Am I missing something about Blogging?
I'm hoping the community members will answer a few questions for me that may help me to have a better understanding on Blogging? When we take the time out of our busy day to prepare and share our knowledge, because we've been asked for help, and very few respond when we answer them, what am I missing? When we Pay it Forward for those who specified where they are having difficulty and only 10 people respond and out of the 10 only 4 actually give great feedback, why is that? The last I heard we are a community of 190,000 and growing and 10 is the best response that is given to a caring community member!
We are listening and we make the time to fulfill the needs of the many, and we really do care to make a difference so you can become successful too! That's what Paying it Forward is all about, but for those who take and don't even acknowledge the members who are there for them, I just don't think there is a clear understanding of what WA is all about! The time has been taken to be a helpful caring community, it's just common courtesy to take a few moments of your time to let them know their time is appreciated and helpful, and there are so many helpful members! " And that's all I'm going to say about that!"
If you're not sure what Paying it Forward means, I invite you to go to my profile page and under my Visual aid Trainings you'll find a short but specific video that you can watch and learn, called Paying it Forward! Thank You community members who really put yourselves out there! Keep Smiling. Sharon:).
Recent Comments
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Well said, i try to devote some time each day to go through emails and try to respond as much as possible, once it took me a while to respond to a private message because i did not know about approval.If you are a new member trying to set up your website,time can be challenging,but one must be respectful of your time,Please don't stop what you are doing, we are all thankful.
Hi codevonish, Thank You for your response, it is greatly appreciated, I will always help whenever I can. I believe that we should still make time to pay it forward even if it's just a half hour out of our day, so we can all succeed in our quest and help each other. Keep :)ing. Sharon:)
Do you mean if you do a training? If you mean this type of blog here I guess I thought if I got 10 responses I was doing pretty well. Not everyone is in the same mindset all the time. How many is a good response? -Alexx
Hi Alexx, Now that you mention it, my guess is if just one person is helped any number is a good one:) keep :)ing Sharon
You have a good point Sharon. Part of the reason is time. This does take a lot of time between the emails. the website, and the blogs, and the cussing out of the computers, the kids, the dogs/cats and hamsters, chicken buzzards, flooding ( we now have 10 inches in Charleston) and other stuff unnamed.
And when you said, "And that's all I'm going to say about that!" I thought I would fall out of my chair. You sounded just like my favorite philosopher...Forrest, Forrest Gump.
Keep up the good work. You are a giver. That's a blessing...Dick
Hi dick, Thank You for your reply. I'm glad you didn't fall out of your chair,LOL I love Forest Gump too, I think I've watched that movie at least 10 times. LOL. Sorry about my tardiness in getting back to you, but I'm trying to answer the kind members who did respond to my Blog!
I know time is a factor, I'm inundated too with emails, questions etc. and I really do try to answer as many people as I can and if I can't I point them in the right direction or do another video for them so I can pay it forward.
I thought a Blog this time, which I never do, because the visual aid trainings are very time consuming, but members really like to learn that way so I oblige them with joy in my heart:) I'm not complaining it's my way of giving back. However, if the members who take the time to help others in need out of their busy schedule... I feel a sentence just saying, Thanks for the help, I couldn't have done it without you. " Wow!" I think that took me 3 seconds to type. Sorry for being a bit flip, nothing personal at you dick.
I will always be there for those who need my help and always pay it forward, because that's a BIG part of WA!
Try to keep dry down in South Carolina. My thoughts and prayer are with you. Keep :)ing Sharon:)
A lot of the time, people just aren't interested in what others have to say. If you noticed the most replied to blogs are the ones about how much money they just made.
That is fine I am not taking anything away from them, it's just as you mentioned other blogs that help members with important things do need to be looked at.
Also, another reason as to why some blogs don't get attention is because they post it at the same time as others so their blog gets pushed down the timeline and nobody notices it.
Some people just don't have the time whereas others aren't interested. I personally try my best to help and responded back to as many as I can.
Keep your head up and keep pushing out helpful content. In my opinion if I can help 1 person with whatever I blog about then I have succeeded.
Thank You Anthony, I do appreciate your time to respond and I can tell by what you have said, that you get it. I do realize that Blogs get pushed down to the bottom, but it's my understanding that each person that you take the time to welcome and follow get a notification of your Blog once you publish it. I have over 500 members in my network and I was hoping to help the new members and the people who had asked for my help. You're right too, If it just helps one person then my Blog has been a success and I'm glad about that.
I'm a big believer in Paying it Forward and that's why I do visual aid trainings on useful things that are needed to build out our websites. I also have a lot of members that say they prefer the video training.
I did this Blog on the Virtual Handshake to help the members who said they were having difficulty writing content. I did feel however, that it needed to be said that, for the knowledgeable members who use their valuable time to help them out, they need to at least let them know that they received the much needed help they were seeking. That would take about 3 seconds to type. We are all busy, but we're here to help one another to all be successful.
