Blogging Connections

Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009

Blogging Connections

buddies-post Building Our Community,

One Blog Roll at a Time…

In reading books such as ProBlogger and reading blogs about maximizing your blog, one fact continues to present itself time after time. One of the best ways to build your own site’s rating and optimize its Search Engine results, is to be cross referenced or “linked” on another’s blog. The way that I’m interpreting the information that I’m reading is that being linked on other sites adds “credibility” (for a lack of a better word) to your site. Hence, I have a very extensive blog roll on my site. If you’ve never checked it out, click on the “+” sign next to “Blogs Blogs Blogs.” The thing is with me, is that I’m completely addicted to my RSS Atom Reader within my email program. Therefore, if I’m out surfing the blogging world and find another blog that I want to read and subscribe to, it’s just super simple to hit that RSS Feed button and just let those posts arrive in my “inbox.” With that being said, I’ve become dependent upon my RSS Reader and have been neglecting my Blog Roll.

So, you ask, where am I headed with this? Well, I’m up to subscribing to over 200 feeds. Now, not all of them are book review blogs, but the majority of them are. How can I keep up with 200 sites? Well, not everybody posts everyday… I want to make sure that I honor all of the bloggers that I subscribe to by ensuring that they are on my Blog Roll. In addition, I also want to honor my readers. If you are a regular reader and you are a blogger… you SHOULD BE on my Blog Roll. What I’m driving at is that the bloggers I read and those who read me, I should do everything I can for (I mean, within reason… I’m not cooking you dinner tonight!). One of those ways to give back is the Blog Roll.

Today’s plea… can you please double-check to see if you are on my Blog Roll. If you are not, please leave me a comment and I’ll get you added by Sunday. I would appreciate the reciprocal benefit of being added to yours… if that’s cool with you. This only builds mutual “credibility” and enhances a stronger book review blogging community.

Lastly, if I’m totally off-base with the information that I’m reading on the Blog Roll, let me know. I can be a bit of a dinosaur sometimes. J

Don’t Forget Thursday’s Thoughts…

It seems that Booking Through Thursday will always be the crowd favorite. But, I know that there are several of you out there who really enjoy stepping out of the “book review” mode and enjoy creative writing in your blogs. I also know (brag brag) that readers really do enjoy reading a bit about your personal thoughts or life (this privileged information is, really, only from the results of polls that I’ve taken). With this being said, Thursday’s Thoughts is a weekly MEME with a thought-provoking question that you can creatively write about on your blog.

I’ve changed the format of Thursday’s Thoughts. First, there is no longer a weekly monetary prize. I’m broke. J However, there is a weekly “winner.” The winner gets added to the Thursday’s Thoughts “World Famous” Blog Roll. In addition, the winner gets to pick the question for the next week’s MEME. Why is this awesome? Because it’s not just me (Miss Lame-O) coming up with questions. It’s you… the book blogging community… coming up with these questions because you’d like to know more about your Blogging Buddies. For example, this week’s question is from Valorie at Morbid Romantic. Next week’s question is from Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit. My goal would be that we can get as many diverse book review bloggers winning and submitting their question of the week as possible. Why? I want to get to know my BLOGGING BUDDIES better. I think that a MEME is the best way of doing that.

I will, every now and then, host a book-related giveaway on Thursday’s Thoughts for a little spice in our lives!

I’ve run polls about Thursday’s Thoughts and there are more of you out there who want to keep it than to “flush it.” So, I’m breathing new life into it and can’t wait to read what you have to say on these intriguing questions!

Guest Hosting, Guest Posting…

For the first time in my life, I have done guest host posts (what else do you call them? Not sure…). I did one for Literary Menagerie and another for Books On The Brain. It was really fun. It was neat going to another Blogger’s site to read what their readers thought of my post. Truly, it’s fun. So, I would very much like to open up my blog to some guest hosts who want to write me some guest posts! Write me at anovelmenagerie@aol.com and let me know if you’re interested. I’d love to feature your writing and get to know your blog and your readers better.

Lending a Hand…

One of the most important things to me is being there for others. I want to just to put it out there that I’m totally open, ready and willing to lend anybody a hand who may need it. If you have blogging questions, technical questions, or any type of blog-related questions, I’m here for you. If I don’t know the answer, I may know someone who does. Also, I love making buttons and badges. If you need any help with that, please let me know. I really like doing them just for the creative release of it. If you have special talents that could help your BLOGGING BUDDIES, you should let them know too! It’s what sets our community apart from the others.

Thanks for letting me share on these topics!

