This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Monday, April 30, 2012

Zeal

Candle lightCandle light (Photo credit: Alesa Dam)



        My Random House Dictionary defines zeal as "earnest and diligent enthusiasm , as for a cause."  Some synonyms listed are ardor, fervor, intensity, and passion.  Who has never felt this for something or somebody?  And when the feeling of zeal happens, how long can it be kept going strong?


        There are many reasons passion for something can wane.  Failure to have expectations met, discouragement from outside forces, and fatigue from ones efforts can all be contributing factors to the dissolution of zeal.   When the zeal has gone, it is often difficult to revive.


         When it comes to marketing the zeal must be kept alive.  If the ones doing the marketing don't appear be enthused about a product, why should the consumer care.  The goal of promotion in the marketing process is to provide the necessary hype to get the customer to buy, be happy they bought, and to tell others about that satisfactory buying experience.  The marketer may be in the business of creating illusions, but for the greatest success there should be a reality that backs up marketing claims.


          Whether you are a writer or the developer of some other product, there is an energy and excitement in the creative process.  Once that product is ready to be marketed, the initial steam may have fizzled and you may feel drained of that zeal you had felt when you were creating.  Now is the time when the fire needs to be stoked.


          Don't just throw gasoline on the flame and hope to go out in a blaze of glory.  Promotional marketing should be log by log, coal by coal.  Take it slow and steady to maximize your inner flame.  You don't want to burn yourself out or annoy your public with too much flash.  Keep a constant presence and only turn up the heat when things get too cold.  Keep the campaign lit, but don't burn all of your fuel at once.  You want to be in your marketing phase for the long term--until you're ready to start your next marketing fire.


          Feel the zeal, but keep it in control.  It's nice to be loved, but better to be respected.


Z blogger of the Day

A site that is a bit zany is Zyogbv.     Zyogbv is an alien who has unfortunately crash-landed on Earth. This is her story.


Coming Soon!


Zeal is something that often accompanies first love, which speaking of  first love I am reminded of Alex J Cavanaugh's First Love Blogfest which will be happening on Monday May 14th follow the link to sign up.

Also don't forget Alex's Insecure Writers Support Group which goes back into action this Wednesday.

Next Monday will be the beginning of the A to Z Challenge Reflections posts.  We hope you will all have something to contribute for that.

Finally be watching the A to Z Blog for the Post Challenge Challenge which will be starting soon with details coming.   May will also be A to Z Challenge Evaluation Month at the A to Z Blog.  Watch our Monday posts as we explore the good, the bad, and the possible and anything else that any of us may think about where the Challenge can go next.


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55 comments:

  1. Congrats Lee on the completion of the challenge so expertly run along with your co hosts.

    Always something going on in Blogland.

    Yvonne.

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  2. I don't think I've ever really heard the word zeal before Lee so this is seriously educational for me. You've done a stellar job all challenge buddy and while it's over for this year I'm already pumped for everybody's contributions in 2013, if we make it that far haha!

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  3. This final A-Z Challenge post really would have come in handy during my moments of despair, but even now, it brings a big smile to my face.

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  4. WEll, darn, it's over....kind of sad actually! I have enjoyed it very much!! Now about that zeal...yeah, you reminded me I started out my marketing for my book with such zeal and it has fallen off through the last couple months---here's to getting the spark again!

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  5. can't believe today is the last day of the challenge

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  6. Hi Arlee! Thanks for putting together such a fun challenge. Thanks also to all the wonderful co-hosts.

    I've enjoyed visiting your blog during the challenge and look forward to many more visits. Have an awesome day!

    Susanne
    PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

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  7. Congrats on surviving the challenge, Lee!

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  8. It's been quite the month. Thanks to you for all your hard work putting the challenge together and keeping tabs on all of us.

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  9. Lee - Thanks for all your wonderful fun work! I plan on getting around to more bloggers on the list in May and commenting on their entire A to Zed (Canuck eh?) experience. I got through the month posting but didn't get around near as much as I wanted - trips away and an overload of work. I did have a gas and will go to your posts evaluating etc...

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  10. Thanks so much for a great challenge!!

    We picked the same "Z" word for today...great minds I guess! :) (or maybe just not enough z words!)

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  11. I've just installed the A to Z-button on my blog and came first here! 'Zeal' is an excellent z-word. My z-word is 'zebra' and perhaps 'zesty'.
    Best wishes,
    Anna
    Anna's A to Z the letter Z

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  12. A very thoughtful and important point Lee.

    Congratulations on an informative A-Z series!

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  13. Congratulations on conducting another successful A-Z Blogfest, Arlee. Great job!

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  14. Just keep it slow and steady.
    Thanks for mentioning the IWSG and my blogfest! After that, I am taking a nap.

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  15. Thanks for your comments so far and most of all for your continued support of my blogging efforts and for finishing the Challenge or following us along to root for us. It's been fun and it still not totally over. There's still a big list to cover and a lot of new bloggers to meet.

    Lee

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  16. I'm just stopping by to thank you so much for hosting this great challenge once again. This time, I learned so much about myself, something I will always be grateful for.

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  17. Many thanks for the A-Z Challenge, I've had a blast this past month, enjoyed doing my posts and visiting others, and have made a lot of new friends. Here's to next year's A-Z!

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  18. Good post, Arlee. A blitz is good, depending on what we're aiming for, but I think slow and steady works well too and keeps you in the public eye for a sustained period.

    It's the same with writing too, consistent effort pays off.

