Archive for May, 2007
Everyone seems to have a blog. Most of what is on the internet is a personal journal with out much depth. For a person who wants to get their writing out their, who has a voice and something that needs to be heard, it can be a rough bridge to cross. How do you get people to read your blog? Can you really make any money in the process? What really makes a blog worthy?
These are all great questions, and I have to admit that I have no idea what the answers are. I’m still learning the whole process myself. I have learned that reading other bloggers is a great way to learn the skill. It seems to be a very friendly community, and so far they have all been eager to respond to my comments and to help me out.
Just today I found that best blog yet that gives me some pointers on how to draw readers. It suggests ten ways to improve your readership – and in the process improve your blog.
10. Write at least five major “pillar” articles.
9. Write one new blog post per day minimum.
8. Use a proper domain name.
7. Start commenting on other blogs.
6. Trackback and link to other blogs in your blog posts.
5. Encourage comments on your own blog.
4. Submit your latest pillar article to a blog carnival.
3. Submit your blog to blogtopsites.com.
2. Submit your articles to EzineArticles.com.
1. Write more pillar articles.
The article goes on to help you understand each of the steps and how they build on each other. So far, I’m kind of stuck on number nine, but I’m getting better.
Some of these suggestions I’ve seen on other sites. But this is the first place where I’ve seen them put together AND explained. If you are serious about starting a blog, then this is one of the best places to start.
May 8th, 2007
I broke down and asked for help. For several months now, I’ve been convinced that I could do it all. I could be the housewife, the super mom, the great hostess, the avid gardener, the available volunteer and a successful writer. Something had to give.
After praying about it, I decided to ask a friend if she wanted to start coming around once a week to clean the house – the weekly stuff like mopping and dusting, along with the big projects like organizing the boys’ closet. After all, she said she ENJOYED cleaning and that she thought God had gifted her in that area.
See, I can clean. God has been working (and it’s been an uphill battle the whole way) to get me to where I can do it. But I would never say I ENJOYED it.
Before I had a chance to bring the subject up, she announced that God had directed her to get a job. “Hmmmmm,” I thought to myself. So after everyone else left, I asked and she said yes – quite enthusiastically.
So now I have help.
The thing that you have to know about working at home is that it REQUIRES you to delegate. There just aren’t enough hours in the day to get it ALL done. I’ve tried. Look at your life and see what you can bless others with doing. It may surprise you that your children, or friends, or parents, or spouse actually want to help out. Even more surprising is that they are often gifted in the area that you enjoy the least – if you would just give them a chance.
If you are serious about working from home, you have to be willing to ask for help. Take some time to look at your obligations and see which ones you can give away.
P.S.
What I Learned Today
Sitting here writing this I thought “my husband is a gifted cleaner and organizer.” But he spends most of his time working in the yard. Why? He does it because it’s man’s work and that’s what is expected of him. To make it even more interesting, he’s allergic to pollen. Just the thing you need if you are going to be out mowing, huh? I think I’ll share this thought with him. Maybe if we all worked where we were gifted and talented instead of where “they” told us we needed to be then our homes and our lives would be more peaceful.
May 8th, 2007
Living off a budget takes some time and planning, but it will be the best decision that you and your family could ever make. Not only will it help you if you are struggling with debt, but a budget can also guide you to financial goals (like a new car, a dream vacation, or even a new home.).
The first step will take about a month. You need to keep a record of everything (and I mean literally everything) that you spend AND what you spend it on. If you buy a soda for one dollar, write it down – it could be groceries or entertainment or even personal. If you put change in the meter, write it down – it could be work related or auto costs. Be methodical when you make your list of spending. It could be what determines whether your budget will be a glowing success, or a dismal failure.
Step two: Take the list you made and break it down into categories. Make a list of MUST PAYS – tithe (I’m a firm believer in giving God his first), mortgage, internet, phone, cell phone, water, electric, garbage, television, alarm, car insurance, and flood insurance. The next thing is the NEED to pays – gas, groceries, pets, clothes, car, education (we homeschool). Then finally there is the WANT to pays – entertainment, gifts, savings, and misc.
Step three: Total up how much you spend in each category. If your outgoing amount is less than what you are bringing in, then it is time to make some changes. Either you have to bring in more money or else you have to cut the fat out of your budget. Start at the bottom of your list – with the wants – and cut until the outgoing is less than the income. It might hurt for a little while, be eventually you will find your way out.
The forth and fifth steps just require you repeating the second and third steps every few months. Your budget will fluctuate as your income fluctuates. The key is learning to control your spending no matter where that income ends.
May 6th, 2007
God is definitely at work in my life right this second. While doing my bible study this morning, I “stumbled over” an old entry in my journal. It’s all about getting started and pushing through.
It relates to Paul and his many comparisons about athletes.
1. You have to practice – consistently – even if you don’t FEEL like it.
2. You have to prepare – know the rules and basics of the game.
3. You have to study – know the way the other team plays so you are ready to respond.
4. You have to go beyond – push yourself each day just beyond where you were yesterday – it’s the only way to get better.
Sifting through some sites I’ve been visiting, I found a devotional that backs up what Paul tells us.
“Clue #1 tells us to lay aside everything that would hinder us and those sins that tend to entangle us. Are there things we are hanging onto with all our mights that we just can’t or don’t want to give up. Yet deep down we know it’s slowing us down in our Christian walk? God tells us to throw it off. And He is there to help us do it.
Clue #2 tells us to run with perseverance. Don’t give up. Keep going. Run with everything you’ve got right to the end. Even when you might get distracted or trip or actually fall down, allow God to pick you, forgive you, brush you off and then get right back in the race.
Clue #3 tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. To fix your eyes on something means you don’t take your eyes off of it. You don’t look around, you don’t look down. You keep your eyes on Jesus, who is the author and the one perfecting your faith in you.
Clue #4 tells us to consider Him and that He endured great opposition. Are you discouraged, beaten down, facing opposition all around? Consider the opposition that Christ endured. Allow the Lord to encourage you and lift you up, so that will not grow weary or lose heart.”
I know I can do this. I can say no to food, when I know I’m not hungry and I just want to eat. I can do the laundry, when I just want to sit and watch television. I can get up with the baby, when I want to lie in bed and make my husband do it instead.
I can do these things because the Giver of all things is alive in me.
May 1st, 2007
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