Friday, August 10, 2012

When I Was a New (Garden) Blogger......

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 I warn you all this is a very long and opinionated post. These little tidbits are purely my observations after nearly five years of blogging (Blogiversary is on September 29th!) The fact I have been blogging this long is important because many bloggers don't last one year let alone five years. I have learned a lot throughout all of these years and hope to share some things with you all so if you have ever felt the same or been in the same boat you can know you are not alone! Please share your experiences for other bloggers. 

When I was a new blogger....

1. I worried about whether anyone would read or comment on posts I would write. Don't worry about comments. Comments come when you search for other bloggers with like interests and comment on their blog. Reading will obviously come with comments.  Comments also come as you build a database of work-which means you need to post regularly. New blogs ofen don't have a high ranking in search engines in part due to not having much content to be indexed. Once you get a lot of work on your blog you will get more readers and more of a higher ranking. I get many comments from people who are NOT bloggers who just want to weigh in on the subject I have posted about. They find the posts via searches-hence ranking. I appreciate those comments as much as the ones from bloggers. A bonus of these comments is I get to keep my fingertip on the pulse of gardening as in what is the trend out there.


2. I was very intimidated by blogs that seemed very big and well established. Almost every blog seems very big and well established when you first begin blogging, but remember those bloggers were once very new bloggers too! The one thing I never wanted this blog to become was intimating to new bloggers and I hope that it has not. I try very hard to welcome all bloggers new and old as even to this day--nearly five years after I began blogging-- I still distinctly remember what it was like to be new to the blogging world. I tell you it does not seem like a welcoming place and bloggers who want to be around for a while really have to be tough to keep blogging. 


3. I would try to comment in a way I thought would connect me to the blogger and be interesting for others to read. Comment as yourself and don't worry about what others think of your comment but never ever leave a negative comment on a blog. Remember whatever you put on the Internet will be there for a very long time. I have never won a prize for the best commenter but let me tell you I am one loyal commenter and I really do talk to the blogger and relate simply because I am me. That is just me on the web. I learn so much more by commenting my way; which should be the only way for you all too--comment as you!


4. I subscribed to all comments on almost all blog posts I commented on. Even today I still get comments from some of the early blogs I commented on. The subscription feature is nice if you wish to get the response from the blogger, but it can get overwhelming if you comment on a lot of posts. My suggestion is to read the prior comments and see if the blogger responds. If the blogger has not responded to any other comments it is a good bet you won't get a response on that blog either-but you should get a response on your blog.  If the blogger does respond and you don't want to miss the response then go ahead and subscribe. Once you get a response make sure you unsubscribe.


5. I noticed that when commenters would comment on my blog they would always begin their comment with, "Thanks for commenting on my blog....". I hated those comments and still do. If you are responding to someone's comment on their blog because they commented on your blog just leave a nice comment. There is no need to state the obvious that you are only responding because they commented on your blog as in "Thank you for your comment......" Just leave that part off.


6. I used to obsess about my traffic count and whether or not anyone was reading besides the commenters. Which was kind of funny because I had no way of knowing how many visitors came to the blog and only judged visitors traffic by comments. Get a traffic counter right away. I prefer Sitemeter but even Google Analytics that is now standard with Blogger blogs will tell you that more people read your blog than just the commenters! It is a really good feeling to know people read your posts! As any blogger will tell you. 


7. I thought that the first commenters on my blog would be best buddies with me forever. I was very loyal to all the bloggers that showed any interest in my blog and expected the same in return. Well, this was one of the hardest lessons I had to learn because the longer I blogged the more I realized we change in not only how we blog but in how we comment and relate on the Internet. While I still feel close to many of those early commenters and have even met many of them,  I realized that we certainly weren't best buddies and loyalty is not always enough to keep readers and commenters happy. Nonetheless, as commenters leave new ones come and that is the nature of blogging and social media.  I am slow to adapt to changes but adapt I do and understand the process.


8.  The more I blogged and thought I connected with others the more I thought that I wanted to meet the commenters since we had so much in common. Meeting new friends was a goal early on in my blogging endeavors and I was able to meet many new people, several of whom I would call friends, but there are far more that are mere acquaintances. It takes a lot more to be friends than talking on a blog. Even though a blogger may share part of his or her life with you and you may feel like you know the blogger well the relationship is not really 'real' until you put effort into really relating with the blogger in person. Many bloggers are not interested in this and that is fine.  Relationships are built through effort on both person's parts. If a blogger makes the effort to meet or visit you then you should certainly do the same if you are interested in pursuing the relationship. If not, then don't. It is logical that if you have something in common (gardening) then you have the basis for a friendship, but again, it takes effort on each person's part. I am very lucky to have met many who have made the effort to continue a relationship with me outside of this blog and I value their friendships. I need not name names because I hope they all know who they are! You all will see the same will happen to you with your blogs too.


