enthusiast; one that wakes up every morning wanting to read the next useful article that I can learn from, Tweet and comment on; one that goes through the day searching or thinking about what I can blog about next; one that can’t carry on a conversation without mentioning something about blogging or bloggers.
What I am thrilled about however, is the last few months – which to me have been the differentiating factor as to how my blog and I have evolved. These are the ones that brought me to where I am today. Besides all the positive stats, they brought me to meet all the wonderful peeps that I’ve so thoroughly enjoyed interacting with.
My Reason for Writing this Post
For my 1st anniversary, I was initially set on writing a special post sharing what I’ve learned about blogging so far and what my goals are this coming year. But instead, I thought it more appropriate to mention the sites and bloggers that I’ve met or come across along the way; those that have supported me; those that have taught me more than many of my IV league college professors; those whose words made an impact; those that have encouraged my writing; those that have Tweeted and retweeted; those that have commented till their fingers dropped…It is because of these folks and more that I have come to love and be proud of being a blogger!
This is my version of Thanksgiving :)! This is me saying “thank you, muchas gracias, grazie mille, mille merci, shukran and tausen dank to all of YOU – my fellow blogger friends, readers, commentators, mentors, Tweeters…
I would have loved to tell you all that your checks are in the mail or that your gifts are being Fed-Ex’ed, but then I’d be a shitty liar – much like a shitty singer ;). So instead, I hope you’ll accept my simple yet sincere good wishes.
“May you all be blessed with nothing but health, happiness and a boat load of bloggin’ success!”
IMPORTANT Note: These are in no particular order.
Although I would love to name and talk about every single person and blog that I read, admire and learn from – I can’t. So if my early Alzheimer’s temporarily kicked in while writing this post and I forgot to mention you, then my sincere apologies. Truly, deeply, honestly! I beg of you not to hate me or verbally lynch me. Instead, I kindly ask that you add your name in the comments. But if you feel the need to curse me for my short-term memory loss, then please be gentle and sweet; my blog is rather sensitive about her age lol :).
Who I’m Thankful For
Notable Mentions of Bloggers I’m Thankful for
- Tia Peterson from BizChickBlogs.com
- Kiesha Easley from WeBlogBetter.com
- John from ExtremeJohn.com
- Nicholas Cardot from SiteSketch101.com
- Srinivas Rao from TheSkoolofLife.com
- Glen Allsop from ViperChill.com
- Diana Adams from BitRebels.com
- Thomas Marzano from ThomasMarzano.WordPress.com
- Gera from SweetFoods.com
- Alex Whalley from AlexWhalley.com
- Keith Bloemendaal from HotBlogTips.com
- Daniel Sharkov from Reviewz’n’Tips.com
- Lee Odden from TopRankBlog.com
- Joey Strawn from JoeyStrawn.com
- Kristi Hines from Kikolani.com
- Tony Hastings from TheTop10Blog.com
- Jeevan Jacob Jon from TechPupil.com
- Erika Napoletano from RedHeadWriting.com
- James Johnston from EvolutionaryDesigns.net
- Grant Griffiths from HeadwayThemes.com
- Ileane Smith from BasicBlogTips.com
- John Sullivan from PotPolitics.com
- Rick LaPoint from RickLaPoint.com
- Kim Castleberry from Just-Ask-Kim.com
- Tamar Weinberg from Techipedia.com
- Mike Stenger from MikeStenger.com
- Jordan Cooper from NotAProBlog.com
- Ching Ya from WChingYa.com
- Kevin Douglas from SmartIncomeBlog.com
- Lisa Barone from OutspokenMedia.com
- Pat Flynn from SmartPassiveIncome.com
- Corbett Barr from ThinkTraffic.net
- Kevin Green from MyServiceOptions.com
- Kharim Tomlinson from Webmaster-Success.com
- Eric Rudolf from TheSmallCompanyBlog.com
- Ann Smarty from MyBlogGuest.com
- Brian from BlogEngage.com
- Are Morch from AreMorch.com
- Stanford Smith from PushingSocial.com
- Adam Mello from Moremoo.com
- Mike Pedersen from MikePedersen.com
- AND MANY MORE…
[image credits: Happy Blogoversary via Creative Home Expressions; Thank You Monkey via Picture Depot; Envelope via Show Me Money Biz]
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