For such a young man, you are really tuned into how Paying it Forward really works, I agree with you too, that some people only care about themselves and building their businesses. But they can't do it alone, otherwise why are they here? Thanks again keep :)ing Sharon:)
That's very true about letting the content creator know that they have done a good job it's like getting feedback on your website there isn't a difference between the two I agree.
Keep doing what you do, you are a very helpful and valuable member within this community :)
Thank You Anthony, I'm glad you understand what I was trying to do. Keep smiling, Sharon:)
Hi Sharon,
I too am not sure, but I do know that I get so many emails that I can not get through them all or that is all I will do in the time I have to work on my sites and lessons.
I do apologize to anyone that I may have offended, but I do understand that some people just do not have enough time to get back to everyone.
I do know that if the blog is way long, I sometimes will not be able to read it all.
Thanks
Sheila :)
Hi Sheila, Thank you for responding, I know we are all so very busy. Yes! When we're starting out it can be overwhelming too and we all ask for help.
I appreciate that you at least try to help some of the people that call out for help. None of us can answer all of our emails, I'm so inedited at times I just wait until the evening and I will go through mine and answer the ones I feel are a priority and the ones that just need to be pointed in the right direction, get a link.
I was responding to members who asked for help on how to write content. I usually do a visual aid training, I don't like long Blogs either, but this required to be written and It was long overdue. So I put it out there
.I always try my best to Pay it Forward and I'm not looking for praise! I was feeling bad for all of the wonderful community members who take the time out of their busy schedules to help those in need and then to see that they don't even get a reply. It took me 3 seconds to write. Thank You for your help, I couldn't have done this without your help. I think they deserve that much. You don't owe anyone an apology, you're doing the best that you can.
Thank you for answering when you have the time, it is greatly appreciated by those who are new and feel overwhelmed as we all do in the beginning. Keep :)ing Sharon
Hisharon i as a newbie i do look at questions and blogs but didnt have and still dont have enough understsnding of it all but follow through to see answers but i can end up spending more time on this at the cost of getting through my lessons so as a newbie let me apologise i do read but very rarely respond but i take your point and will endeavour to even just note my reading even if i have little value to add
Hi Christine, cute baby Gravatar:)
You under estimate yourself, you know more than you think. I understand how overwhelmed you must feel being a newbie and you're right, you won't be able to answer questions just yet. I wouldn't expect you to try and answer a whole bunch of emails and your classes come first.
However, don't underestimate what you can learn out in the community when there are so many helpful knowledgeable members who will do all they can to help you to succeed.
You can screen which Blogs or Posts are of use to you and you will learn very quickly what you can use. All I'm trying to say is, if you get help, just take a few seconds to let the person you learned from know that they were of help to you. I'm sure you will do that as you move forward.
I can tell you this though, you will move forward faster when you check for great content on topics that you need help on. Always ask questions, you will excel faster in your training. Know that you're not alone and we are here for you and want to see you succeed and that's how we Pay it Forward. Keep :)ing Sharon
krazykat has given a great answer Sharon, but also another point to think about is how many of those 190,000 are fairly new members and would they really know the answer to any certain questions that were raised. I know on a personal view if I am not 100% sure of an answer I wouldn't want to lead the person asking, up the wrong tree so I wouldn't answer, and I have been here 10 months.
Thank you for taking the time to reply Gdodd, I think something got lost in the translations here. I'm not asking the newbies to answer questions they can't, by Blog was in response to members who asked for help in how to write content hence the name "Creating a Virtual Handshake!" The Blog "Am I missing something, was after the fact and it was as a result of hardly any reply from the people who asked for help in the first place. I don't expect 190,000 members to answer that would be ludicrous!, I do believe that the members who use their valuable time to help, deserve a 4 second acknowledgment from the people who asked for the help in the fist place. My email is inundated too, but I can find a half hour in my day to at least try to help some of the members who are overwhelmed and struggling. I have a website too, but I wouldn't have, if I didn't get help from the members in the community who were kind enough to help me when I was starting out and I didn't always get what I needed from the classes sometimes! I will always Pay it Forward as it is the right thing to do! Respectfully, Sharon:)
Sharon, this is a good question that likely comes with many different answers.
I can think of a few.
One thing I have noticed when some of the newer members ask a question, and they receive no response, I have looked at their profiles and their networks are very small....meaning that their question hasn't reached a lot of members.
Another answer would be that if in fact there are 190,000 members like you say, and if each of them posted daily, our mailboxes would be way too full to even consider responding to even a small percentage.
Let's see what others have to say.
Thank You Krazykat for taking the time to respond to my Blog.
I will speak to your first response, if a newbie doesn't have a large enough network to start out with, then they can put the question to the community and get a quick response. I know this, because you're right, when I was a newbie, I didn't get a response, but when I asked a question and put it to the community they came through, there are so many forums on WA to do that, I got a quick responses from many places, especially the wonderful caring members of the community.