9. I always felt like good manners meant responding to a commenter in some small way. When my comments were not acknowledged on either another blog or my own I felt like I was being ignored-rejected if you will. It was almost like I was talking to you and you weren't listening and would not respond. This happens a lot in blogging and I am sure it is not intended to be a slight. Sometimes bloggers get busy and might not get back to you, then again perhaps the blogger has different priorities for their blog than responding to commenters. It is time to move on if this happens to you and you don't like it and that is just what I would do.  If you like the blog then continue to read but you don't have to comment just because you read a blog. Commenting takes effort and if you can make the effort to comment on a blog then I think it is not too much to ask for the blogger to reciprocate. My co-poster Skeeter and I have always subscribed to this simple rule and it has worked out well for this blog. We hope we are not ignoring anyone at any time as it almost is never our intention to do this. 


10. I had to learn everything I know by experimenting. The school of hard knocks will definitely teach you but since blogging is supposed to be a 'community' wouldn't it be nice if we could share our knowledge or tips and techniques with others if we know they are in need of help? Let me give you an example, if you are a member of let's say Blotanical, and you see another blogger, new or not, is not a member, why not message that blogger and kindly at least tell them about that garden blogging community? No one ever did this for me and it may have been an oversight or not, but it left me a bit behind with marketing my blog in the beginning. After that lesson I made sure to tell all new bloggers about Blotanical and other ways of marketing their blogs that I knew of. I am sure there are many other forums for other types of blogs too and I speak not only as a garden blogger but as a blogger.  I also try to share what lessons I have learned about through this blog that other bloggers may not know. You will certainly hear about Pinterest below and from a post I did, but that is just one lesson I have learned the hard way. I do try to share those lessons with you all. Try to help others if you are in position to do so as the favor will be returned to you.


11. I felt like bloggers were in competition with one another for readers and commenters. This still befuddles me because I see no venue for a competition in blogging. There is no prize at the end of the day for being a top blog, no one is judging your blog, no one counts comments, and certainly most everyone who earns money from their blog is not broadcasting how much they earn so why does it seem as though bloggers are competing? Readers who read this blog can certainly come and read your blog as well. There are many times I will link to other blogs and I know from Sitemeter many readers outclick to other blogs in this manner. It takes nothing from this blog for a reader to read another blog. In fact, look at the sidebar and check out all the other blogs! Please do check out other blogs as I am sure that even if this blog does not appeal to you (and it won't to everyone) then there is one somewhere that will and forget about competing! There is no supreme blog at the end of the day and no big prize for the best blogger. And even if there were I guarantee that whoever will read 'the top' blog will also read other blogs. It is the nature of the beast but really not a competition.


12. I used to think constantly about my blog. What will I post next? Wow that is a great picture I just must get it for the blog! I would go over posts in my head as I was driving. I was a bit obsessed. It is normal. When we first start blogging and have passed the phase of wondering if anyone will read our blog we then are so overjoyed to get a few comments that we just want to post the best for our readers and think of posting constantly. This phase will pass as you can't possibly keep up with everything you wish to post and really you should post what interests you. In fact, there are many times now that I forget about posting until the last minute. Trust me, that phase will pass. Posting has become a habit for me as this blog is so easy for me to find information I need about my garden if the occasion arises. I enjoy the online record-that is mine-and I know Skeeter enjoys her online record of her garden-- so I post still but don't post half as much as I used to. In other words I am not as infatuated with blogging as I was when I was a new blogger. Again, post what is interesting to you but don't let blogging be work. If a post is interesting to you there is a good chance others will share your same interests so post what you like!


13. I did not have a clear goal in mind as to why I was blogging. My purpose was not defined specifically enough to keep me on task. We all blog for our very own special and unique reasons but knowing a few clear cut goals and putting them down in writing will help to keep us on track and it will also help to keep things in perspective when our goals have not been met by the blog. Let's say our goal for blogging is to simply keep a record of our garden online for future use. Well then why would it bother us if no one read our blog if we are simply keeping a record of our garden? It may still bother you if no one read your blog so you might possibly have more than one goal for your blog. Set priorities and set definitive goals that will work for you, but be aware that our goals may change the longer we blog. Blogs have a way of taking on a life of their own sometimes and we must be flexible to grow and adapt with them. 


14. I used to think that if I got to one good spot with blogging that I could stay there forever. For example, as the blog grew so did the traffic count and I was quite happy. But then the traffic count would fall off at certain times of the year no matter what I posted. For garden blogs traffic is going to ebb during the off garden season. Holidays seem to be a slow time too. But don't worry, garden season comes around each year and your traffic count will pick up again. 


15. I felt really inadequate when I visited a blog that had all those awards posted on their sidebars. Awards are great but if you really look at the awards a good many of them are awards someone decided to bestow on a blogger usually because they have a relationship with that blogger. The awards are awards made up by some tech savvy person who creates a cute badge for the award and then passes it around. Badges can be created by just about anyone so I personally am not impressed with the award system. If you are a new blogger, be aware the awards are coming your way once you find your niche. Do not worry about that aspect. Your blog is just as good without awards. Awards are not bestowed on only special blogs; they are bestowed on ALL blogs once you get your blog going. Usually the bestowers are bloggers in your year group who got the award from one of their blogging friends. I warn you though, they really don't mean much other than a badge on your sidebar. For me I decided early on not to post any awards because I never wanted a new blogger to be intimidated or to feel inadequate by awards on this blog if we happened to 'win' one or two. Additionally, probably to the chagrin of many award bestowers, I do not participate in award memes. Awards can possibly increase your exposure and up your traffic count but don't feel like you have to participate if you don't want to. Just graciously accept, or congratulate your blogging friends who get those awards and don't be intimidated.


