Last week I wrote a post about plagiarism, something I hope none of you will ever have to encounter as writers. It was such a frustrating, hurtful and disappointing experience. Although I had closure and resolution on that situation (including an apology and explanation that it was done unintentionally), publishing that specific post made me think more about this blog. Moreover, it made me think more about this community.
The support I felt through your comments and tweets that day was overwhelming. Your words were precise, sincere and heartfelt. At the same time you were outraged. You shared your thoughts instantaneously and they continued to pour in. Many of you couldn’t leave my blog without letting me know exactly how you felt.
Why?
Because that post resonated with you. It was an experience that each of you imagined happening to yourself. You are bloggers. You get it. It hit close to home.
So all of this made me think more about what I want out of this blog…
This time of year we all make resolutions, many of which are blog related. Some of you are planning a redesign to WordPress (smartest move you’ll ever make) and for others a clean-up for your sidebar is in order, and others have expressed the need for commenting and visiting blogs more frequently.
What is it that I really want from this blog?
I want you to get excited when you see a new post at Theta Mom in your Dashboard, Reader, Blogroll or Inbox. I want you to come to Theta Mom eager to see what’s new…
I want you to come back again and again, and leave here wanting more…
I want you to become more active in this community. I want you to leave comments on posts that you relate to. I want my writing to inspire you. I want you to get excited about checking out a new product based on one of my reviews, or enter for the chance to win a fantastic giveaway.
How do you become more active in this community? Leave a comment and tell me you were here! And when you are here don’t just comment but also read through the comments. Find a new blogger from this community, go visit that blog and leave a comment there, sharing that you found that blogger through Theta Mom. There is an amazing group of women and mothers here, so go check one another out! I even have the Twitter plug-in, so use it! Add your Twitter url so we can follow you there as well. Get active, become involved, and put yourself out there.
That is what I really want… to generate an amazing blog and further establish this already fabulous community, not just of awesome bloggers but of Theta Moms as well.
Alright, now it’s your turn to show me that this is an amazing and supportive community of bloggers.
Leave me a comment and tell me anything bloggy, such as what you want from your own blog this year. Retweet this post and then find yourself another blogger to visit from the comments below and go spread some comment love! Get out there and make at least one new bloggy connection.
How far can this community go?
Oooh Kami, I’ll have to email you on that one! So many reasons why I made the move. Glad to have found you, too!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Blogging With a Purpose =-.
Wow! I love this post! I retweeted you, joined and will come back for more to discover other blogs. I am new to the blogoshpere as well as some her and I’m learning as I go. Thanks so much for being such an inspiration!
By the way, found you on MBC! 😉
.-= Krissi´s last blog ..Too much Dora? =-.
That’s one of the reasons that I was drawn to your blog in the first place….I love how approachable and real you are. Thank you Theta Mom….I do have fun when I come to your blog. Thanks for all the times you’ve come and visited my blog….and for taking the time to get to know me
.-= Mimi´s last blog ..Little Things Can Make A Big Difference =-.
I had to comment again (I also post for @Mothers’ Hideaway) that between you and some of the other blog posts I’ve been reading this week, I have decided to give my own personal one a go. I’ve made it a new year’s resolution, so hopefully I’m not crazy!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..Welcome to my world! =-.
What a brilliant post! I’m excited to find some great new reads in your comments here.
I don’t know why I never realized what an amazing community of women bloggers there were out there, but I’m just pleased to be a part of it!
.-= Salt´s last blog ..The “Naughty Knot”. =-.
I needed this post to motivate me. I will take your advice and try to find a blog or two that peaks my interest.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Just another day in the life of a housewife….. =-.
Great post Heather! You are so right about comments. Comments give you that personal touch and are very important in building a community. One of the things I will be doing this year is commenting more on all the great blogs I read. I love your blog and you have built a great community!
.-= Rondi´s last blog ..Blogiversary Giveaway! =-.
Nicely said Gal! You know I always look forward to your posts. I think you are great.
.-= Clueless_mama´s last blog ..EvoraPlus: Probiotics for Complete Oral Health Giveaway =-.
Great post. You have some very valid points about this being a community. I know I have had some interactions (or lack of) with other bloggers that I have been surprised at. I am impressed with you and the fact that you have so many followers and you still comment back at our blogs. There are so many who do not acknowledge anyone at all. I could go on and on…maybe I should just post that on my own time, eh? I am always looking at and for other bloggers to connect with and have found that in the comment section is a great place to do that.
Thanks for everything
Holly
.-= Holly L´s last blog ..Pause…for Randomness =-.
Oh I love this post! This is an amazing blogging community and I am so proud to be a part of it. I enjoy getting to know other moms and the support is truly incredible!
.-= Mommy Bear´s last blog ..It’s the little moments that make life big =-.
Thanks Mommy Bear, I feel the same way!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Organization Madness Turned Into a Teachable Moment =-.
Wow! Just reading through some of your posts and feel inspired and lucky to have stumbled upon this!
So looking forward to sharing, hearing and reading more!
Comments make the blogosphere a happier place!!! It’s just nice to know that something you’ve put your heart and soul into matters to others!
.-= Helene´s last blog ..Interview with the experts – the 2010 edition about babies =-.
Hey girl! We share the same goals! I am praying for more of an interactive community on my blog as well. I’ve done tons of giveaways, so that’s what everyone is looking for and I’m hard pressed for comments when I actually write a post. I have created a special folder in my bookmarks with over 20 blogs and, I try to read and comment on 10 blogs a day.
.-= The Glamorous WAHM´s last blog ..Because We All Love Our Grandmothers… =-.
Love You! You are such a great blogging inspiration! I am a big time newbie at this blogging thing so I guess what I want is to be a part of IT! I want the community of women. It can be very isolating being a WAHM and I don’t think it needs to be in this day of instant global communication. I want to know that there is a wonderful group of women out there who support me and who I can support as we try are darndest to be the best mothers, wives, and entrepreneurs we can be. That’s what I want!
Kari
.-= Kari´s last blog ..You Know Your Life is Too Busy as a Mom, When… =-.
When I moved to WordPress in December I decided to clean up my blog. I tried to put a lot of fancy bells and whistles in my previous blogger design and I had a million buttons in my sidebar. With my redesign, I decided I wanted to focus more on content and less on appearance. So I dedicated myself to creating more interesting, entertaining content in my posts. My new blog is much simpler than my former one. I like this better because it gives me an opportunity to enhance my writing (I pride myself on being a “wanna be writer”).
I love that Krystal! I also made this design more simple to focus on the content.
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Little Billies Review and Giveaway =-.
What a great blog!! I found it through someone else’s blog that I follow!!
I will be looking at it frequently. This will sure be inspiring to keep blogging. =)
Looking forward to reading more, and learning more !!
.-= Mayra´s last blog ..Admit One – Invites =-.
Wow Mayra, thanks so much for those kind words! Welcome to Theta Mom! Glad to have you here.
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..The Brag Company Review and Giveaway =-.