36 Comments

| Posted in Personal Blogs

36 Responses

Erika Lynn

February 18th, 2009 at 10:12 pm

you are on my blogroll. but i sadly am not on yours. Which I totally understand I haven’t really updated my blogroll in a while because I am also addicted to my google reader. Like in a serious, i think I need a support group kinda way.
Also how do you make your buttons? I have tried my hand at it and I never really like my results so I have only actually used one of the ones I made. Any suggestions would be awesome because I don’t really like mine.

Erika Lynn’s last blog post..How to Hook a Hottie
Carrie K.

February 18th, 2009 at 10:23 pm

I checked and couldn’t believe that you weren’t on my blogroll already ! You’ve been in my Google Reader for awhile. Anyway, I added you to my blogroll.

Carrie K.’s last blog post..Oscar-winning films based on books, part two
Menagerie

February 18th, 2009 at 10:43 pm

You’re both on my blog roll. Thanks, Erika for letting me know.
Menagerie

February 18th, 2009 at 10:52 pm

Erika Lynn… I forgot…. I sent you an email on the badges.

Sheri
Wrighty

February 18th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

You have a great blogroll and I’ve found some new places to check out. I’m not listed but I do have you listed on mine. I have always loved the graphics you have here. They are so cool and make a great theme. Did you find them all together or are you constantly on the lookout for more that match what you have? Your blog always looks amazing!

Wrighty’s last blog post..Writing Contest
Rebecca

February 18th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

Sheri,
I understand where you are coming from. I try to read all of my subscriptions in Google Reader. It keeps up with what I have and have not read. Otherwise, I would never remember! I noticed I am not on your blogroll, but I’d love to be. I visit your blog regularly. You always have well-written reviews. I believe I have featured you on my Marvelous Mondays at least once.

Rebecca’s last blog post..Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
Menagerie

February 19th, 2009 at 4:16 am

Wrighty: I read your blog… you are in my Reader. I love your blog. I have now added you to my Blog Roll!

Sheri
rhapsodyinbooks

February 19th, 2009 at 4:25 am

I’m not on your blogroll although I do subscribe to yours – how could I not with those great pictures and diverse content? And I love the ongoing story of you that you have been posting on Sundays!
Menagerie

February 19th, 2009 at 4:29 am

Rebecca: You’re on the blogroll. But, I had trouble tonight with your website… ???

Rhapsody In Books… I already subscribe to your feed via RSS, but you’re right about the Blog Roll. You will be added!

Sheri
Molly

February 19th, 2009 at 4:30 am

I think you were about the 3rd blog I added to my roll (and I have around 100 now). I don’t think I have missed a single one of your posts, and I thoroughly enjoy them – although I do not always comment (sorry). I have yet to get the hang of creating buttons (but then again, my knowledge of photo software is minimal). Perhaps I could have you give me a crash course?

Molly’s last blog post..Monsters of Templeton
Menagerie

February 19th, 2009 at 4:38 am

Molly… I am happy to!
Menagerie

February 19th, 2009 at 4:49 am

Oh.. Wrighty… you were on there! See… ? The love is there! Hee Hee.
Jingle

February 19th, 2009 at 6:22 am

I read your blog, but it’s one of only a couple of book review blogs I read. I have over 400 blogs in my reader, though! It’s insane! LOL! I enjoy your blog! If you’d like to add me you, may, but I won’t insist! LOL! That is really sweet of you to offer!

Jingle’s last blog post..From the Archives
Jo-Jo

February 19th, 2009 at 6:35 am

200 blogs! Wowza! I can see how it would be easy to get so many though. As I come across new ones I keep adding them myself. I do have you on my blogroll but I don’t think I’m listed on yours yet.

Jo-Jo’s last blog post..TV Meme
Menagerie

February 19th, 2009 at 7:09 am

I subscribe to your feed, already Jo-Jo… but, I hadn’t added you to my blog-roll. You’re there now!

SHERI
Literate Housewife

February 19th, 2009 at 7:50 am

We’re both square with each others blogrolls, Sheri. I loved this post and I will be participating in Thursday Thoughts this week. I have seen the butterfly button before, but I never investigated it. Now I know all about it. I am also very touched by the idea of bloggers being there for each other. I need to consider what my talent might be that I can offer to the community overall.

You inspired me today, girlfriend!

Literate Housewife’s last blog post..Where Fiction Isn’t Allowed to be Fiction
iliana

February 19th, 2009 at 9:04 am

It’s hard to keep with so many blogs isn’t it?! I keep discovering new blogs to read every week and it’s almost impossible to keep my blog roll updated but I just added yours

iliana’s last blog post..Getting Graphic
Prongs

February 19th, 2009 at 9:15 am

Beautiful site that you have here! It is great that you are giving support to all us book bloggers out there!!