16. Early on my purpose in blogging was to share my garden with local readers in my area. Later once I left the FTP I blogged through my goal became to learn about gardening from other garden bloggers. I sought out nearby bloggers and tried to read their blogs in order to learn. Just because a blogger is nearby and is considered a garden blogger does not mean you will learn anything from their blog that will help you in your garden. Some blogs are picture heavy with no words. I have a time learning if there are no explanations about the pictures. While the pictures may be pretty they simply don't usually teach me. On the other hand just because a blog is across the country does not mean you won't pick up a tip or two that will help you out in your garden. Be open to all sorts of blogs and try them all out until you find your niche.  Everyone is unique just like blogs. And you can certainly enjoy more than one blog and learn from bloggers all over the world and not just bloggers in your time zone. I'll give you a good example, I will never ever be able to grow a star fruit tree but it is so neat to see one growing in my tropical friend's gardens via their blogs that I learn! And enjoy.


17. I did not realize my photos went onto Google Images automatically. Some of my photos are tops in searches on Google images; which is okay since it will bring traffic to the blog, but it was most disconcerting finding my photos posted there for all to see in a forum other than my blog. Anything you upload to the Internet is going to a server somewhere. I am sure there are platforms where you have complete control over your material but with Blogger it is a Google product. I am guessing this might be why photos go to Google images but honestly I think most all photos go there so just be aware. 


18. I loved it that folks were reading my posts and commenting on them too but did not find such satisfaction when I began finding my posts scraped and posted elsewhere. Periodically Google your site name by typing in: "your url" and also typing in a sentence or two of your blog in quote marks. You should find all that applies. Check the sites out. Many you will recognize and be perfectly legitimate, some might not be so. This is not a foolproof method to find your unique work published on the Internet but it sure helps. I also use Sitemeter to tell me what people are Googling and it is surprising what comes up there. For instance, one of my most popular posts comes up number one when a person types in certain words. Right below my original post is a pirated 'Networkedblogs' post that is an exact copy of my post but which does not link back to my blog. This has been an issue I have been working to fix. My actions include reporting the situation to Google, GoDaddy (the 'hosting' party), and the FBI through their ICC complaint process. So far the post is still up but I'm still working on it. Normally you can find the IP address and check on WHOIS who owns the IP address then send them a 'Cease and Desist' letter. This has worked well for me many times. When it is another blogger stealing your posts report it through Google (Blogger) or whatever platform you use and I know Blogger will remove the post immediately. All of your pictures and posts are date time stamped when published and/or uploaded. It is an easy thing to prove you own the work and others who steal it know they are wrong and must take down your post.  Another good method for proving ownership of your posts is to have them emailed to you. I think I have all approximately 1600 posts on my email server. They are easily accessed should I need to prove ownership and that has happened in the past.


19. I thought exposure was a good thing. Then came along Pinterest. Some bloggers highly recommend this and I think that is a big mistake. But then I guess it depends why you blog. While I love traffic the two seconds someone clicks on my blog from my photos on Pinterest is not worth it to me. Many blogs with high traffic get the traffic count from hits like these from not only Pinterest but from Google images (visitors stay a whole lot longer). Have you ever Googled something and found a whole bunch of photos of your friend bloggers showing up in searches? It is because the blogger has their settings set to public perhaps in order to attract more traffic. All of my photos are set to private viewed only by me because I hope to eliminate stealing of my photos. For whatever they are worth my photos are mine and not to be used in a manner I do not want. Pinterest uses your photos and while some bloggers might think there is a good link back to their blog they are mistaken. They perhaps get about 10% of the traffic from their original photo that they should be getting and the reason is that the url gets lost in the posting and database Pinterest uses to display a photo. If this is okay with you then by all means do Pinterest but please be aware of the consequences. It is a bit unsettling to me to find my photos on a website I have never heard of while I am just searching the web. For more information about Pinterest please see this post.  


And if you do not like my opinion about Pinterest that is fine and you are welcomed to respectfully disagree. Personal attacks on this matter will not be posted in order to protect you-the blogger leaving the comment. I obviously get the comment and will remember it well but will not post it. Refer to lesson 3 that I learned as a new blogger a long time ago. No personal attacks and no negative comments as this has already happened so I speak from experience.

20. I did not always consider how my blog posts would affect readers. Many times readers will read a blog post and take the word of the blogger as gospel. This is never a good idea. At one of the garden societies I belong to a very wise woman said, "Why would anyone believe what one blogger writes?" Why indeed? I cannot answer that but oftentimes readers may come to trust a blogger and follow that blogger religiously. This simply makes no sense but it is human nature and is not too smart in my humble opinion. If you are shopping for a new car you do not just settle on one car, find one reference and go to one store to buy that car do you? I hope not. Most people will wisely shop around for more options and more information and will compare cars before they settle on one. When car shopping is done properly the car buyer can feel confident they have made the right decision. It is the same with information on blogs. Shop around and compare. If for instance you purchase a new plant like 'Sea Foam' artemisia and you came upon my post on this particular artemisia I would hope that you would not stop there in your research. Continue gathering information about that plant from more sources and look at where the information is coming from. If you live in Florida and I say artemisia is a good plant then don't assume it will work for you. Florida is different. Use your brain and compare sources of information and make a logical decision for yourself. For me I learned I should probably put a disclaimer on my blog to let readers know that just because something works or doesn't work for us does not mean it will work for all of you-the reader. This just makes sense but sometimes reading it on a blog hammers home the lesson. It is not so much to protect us but just to remind you that common sense needs to prevail with anything you read on the Internet. I always always research plants and so adore getting information from blogs that I prefer those to any other source. I do; however, I do prefer in depth information and not just a pretty picture. So if a blog does not have in depth information I will quickly move on. This is one reason I try to put in depth info on this blog. If the info I find on another blog is good I will always comment and tell the blogger how helpful their information was. I will then move on to a botanical garden website or university website or even a nursery website to find alternative information on that plant that will either complement or dispute what I read on the blog. I then make my educated decision on what I wish to do in my garden. The same goes for you all too!

