It's that time again. A new month of photo challenge.
Given that it's summertime and I'm so busy having fun with the kiddos, I'm switching up my participation in this a little bit.
I love photography and exercising my new found skills with it. But I struggle to keep up with taking a picture each day and then compiling all of them into a weekly blog post.
So here's my plan.
I'm going to pick one or two pictures each week, compose those into a blog post and share an encouraging story, devotion, how-to, or helpful list to compliment the photo(s).
I will be linking up as usual with Barbie at My Freshly Brewed Life. This will make photography less of an "obligation" and help keep me (and perhaps you) creatively inspired.
With that said, here's this week's photo:
Writing
This is a snapshot of my daily writing world. That yellow notepad in the middle of my screen is proving to be one of my favorite resources.
If your eyes are really good, you may notice a few of the blog names on my list. Perhaps even your own. Don't worry, I'm not finished with the list.
What's the list all about?
Blogging is unbelievably time consuming. Not the writing itself, but the measures many of us take to gain traffic. Social blogging networks like VoiceBoks and Bloggy Moms are great for added exposure and increased traffic. The problem is the amount of time one has to put into them to get the desired results.
Quite frankly, I've reached a point in this blogging journey where I'm putting so much time into reading other blogs I don't really have an interest in, and those blog owners reading mine with clearly no interest in what I have to say, that I'm at a wall of frustration.
I have a family and a life outside of blogging.
The more time I spend chasing traffic, trying to become a so-called "big blogger" the less time I'm giving to the people who matter most. In my viewpoint, that's not glorifying God, which was my whole blogging mission to begin with. At some point I have to trust the gift God blessed me with and know He will bring the right people to this space in the blogosphere.
So I'm keeping it real. I'm simplifying. I'm getting back to doing what I'm passionate about. Writing to encourage and inspire a true following.
Now that doesn't mean I'll never visit my favorite blogging networks. (The truth is, I've met some really amazing people through those networks.) It just means I'm going to primarily focus my allotted blogging time on writing great content, reading and promoting the blogs I truly love and appreciate, and working on a new book...once I decide on a topic. You wouldn't happen to have any suggestions for me, would you? I have a few ideas brewing...
Anyway, the list I'm creating is a list of 30 targeted blogs (for now). Not just any 30 blogs either. They are blogs I look forward to seeing in my email inbox every day. Blogging friends who inspire me. Blogs with content that makes me want to hit the share buttons. Bloggers who reciprocate visits, not out of obligation, but because they enjoy reading what I have to say.
By the way, I'll be revising my "Favorite Blogs" page to showcase these particular blogs with a description as to why I love them. Watch for "featured blogger" posts in the future as well.
I realize this post may upset a few people and if you are one of those people, I do apologize. My intent is not to hurt anyone's feelings. I have to be realistic with the time I have available each day and make smart decisions on how I use that time. We only have one life to live and it could be gone tomorrow. When my time is up, I don't want to look back on wasted hours that could have been spent with the people I love and cherish.
For me, blogging is about ministry. Not stats, Google rank, traffic, or page views.
It's time to get back to glorifying God.
Which Blogs Do You Love To Read?
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Rosann Cunningham
Latest posts by Rosann Cunningham (see all)
- Your Breakthrough is Coming - June 15, 2013
- The Veggie Book: How to Pick, Prepare and Plate {Review} - June 10, 2013
- What to Expect at ChristianSuperMom.com This Summer - June 8, 2013
Well Amen to that! When redesigned my webpage I didn't bring back the blog directory. I'm trying to subscribe via e-mail more and more the the blogs I really like. I see you've upgraded to Mountain Lion. Don't you just love having Notes as part of the upgrade? I LOVE MY MACBOOK!
Me too, Kenya. If it lands in my email inbox I always read it. Maybe not the moment I see it, but always. A little secret? I'm a new mini mac user, as of about a week ago. I was previously working on an HP laptop, but it's about 5 years old and I can hardly see the letters on the keyboard anymore. Who knew so much typing could actually take the finish right off the keys?! Anyway, my husband was pushing for the change because he was concerned my laptop is on it's last leg and didn't want me to be caught with nothing and no money to replace it. So he's been planning the transition for quite some time. BUT, I do have an iPhone and used the Notes app on my iPhone religiously for the same purpose. It's just so nice to have it in a larger view on my computer monitor now.
AMEN and AMEN! And I don't care if I make your list or not. I too have way too many blogs that I try to read. I've tried to delete many from my Google Reader, but they pop up again (do you know why)? Anyways, the Lord is really impressing on my heart that He led me to blogging to encourage the hearts of women. Sure, the linky stuff and minimal writing I do is encouraging, but I want to write. I want to share His heart. I am thinking about taking my Facebook widge off my sidebar. I have a way to follow without the widget. I don't want the distractions. I've been overwhelmed lately, and all the blogging stuff is adding to the pressure and well, that's not good. Thanks for this post. Truly timely for me.
