Top 10 Reasons I Blog (Ultimate Blog Challenge Day 15)

If you have noticed, I really "fell off the wagon" last week.  I have been blogging, but I did not keep up with my challenge.  It was book reviews and giveaways.  But next month will be better.  If you are interested in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, click here.

I thought tonight might be fun to do a Top 10 list.  I have never done one on my blog.  I have had authors do it, but I thought it might be nice to know the real reasons I blog.

I'll start from 10.

10.  It gets me out of a lot of housework and outdoor work.  My mom insists I work on my blog rather than help her outside.  (Don't worry.  I cook, and I clean when I am able to.  But I am serious that she insists I blog since I am beginning to make a little money on it.)

9.  I am able to supplement my part-time job.  This includes sponsored posts, giveaways, and reviews.  Even an occasional family experience.  But don't get me wrong.  It is not really getting nothing for free!  They expect a lot of work out of you.

8.  I am able to keep up on social networking a little bit more since it is already part of my job.  I may only be posting giveaways and responding to group threads, but I am on facebook!

7.  I get to learn about history on a regular basis since I am accountable to my followers for doing a "This Day in History" post.

6.  I spend less on Christmas presents due to things I review.  After all, if I can't use the item, it's fine to pass it on, right?

5.  When I am on my cell phone (and I'm really playing solitaire--that doesn't happen often, honestly), I can make it look like I am using my phone to check my e-mail for "blog business."

4.  I am able to keep up with the latest trends in just about everything I could possibly want--and things I don't even want to keep up with!

3.  I get to be on a first name basis with Alexa and Google and even get Linkedin to Twitter!  (I have actually had to explain blog traffic to businesses--imagine that!)

2.  I get to make all sorts of new bloggy friends who are so sweet, nice and encouraging.  I would much rather spend time with my online friends than most of face-to-face family and friends.

1.  I finally get to use my writing skills in ways I could never have imagined!

I love blogging, and whenever I feel like I'm getting burned out, I remind myself of these things--especially my new friends and writing skills!

Interviewing Myself--Ultimate Blog Challenge Day 5

Well, I will admit that this year I really want to improve my blog.  I am very happy with the way it is--for the most part.  But I am really challenging myself to do an even better job.  I am a little late in joining the Ultimate Blog Challenge, but I am jumping right in.  And today I will be interviewing myself.  I often forget to post personal things about myself.  I get so caught up in reading and reviewing that I forget that so many of you don't know very much about me.  So here goes.