21. I tried to participate in memes to be a part of the crowd because I thought I had to. Memes can get out of hand pretty darned fast. They are interesting and can be fun because you can go to one post and see a multitude of posts all on the same subject. How cool is that? The theory is that you will visit that one post then go visit all of the other blog posts that are linked on that post. The result will, if done properly, increase your traffic and expose you and the other bloggers to new blogs. Theoretically that is. Normally, memes tend to increase traffic only for the blogger who is 'sponsoring' the meme. At least in my experience. Early on when I participated in memes I would indeed go visit other blogs and it did expose me to new blogs. Unfortunately, even when I left a comment I would rarely get a response from that blogger or any traffic. I quickly decided that I did not need to do the work to up someone else's traffic and I found I actually did not like memes because they got to be too demanding. I do not normally participate in memes. If I do it will be a once yearly meme or there is a prize involved. Those monthly memes that everyone and their brother comes up with tend to start controlling how and what I post. Blogging is an individual thing for me because no one pays me to blog. I should be able to post what I wish to post. Most of the sponsors of memes won't even comment on a blog even though bloggers post on theirs! I feel I owe nothing to the sponsors so simply don't do them. Sorry to all of you who sponsor memes but this is how it is here. I find it much simpler to manage my blog in this manner and this blog has to be about how I like it and not how a blogger who sponsors memes feels about my blog or me. In the grand scheme of things I don't know most bloggers and don't owe any anything. It may sound harsh but like everything on this blog, it is my opinion. I am in touch with myself so I choose not to do memes. If you wish to participate as a new blogger then by all means do so! But be certain you are doing it for the right reasons; whatever they may be that is right for you! 

22. I wondered how many people subscribed to the blog. You can find out this information via your feed or via Google analytics. It is interesting to me that many people get their blog posts via email and never even visit this blog. Check and see if you have readers in this manner and I bet you will be pleasantly surprised if you are a traffic driven person.  


22. There are no rules for length of posts or number of pictures you post. This goes back to the blogging is an individual thing. If you do not post true to yourself I don't think blogging would be fun for you for very long. Don't try to emulate others just because they seem popular or have a good following. Find your niche and write true to yourself. If you want to post 1000 pictures or just one then do it! If you like to talk or write then do it! If you wish to remain silent then do it! Do your own thing. People will find you and if they like your voice they will return time and time again.  The key is to be passionate about what you blog about. Your passion will show through no matter what your voice is.

24. Don't take things personal on the Internet and in blogging. For the most part people don't actually know you. If someone you have never even met before says something that offends you just chalk it up to miscommunication on the web and perhaps view it from their perspective in a positive light. In other words if someone does not know you how can they possibly try to offend you or hurt you? They can't so it can't be personal on the web. If you are the type of person that holds grudges and makes that mighty clear when you personally meet another blogger then that is another story we won't even address here. For new bloggers who don't know anyone in blogging get out there and get your feet wet and have fun blogging. Don't worry about others as long as you stay positive and don't send fire thrower posts at others you will be all right. Garden blogging in particular is so not personal towards others. 
  
25. I did not proofread as well as I should have. In fact, I still don't proofread and edit all that well as you all can attest if you have read this entire post. Proofreading and editing posts is good if only to make posts easier for your readers to read and understand. That being said unless you have another person read your posts it is hard for the writer of the post to catch and correct all errors. Blogger has made it simpler over the last few years with their feature called "Preview". I find it much easier to catch errors if I preview posts ahead of time. Even then I might not catch all errors. If I go back to a post and find an error I always correct it. 

26. I did not understand the importance of internal and external links. I still don't totally understand links but I do know that if you wind up linking to a lot of outside your blog urls some of those urls are bound to go down. I always try to fix these as I have read that a lot of broken links will eventually affect your blog. I also try to do a lot of internal links because I am fairly sure the posts Skeeter and I post will not go down. Not only that but when another person steals your work internal links help to direct your traffic back to you. Links are usually good but be sure to check them occasionally. I do this via Sitemeter.

Despite all of my advice on this post and lessons learned these tidbits are merely my observations. Each blogger will have their own take on blogging and each and every blog will be different. We are all individuals and that is what makes blogging really cool! There are no set rules. We don't answer to anyone but ourselves (unless you are a paid blogger and THAT is a whole other ballgame I have not discussed here). If there is one thing I hope you'll take away from this post it is that I seek only to let you all know that if some of these lessons learned resonate with you then you are not alone! For me blogging has made me see that many of my trials and tribulations, successes and failures, thoughts and deeds, are shared by others too....and that makes a community....

in the garden.....