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  19. I've noticed quite a bit of zeal during this challenging April month. You didn't mention that it's contagious! And isn't that amazingly splendid?

    I look forward to the Reflections and Post Challenge Challenge.

    Zealot signing off here.

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  20. I'm looking forward to normalcy starting later this week and I have to get to work on promotion. Thanks for all your tips over the last month.

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  21. thanks lee, for all you have done--this has been a wonderful experience!!

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  22. Control with zeal. A hard balance. Congrats on another successful A-Z challenge!
    - Maurice Mitchell
    The Geek Twins | Film Sketchr
    @thegeektwins | @mauricem1972

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  23. A great close to another successful year of A-Z blogging. Job well done Lee.

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  24. Hi, Lee! Congrats to you and the entire hosting team!!! You all did an awesome job. It's been another super fun Blogging Challenge!

    Have a wonderful week and happy A to Z!!

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  25. Thanks for all of the gracious thank yous and the many kind words. I am grateful to hear from all of you.

    Lee

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  26. Fantastic Z post!

    The A-Z challenge has been a lot of fun. Hope we do this again next year! Thank you for hosting it.

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  27. I really enjoyed the challenge, thanks! Also thanks for putting Zyogbv as the blog for today! :) x

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  28. Slow and steady marketing is the logical way (my publisher tells me so), but I still feel like I'm not doing enough. Now you've said it - in black and white - I'll try to believe you!

    I'm adding my thanks to everyone else. I've had a blast :-)

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  29. Thanks for another great year of the A-Z. You and the rest of the hosts really did an amazing job, and I'm looking forward to what else you have planned. Great work!

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  30. It has been quite a ride. I won't be quite as ambitious in the way I set about it next time, but it certainly gave me a writing workout!

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  31. Another great challenge, Lee. Congratulations.

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  32. Thanks for all the work putting this together. It's hard to believe I've completed my SECOND A-Z Challenge. Time to take a little snooze until May 7th. I imagine things will be kinda quiet around here for a couple days.

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  33. A very nice word to end on.

    Thanks for the challenge, it's been great.

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  34. I would say it takes zeal to get through this challenge. Also, just to keep a blog going.

    Sonia Lal @ Story Treasury

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  35. Thank you so much for the challenge. It was my first and I had a great time and met so many wonderful folks. Looking forward to next year!

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  36. Thanks for the challenge, Lee, and for getting us all through to the end! Woo-hoo!

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  37. I think there's been a lot of zeal for writing shown this past month! What a great time it has been. I've enjoyed reading your posts! Hope to keep up the zeal for writing and zip along with a renewed zest!
    Congratulations for starting this and finishing with zeal!

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  38. This has been a fabulous experience. With my first A-Z under my belt, I want to thank you Lee for all you hard work and support.

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  39. Nice Z post! Yes, sometimes we do lose our steam~ Thanks Lee for all you do! I can't believe it is over, what a month it was! :D
    Congrats on crossing the finish line!

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  40. Thank you, thank you, thank you. With all of these wonderful words and so much encouragement I can never say thank you enough.

    Lee

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  41. I'm in awe of all of you A to Z'-ers, way to go! If anyone knows about zeal it's YOU!! :)

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  42. Can't wait to do the post A to Z challenge thing. I am a bit afraid to see the review. There were a few days I was a bit slack on both blogs. Still I am glad I signed up. The April challenge really forced me to think beyond my usual topics. Thanks so much for all your support :)

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  43. Hi Lee - congratulations on your Zeal at putting the A - Z together in the first place, and watching it grow like Topsy .. it's wonderful what you do .. and you've so many of your juggling balls in the air .. I'd be tossing them all over the place.

    Delighted to be one of the many participants .. great to finish - but fun to do .. thanks for having the zeal to hold it all together .. cheers Hilary

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  44. I would just like to say

    Its over thank god for that ..... ..... ...... ...... ...... PHEW

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  45. Lee, thank you so much for hosting and being the driving force in the Blogging A to Z! It was really fabulous, and you always managed to maintain your zeal!

    I have an easy time keeping up the zeal for WRITING, but the marketing is MUCH harder. it requires organization, which I find very stressful (and distasteful)

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  46. I just wanted to say thanks for hosting the A-Z Challenge and a Challenge it was. I am still catching up on comments. I got lost in the linky list a week into the challenge, but am going to make my way thru that list.

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  47. Congrats on the superb finish to the A to Z challenge!!! and Thank you for all your organization and promotion of A to Z!!!

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  48. Great challenge! I really love your thoughts on zeal and suggestions for how it relates to marketing!

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  49. Thanks for these latter comments. I appreciate of you as well as your efforts in the A to Z Challenge.

    Lee

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  50. GREAT article on Zeal, Arlee!
    Really had some good description and comparison!
    Thanks for writing this one!
    Laurie Carlson
    http;//www.lauriehere.blogspot.com

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  51. You give so much, Love, Lee! Your spirit can't be missed! When ever I read any of your blogs that's how I feel! Thanks!

    Your fountain continually flows over and I just feel like I catch all the blessings from it!

    I love what you give!

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  52. We made it! Thanks for everything Arlee, you rock!
    I will be back with my reflections post! Can't wait until next year! :)

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  53. Laurie-- Thanks for you comment.

    Betty -- Your kind comment brought a smile to my face and a warm glow within. Thanks.

    Martha -- Thanks for being a participant. I look forward to your Reflections.

    Lee

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