1. What was the happiest moment of your life? The saddest?  This is really a no-brainer for me.  The happiest day of my life was the day my daughter was born--June 13, 2003 (She was born on my 29th birthday).  I brought this little bundle of joy into the world at my home in Dallas, Texas with the assistance of my midwife, her assistant, my mom, my sister-in-law, and my husband (who did practically nothing).  The saddest day of my life was just a couple years later when I had to make the decision to leave my husband of nearly ten years due to his mental condition.  I will tell you that I cannot recall the exact day that I had to take my daughter and me and basically go into hiding (at another music teacher's house in the district where I working) during the nine months that the divorce proceedings went on.  While it was a very sad day, the day the divorce was final--just three days before my tenth wedding anniversary--was one of the most relieved days of my life.
2. What s your earliest memory?  I have a memory of being in the back of a trailer and looking out the window to see mountains--brown mountains.  I learned later that I was around two years old, and we were going to Arizona.  It is one of those memories that is vivid, but it is more like a photograph than a moving memory.
3. When in your life have you felt most alone?  I don't know if I can pinpoint an exact moment, but I can tell you what has led to feelings of being alone and abandoned.  My friend from England used to be very close to me.  I used to write about him a lot--Martin is his name.  Read some of my earlier blog entries, and there was quite some hot and heavy moments between us.  Unfortunately, his association with my family has wreaked havoc on everything.  I have been told by members of my family that I am responsible for the break-up of the family due to bringing this man into our family circle.  I have been shunned because I am considered the favored one in the family.  And now Martin has practically cut ties with me as well because he hates my family.  While I don't feel lonely at the moment, I can say that at times I have felt very lonely and abandoned.  That is why I have thrown myself into my blog so much in the past year.  It has filled that gap up, and I have met some wonderful friends.
4. When did you first find out that you were going to be a mom, and how did you feel?  I was married for eight years before I was pregnant.  We never used birth control, and our bedroom life was far from perfect.  I had practically given up on ever getting pregnant.  We learned later that my husband was infertile.  My period had been late before, but I had miscalculated and was practically two weeks late. I was so worried because I had taken two ibuprofen for what I thought was cramps.  And my husband and I did not have a good relationship.  I was the bread-winner in the family, and I had just landed a really good full-time teaching job.  I told my teacher friend about my suspicions.  She told me to go get a pregnancy test--easier said than done.  I had to go to a drugstore because our grocery store did not carry them.  I remember taking the test, and when it turned out positive (as I expected it would), I told my husband.  He didn't believe me.  It was at least two months before he did.  My sister-in-law was the first one to hear because my mom was on the phone when I tried to call.  I was pregnant along with eight other ladies that year on staff.  There had to be something in the water!  Amazingly, God worked everything out so I lost no pay whatsoever.
5. Can you tell me about your first kiss?  Oh, goodness, I sure can.  Thankfully I no longer see it as a bad memory.  I was not kissed until I got engaged at the age of 18.  That's right.  My only husband (who is now my ex-husband and the father of my daughter) was the first man I dated.  I had a dream that I would not kiss a man until we were engaged.  We dated six weeks, and he proposed.  He popped the question on the third floor of an old-fashioned ship that was a restaurant in Pleasant Island at Disneyworld in Florida.  Actually, if I would have been smart, I would have realized that the first kiss was not all that great.  He actually told me I did it wrong!  I was too much in love to notice.
6. Do you believe in God?  Yes, I do.  At about the age of six or seven, I asked Jesus Christ to become my Lord and Savior, and I have never looked back.  I am a flawed creature and still make my share of mistakes.  But if you look through my blog, I think you will be able to see that this blog is still from an inspirational/devotional point of view.  God has led me every step of the way.

Hope you enjoyed these questions.  I could say so much more, but this will give you some ideas.  Want to know where I got my questions?  Check out this link.

The Absolute Joy of Blogging

I have been meaning to write this blog post for a long time, and I decided I would take a few moments and really thank everyone who has ever read my blog or whomever will.  Blogging is something I began a couple years ago, and I really knew nothing back then.  I just knew that I loved to write, and I knew that I could do what I had seen others doing.  I had been reading blogs for a while, and I didn't know where this was headed, but I knew I needed to get going.

I remember how hard I worked in the beginning to get people to read what I was writing.  I tried several different things, and I know how exciting it was every time I gained another follower. I remember the euphoria I felt when I got to 100 followers, and every 50 or 100 thereafter.  I subscribed to so many blogs, and I was constantly reading them to get more ideas.

I financed my first giveaway, and that is still something I find myself doing at times.  I remember getting my first sponsors for giveaways, discovering rafflecopter, and so much more.  I remember my blog  turning a year old, and I was always looking for new ways to get followers and new ideas.  I remember the first time I wrote a "This Day in History" post, and I didn't think anyone noticed.  Until I found myself doing it every day, and people actually began commenting on the posts!  I still get excited every time I get a new comment.

Blogging is definitely a full-time job that really does not pay like one.  In fact, I still can't say that I am "breaking even," but my blogging has helped to pay bills in recent times!  So I'm pretty happy!  I have found that my blog is always on my mind.  I go to the store thinking, "What can I find to put towards my next giveaway"?  I am always looking for new ideas!