My girl CeCe pictured in the picture is an old lady who can care less about anything around her. She cares only about living, eats the same food every day at the same time, and plods around when she needs to do so. We, as people and bloggers can learn so much from dogs. And that is to focus on our lives and our world and what is important no matter what that may be for us. Life is too short to worry about blogging so have fun and enjoy it for you!

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

54 comments:

  1. Very thoughtful analysis! With all of your years blogging, you have a lot to share - thank you! I've never felt the need to respond to a fellow blogger's comment on my post. I hope I havent offended, but unless the comment is in the form of a question, I just feel pleased that someone read the post.

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    1. Jayne, Thank you so much for weighing in. Love your blog! So very pretty! It's not so much responding on your own blog as on the other bloggers blog. You see sometimes I wonder if bloggers even read my comment if I never hear from them. This happened just this week. But it's all good. It's always nice when folks read our posts for sure. Can I has what state you are in? I Have added you to my blog list but on the bottom. You said you had rain last night-us too and it was nice though a bit too little. Anyhow, thanks for dropping by and commenting.

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  2. Lot's of good stuff Tina! I've been guilty over the last year of not replying like I would like to to comments. Mostly it's because of my schedule with three kids, getting one of them to school, getting my wife ready for work (I make her lunches), trying to get my business going, and everything else life has thrown at me over the last two years. I do try to reply to questions as much as possible. I think Facebook and other avenues are becoming more and more of the place many people comment and blogs less so. I guess it's easier for some folks. It's hard to believe its been five years! It will be the same for me this year too.

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    1. Hi Dave, Good to hear from you! I seem to remember you began blogging right after I did and you are still one of those bloggers I talk with and have met many times. Including your wonderful family. I know they keep you busy! Lucky Jen to have you make her lunch!

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  3. You have stated this well, but to me it all boils down to a blog being a journal that you don't mind sharing, do it for yourself and be yourself. It's just like everything else in life, be polite when you interact with others. Manners make everything smoother.

    If there is ever a textbook written for new bloggers, your post here needs to be included.

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    1. Well said Les! And I so appreciate your input. Your blog and your help over the years has been most rewarding to me and I appreciate that very much. Thanks so much.

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  4. Lots of thought-provoking ideas here, Tina, and some great advice, especially for new bloggers. I agree with so much you have said but have a slightly different view on some things--which is what blogging is all about--it's what you want it to be! I remember the discussion at Spring Fling about getting more readers to your site and ways to promote your blog, and I thought at the time, and still do, that I didn't really care about that. I never check my stats; in fact, until recently I didn't even know how to do that. I think understanding your purpose in blogging is important; if you're a professional writer or have a garden-related business, then the number of your visitors is important. For me, my blog is a personal journal of my garden and a way to connect socially with other gardeners (which I much prefer to Facebook, by the way). I would rather have 15 comments from people I know or can get to know than seeing that 100 nameless people viewed my blog.

    The other point you made that is so true is that blogs are constantly changing. I don't post as often as I first did, and I think I'm over that "infatuation" stage. Some of my early blogging friends have quit blogging and have disappeared, but I'm always "meeting" new friends that I enjoy getting to know. Most of all, I still find that blogging is a great way to meet like-minded people (in terms of gardening, that is) and to keep track of what's going on in my garden from year to year.

    I overslept this morning and am still trying to erase the cobwebs from my brain, so I hope this makes sense and isn't too long, Tina. One last point--I do enjoy meeting fellow bloggers in person, especially when I've been reading their blogs for a long time. Meeting you and Skeeter in Asheville was great!

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    1. Thanks Rose! You are one special person I always enjoy talking with you and it was indeed delightful to finally meet you, Becky, and Lisa at Spring Fling. These points are simply my views on blogging and things I wished I had known as a new blogger. You are like Skeeter in that you all could care less about traffic. An interesting concept indeed as most like a bit of traffic. I think your personality and your comments show thru when you speak to other bloggers and it matches you perfectly. Yes, our blogs are definitely our journals and what a nice journal we have! Yes, all makes sense. Glad you like my old gal CeCe. She is the last one of the old guard of dogs we started with and probably won't be around too much longer. The toothless girl can hardly get around now but we adore her for her and you know I am a pet lover. Didn't mean to preach but perhaps I did at the end a bit. Good morning!

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  5. Forgot to add, Cece is adorable!

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  6. Thank you Tina, for a most informative read. I still don't understand a lot about blogging. I read for information about gardens & I've learned a lot from you. Some plants work here for me & some don't. That is understandable as our zones are different. I must admit to trying some things as I try to imitate my home land & that doesn't always work.
    Keep up the great work. I always enjoy it very much.

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    1. Thanks Lola! Well said on the plants. Our zones are totally different. I think you enjoy this blog because it reminds of your home and hope I can share a little bit of it with you.

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  7. WOW Tina, a LOT of time and thought went into this blog post and I thank you.

    You really hit a lot of nails on the head and made me think about other things as well.

