You Finally Got a FEATURE-Now USE It!
You just never see it coming. You write a post, as usual and sign off for the night. Waking up in the morning, every once in a Blue Moon, you see a little yellow star next to it. They're rare, REALLY rare-and exciting! I have long wondered why my Feng Shui posts don't get featured but no matter, you've made the big time!
Home page on ActiveRain. I usually sign off and sign back on just to double check (after wiping my reading glasses : ) Now, my question is, do you USE that feature to your best advantage?
Think about it....all these wonderful fellow "Rainers" that you've never seen before are nice enough to come back and comment. I've immediately got a new friend! It can be a daunting task to just answer the replies but consider this: I go back to each and every person who is not already on my subscribed list and leave a comment for THEM. Then I add them to my Associates List.
It might take hours....sometimes a few days. But then the magic begins. You start reading other's posts, they start reading yours-and you LIKE them! They write something that you may otherwise never have seen and it makes a subscriber out of you-and often times, THEM!
I already know I can't possibly keep up with the almost 250 people I am already subscribed to. I do make it a point to stop by as often as I can, though. And after a while, they KNOW you like them even if you haven't gotten to something they've written in the last few days....and they don't mind a bit.
I've found in my "travels" through adding associates and going to different blogs of people that I DON'T know, many of them are new. What a nice way to welcome them to the Rain AND let them know that you care enough to return the favor. I guarantee you you'll find new friends and possibly new subscribers. Besides, it's Good Feng Shui : )
You've finally got that elusive FEATURE-now USE it!
Feng Shui New York Consultant
**Feng Shui Long Island & New York was established in 1997 by Certified Feng Shui Consultant Carole Provenzale together with Laura Cerrano who provide New York, Queens and Long Island Feng Shui/Design and Color Consultations for Homes, Businesses, Offices, Corporations, Real Estate Agents and new Construction. Distance Consultations also available for those out of the New York-Metro Region.
Hi Carole,
A featured post is a wonderful opportunity to meet other AR members and that is how I met some my dearest AR friends. Leave it to you to think to point this out, thanks and I think this deserves a Feature.
I used to spend one morning a week reading blogs from those that I hadn't read before and got away from that habit.
Thank you for the wonderful way of reminding me to do this again. There truly are treasures in the Rain. You amongst them!
Wonderful post, Carole. It is important to network to best of our ability. With so many members, one can't possibly meet even most of them, so meeting and greeting the ones that "knock on our door" is just good networking practice. :)
Carole - good advice, but like you, I have a hard time also keeping up with the blogs I am subscribed to, It certainly is a way to expand horizons, and friendships, though.
Good Morning Carole-What a wonderful post. Your idea of what to do once you get a feature is wonderful. Most definitely a lot of work but I think most definitely worth it. Have a great day my friend. :-)
Featured posts....hard to come by these days. Then again...spreading it around is hard to do....
Right on my friend...I agree with Cynthia and flagged you for a feature! It deserves it!
Carole..That was wonderful..I really enjoyed reading your post...I also loved your illustrations! Thank you!
HelpfulHannah your friend in Philadelphia
Carole, I had a featured post when I was just brand-new to activerain and had no idea what to do with everyone who replied. In fact, my post was about not having time for AR!
Your post then would have helped. Thanks for the info.
Carole--My very first post...way back when... was a Localism feature. I had several comments but didn't know I should have commented back. I do believe I visited several of their blogs but wouldn't swear to it. Didn't realize how hard features were to get or that it was important to thank those who stopped by. I leave a comment for everyone on my post but don't always get back to those missed opportunities...You are a much better blogger than I for that very reason. :)
Carole, I know exactly what you're saying!
I always visit the blog of anyone who comments on one of my posts....AND I leave a comment for them.
I'm subscribed to many of them, and many of them are subscribed to my blog.
Although it's impossible to comment on each of them on a daily basis, I try to get to as many as possible...
