Tuesday, August 17, 2010

First Blogaversary

One year ago today, the hype finally caught up to me. After several months of listening to Writer's Podcasts, and hearing about how a writer needs a Blog to promote themselves and build community, I started Fatherhood And Other Common Terrors (FAOCT Say it out loud. Totally accidental). I used the OCT part to give myself permission to write on other topics, mostly work ventings, but whatever came to mind.
A friend at work told me about how some woman (I still don't know who) started a Mommy Blog and went on to support herself and her husband with it. So I spent a day off Searching for Parenting Blogs. I found Crazy Texas Mommy and Throwing Quartersthat day, which I still enjoy. I also surfed around using the “Next Blog” button at the top of the page (a Blogger feature, if you), and saw a wide range of what's possible, from niche markets, to photography, to whatever-you-please. I found an amazing resource, and I was sorry that I didn't get into it years ago.
I've said it often, and it bears repeating: The real value of Blogging is community. It just can't be described to those who aren't into it. Naturally, I tried to get my friends to stop by and check it out. Few did. But when I visited other Blogs and commented, I was amazed that they would return the courtesy. These were Bloggers who had hundreds of followers, yet they took time for my little start-up with maybe 5. Those included my wife and my sister (separate people), and somehow, myself. Yup, if you check, you'll find me following my own Blog. And I find me riveting! Hanging on my every word, I am.
Another Blogger, Braham at Alfred Lives Here I enjoy is also celebrating his first Blogaversary, but he's doing it better than I am. For every comment he gets, he will donate $1 to Doctors Without Borders, and $2 for every new follower. So at least stop by and check it out, and it's always a great read, so it's win-win-win.

16 comments:

  1. Happy Blogiversary!! I'm totally glad that you stopped by and left me a comment or else I probably would've never found you and I do so love your writin'.

    And, I'm totally glad you still like me.

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  2. Well I for one am very glad to have come across your blog. Its simple and unique to you and I find you intelligent and admirable. Happy blogaversary

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  3. Happy birthday Daddy Blog! I've heard those stories about "Mommy blogs" supporting families, and I'm very jealous because I'd love nothing more than to support my family by doing something so totally fun as this. But like you I'm enjoying the network of writers & the community feel from blogging. Here's to another great year!

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  4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

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  5. Congratulations on the one year anniversary! Good to know you find yourself riveting. Really not sure how I found your blog. Possibly through Arlee's Tossing it Out? I found a lot that way.

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  6. Congrats Will on making the 1 year mark!!!! I'm glad to know that your wife and sister are not one in the same...lol. Cheers to another great year ahead.

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  7. Happy Bloggiversary, Will! It really is a great community, isn't it? I have a few real life friends who read, but probably because I am a shameless (naked) promoter and tell one of the two facebook accounts everytime I post a blog, so if I hit a topic they are interested in, they come by.

    I think the most fascinating aspect of this is that it is totally DIFFERENT people who are interested in my writing, compared to who I always thought my close friends were. The close friends have maybe come by once or twice, but a batch of peripheral friends follow and comment (either at my blog or on FB)

    Anyway, you are doing great. (And I'm relieved you didn't marry your sister--they only do that in the south, yes? *ducks*)

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  8. Congratulations on your blogaversary! I happened upon your blog after being an avid following of Brahm! Love what you are doing and long may it continue!

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  9. Right on! Now you have to post every single day. Sometimes twice. It's blog-law. You're no newbie.

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  10. Congratulations! You've done well so far. I am coming upon my first anniversary as well. I'm with you on the aspect of community. When I started blogging I had a different motivation, but I soon found that the community support and resource was where it was really at.

    Here's to the years to come!

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  11. Hey Will, It's funny that you mention this idea of building community and visiting/commenting on other blogs. Emily was just talking to me last night about this. And then to see your previous post about creating swearing-- I think what is really neat is to see all the coincidences out there. Different people, with different experiences, and different perspectives thinking about the same things.

    I really appreciate you stopping by my blog from time to time-- I honestly don't know how you crank them out with such regularity. I'm still not sure where I am going with it mine stylistically.

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  12. Congrats; Enjoy your blogday! You are so right, it is nothing you can communicate to someone who isn't doing it. I talk about my blog friends and people give me that look. My family finally gets it, sort of, kind of... ;-D

    I will stop by and visit your friend~
    enJOY~

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  13. Hi Will - congratulations .. a good day! Long may it last.

    The community is amazing - I absolutely agree with you .. and I'll be over to see Braham at Alfred's Place ..

    Good for you - bask in a few days of sunshine .. and enjoy the anniversary .. Hilary

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  14. Blogoversary ... very cool. I like it. And I'll check out your buddy's blog to help Doctors Without Borders.

    Stephen Tremp

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  15. Kudos on a full year of blogging, Will!

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  16. Congrats on your first year - many more to come!

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