So, if anyone asks, you can say that you read a very inspired post today.
This post by Oh Amanda really made me happy. I love the whole back to basics blogging thing. I love the standards she has set for herself. It’s so easy to get caught up in your stats and what companies are sending which bloggers to random exotic locations. It’s enough to make those without the moxy to self-promote quit blogging. (I should know. I quit.)
I am definitely not knocking those bloggers who are well-oiled, finely tuned marketing machines. It’s part of the mix. Just as the photographers, the comedians, and the inspirers are. What shouldn’t be part of the mix is all the hatin’. Mommy bloggers versus those who are “something more”… whatevs. Posers versus the real deal… whatevs.
We can’t all be the same.
I will never be as funny as Boomama. I’ll never be as crafty as Candace. I’ll never be as pure of heart as Amanda. I’ll never be as cool as Steph. I’ll never be as gosh darn cute as Trina. I’ll never be as talented as Carrie. I could go on. I probably should go on.
Ok, maybe I’ve gotten away from my original starting point. Let’s pretend I just constructed this kick-butt transitional sentence in which I have both sufficiently proven the last couple of paragraphs were relevant and brought you back to my original though, shall we?
My “manifesto” is this. (It’d be grand if you could pretend to care. K, thanks.)
1. I’ll review a product if I think it’s something I’d like to try or have tried.
2. I’ll offer a giveaway every stinkin’ chance I get. It’s just WAY fun to me.
3. I’ll sugar coat my thoughts only when I feel that *I* need to in order to maintain my sanity. (Or to prevent profanity.)
4. I promise to never give a red rat’s beehind about my stats. (I don’t even know how to monitor that sort of thing!)
Basically, I’ll be me. Maybe you’ll like it. (I won’t even lie, I desperately hope you will). But maybe you won’t. And that’s ok. (Oh, heck, who am I kidding? It’s really not ok, but I’ll manage).
Um, I lauhged out loud because you think I’m cool! At least someone does!!! I love your manifesto. Hear, hear.
Steph
Oh man- now I totally messed that one up because cool people probably now how to spell.
Steph
I LOVE it! I’m so with you! You ARE funny, cute and cool, and you don’t make me feel like a bloggy looser either!
Ohhh, have I learned this lesson. Losing well over half of my subscribers when I switched to Wordpress was quite a blow. And I was too tired and pregnant to do much of anything about it. So I HAD to go back to the “basics” and determine that YES, I was still blogging because I enjoyed it. Even if no one was reading.
This was a great post. I went over to Amanda’s blog and I liked what she had to say, too. Also, I’ve always remembered what you said about Twitter’s effect on your blog and because of that I’ve resisted it. I tried it out for a day last week and decided it wouldn’t be worth it. Anyway, you have a great blog and I hope you will write more!
actually, you are hilarious. You crack me up. It’s you as a person that comes through here. I can tell that you’re someone I would love to be real life friends with. That’s why I read your blog.
But I’ll never be as funny and genuine and as transparent as Brandi!
love you, girl!
a
First off I must agree with Carrie! WOOT WOOT
I love blogging…I love writing what I feel and *hopin* someone reads it. LOL I adore your blog and your way of thinking. You are funny and sincere. Keep it coming doll!
Thanks for saying what I’ve been feeling. I also quit blogging for a while due to the pressure. I lost sight of the true reasons why I started blogging to begin with — it’s supposed to be FUN! So . . . I’m with you girl!
Gah, so true. So true. It’s hard not to get caught up in stats, and who is doing what and going where. I mean, for reals…send me to Disney! I’ll go..and blog all day long about it…you know? Or just send me some muffins…You know, whatever works.
i gave up on stats a long time ago…as well as the grand notion that i was destined to be an “it” blogger! i am even considering simplifying my blog page…purge, purge, purge!
you just keep doing what you’re doing. you’re a keeper!
brandi, you are so witty so while you can’t be everything (because, really, who can?) i find you to be a DELIGHT! whether you blog about little things or big stuff or reviews or whatever. so happy to have met you and can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!! (and love your manifesto – going back to the basics of blogging is such a good idea).
I loved your post. I am right there with you. I read all of these awesome blogs daily, and then when I go to post – I have all of these comparisons running through my head.
I started to blog just for fun (and that’s all it still is). I wouldn’t even have a clue of HOW to self-promote. Better yet, I don’t even have followers because who knows how to attract followers other than family?? I’m just a technology-clueless girl anyway.
Oh my gosh, how did I miss this post? I’m so sorry for just now seeing it. Brandi you rock. You rock just being you and I am glad to have found your blog and met you in person
Thank you for the super nice compliment and can I say that I will never be as witty as you? I do believe you have a special way with words that not everyone has. So glad you are back to blogging! (I’m just seriously behind reading, so sorry!)