Prongs’s last blog post..John Hemingway Stops on By
Florinda

February 19th, 2009 at 9:47 am

I started reading your blog via the Weekly Geeks feed – I read everything via Google Reader. I also use Reader to drive my blogroll, and have tagged your feed so it’s in my blogroll now. Hope you’ll do the same!

I love the way you’re focusing on community-building here.

Florinda’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday on Monday: Behind the music (and lyrics)
Kristi

February 19th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

Hello,

I have been following you in my RSS Feeder also – but have added you to my blogroll, but (sniff, sniff) I do not find myself on yours. This is a real cool idea though – care if I steal the idea and post it at my site?

Thanks,

Kristi’s last blog post..First Wild Card Tour – The Spring of Candy Apples
Darlene

February 19th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

lol Sheri, you subscribe to my blog and I subscribe to yours but sadly you missed puttiing me on your blogroll. I got a bit of a laugh out of that. I have mine set now that all the blogs I follow go directly into my blogroll list. That way I don’t miss any.

Darlene’s last blog post..Booking Through Thursday—Storage
Lenore

February 19th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

I am not on yours, you are not on mine. But I’m adding you now.

Lenore’s last blog post..Book Review: North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
Melissa

February 19th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

Love your blog! I just started a book blog myself and I added yours to my blog roll. Take care and keep up the good work!

Melissa’s last blog post..The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall
Carrie K.

February 19th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

I can’t find myself on your blogroll – could be my cold-medicine addled brain, though. Is it under something other than Books and Movies?

Carrie K.’s last blog post..Oscar-winning films based on books, part two
Petunia

February 19th, 2009 at 5:51 pm

Well, since you asked, I’d love to be added to your blogroll. You’re already on mine.

Petunia’s last blog post..Review: The Mighty Queens of Freeville
Fyrefly

February 19th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

I’ve subscribed to your blog for a while now, although I don’t see my blog on your roll. I don’t currently have a blogroll, but I’ve been thinking about starting a page in its place, and you’d definitely be on it!

Fyrefly’s last blog post..Erik L’Homme – Quadehar the Sorcerer
Meg @ Literary Menagerie

February 19th, 2009 at 9:28 pm

I loved having you over for a guest post!

Meg @ Literary Menagerie’s last blog post..How addicted to blogging are you?
Menagerie

February 20th, 2009 at 3:21 am

Florinda… we’re good to go, now!
Menagerie

February 20th, 2009 at 3:37 am

Jingle… you’re on the blogroll and I’ve added to you my RSS!
Menagerie

February 20th, 2009 at 4:01 am

Everyone… I have updated my blogroll and all of my subscriptions. I’ve left you notes on your blogs! Thanks for leaving me the comment and helping me get updated!
Bonnie

February 20th, 2009 at 8:55 am

I follow your blog in my google reader and hadn’t added you to my blogroll and I don’t see my blog on your blogroll either. I just added yours to my blogroll. I need to update it so thanks for posting this!

I have no idea to make buttons but want to try. I just may be emailing you for some advice!

Bonnie’s last blog post..Review: When Wanderers Cease to Roam by Vivian Swift
Typ0

February 21st, 2009 at 1:42 am

I’m visiting from BPOTW!

I’ve been terrible at updating my blogroll. My RSS feeder keeps me busy for hours reading but i haven’t shared my new finds with my readers in ages. Thanks for the reminder!!

Typ0’s last blog post..Claustrophobia
Monica

February 21st, 2009 at 1:46 am

I’m a newish reader (few months I’ve subscribed) and I’m like you — adding blogs willy nilly to my Feed Reader. It’s odd you should mention doing maintenance on your blogroll because that’s the task (part of it anyway) for the Blog Improvement Project week 4.

Monica’s last blog post..Almost time to roll out the Red Carpet…
Menagerie

February 21st, 2009 at 3:34 am

Bonnie & Monica… we’re all golden! BlogRoll plus RSS Feeds!

Thanks

Sheri
Brenda

February 21st, 2009 at 12:38 pm

Great post, I am not on your blog roll but I would love to be. I am adding you to my google reader and on my blog roll. I love to read and enjoy reading your blog reviews, even if I don’t get here too often.

Brenda’s last blog post..Pizza, All We Ate
Jeanne

March 13th, 2009 at 9:38 am

As you can see, I visit the blogs on my blogroll at least once a month, so I missed this last month. But finally I’ve visited you again, and please consider putting me on your blogroll, too.