It just seems to be the right thing to do!
Very nice Carole !!! ... I try to do exactly what you stated, but my spare time has been virtually emlinated so I am backed up, but I will get to them !
Cheers Carole ! Hope all is well :o)
Hi Carole!
I was fortunate enough to have one of those unexpected features. It received 82 comments. It took me all night, but I responded to each and every one of them. I didn't make all of them my associates (I already have more than I can keep up with), but I certainly subscribed to a few more! I agree...that is how you grow!
Carole - You're right about a featured post being a great opportunity though responding can be daunting.
Sheldon - I can't imagine why you might suddenly feel like you don't have any time ; )
Carole, you observed the same thing I saw with the national exposure on page one. You get to meet those other people who comment who you didn't know before. Now with 143,000+ members it is a bit daunting isn't it at times? Great thought.
Carole, great post. I know that I love it when you stop by my blog. Remember the old days when it felt like you knew everyone? 143,000 is a big number which makes that featured post all that much more special!!
@Christine D - lol... I'm trying reeeaaal hard to try to keep some special AR time amongst the NEW time commitment in my life !!! Ha !
This is good stuff. I don't really blog to get featured, but even then, there are some things here that I can see woudl be prudent, even without being featured.
Thanks.
Hi Cynthia, I'm still getting back to some of those on the feature....they're going to be thinking "Who IS this"? : )
Kris, I wonder how many wonderful people I'm missing...then I wonder how long I can stay on this site each night!
Marzena, It's so nice when someone you don't know 'stops in to say hello.' I try to return the favor.
Mike, I think many of us have a difficult time....I always hope our friends will understand.
Sharon, It IS a lot of work and time consuming....but can be SO worth it :)
Sally, They sure are--I don't know how they choose them, how can they READ all the posts??
Joni, I am still getting back to the last feature! But thank you for the flag my friend.
Hannah, Thank you so much for stopping by. Now I'm having trouble getting back to my own posts (not a good sign)
Jim, The first time I got featured I had no idea what it was. I saw a little gold star and couldn't figure out what was going on :) Ah, the old days of AR!
Teri, Wow, that's terrific...your first post? I didn't know what they were when I first got them or what to do with them. Now they're so rare, they're a wonderful opportunity!
Craig, It is impossible to keep up with everyone. I do the best I can and have more time some nights then others. But I too think it's nice to try and stop by and say 'hello' back to those newcomers (to you, anyway!)
Sheldon, I stare at that gorgeous baby you have there...and wonder that you are online at ALL these days! I hope all is well and wish you and your family Many Blessings!!
Paula, I am still getting back and will continue to until I get through everyone. It's difficult and I tried to stay up but my comments weren't even making sense :)
Christine, It can...and IS. I am still working on it...but it will get done. I too don't know how Sheldon is posting these days :)
Gary, It's almost impossible....daunting is a kind word. But I'm trying and will soon (?) get back to everyone.
Kate, I remember...and sometimes I miss them! But I have to think it's wonderful that us "old timers" are still around (that's what I FEEL like, anyway :)
Sheldon, Get OFF the computer, that's an order. We all love you and will wait until the kids are grown!!
Terkel, I think with the amount of people, none of us expect to get featured...and every once in a while out of the blue it just comes along.
Carole - what a wonderful post and thank you for commenting on my blog! I really appreciate your time and contribution. That's so nice to know and benefit from being around people whom you would probably never meet in person. That's definitely Feng-Shui:)
Carole - as Sally says hard to come by and usually very deserving congrats. It is always nice when we connect with someone new. It does not matter if we gain a new friend, a new perspective on a given topic, or learn something --- It pays to reciprocate
Congratulations on the feature, Carole. You may not have received it for your Feng Shui, but your posts definitely deserve many gold stars.
It is hard to keep up with everyone we like to read, and it's hard to comment on everyone's post sometimes, but I know people understand, because they probably go through the same thing.