    I used to leave comments to comments on my blog posts, and then I wondered does anyone go back to read them, I know I don't. Plus it takes time to do that. I do try to visit everyone's blog who has left comments though and leave comments there. I would have to say I'm one of those who thanks people for their comments. They do mean a lot to me.

    Blogging takes time, from beginning thoughts, to putting those thoughts into words, to photo taking, editing, and uploading. I love it though, but like you, I don't post as much as I used to. I have a life to live and blogging can over take my life if I let it.

    I am not on FB or Pinterest, and don't care to be. Many like both of those places, they just aren't my cup of tea.

    CeCe is a wonderful canine friend. Beautiful coloring and so gentle looking.

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. FlowerLady, Thanks so much for your insightful comment! Well said as always. Everyone has their views on blogging and how to blog-that is a wonderful thing I think. You keep doing what you are doing as you must please you! CeCe is a good friend indeed. The cats even like that old gal. Either that or they have just figured out she is no threat to them.

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  8. I am glad I am not a blogger, just a reader!! It takes a lot of time just to read blogs. I had never even read a blog till after you started blogging and when I started I read 4 or 5 that were reading yours and it took so much of my time that I had to stop. I do not know how you people do it so it makes sense to be true to yourself.

    CeCehas been a good dog, just as BJ was. Problem is they always get old. I lost a keet Wednesday so I am sure the other will go soon. They had been "brothers" for over 10 years and that is pretty old for parakeets.

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    1. Well said Mom! So sorry on the loss of your keet but the surviving one might hang in there. I was afraid Pippy would go after her two friends left but nope, she is still here and doing well so yours might adapt too.

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  9. Wow, Is this a record posting for you with the "Longest" Just saying so since it is Olympic season ya know... Hee hee... I do like what you had to say, If only I had seen this way and I mean way before i started to blog with you, then maybe I would have not lost so much sleep! LOL. As with any new adventure, we learn as we go. I think it is great that you posted this though in order to allow new bloggers to see just how crazy it can be for us in the beginning stages of blogging. You know I am not into stats or any traffic or all that jazz but rather blog for the enjoyment of chatting with those that have similar interests as me. It is an Open Journel for me and I do refer back so often and it is fun to see how our gardens progress. I enjoy letting my mind open to the floods of ideas I have from visiting other blogs, as if I have strolled through their gardens in person. It is wonderful to meet those bloggers in which we have chatted with over the years such as Spring Fling but even that crowd became a bit overwhelming at times. I am more a One on One type person and would rather visit one then a large group. But thats fine as I feel I made a few new friends at the Fling and do plan to attend another one in the future years to come. Blogging to me is fun and I would like to keep it that way.... When it is no longer fun, I must back away or take a little break from time to time. Holidays are a great time to back away a bit....

    I think we have set a perfect Date for Saturday!

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    1. Olympics indeed! And to think I could've made it longer girl! See ya tomorrow!

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  10. I have to echo Les, maybey that's something you should consider. Lots of important information here that I think all of us can identify with. :0)

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    1. Les is one smart blogger and guy I am sure! I totally agree Randy and am glad to hear you do too!

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  11. Lots of good information for a new blogger like myself...I am still caught up in the "new" blogging feeling and often wake up in the middle of the night planning my next blog...i do enjoy it alot....Deb (Stella's Mom)

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    1. I know the feeling well Deb! It is a passion about what can we blog or talk about and how quickly can we do it. You will see things will calm down. So glad to meet the 'mom'!

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  12. Hello. You touched on so many great things for new bloggers to consider. I've learned some of those just by doing and others from great people like you who take the time to put it out there. It is interesting to see who or how often someone visits and what topics are most read but I don't worry too much about the "traffic" info anymore. As with everything in life, "just being yourself" is the best policy. It's your blog. Blog as you wish! I must say, I am most impressed with garden bloggers for being respectful and polite. I know there are many forums online where people are just awful. I can't imagine why a person would want to participate in discussions that way. Other than occasional spam messages, my comments have been cordial. Birds of a feather flock together I guess. Always nice to interact with you. Maybe someday our paths will cross in person too.

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    1. You're very sweet GOSS. I was actually wondering what you thought of this post as I remember when you were new. You've kept at it all this time and are doing well! Garden bloggers for sure seem to be very nice on the web and blogs. A good thing. If you ever get to TN be sure to email me and I won't hesitate to contact you if I make it to Kansas. Some day I plan to travel out west but that is probably a ways down the pipe but you never know. I'd love to see those owls and concrete blocks and meet you the broadcaster:)

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  13. Well thought out post, Tina. It took me a really long time to read it as I am slightly dyslexic, but I did finish the post. Everyone's experience is going to be different, but you guided the newbies for garden blogging well. I have been blogging for over two years (with GWGT) and have to say, I learned quite a bit, both the technical and the social. I came from the design blogs and not too much of what you have written applies there. They are numbers generated and use images not their own more often than not. They can be critical sometimes too. I am also in the photo blogging arena and see a much different trend there also. It is a quick look and gushy comment, then on to the next for the most part. Of course I am speaking generally, as some photo bloggers leave very helpful comments.