Barbie recently posted..Photo-a-day: {August 1 – August 8}
Barbie, you are on the list, my friend. I don't use Google reader for keeping up with blogs. I prefer to subscribe via email because when it shows up in my email inbox, I usually read it right then. If I comment right away then I delete the email. If I don't because I'm away from my computer and happen to have read it on my phone, I leave it in my inbox as a reminder to go commen and/or share. Blogging should be enjoyable, not feel like a full time job of chasing numbers. It's awesome to get lots of traffic and comments but not at the expense of my family time.
Blessings to you, friend!
Rosann
Good for you, my friend! I agree with you 100%. Couldn't have said it better myself!
Thanks Donna!
Did you notice your name is on the list? You inspire me to be a better woman and a better blogger.
Oh, and I have a possible book title for you, "Regaining your life after unemployment"! Ha! I should write the book but I don't have the energy
Barbie recently posted..Photo-a-day: {August 1 – August 8}
Ha!! That's a great topic! I'll have to put some thought into that one.
Way to go, Rosann! It is really hard to let go of things that are "good things" to do when they aren't what we need to be doing. Have you read Allume's blog before? They have a series for smaller bloggers that has been fabulous and has helped me take a step back (well, I jump back in over and over again
) and really focus on what is important - God, family, and THEN blogging - but blogging as God would have us blog. It's a hard thing to do!
Audra recently posted..Pinterest Party Details! {Thrive @ Home}
Audra, thank you for your sweet comment. You are on the list!
. I have been reading Allume on the small blogger seriesbut I was being kind of stubborn and didn't want to "settle" for small when I could strive for big. But God has really been tugging at my heart lately on this whole life balance issue. So I feel I need to trust Him on this. Maybe I'll regret it. Then again, maybe I'll see what it feels like to breathe again.
Boy can I relate. I had no idea that marketing my blog as well as keeping up with my favorites as I can would be so time consuming.
Good for you!
Emiliana Martin recently posted..The New F Word: The Home Loan Remodification Myth
Emiliana it really is a lot of work. You just have to decide how much time you're willing to devote. Not all readers will leave comments either. Bloggers do because they know comments help the writer rank in Google. Provide quality content and you should have no trouble gaining a true following.
Good for you, Rosann! I go back and forth with the time. Right now I haven't been spending as much time networking as I "should be". But, I've been trying to get my house in order so that the kids can go back to school. Since I'm trying to make money from my blog I have to try to keep my numbers up somewhat. I've been doing a pretty lousy job this summer. I love that you're getting back to your heart and what's important to you. Hope you are having a great week!
Michelle recently posted..Great weekend!
Michelle, I totally get what you're saying about trying to make money from blogging. My first goal here is ministry but I have made money from my book and would like to continue writing more books in the future. I know a platform is necessary to have a successful book launch. I just have to trust God's lead in this. I so appreciate you and the times when you stop by to read and comment.
I totally hear you, Rosann. I know this goes against every blogging strategy that we read about, but I only read about 10 blogs. And 7 of them are about marketing and blogging! I barely have time to get out my 1-2 posts per week, and had to accept that I just couldn't pursue a strategy of being a super reader/commenter in the hope that people click through, etc. I only comment if I really have something to say...and actually yours is the only blog I really ever comment on. lol! The downside is that I have many readers but not many commenters...because people who don't blog tend not to comment on blogs, and most of my readers are not bloggers since I've gained them from other strategies.
In any case, I hear you friend! We have to keep focused on bringing glory to God. That is what it is all about. I absolutely love your comments when you stop by, but it won't hurt my feelings if I don't see you there...I understand your need for focus!
And I'm excited you are planning for a book. I'm in the planning phase as well. I'm here to support you!
Natasha
Oh Natasha, you are SO on my favorite blog list, friend. I love your writing style and content. Plus, how can I turn away from someone who cared enough to notice I hadn't been publishing as often and reached out to ask if I needed prayers? You have a friend for life after that sweet act.
.
Great post. I completely understand! I have slowed down on the voiceboks events too. Although I have one I have to finish up today. Oh boy. haha
I am fully convinced, we do not need to work extra hard (stressing ourselves out) on anything the Lord has called us to do. We simply do it with joy with the ability He has given. He will do with it what He wants done.
It's a refreshing thought to me.
Hope you are having a wonderful morning.
Sarah recently posted..A Simple Twist to Ramon
Thanks Sarah! I love voiceBoks and the great bloggers I've met through that social network. I'm not leaving it completely. Just slowing down significantly. I want to see who my true following is without promoting everything through voiceBoks. You know what I mean? And I really want to give my time and attention to the blogs/bloggers I do enjoy (like yours!) and help promote their hard efforts. This is a big step toward life balance for me as a writer. We'll see how it goes...
I've been struggling with this myself. Some days I think I need to give it up and focus on what's really important. Especially after this last week. Great post and right on time!
Dina recently posted..It’s the day lots of moms long for!