Blogging is by far one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.  I have remarked more than once to my mom that I am so much more accepted online than I am in my personal life.  I have said more than once that in my life, I struggle to get friends.  Initially, people like me until they get to know me.  And then for some reason, they decide that  relationship with me is not worth the effort, and they break ties with me.  I have a "family" that has told me that  I am responsible for splintering the family apart.  I have an ex-husband who thinks I had an affair and that I am mentally ill.   I have former friends who think that I am just not worth the effort.  Even my best friend from England, Martin, is well on his way to leaving me in the dust.  I can't really call him my best friend any more.  As my mom said, I am evidently just too godly for him.  Oh, well.

But the good news is that the friends I am making through blogging are absolutely amazing!  You can't know how much it means to me when I notify a winner of a prize, and they tell me how much they enjoy my blog!  Or when someone comments and says that they appreciate everything I do for my followers.  And all I can say is that you guys are worth it!  To quote on old Bryan Adams song "Everything I do, I do it for you."  And there is more truth in that than you will know.

I realize up front that I am not perfect.  My winners--if I self-sponsor the giveaway, they may be waiting two months for me to fulfill the prize request due to time and little money.  I really try, but you guys are always so understanding!  Actually, this weekend, I have a lot of prize boxes to get caught up on since I finally got some money in my account!

I hope to be sharing my thoughts with you on this blog for years to come, and I want you to know that you guys are the best.  Every dollar I've spent on this blog is worth it, and I thank everyone for being patient and understanding with me.  Thank you for being there for me, and thanks for all the support.  I couldn't do it without you!

Blogs to Riches Giveaway (Ends 9/19) WW

Blogs To Riches Club is having a grand opening party and you're invited!

Hosted by Giveaway Promote.

Sponsored by Mompreneur Mogul.

Come and see what all the buzz is about and enter to win a VIP membership to the exclusive Inner Circle at "The Club". Prizes valued at over $2,600.   From Lisa Cash Hanson, the author of "Get Famous The Most Amazing Mom Bloggers Resource On The Planet" (one of the most talked about blogger’s resources), comes the hottest new blogging community on the planet, the Blogs To Riches Club.   Blogs To Riches Club is the exclusive, invitation only blogging, business and entrepreneurs community. It's free to become a member but openings are limited.   If you want to learn how you can live the life of your dreams, be energized, enjoy more financial freedom, overcome obstacles, expand your influence and have fun, the Blogs To Riches Club is the place for you.   Let your blog do the work and make money while you enjoy the freedom of living the life you've always dreamed of!   Listen as Lisa shares exclusive details right here!

  This giveaway features one of the most talked about groups in the Blogs To Riches Club, The Inner Circle At "The Club".   The Inner Circle is where bloggers come to really go deep and grow their business and blog like never before. It's the Mastery Coaching Club where Lisa reveals never before seen strategies she's used in her own business.   In the Inner Circle, Lisa will be sharing exact email pitches, top resources, methods used to launch her first book, how she made money blogging in the first two weeks and more.   Check out the demo video of the Blogs To Riches Club.

  Lisa has been featured on Yahoo!, named Circle of Mom’s Top 25 Mom Tech Blog & Blogtrepreneur’s Top 40 Mompreneurs to follow on Twitter. She is the founder of Mompreneur Mogul, an award winning blog where business and inspiration meet. Her weekly newsletter is filled with tips for those who want to make money blogging and get media attention for their blogs.

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Enter to win prizes valued at over $2,600!

Grand Prize

One year VIP membership to the exclusive Inner Circle of the Blogs to Riches Club and a private mastery coaching session with Lisa Cash Hanson.

Other Prizes

1 six month and 2 three month VIP memberships to the exclusive Inner Circle of the Blogs to Riches Club.

Open Worldwide.

Ends at 11:59pm EST on September 19th, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway   Disclosure: Lisa has achieved some amazing results and she is sharing her strategies with you. However, individual results will vary. Blogs To Riches Club, Momprenuer Mogul, and Lisa Cash Hanson are not promising you riches. Your success is up to you.

Bloggers, join a group giveaway event like this one! Sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by Giveaway Promote.

If you'd like to hear about all group giveaway and hop events open for blogger sign-ups, subscribe to Giveaway Promote's weekly group giveaway events and hops newsletter.

