#AtoZChallenge Update, but Wait!--There's More!

        The Blogging from A to Z April Challenge is still over two months away from the starting date, but sign-ups and chatter are going strong.   So far in the first week the list is hovering somewhere around 500 bloggers.  No telling where this number will go in the next couple months, but you can help it grow by signing up now if you haven't done so yet and then spreading the word.

         Check out the A to Z Blog for available media sites.  We have something that should appeal to just about everyone including a Facebook page, Google +, Pinterest, Twitter, and other fun things that I'm still trying to grasp.  If you don't find your favorite online place then let us know and maybe one of the A to Z Team members can set something up.  Twitter chats will be starting up again on February 28th.  Watch the blog for details.

         We're all about outreach in trying to spread the word about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge and we count on you to help us.  Be sure to not only post about A to Z on your own blog, but tweet the links to any other A to Z mentions you see and get the buzz going on your own favorite sites.   Recruit your blogging friends to join you in April.   If you know someone who's been thinking about starting a blog, help them get it going and then lead them to the April Challenge to engage these new bloggers into the community.   A to Z is all about networking so we count on the participants to let others know what's going on.

          Let's aim for another big year of blogging through the alphabet!

Lost & Found: Valentine's Edition

        If you're looking for a networking opportunity before April, have you checked out the Lost & Found blog hop?   This one is coming up on Monday February 1st (that's this coming Monday!).  So far over 70 bloggers have signed up to tell their own stories about the loves they've lost or found.  This should be interesting with a mix of all sorts of posts.   You have a story to tell so why not share it with us.   For more info and the sign-up list visit Lost & Found: Valentine's Edition.  Besides me, the hosts for this event are Guilie Castillo-Oriard, Elizabeth Seckman, Yolanda Renee, Denise Covey, and Alex J Cavanaugh.

No Excuses!

       There's always something going on in the world of blogging so none of you can say that you don't have ample opportunities to network and grow your blog.  Sign up to one of these events or any of the other myriad hops, fests, or what have you.   Visit and comment on the blogs of others.  The January slump is ending and now it's time to get back into blogging high gear.   

          What blogging events are coming up in which you will be participating?    Have you been in a bit of a blog slump lately?    What is your favorite online site for networking or just looking?

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Rainmakers Reap Healthy Harvests

An example of Street Photography (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

         In times of severe droughts some localities have been known to hire rainmakers to bring the water needed to bring life to the parched land.  These precipitation inducing specialists may resort to prayer, ritualistic activities, or advanced technology.  The techniques may vary but the desired results are the same.

           Promotion and marketing calls for inspired thinking and undaunted action.  This is the time to unleash the creative spirit in order to nourish to make success flourish.  You should be calculated, careful, and candid about your capabilities.  When it's time to ask for help do it.  Just remember that when it's your success that's at stake it's up to you to be the catalyst to make all ingredients of the formula keep working.

           Be a rainmaker to make your business grow.  In order to do this you've got to gather enough clouds to  make it happen.  Build a network and establish a strong support from those who can help you.  This often starts by helping others meet their needs.  Embrace the concept of reciprocity --help others to achieve their goals and they will usually be more willing to help you achieve yours.

          Finally when success comes your way, seed the clouds and make it rain on everybody.  There's nothing more heartening than to see someone who's made it help to pave the way for others.  Remember that an investment in someone else's success is a long term investment in your own future successes.  

          In marketing, rain and resulting floods are generally a good thing.  It's rare to be able to complain that you have too much business.

Making it rain on some fellow rainmakers:

Logan K Stewart has been blogging for a good while at Rememorandom but during this year's Challenge is my first encounter with his blog.  Grab your umbrella and pay him a visit.

Though Ashley at Ridges and Ripples admits to being "a lover of sunshine", I think she understands the importance of rain.

Then there's the blog It's Raining Blue Umbrellas because thematically it fits in.

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It's Not All About You: Self-Centered Blogging

        The biggest problem with this post is that it probably won't be read by the bloggers that it's directed toward.  And if in the improbable circumstance that one of these bloggers does read this post, they probably won't recognize the fact that I'm talking about them.

        If you're visiting my blog today, and especially if you're leaving a comment, you are a participant in an interaction, the kind of exchange that builds blog relationships and establishes a line of communication from which we could potentially learn something.  And if I know that you have stopped by to visit--that is by leaving a comment--I will more than likely be by your blog eventually and leave my comment there.  If I don't then shame on me and I apologize.

       The way I see it blogging is a two way street--an exchange of ideas.  You show me your support and I'll make an effort to support you.  If I come visit your online space then I'd like for you to show me some attention too.   Reciprocity is the name of the blogging game and most of my readers know that already.

       You probably know who I'm talking about.

       It's not the blogging superstars who have valuable content that can't be missed.  Everybody is visiting them and those big time bloggers not only might not be able to make reciprocal visits to bloggers who leave comments on their sites, but they might not even be able to respond to all of the comments they receive.

       And I'm not talking the mega-best-selling authors or celebrity bloggers who will get adulation from their fans no matter what.  It's unlikely that I would leave a comment to get lost in the hundreds of comments they receive and those who do probably aren't expecting any acknowledgement to any comment they might leave.

      Who I'm talking about is the bloggers with relatively small followings.  These bloggers might be posting excerpts of their works or expounding ideas from behind their bloggy podiums thinking they have tons of readers waiting for their next words.  I say to those bloggers:  Look at your comment section.  Do you have any?  And if so are you responding to them?

       Many times I have come upon a blogger who seems interesting and who has decent content on a blog that seems to be consistently published.  I will often leave a comment in order to engage with that blogger and receive either no response or a fairly inadequate brush-off.  Then I'll note that they often have very little in the way of followers or comments on any posts.  I understand why.

        Some bloggers have busy schedules--I realize that.  But still that's a rather lame excuse since many interactive bloggers also are busy.   Some may be shy or may not understand how blog operation works.  I would imagine there are bloggers with that handicap and I hope they are working on that.  I'll be glad to offer help if they would like.

       However, there remain those bloggers who maintain an arrogance that suggests that they think they are more important than other bloggers.  Well, I'm here to tell you that you are not a center of the blogosphere.  It's not all about you.   You most likely have very few adulating fans, if any at all, who anxiously await your next utterance of pure genius.

       That's what I want to tell you.   But I'm sure you're not listening.

Have you come upon any self-centered bloggers?   Do you ever try to offer suggestions in comments to help bloggers who may not know how to blog properly?   Why do you think some bloggers consistently offer fairly decent content, but have no interactions with others?

And now for something lighter.  Another video entry came in before closing.  This one is from Jocelyn Rish.
Thank you Jocelyn and all of the other entrants.  Be watching for the voting poll in the next few days.

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