Bloggy World Thoughts: One year later...

Today I wanted to share some more tips and thoughts that I have learned in "bloggy world". It is hard to believe that is the ONE YEAR mark of writing on this blog! While time sometimes seems to move slow, at other times (like when I realize that I have been blogging for ONE YEAR) feels like time is flying! It is also amazing to me that I have received some emails and facebook messages asking me for tips on blogging. I am truly humbled. Despite the fact that I had planned and thought through the idea of Caravan Sonnet and where I would like it to go I still have and had so much to learn. I am still A.M.A.Z.E.D. that y'all read my little corner of the internet world! Thank you! Also, thank you so much to all of you lovely ladies who have made bloggy world such a wonderful experience in my life! Three months ago I shared some thoughts as a "nine month newbie" and before that as the "six month newbie",  and nine months ago I shared some humble tips as the "three month newbie". Today I wanted to share some thoughts as the "one year newbie". SO thank you for walking this road with me these last twelve months and offer a few last thoughts as a newbie! Thank you again y'all! You are wonderful!
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1. It is sad but true: not all sponsorships are that good. Sometimes the ones that you think will be good actually turn out to be the worst. There have been several ladies whose blogs that I faithfully followed, commented on, emailed, etc. for months and months that had expensive sponsorships that I saved up for that turned out to be the worst sponsorships that I had. I would try to email and express my concern over the way that the sponsorship was going (or what my concerns were) but I am sad to say that I ended up loosing alot of money. Thinking that I needed to gain more exposure for my blog I spent money for advertising in one term and honestly EACH of these spots had absolutely NO return. In fact in each of these spots the people just flaked out! So all of that to say- watch your money and choose very carefully who you sponsor! 

2. On the note from #1 I also find it incredibly rude when you contact a blogger, apply for a sponsorship ad and you NEVER hear back from them. Some bloggers I guess think that they are to big or something for certain blogs but even if I have denied someone a sponsorship(when I was offering sponsorships) on my blog (if I don't feel that we are a good fit) I ALWAYS contact them. It baffles me when you hear nothing. 

3. Don't be offended if, just like in real life, some bloggers that you want to connect with just don't feel the same way. There has been a couple of ladies in bloggy world that I really wanted to connect with due to their posts, their faith, and just (what I thought) would make us "click" as friends. Unfortunately, that just doesn't always happen. I have received emails asking me for advice on this fact but honestly I would only suggest not taking things personally and continuing to search out people that you click with! 

4. If you love pictures as much as I do but can't afford the more expensive options for editing, resizing, etc. then check out PicMonkey. I have honestly found this to be such a wonderful thing! You can easily upgrade and it is very inexpensive! Check it out!

5. If you love pictures and want to "image map them" but aren't sure how to do- check out this article HERE.

6. People do all different things- which is completely fine because it is their blogs- but honestly, do what feels right for YOU and your blog. An example of this is that some ladies (whose blogs run more on the business side) will announce "time away" from their blog. Personally, I don't do this because I want my blog to have the community feel and coziness attached to that. If people are reading your blog they naturally understand that you probably won't be posting around Christmas, a move, a transition time in your life, a new baby, a wedding, etc. All of that to say- don't feel pressure to do things the "bloggy world way". Make your own bloggy world way!

7. You will if you continue to try find dear friends in this bloggy world. I have been so blessed by the lovely ladies that I have met through this world!

8. Step out and take some risks with ideas that you have. Be different! One of the ideas that I had early on in blogging was to reach out and connect with bloggers with a "smaller following". I suggested this idea to a blogger who was a little larger than me and she was very discouraging about this idea. Honestly I am so glad that I chose to move forward with it because "the petites" link up was born and I have connected with so many amazing bloggers that I would never have connected with otherwise!

9. Take time to live life not just so that you can photograph it for the blog. (Hahaha, yes I have heard someone say this! *smiles*)

10. Enjoy the process and journey of this blogging world. Just as we grow and evolve as humans in our personal lives I have noticed the blog shift and change and morph into more of "me". I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for year two of this little space! Thank you so much for your kindness, encouragement, and love this past year! I look forward to connecting in deeper ways with y'all over this next year! Happy One year Blogiversary! 

 Thank you again for living life with me this year! With lots of love, Rebecca