Love & Kisses to all of my Followers

This weeks writing task for Back to School, Back to Blogging has been taunting me all week. I mean how do I do this? Who do I focus on? And what if I offend someone that I should have chosen but didn't? Ugg.... decisions, decisions. So, here's the task that I'm stressing about.
 
Writing Task: feature a few of your loyal followers in a post this week. Act as if you’re their media agent and you’re trying to get them a job. Sell them to your community – talk about how fabulous they are. Or maybe just say thank you to specific followers for their support.

Now, do you see my dilemma? All of my followers are important and special to me! Without them my blog would be nothing. Nothing. It'd be just be talking to myself... I do that enough because, duh... I have kids!

I thought about it for a bit and looked through all the people who follow my blog and all that jazz. I decided that I wanted to thank everyone. Because they have all taken the time to read my blog when often the only thing I post is something from a challenge or a meme.

I was looking at my blog yesterday for a really good post to share with Kris over at Pretty All True and realized that my blog sucked! Holy shit! How did this happen! It was totally not what I had intended! Nothing special or original there so I didn't leave a post for her. And being all pitiful feeling and what not I tweeted about it and Ashley from Just Another Mom of 2 pointed out that's how she got started and the challenges & meme's are a good way to start when you're trying to figure things out. I hadn't thought about it that way and it made sense so after that I didn't feel so bad. Besides with hard work it'll get better, right?

Today I looked again and decided to focus on two followers in particular.

Barb from Second Chance Moon and I started blogging around the same time and became blogging buddies during the #31DBBB Challenge and since then I've followed her blog and she's followed mine and I make sure that I read her blog on a regular basis. She has a great blog and is a wonderful writer! Go check it out... now!

Okay, next in line is my friend who has a name but I don't know it because I'm silly like that at times I guess over at One Girl Ideas. She has a teen just like me. Enough said! No, really... she takes the time to actually visit my blog and I know this because she has mentioned me on her blog! Cool, huh!! She will send me tweets asking how things are going and things like that. Like a real friend! I love it.

Both of these ladies are new to blogging and are putting in a lot of time in effort in their blogs trying to grow & promote them. Take a few minutes to check out their blogs, leave a comment or two, and follow them. They are really great ladies!

What blogging means to me & why I do it.

It's that time of week again! That's right it's my post for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop!



The topic that I chose was one that I've written about before, but it was in response to a post over at Mommy Wants Vodka about why I blog. So, I answered.

I thought about simply linking back to my old post for the workshop but thought I'd do a part two and elaborate upon it a bit more. Something short and sweet. This is it.

This weeks prompt....
Write about what blogging means to you. Why do you blog? What purpose does it serve you and how have you benefited from sharing a piece of yourself online this way?

I've been blogging since May of this year and have found that be successful at it you have to put forth a lot of work. Probably a lot more than I thought and I'm working on how to balance building a successful blog, working full time, and being a mom. I won't lie, it's damn hard. Really hard.

I like blogging. I like meeting new people even if they're only online friends for now. I like knowing that I'm not the only one in this crazy place called motherhood. I like that most everyone out there is similar to me in many ways. I like that I have a hobby that I can do whenever, where ever, and it doesn't require a costly trip to JoAnn's for scrapbooking or sewing supplies!

I know that there is so much to learn about blogging, SEO, increasing readership/followers, coding, and simple maintenance of my blog. And I know that with time I'll get it! And with the great circle of bloggers out there I have found an endless supply of help that I appreciate!

One thing that I do like is that my kids read my blog. They follow me too! The often ask, 'have you updated your blog recently?' and then they go off to read it! Great kids, huh!

The husband follows me too.... just not sure if he actually reads it though!

But at the end of the day, when all is said and done I do it for me. I blog simply because I want to. It's for me to rant, rave, ramble, or just share a few thoughts. 

I hope that this answers the question.