I don't expect 190,000 members to answer that would be ludicrous!, I do believe that the members who use their valuable time to help when asked, deserve a 4 second acknowledgment from the people who asked for the help in the fist place.
My email is inundated too, but I can find a half hour in my day to at least try to help some of the members who are overwhelmed and struggling. I have a website too, but I wouldn't have, if I didn't get help from the members in the community who were kind enough to help me when I was starting out and I didn't always get what I needed from the classes sometimes!
Paying it Forward is a valuable asset to this website and I believe there are a lot of members who would agree that if it wasn't there, WA wouldn't be the website that it is today. Caring is not just a sometime thing it's a necessary thing in todays world. Respectfully, Sharon:)
Sharon you are a shining example of practice what you preach, where do you find the time?, you must be one of the most hardworking members in WA. Thanks again. Best wishes.
Thank you codevonish, I'm glad you get it! Your time is valuable and well spent. I love being a member of WA and I like Paying it forward. I struggle with the juggling act too, but I can spare some of my time to help any member. Keep :)ing Sharon
Hi Sharon,
I feel the younger generation has lost their respect for others some what these days. It gets frustrating to not have some appreciation for what you try to do. I don't write many articles so far in our short stay at WA (which we truly love) because I am still "feeling" my way around but I like to respond to other writings as I can Thanks for bring this up. Stay Happy Sharon!!.
Bill
Hi Bill and Sue, Thank You for taking the time to reply to my Blog. LOL, I'm always Happy, I get teased by my family and friends about it and have all of my life.
Your right about the generation gap, I dislike what is happening to our Family unit as a result of it. I can't recall any other generation gaps being this disrespectful.
I'm glad you took the time to read the Blog and the funny thing is, it came as a result of my Blog called Creating a Virtual Handshake on the very subject of how our world has changed as a result of the Internet. I did address how to write engaging Content to improve communications with their readers, and that was the mainstay.
I was asked to do one of my visual trainings on how to create engaging content by several members who were struggling with it. However, it had to be a written, so I did the Blog. The feedback I got was great, but not one word from those who asked me to do it.
I guess they were disappointed in me, because it had to be written and they don't like to read Blogs! In turn, I guess I was really disappointed and I decided it was time to address this, as it goes on all the time, but not with my trainings, they get rave reviews because they are short and to the point and they get the job done in half the time and don't have to read.
I think I'm starting to ramble, sorry about that. LOL I do want you to know that I'm glad we're from the same generation I am, because you have values and you can't put a price on that. Keep smiling, I know I will. Sharon:)
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Hi Sharon ,smiling just carn't stop smiling since I arrived here at this wonderful place. The notion of paying it forward is a move to a different mind set from the parameters of modern society . There is so much diversity here at WA . Some get invloved in the community and some choose not to . There are so many shades of grey in between . It can be a bit disheartening I am sure for members who write a blog or try to share or ask questions that do not get a response . One of the things I have taken to is looking for such occourances and replying . Currently I have all the port holes open , the inbox is exploding but thats ok . Every aspect of the WA culture is such a learning process which at the end of the day adds value to our respective businesses .
As far as comments on posts that you make within the community I think to a degree it has a relationship to the amount of people in your respective networks . Another factor would be the time that the posts is made , WA runs on a 24 hour clock and members are dispersed around the globe . Like all online there is a zone of 24 to 48 hours when exposure will be at its maximum .
All in all it is cool ,people who do not participate today may be in the top 200 or Ambassadors tomorrow . If we all share and care the community will continue to be the great place that it is . Many more words and I will have a blog post lol.
Take care and keep enjoying the journey.
Alexander
Thanks Alexander, you have a great way of putting things into perspective. You know me, and I was responding to several people, mostly newbies, who were having difficulty understanding how to write content. Not that I'm an expert, but I think I can hold my own. LOL
I can see that there are several trains of thought here on this matter and I respect that! "Mine in not the reason why, mine is but to do or die... well I won't go that far. LOL At any rate, I felt that the good knowledgeable members of the WA community deserve at least a response when they spend their precious time trying to help them out and then they don't even get a reply. I guess it's a generation thing!
I will always be there for anyone who asks for my help or that I can see may need some encouragement, because that's who I am. However, I don't think I will do anymore Blogs on this topic anymore. LOL
I'm spending my time today answering those who took the time to respond, good or indifferent, they deserve a reply. keep :)ing my friend. Sharon:)
Hi Sharon
Just had to pop back , what a great conversation you have started .This is what its all about , far better people read our posts think about them and then engage with quality comments . It adds value and also adds a vibrancy to the whole community .Pat on the back for you keep up the good work.
Alexander
Thanks Alexander, glad to hear from you again:) LOL I'm glad members are sharing, and you're right, it is engaging content. Exactly what I was trying to show the ones who wanted my help in knowing how it's done:) in a good way of course. I agree that the comments are quality and people are using their voices, be it virtual or not, they're being heard and that's a good thing:) keep :)ing Sharon.