My Blogging Success

Now, before I start on this article, please know I am not trying to brag or anything like that.  And I am not some blogger guru who knows all the answers.  All I am doing is trying to write an article to share some things that have helped me as I have been blogging over the last two years.  

When I began blogging, I just did it for fun--kind of seeing if I could do it.  I was always a good writer--though I always preferred fiction or literary writing.  So I figured I would give it a go.  And I was literally subscribed to and following thousands of blogs.  I still am, as a matter of fact, but I do not have near the amount of time to read them as I used to.  I have my facebook likes and twitter following normally maxed out.  But that is just a side note.

My goals were always to read quality blogs.  I wanted to know their "secrets."  I started out by entering my information in as many weekly blog hops as I could.  And I didn't just wait for people to follow me--I followed them, too.  

It was extremely disappointing to watch my numbers in the beginning.  I got so tired of seeing my numbers rise by one or two followers--or sometimes stagnate for a week or so.  And it was really tough when people "unfollowed" me.  In fact, that is one of the reasons I rarely ever unfollow anyone unless I absolutely have to. 

I financed my first few giveaways.  And honestly, I still finance several of mine.  I am a deal shopper, and I even shop in thrift stores and yard sales for things to give away.  Yes, my secrets are out.  You would be amazed at the stuff you can find!  

I began writing product reviews on everything I possibly could.  And then I would send the review to the company to see if they would offer a giveaway.  Most of the time, the answer was negative or not at all.  But the few times I got an answer in the affirmative made it all worthwhile.

Then I discovered giveaway blog hops.  These were the early days of giveaway blog hops.  Simply Stacie was the first one for me--she had a handmade giveaway blog hop.  And then I discovered I Am a Reader, Not a Writer..  Her book-related giveaway blog hops have almost always been successful for me.  

Since I am a book blog, I was very glad to have authors contacting me to review their books.  Before that happened, I made a point to still write reviews of books I had read.  That has been a downfall of mine.  I don't like to turn down an author who asks me to review his/her book (unless it is a genre I just will not read).  I discovered a lot of good book review companies that I will put at the end of this post.

My blog has continued to grow.  Tomoson has been a good find for me.  I always paid attention to buttons on various blogs I liked.  I even joined twitter!  I was not on twitter at first, but I have discovered that you just have to as a blogger!

Things really accelerated for me when I joined the following companies:

Each of these various groups have plenty of strengths.  They have become my go-to groups.  I'll tell you briefly about each of them.

Karma Media is a paid group--but it is reasonable and worth every penny!  They take care of pitching loads of companies, and I have been able to participate in some great campaigns.  I have even earned some money with them.  They are a fantastic group, and I plan to be with them for many years to come.

Charisma Media is free, but the ladies still work hard for you!  They don't have always as many reviews, but they do a lot to help your numbers increase.  You just have to put the work into it, but it is well worth it.

Sublime Media is free also, and I have been amazed at the opportunities they have!  One of the best things about them is that they have a lot of giveaways that they invite you to participate for free.  They are very willing to share their PR information with you.  But you do have to work!

I do look for blogger opportunities on a regular basis.  I do not join every one of them, but I have found that even joining the big ones has been good for me.  Maybe your facebook page will be lost amongst others, but it it did not cost you anything anyway and you pick up a few followers, I would say it is worth it.

Being a blogger is not easy.  I sometimes wonder why I have gotten the success that I have.  I am a part-time worker during the school year, and that is when things are really crazy.  But do you want to know the real secrets to my success?

1.  First and foremost, this blog belongs to God.  He is responsible for my success, and I find myself talking to Him a lot about it.  When things are going well, I thank Him.  And when things aren't going well, I talk to Him about it.

2.  Be willing to take advantage of every opportunity.  If you have a chance to give away something as small as a Tide-To-Go package, go for it!  I have sometimes had more success giving away smaller things rather than bigger things.

3.  Meet your deadlines. I can't stress it enough.  Get a calendar.  Organize your inbox.  If you say you are going to do it, do it.  If you can't do it or something comes up, at least drop the company or person a line.  Communication is key!