    Like you,I never am at a loss for what to post. I find my interests really vary and so do my readers. As for being high in the rankings, there must be quite a bit additional that goes into search page ranking. GWGT was searchable from the start, often having a post highly listed. It may have to do with the blog name itself. That is something a new blogger should carefully consider before they start a blog. If they want to be searched, have a descriptive searchable blog name. I never thought about it at first, but get a huge amount of traffic from garden walk searches. Same with garden talk. If a blogger wants constant traffic, add the Latin name of plants in the tags and in the posts.

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    1. Thank you Donna! It was a mighty long post but never seems that way when you are writing. I guess I like to talk and writing is the same so out it comes. I'm not familiar with other types of blogs at all. I know they get a lot of traffic especially the pundit blogs as compared to garden bloggers. There are just so many types. I did not realize you've been blogging two years! Congrats! You picked a good name for your blog! I did not think of that as a tip but it is an excellent tip!! I'm so glad I got to meet the blogger behind GWGT!

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  14. Tina I will be blogging for 2 years in a few weeks and I still learn so much from others. I loved this post as it affirmed some things and made me think about others. I have tried to not let stats and counts bother me. I blog for me and in my way hoping to help others and peak their interest as well as mine. I will reread this post as it such a great Dos and Don'ts for garden bloggers..thx Tina for giving us the benefit of your experience.

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    1. It seems like you just started. Geez where does the time go?

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  15. Yes, thank you Tina. I reread this post & I didn't know much about blogs but your post sure has awakened me to several issues. I do admit that yours was the first blog I read way back when even before Sept. 29. Gardening was my interest then & now. I do miss my home but realize it is here for the past almost 40 yrs. & will remain so. Even tho I can't garden like I'd like I do enjoy what I can. I do like to learn more about gardening. I relish the fact that I got the chance to meet you as well as the other gals. Sadly only 2 I didn't get to "meet" in person but feel like I have known them forever.

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    1. Same here Lola and perhaps one day you'll meet Anonymous and Dawn! You never know!

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  16. Wow Tina, you have said a mouthful!! You were so welcoming to me when I first started. I remember you guiding me to Blotanical. It was a good resource to find other garden bloggers. I like where comments are responded to within the blog ....with the threaded replies. It makes it feel like a conversation.
    I need to get in a better habit of timely responses, but I do respond to the comments. I (like you) appreciate those who visit. I say traffic doesn't matter, but I am thinking of heading over to sitemeter to see about loading it. hahaha

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    1. Awww, thanks Janet. You have been such a good blogging friend. I always enjoy sharing a bit of your life, your move, and your new landscape and I must not forget the trees. You were always here to comment too and I always appreciated that you took the time. It was ever so nice meeting you and learning Scrabble from you! Chuckle chuckle on the Sitemeter. It is a neat tool and you can't have too many tools in your toolbox!@

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  17. That is pretty much my motto in regards to blogging: be true to yourself. Blogging is a natural outpouring of my passion about gardening and nature, and I have learned so much about blogging during this past year. (A year ago, I didn't even know what a meme was!) I was so thankful to find Blotanical and to get involved in the garden blogging community. Thankfully everyone has been so supportive so far, and I have loved learning so much from gardeners around the world.

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    1. Hi Indie and welcome to our little blog! I enjoyed your Blogiversary post very much! The lacewing post too. So cool! You summed up in your Blogiversary post exactly how I feel about blogging as far as learning and being true to yourself. Blotanical is pretty neat for sure.

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  18. First, I am very impressed that you have been blogging for five years! That is true dedication! The two things that stand out to me are: a purpose in blogging. Blogging is really work, and if there is no purpose, there will eventually be no action. I've had to go back and remember my original purpose several times, when I've become bogged down. And: we are not in competition. I think the more garden bloggers get noticed, no matter which ones it is, it's good for all garden bloggers. I love this community of gardeners that I would not have ever known otherwise. Although I've never had the opportunity to meet any in person yet, there are several bloggers I really feel a connection to.

    Good lessons for all of us, but I think new bloggers will really appreciate your putting down the lessons you've learned over the years. It really is like dipping your toes in the ocean - you're not sure what's out there, and if you're just going to wade a bit or really swim!

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    1. Blogging sure is work. It takes a lot of time but can be so rewarding, but like all things there are good days and bad. Learning and sharing others gardens makes it quite worthwhile to me though. Not to mention the fact I have a journal I should probably not ever lose since it is online! I lose other stuff on my computer though. I hope you get to meet some bloggers in person sometime. It is taking the experience to a whole new level and when you have a blogging relationship it seems logical to want to see the garden you virtually tour and meet the person. People can be quite different in person though. I am probably very different in person than online as most would say.

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  19. Excellent advice! When I started blogging 2 yrs ago I was really overwhelmed at how many blogs seemed so slick and professional. I always found your blog very accessible, although it took a while for me to realize this blog was written by 2 people. I thought you had two homes with a garden in each. I was quite impressed! Kind veteran bloggers such as your self kept me blogging and learning as I went. :o)

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    1. Aw, you're so sweet. I'm glad to hear we were always accessible. I might need to put a note about Skeeter and I on the sidebar as I do know it sometimes gets confusing there are two of us. It's been nice getting to know you. You have a great sense of humor and I still haven't forgotten my fudge! Yum!