Svetlana, It was my pleasure. With all these get-togethers Activerain has, you just never know who you might meet :)
Kathy, Most of us never have enough time here to welcome newcomers, a feature is something they will often respond to...and a good time to "meet."
Sylvie, It is impossible to keep up...and I keep subscribing! We can only do the best we can and hope our friends understand.
Hi Carole...You know that you are a featured blogger for many of us time after time.
Kate
Carole ~ Your post is a wonderful reminder about reciprocating comments on other's posts. You are one of the most faithful and loyal commenters, by the way! I don't know how you find the time to be so on top of it. I LOVE those graphics in your post, by the way! Have a wonderful weekend.
Well, I haven't had my FIRST feature yet, but will certainly take your advice! I also respond,( because I read it was good manners, when I first came into the Rain), and now, I wouldn't think of NOT responding. I understand that someone is up early, or late, perusing the Rain, and found my post interesting enough to stop and comment. I reciprocate! Sometimes reading 3 or more posts to find one I want to comment on, I get to know the person better too! P.S. I am taking my introductory FS class on Monday...WooHoo!
Carol - Being feature gives you the opportunity to discover other members, but you can keep the networking going by visiting their work and leaving a comment. Good reminder
Carole - I always TRY to respond to each and every person that comments on my blog. Sometimes that just doesn't happen on schedule, so I have to go back. As for the features ... they are wonderful tools for us to be able to 'meet' others that we may have missed. With over 140,000 members it's not possible to read each and every single post. So we do our best ... read a lot ... and revel in the knowledge that we belong to a wonderfully diverse family!
Carol I make an effort to reciprocate on all my comments. Sometimes it can be a lot of work when you have over 100 but I give it my best shot!
Carole, You do a great job getting back to those who have commented on your blogs. It is time consuming but IMHO as important as returning phone calls and emails.
Carole- Great points on how to use a featured post to expand your network.
Hi Kate, Thank you my friend. That's one nice compliment and I appreciate it.
Maureen, I am often not "on top" of things, I think we all just do the best we can. But I have "met" new people from that feature and how nice that is!
Cheryl, What WONDERFUL news, you are going to LOVE it!! I am really excited to hear that, please post to tell us about it!
Jennifer, It takes me a while but I do get to it. Time challanged like everyone else these days (which is a GOOD sign :)
Carol, I know it is impossible to keep up. I just do my best and there are some nights I'm not able to visit here at all. But that means we're working or out playing and each of those is necessary.
Bill, I don't know how YOU do it! Get get a lot of very well deserved features and I can't even imagine the time that takes!
Margaret, It is important....I try and do as much as I can on here but like many of you, work has picked up which is good so I just do the best I can.
HI Kim, Thank you for stopping by. I haven't seen you much lately (then again my hours on here have been a bit crazy :) I hope all is well!
You are truly amazing at commenting and posting. I have not really figured out the featured article thing-so many blogs are so excellent and never get attention and many writers seem to always be featured..but I learn and comment and when time allows. Your graphics are priceless as is your friendship.
Well...we've come a long way baby! My features are really hit and miss. My best was 2 features in one day. Now that was wild!
I now have over 1,000 ActiveRainers in my Excel database. They are the people with whom I visit as regularly as possible, but there is nothing regular about it. Right now it takes about three weeks for me to visit someone after s/he leaves a comment in my blog.
Cathy, Those features come when you least expect them, believe me :) I remember the one on Mt. Misery Road got a Localism Feature and wondering HOW :)
Lizette, That must have been a nightmare just trying to keep up with the comments. Mine came on Easter Eve and I've STILL have about 5 more people to get back to :)
Russel, It gets impossible if you have that many people. I have almost 250 that I am subscribed to and although I've given it my "best shot" I'm often bleary eyed on here. We can only do what we can do.
See? The last time I was over here camping out in your blog was April 20. So it took me three weeks to get back. After I was over here on April 20, you visited me on April 24.