4.  Reciprocate!  This is what those groups have taught me. If you ask for help, do something for that person.  If  person posts on your blog, try to post on theirs.  If you ask for help promoting, promote for them.

5.  Most importantly, enjoy the ride!  I can always tell when I am reading a blog if the person enjoys what he/she is doing or if that person is only blogging to get free stuff.  I have read book reviews by other bloggers that almost embarrass me.  I actually figure that maybe the person has not really read the book.  It comes through in product reviews, too.  Make it your own.  Have fun writing.

I'm going to end by leaving the links to the book tour companies I have found.  Some people have asked or wondered where I get the books I review.  I used to wonder, too, and I did not know where to turn.  Karma Media and Charisma Media both offer book tours.  But here are the others.

https://sites.google.com/a/myaddictionisreading.com/reading-addiction-blog-tours/home
http://authorservicesatthebistro.com/
http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/events/author-tours/
http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/
http://www.writermarketing.co.uk/prpromotion/blog-tours/
http://www.goddessfish.com/
http://abgreadsbooktours.blogspot.com/
http://innovativeonlinebooktours.com/Current_Tours_GSUX.html
http://www.blackliontours.com/#!home/mainPage
http://www.novelpublicity.com/tour/
http://www.booksneeze.com/reviews/blogger/16762?ref=badge
http://partnersincrimetours.net/
http://www.crossroadreviews.com/
http://www.litfusegroup.com/join-the-flock

There are more, but this is a good start.  And I promise, I could write a lot more, but this should be a good start.  Thank you so much, readers, for helping to make my blog a success.

Karma Media Review--Fantastic Way to Improve Your Blog!

I have been blogging for almost two years--I really had no idea I would stay with it so long!  I only ever started blogging because I figured I could do it as well as the blogs I was reading.  And I do enjoy writing.

It wasn't long after I started blogging that I realized that I had to have some giveaways to drive traffic to my blog.  I loved writing great content, but if no one was around to read it, what good was it?  When you are just starting out, it can be pretty tough to find companies to sponsor giveaways.  I remember writing reviews, pitching companies, and only hearing "no" or nothing at all.  It was disappointing.  So I knew I had to begin to sponsor my own giveaways--I had no other choice.

My blog began to grow, and I was pretty excited.  A few companies began to sponsor reviews/giveaways, but people began to come to my blog only for giveaways.  And I would get very few comments on any other posts.  I hated to keep spending my own money, but I knew I had to.

My blog was doing well, and then I began to join giveaway hops, and I decided I was willing to pay.  Yes, I saw big jumps in my numbers, but I still struggled to find enough companies to sponsor me.  My blog was not big enough.  My reach was not large enough.  I didn't have the right kind of blog.

I realized that it was taking lots of time finding companies to sponsor my giveaways.  There had to be an easier way!  And indeed there was!  I happened to click on a link to Karma Media, and I decided to give them a try.  After paying the nominal fee, they added me to the facebook group, and I began to interact with them.  I wasn't sure what I would find, but let me explain.

First of all, they do all the work of pitching companies.  They combine all of the blogger stats in the group together and contact companies to sponsor reviews and giveaways.  I have gotten to review magazines, food, books, and more.  And I have only been a member for a couple of months.  They always send out documents with the information, and the companies get to pick the blogs they want to work with.  This means that small blogs and big blogs get the same chance to review certain blogs.  And the giveaways?  Karma Media sets up the giveaways for you in regard to these products.  You post them on your blog, and you watch your blog numbers increase.

While reviewing products and having giveaways on your blog are great, there is much more to them than this.  They have free blog hops each week to increase traffic to your blog--pinterest, facebook, etc.  They have special giveaway opportunities for their members (and sometimes for non-members such as their current Bringing in Summer giveaway hop). They also allow you to give input as to what companies you want them to pitch and what kinds of things you would like to see in the group.