Complete & Total Blog Neglect

I had such high hopes for the past couple of weeks... really I did! I even had a plan written out on what I was going to post each day. It was thought out and thorough. But something happened and I didn't even get half of them done.

And now my blog is so sad.  It knows that I've been neglecting it. And I'm pretty sure that this is no way to get new readers or even keep the handful that I have now! Geesh.

Okay, so I'm totally blaming my job, all the meetings that I have to attend, and the endless housework that I have at home (note to self - look into getting a maid). Oh, yea. Also sleep. I really like my rest and it seems to be playing a major part in how much free time I have each day.

So once again I will make a plan! And maybe instead of daily I aim for every other day or every two day. How does that sound?

Now, my question for all you moms out there who work, take care of a family, and blog is how do you manage it all? How do you keep up with everything and still manage to have simply amazing blogs?

Let's discuss this! Does anyone have the same issues that I do? If so, let's come up with a plan that will help us become better bloggers!

Why I blog! Because I work full time...have 4 kids... and still have some sanity.

In reading one of my favorite blogs I stumbled upon Mommy Want's Vodka post about why she blogs and she asked why we blog so of course I had to answer. But only after thinking about it for a couple days.

I've really been trying to get better at this blog thing. It's hard. It's a lot of work. It takes a lot of time if you want to actually grow your blog into something. And is it worth it? I don't know yet since I've only been doing it since May.

I spent a lot of time reading blogs on various topics and pondered starting one of my own. And you know what got me hung up... a witty name. What in the hell was I going to call my blog? I mean without a cool name to catch your attention why read it? So I thought about for some time before finally settling on something. And that was the beginning of With Just a Bit of Magic. Is it the best choice? Eh... who knows. But I like it and that's all that really matters!

But why blog... well why not! I have a lot to say and a lot to share. It's a way to meet new people and so far that's been the best part! Connecting with other moms out there has been amazing and the only thing that could make it better is getting to actually meet them!

Like so many mommy bloggers I have kids (duh...). And to me they're entertaining and I need to share all the things that they do. I know you want to know what they do on a daily basis too! Because what else would you do! A side effect of that is that it's an easy way to keep family updated on things that are going on in my life.

I like blogging. Maybe because it's new, maybe not. But only time will tell I guess. Right now I just ramble on and on about things that aren't all that important or even interesting. But someday I'd like to have guest posts, host a giveaway, do a review or two but it's not the most important thing.

I will tell you all that I am a terrible writer. I am the queen of run on sentences and if it weren't for spell check this blog would be even more atrocious! I'm not all that witty. Things don't come to me that quick! It's always later I think, 'dammit! I could've said this... or that...' and of course it's to late then. And the worst part is sometimes things sound good in my head and on the blog it's not the same.... you can't hear my tone of voice and the sarcasm. Hope you get my odd sense of humor!!!

My guess is that it'll be hard to keep up with a post every other day or so. I mean I work full time and have 4 kids! geesh...  but sleep isn't that important is it?

I want to know why do you blog? How long have you been doing it and what keeps you doing it?

31 Days to a Better Blog

Recently (like today), I joined the ProBlogger's 31DBBB! You should too if you have a blog!

The first email that I got was a list of 4 things to do to get ready while waiting for the day 1 email with the daily task. So far I've got the first 3 things done and they were much easier than I expected!

1. Join the forum - super easy! I mean how hard could this be... fill in a simple form with your name & email address. Log in and post a note about yourself.
2. Install a metrics program - sorta easy.... I installed Google Analytics and there are many sites out there that tell you exactly how to do it. Some even with pictures! My first try didn't work and I'm not sure why, but the second time was a success! It also told me what I already know.... I have very few readers. I'm going to change that though!
3. Invite friends - Done! And the easiest task by far! I'm hoping that they join too so I have someone to work on this with.
4. SWOT analysis of my blog - this one is going to take some time. Maybe more time than I think and a great deal of thought. I may have to hide somewhere in the house tonight finish it!

Well, wish me luck! I hope to have an amazing blog after this adventure!