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  20. Blogging as you say, is all about building relationships. Behind every blog there is a person. That is the only one given, So I think the most important thing is commenting and answering comments. Even if you don't answer each and everyone, otherwise its like talking to someone who is not listening....
    http://www.flowersforums.com/ruth/blog/

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    1. Yes indeed Ruth! That is exactly how I feel. We've only just begun talking a few months ago but feel I already know you! And I have to tell you I think it's waaaay cool you garden in Israel. Having visited the Middle East I know first hand how challenging it can be over there yet you make it look easy!

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    2. Meant to also say the more you talk to someone it seems like you can connect even better and I've learned that. Not with everyone on the Internet perhaps but with most.

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  21. I came across your blog by pure chance. And since I'm not the keenest of gardeners it's the mix of your humanity, no-nonsense approach to life, humour and beautiful images that make come back for more. I loved the honesty that ran through every single word of this post and here's wishing you another five years. If not ten, or twenty! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. What a very nice comment! We appreciate you! You are such a good writer and I am always enthralled by your short stories, political views, and music on Sundays. Thanks for the long wishes but I am getting tired. You have been blogging as long as us what do you do to keep going?

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  22. A lot of good information in your post. I have been blogging on a more or less regular basis for two years, and often wonder about the "etiquette" of commenting and visiting, whether memes are "worth it", and especially (which I don't think you touched on here) how to balance blogging and living life -- although I guess that relates to the reasons that one blogs. Too often I find myself EITHER gardening (or engaged in the garden, or homeschooling or art . . .) OR blogging -- and not effectively linking doing/thinking with blogging -- if that makes any sense.

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    1. Two years is a long time Diana! Congrats! You have a very neat and cool blog with so many of life's every day things that I enjoy sharing with others. Grandkids are cuties too! I find it hard to balance blogging and life sometimes so I think that even if you know why you blog (self satisfaction, journal, traffic, meet others, etc) you must still sometimes limit your time devoted to not only blogging but the computer. A way I try to balance it is to make sure the every day things get done-most of the time. Like cooking, shopping, cleaning, gardening,etc, then I can spend time here. Also little spurts on the computer can usually be fit in nicely. We take breaks too. We all need that. Don't worry about linking and all that with blogging, just blog for you and enjoy each day in all aspects!

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  23. I enjoyed this post. I've been blogging for awhile but since some of the information is new to me, I obviously do not know all the etiquette. Thanks! I hope to become a better blogger, b/c I do enjoy it and find myself becoming a better gardener b/c of it.

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you weighed in. Blogging can surely make us all better gardeners. I know it has definitely helped me. Have a great evening!

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  24. Wow, that was a long post! I've been blogging just for a few months, so I don't know this etiquette so well. I've done what I've felt. I must admit that I had bad conscience when I was abroad and couldn't answer or publish comments. I thought it's impolite. After my trip I apologized all my visitors my behavior.

    I have concentrated more on pictures than information. I think it's hard to try to be some kind of "guru" and advice people in their gardening, because I don't have any education to do that.

    Have a nice week!

    Satu

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    1. Sadun, It sounds like you are blogging exactly the way you need to do so-that way that makes you happy! You have lots of perfect blogging etiquette!

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  25. Tina, I will have to come back and read all the comments you have received. For now, I just want to say that I agree wholeheartedly with everything you say. Things that resonated particularly: define why you blog, traffic really isn't that important if it doesn't reflect substance, negative comments are never justified (send an email if you must), awards are silly, most memes are distracting from your purpose---I am sure there was much more. You have really done a great thing for new bloggers with this post. I would add that Blotadnical adds competion to blogging with its picks and faces which I personally wish would go away.

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    1. You are so right Carolyn in all you say-you just said it shorter than me:) But we know I can be wordy. Do come back and read the comments they are all so very nice just like yours.

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  26. Happy near 5 year Anniversary! As one who has been reading your blog for nearly that long, it's been a pleasure. It was interesting to hear your reflections and advice on blogging. After finding several photos stolen, I now watermark all my images. I've had some posts lifted and I find emailing the blogger directly explaining that they have broken copyright works best. Often new bloggers don't know that those laws apply to cyberspace too.

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    1. Hi Sarah, You are definitely a long term reader and commenter and I am so happy we've gotten to know one another and have even met in person! Thanks for sharing your copyright issues. It is a real problem in the blogging community it seems.

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  27. Well said Tina! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post and all the comments. I'm not blogging as much as I was, but, I was writing for two blogs and got really worn out. Now I am back to just mine and I am still getting my energy back. gail PS I also loved the PPS newsletter this month! Excellent articles.

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  28. Hi Tina this is a wonderful post with lots of excellent advice. I've been blogging since 2003, first on my old blog, caffinara.ca, and now on my gardening blog. I did it for myself, to keep track of what I was up to, organize my thoughts, write down things I wanted to remember, and I used it as a chance to practise my writing. Comments are great. I love comments on my blog. I decided long ago to only answer commenters if they asked me a direct question or paid me a compliment, then I thanked them either in my comments or in their comments back on their blog. I found it took way to much time to acknowledge every single comment. I also get emails from people asking me gardening questions. I respond to every one of them as quick as I can. It takes a long time to compose my answers because the questions they ask are complicated and require long detailed answers. Thanks for a great post Tina :)

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