For me, Karma Media has been an awesome group.  I have never been active in a facebook group until them.  Now they are one of the first ones I check--and I check several times a day.  One time when I had a product issue concerning a review I was doing, I felt so much better after I posted it to them.  They were so nice to sympathize and offer any help they could.  And whenever I have a blog question, I ask it, and I am sure to get a response.  In fact, they actually give the right response!  If they do not know, they will work to find the answer.

All I can say is that my life has become crazier, and my blog has become busier.  But my blog's traffic has increased, and Karma Media is part of the reason--a big part of the reason.  If you want to improve your blog, I invite you to check them out.  Big, small, international, U.S., it makes no difference.  They can help you meet your blogging goals.  I don't know if I will ever have to pitch a company again! (Okay, I probably will, but it is so nice to sit back and let the wonderful leaders of the team do the hard work!)

Don't forget to follow them on facebook and twitter!

I Am Not Really Back (Even Though I Am Posting)

Yes, I know I am posting again, but I am currently in Starbucks.  And honestly, it is my wonderful followers and blogging business that has caused me to come in.  Let me give you a quick update.

Hopefully we will have power again by Tuesday night.  Part of Yelm is back on, and I was so pleased to have free wi-fi at our Starbucks that now has power!  This is the first time I have ever used free wi-fi here!

I have read your comments, and of course, I am behind on a couple blog things.  Hopefully I will get caught up today.  Once we have power again at home, I will be posting this day in history segments and all my normal stuff.  Until that time, don't expect too much from me!

We have no power nor running water.  I have learned a lot during this time, and God is teaching me patience.  Thank you for all your well wishes, and here's hoping that the power will be back on soon.  I miss you guys!

My heart goes out to my fellow bloggers who may be in the same position.  Blessings to all of you!

Mom Bloggers for Social Good Launches Today!

Today launches a fantastic new site of which I am one of the 400 founding members!

Mom Bloggers for Social Good

This coalition of mom bloggers spans eleven countries:  United States,Canada, UK,India, Spain, Nigeria, Singapore, Netherlands, Malaysia,Jamaica, and the Philippines.  Our goal is to spread the word about what non-profit organizations are doing all around the world to help others.  


Here are the various causes that concern us:

• Children
• Education
• Maternal Health
• Fair Trade
• Workers’ Rights
• Environment and Climate
• Communicable Disease
• Non-Communicable Disease
• Access to Clean Water and Sanitation
• Food Security
• Malaria and Tuberculosis
• HIV / AIDS
• Women and Girls

There is still time for you to join.  You can e-mail them at info@mombloggersforsocialgood.com.  You can also like them on facebook and/or follow them on twitter.

I Am the Blogger of the Week At Simply Stacie!

I know I don't normally tell you to go an enter giveaways at other blogs--I often don't have the time.  But this is something special.

Head over to Simply Stacie's giveaway page this week because I am the blogger of the week!  Okay, here's the story behind that.  When I looked at the blog that had given me the most referrals last year, it was definitely hers.  I was shocked because it was not like I had entered that many giveaways in her giveaway linky last year, but I figured I would try some advertising with her.

And so I signed up for her blogger of the week program.  All that really means is that for the next week, following me on twitter (@ruthhill74) will give you additional entries into her giveaways.  I figure that my blog readers should know about this because most of you already follow me on twitter anyway.

So be sure to enter her giveaways this week!  I already entered one, and it was something to see my twitter account in her giveaway!  It is my first time doing any paid advertising, and if all goes well, I may even look into advertising on other blogs.  I guess I am truly going to another level in the blogosphere!

More Extra Entries!

Okay, I took the plunge.  I joined the Picket Fence, and now you can vote for me here!


I am working on a blog frog community, so watch for that in the near future.  I have a couple more reviews and giveaways to post within the next day or two!  I am sorry about not posting last night, but I am working hard on getting this blog where it needs to be.  Notice how nice the buttons look at the bottom of my blog!  I was so excited to figure this out.  So take advantage of the new extra entries!  You guys are great!

By the way, my vote button is on the sidebar, too!