Dina, thanks for visiting and commenting. If you're striving for being a writer, don't give up your blog. Just find a balance that works for you and trust God with the rest. You need something to call your own. Something you're passionate about. Being a mom is so rewarding, but it can steal a little bit from who we are as an individual too, if we let it. We are best at mothering when we don't put our own desires on the back burner over and over again. I strongly believe we can have our cake and eat it too. But it's about balance. I'm even considering setting a very specific writing "work" schedule for myself. One my family knows to expect and respect and one that allows me to live life and enjoy my family as well. I'm praying about it. When God gives me direction on it, I'll make it happen.
Ha, girl I would need x-ray vision to read that list.
)
The fun thing about blogging is you never know who God is directing to your posts. I find out months after posting something that it changed someone's life or touched them in a deep way. Only God! Hallelujah!
Yep, not about numbers.
Have a super blessed day!
Beth
Beth @ My Destiny recently posted..Connect
Lol! Well, Beth, if you had taken the picture for me, everyone would have been able to see the list and it probably would have looked AMAZING too!
By the way...you are on the list, dear friend! Yes, only God knows the extent of our true reach. I pray He continues to give me words that inspire and spread His glory to others.
I totally agree
I used to be so caught up in traffic, and getting followers and page rank that I totally lost sight what WHY I was blogging. It wasn't fun anymore. So now, I write what I want to write about, I pray before i hit the publish button, and it's fun again 
aurie recently posted..3in30 Link Up!
Thanks for your visit and comment Aurie.
Writing is one of my passions too and I also want it to be enjoyable. It's good to know I'm not alone in this desire to get back to writing for the glory of God and trusting Him to know the ultimate purpose of my posts.
Good for you Rosann! Months ago, I was getting overwhelmed with visiting and reading and trying to increase traffic. But it got to be too much and I wasn't getting any writing done, or when I was I was really stressed out over it. That wasn't how or why I started my blog. So, I knew I had to go back to my main goal...to write for God and to host women's Bible studies with the intent of growing closer to God (for me and hopefully also them.) I had to accept the fact that I couldn't participate in everything, and giving myself permission to skip a link-up for a week or two helped a lot. It took the pressure off and writing, which I love, became more enjoyable again. I still visit and read the faith blogs that help me grow, but sometimes it takes me a while to get there.
God bless,
Laura
Laura Rath recently posted..Planting the Seed of Faith
Thanks Laura! Yes!! That's the problem with chasing traffic is when we do that, we aren't writing. I know I can't write and socialize at the same time. I have to cut myself off from the online world in order to get my writing done. It's so easy to get sucked into other things though and before I know it, I've lost my window of opportunity to write or I'm writing instead of spending time with my family...or worse, chatting in social media instead of loving on my family when they need me. There has to be a healthy balance and I want my blog reading to be "fruitful" in that I'm giving my time and support to those who inspire me and who want to do the same for me.
Thanks again for stopping by at my place, Rosann. Sounds like you are making a wise and beautiful decision. Yes, I agree... write to encourage and lift up. To share whatever He puts on your heart. I recently revamped my favorite blog listing too, based on something I read on someone else's blog about a cum panis (with bread) type of sharing our hearts. I don't really know much about all the ways to gain traffic other than linking, but I agree about not wanting it to get overwhelming. And though I am keeping silent about this on my own blog, I can relate to that topic someone mentioned... regaining life after unemployment... (though I need to find something soon) . Blessings!
Pam, thank you so much for stopping by and for your lovely comment. I don't know if you've read it yet, but I just started reading a book by Jeff Goins called You are a Writer, so start acting like one. It's so good I can't put the book down. I'm only about 3 chapters in, if that, and he has already confirmed that I made a wise choice with getting back to writing because I love it and I want to glorify God. Not for traffic and stats.
I'm sorry to hear you've had your own painful experiences with unemployment. Did you know I have a Christian support group in Facebook? I wrote a book called UnEMPLOYED Faith that basically ministers to the wife of the unemployed man, because all too often she is forgotten in the stress of unemployment. Her emotions get buried because she has to be the strong one. Then they fester and it becomes so unhealthy. Many who have read the book say it speaks to anyone going through a difficult time.
Anyway, I have another website, UnEmployedfaith.com that gives more information about the book, but also has an encouragement blog. Then as a spin off from that, I started the UnEmployed Faith Facebook Community Group which is a closed group. This means only members of the group see what's discussed. It's such an encouraging group and everyone in it has found blessing from it (and from one another). They share their hearts, pray for one another, and have become friends too. If this is something you'd like to be a part of, send me an email sharing a bit of your story and I'll get you added. In the meantime, please know I will be praying for you. Unemployment is hard for any family or individual having to deal with it. Even after a job is secured, there's the frustration of rebuilding financially. It's a slow and sometimes bumpy road. My heart goes out to you and I'm here if you ever want to talk about it.
Wishing you abundant blessings this beautiful day!
~Rosann
[...] But I am determined that one of these months, I am going to take a photo every day. My friend Rosann decided to post just one of her favorites each week. And my friend Kelli posted a collage last [...]